25 Things You Might Not Know About Hawaii

Hawaii is full of rich culture, history and local customs. Travel deeper with this list of lesser-known facts.

The first annual Diamond Head Crater Festival was held in 1969. Each year between 1969 and 1974, there was a "crater concert" on New Year's Day inside Diamond Head. According to Secrets of Diamond Head, the "festivals had a hippie, Woodstock-like atmosphere. Women wore ethnic skirts and bikinis. Many men were shirtless, in jeans, their heads covered with bandanas or funky hats." Performers included Carlos Santana and Buddy Miles.

Waikiki's infamous strip wasn't always what it is today. Back in the day, Kalakaua Ave was a two-way street with private homes and street parking, with streetcars running in both directions until 1937-38. Slowly but surely, development pushed out street parking and private homes in favor of storefronts and high rises. Kalakaua didn't turn into a one-way street until 1971.

In the mid-1930s, the first planes began flying to Hawaii (previously, all travel to Hawaii took place via ship). The 1936 Pan Am Clippers flew in from the west coast on an almost unimaginable 19-hour flight. But at that time, it was considered a romantic journey and a status symbol. The best part? The Pan Am Clippers were equipped to land on water and would set down in the middle of Pearl Harbor. Of course, back then, Pearl Harbor did not carry the history and significance that it does today.

Foreign influence on Hawaii is well documented, with most of it surrounding Americans and Europeans. But, the Russians were also in Hawaii in the early 19th century and in 1817, they formed an alliance with the King of Kauai to build Fort Elizabeth. Today, the remains of the seaside fort are preserved on Kauai's south shore at Russian Fort Elizabeth State Historical Park.

While the hibiscus and plumeria get more attention, the ti plant has an even deeper cultural significance. Hawaiians believe in its ability to ward off bad spirits and bad luck, which is why you see it planted in rows around houses. In ancient times, the roots were used as food during famine and even fermented and made into a moonshine-type beverage called okolehao. The leaves of the ti plant have been used to wrap food for centuries-a practice that continues today in underground ovens-and also to make other clothing, like raincoats and capes.

The Thai are often credited in historical explanations of the coconut grater, attributing its invention-or at least its gained popularity-to the use within kitchens across the country. To be sure, these tools were used, in some form, by all people across Asia and Polynesia (including Hawaii). Today, they come in all different versions, from simple, handheld scrapers to more mechanical, modern graters. In the bench-seated variety shown above, a person sits on what is essentially a small bench and the physical, metal grater is fastened to the edge, which comes to a point at the end. The user sits astride the bench and grates the coconut, using the hard brown shell as protection from the sharp metal teeth. The shredded coconut drops into a bowl below the grater and is used in cooking.

In ancient Hawaii, communities constructed and maintained a method of fish farming known as the "fishpond." Using rock walls that are constructed to work with the tides and allow for the natural migration of fish into and out of the pond, past civilizations were able to create a sustainable, reliable method of seafood collection. Today, all across Hawaii, they are being restored and rehabilitated, reviving an important piece of history and culture. If you're ever in the area, many are now open for tours.

Molokai as an island is typically against mass tourism and cruise ships visiting their island. But after several years of negotiation, UnCruise was permitted to visit thanks to its low footprint and low profile. The Safari Explorer from UnCruise is more akin to an expedition vessel than a modern-day cruise ship. It holds 36 passengers, promotes active travel and partners with local companies to provide guests cultural and educational-based adventure. Moloka'i is either the first or last stop on the route, depending on the week, and the ship also visits Lanai, Maui and Big Island.

At one time, there were several ferries in Hawaii, including a "superferry" that ran from 2007-2009. The ferries provided an alternative to air travel (you could even bring your car on board, making interisland trips a breeze for locals). But unfortunately, due to political matters and environmental concerns over the years, most eventually shut down. Today, only one passenger ferry survives-an hour-long trip from Lahaina, Maui to Lanai.

If you're put off by the high price of renting a fishing boat, Hawaii has a few other options. Bottom fishing boats are relatively affordable, as low as $55 for a half day. Fishing from shore is even more economical, as permits are not required in Hawaii.

Hawaiians believe that each person carries a certain amount of "mana," or power, within themselves. Royalty-like kings and queens-were thought to have the most mana. Ancient beliefs said that this mana was contained in the bones after death and that one could absorb the mana by consuming them. For this reason, grave robbing was a legitimate concern, and the burial locations of important figures were kept secret, placed high in the mountains or in the side of cliffs.

