Map Quiz – Hawaii: Counties

Hawaii has 5 counties, each serving as a local government unit responsible for public services such as law enforcement, transportation, and land use planning. The most populous county is Honolulu County, which covers the entire island of Oʻahu and includes the state capital. The least populated is Kalawao County, a small, historically significant area on Molokaʻi. The largest county by area is Hawaii County, which encompasses the Big Island and features volcanic landscapes, while Kalawao County is the smallest. Many counties are named after Hawaiian words, reflecting the state’s Polynesian heritage. Hawaii’s counties showcase the state’s diverse geography, from volcanic craters and lush rainforests to sandy beaches and coral reefs.

Unlike other counties in Hawaii, Kalawao has no local government, as it is directly administered by the state’s Department of Health.The county’s history is deeply tied to its role as a former leprosy (Hansen’s disease) settlement. In the late 19th century, individuals diagnosed with the disease were forcibly relocated to the remote Kalaupapa Peninsula to prevent its spread. The settlement was home to Father Damien, a Belgian missionary who devoted his life to caring for those affected by the disease. Today, Kalaupapa National Historical Park preserves the history of the community and the struggle of those who lived there.