There are six statues of Kamehameha in the world, but the first two created-one in downtown Honolulu and one in Hawi on the Big Island-stick out from the group. King Kalakaua ordered the first, with the intention of placing it in downtown Honolulu. Completion of the statue took two years and in 1880, it was placed upon a boat bound for Hawaii. However, the ocean had other plans and the ship met a sad fate when it sank off the Falkland Islands, statue and all.

The news was disappointing to Kalakaua, but luckily he had taken out an insurance policy and work on a replacement began right away. Before it could be completed, though, Kalakaua received good and miraculous news: the first statue had been found and recovered by a fisherman. It arrived in Hawaii in 1882, not too far off schedule, all things considered. Because the second statue was set to arrive just a year later, presumably in better condition, Kalakaua sent the first and original statue to Hawi, Kamehameha's birthplace, and the second statue was delivered to downtown Honolulu. Both still stand today.

What makes vanilla so difficult to produce is that the orchid plants are hard to keep alive. Extremely temperamental to temperature and water, the plant can only grow in a thin band 20 degrees north or south of the equator. Hawaiian Vanilla Company owner Jim Reddekopp said he's killed "thousands" of plants since opening his farm in 1998, and that even 20+ years later, he's still trying out new techniques.

It's hard to imagine looking at it today, but Waikiki was once a green agricultural region filled with streams and taro farms. Development began modestly in the early 20th century, but the late 50s and 60s marked the early phase of Waikiki's explosive growth, which began with a handful of 10-story buildings in the mid-1950s. The pivotal year was 1959, when Hawai'i became the 50th state and jet planes began traveling to the Hawaiian Islands. After that, in the 1960s, Waikiki was transformed dramatically as the concept of high-volume, commercialized tourism began to take flight.

One would think the slow pace of Hawaii would lead to relaxed activities, yet Hawaii is a hotbed for some of the world's most demanding physical challenges. For example, the Ironman was started more than 40 years ago on Oahu and the World Championships take place on the Big Island every year. One of the Oceans Seven takes place in the channel between Molokai and Oahu, as do yearly canoe races between the islands.

Hawaii is expensive as a whole, and traveling between islands isn't exactly cheap. But there are still a few small airlines that help you get around on a budget. Makani Kai Air, for example, still offers routes for $50 each way.

New fissures, spouts and flows on the Big Island made headlines this summer, and for good reason. But one thing lost in that news cycle is that Kilauea, the volcano responsible for this past summer's fireworks, has been erupting continuously since 1983.

Kona is the most famous producing area, but there are many others. Kau Coffee is grown in the southeast of the Big Island, and Molokai, Maui and Kauai all have their own branded coffee growers.

Talk about diversity. Hawaii might be a small island in the middle of nowhere, but it boasts a population breakdown that rivals any major city on the mainland. At last count, 38.6 percent of Hawaii's population were Asian, 24.7 percent Caucasian, 10 percent Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islanders, 8.9 percent Hispanic, 1.6 percent Black or African American, 0.3 percent American Indian and Alaska Native and 23.6 percent of residents come from a multi-ethnic background (two or more races).

People seem to understand that hula is a traditional dance of Hawaii, but what they often fail to understand is just how sacred it is. Hula was created as an intricate dance that's completely in-tune with nature. In fact, it's more than a dance, it's a ceremony based around the kuahu, or hula alter. Its themes relate an understanding of the natural cycles of water and the forest.

Surfing gets all the love, but bodyboarding-or boogie boarding, as it is called in some parts-is arguably even more popular from a barrier-to-entry standpoint. Safe for kids and beginners and easy to learn, bodyboarding is a favorite of locals throughout Hawaii.

The Forbidden Island is off limits to non-residents, but there are a few tours that allow you to visit in some capacity. Holo Holo Charters runs a snorkeling tour and helicopter and hunting opportunities also exist. While they don't provide you access to the island, dive tours are also possible.

Hawaii may be a few steps behind in some industries, but when it comes to the light bulb, Hawaii was an early adapter. The Iolani Palace was lit by electricity as early as 1887. To put that into perspective, the White House did not have electricity until 1891.

Back in the 1940s, Chinatown was a hub of debauchery for sailors, filled with dive bars and brothels. It is still one of the more seedy areas of Honolulu today, yet it has made big strides in its offerings. One of the best restaurants in the city, Pig and the Lady, calls Chinatown home, as do other notable, modern eateries. Live music and young crowds dominate the nightlife today.

While Chinatown works to improve its reputation, another neighborhood, Kakaako, has seen its stock take off in recent years. Booming with construction, it has become a hub for street art, breweries and hipster shops and restaurants.