Hawaii, the 50th state of the United States, officially joined the Union on August 21, 1959, following the passage of the Hawaii Admission Act earlier that year on March 18. Before achieving statehood, Hawaii was an organized incorporated territory established by the Hawaiian Organic Act of 1900. It remains the most recent state to join the Union.
Hawaii’s local government structure is unique compared to other U.S. states. It is divided into five counties: Honolulu, Hawaii (Big Island), Maui, Kauai, and Kalawao. Of these, Honolulu County operates as a combined city-county entity. The state has no incorporated municipalities in the traditional sense; instead, communities are classified as Census Designated Places (CDPs), towns, or villages. There are 163 such communities across Hawaii, with Urban Honolulu being the largest by population (341,778) and Manele being the smallest.
Unlike other states where cities and towns are incorporated under state law, Hawaii’s counties function as the primary units of local governance. The state constitution grants counties “home rule” powers to organize their governments through charters. This centralized system eliminates distinctions between towns and cities, as seen in other states.
State Information Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Municipalities | 163 |
| Number of Cities | None (communities classified as CDPs) |
| Number of Towns | None (communities classified as CDPs) |
| Number of Villages | None (communities classified as CDPs) |
| State Capital | Honolulu (Population: 341,778; Area: 68.4 sq mi) |
| Number of Counties | 5 |
| Largest Municipality | Urban Honolulu (Population: 341,778; Area: 68.4 sq mi) |
| Smallest Municipality | Manele (Population: 50; Area: 1 sq mi) |
Cities and Towns by Alphabetical Letter
Cities in Hawaii that start with A
- Ahuimanu
- Aiea
- Ainaloa
- Anahola
Cities in Hawaii that start with B
- Black Sands
Cities in Hawaii that start with C
Cities in Hawaii that start with D
- Discovery Harbour
Cities in Hawaii that start with E
- East Honolulu
- East Kapolei
- Eden Roc
- Eleele
- Ewa Beach
- Ewa Gentry
- Ewa Villages
Cities in Hawaii that start with F
- Fern Acres
- Fern Forest
Cities in Hawaii that start with H
- Haena
- Haiku-Pauwela
- Halaula
- Halawa
- Haleiwa
- Haliimaile
- Hana
- Hanalei
- Hanamaulu
- Hanapepe
- Hauula
- Hawaiian Acres
- Hawaiian Beaches
- Hawaiian Ocean View
- Hawaiian Paradise Park
- Hawi
- Heeia
- Helemano
- Hickam Housing
- Hilo
- Holualoa
- Honalo
- Honaunau-Napoopoo
- Honokaa
- Honomu
Cities in Hawaii that start with I
- Iroquois Point
Cities in Hawaii that start with K
- Kaaawa
- Kaanapali
- Kahaluu
- Kahaluu-Keauhou
- Kahuku
- Kahului
- Kailua CDP
- Kailua CDP
- Kaiminani
- Kalaeloa
- Kalaheo
- Kalapana
- Kalihiwai
- Kaloko
- Kamaili
- Kaneohe
- Kaneohe Base
- Kapaa
- Kapaau
- Kapalua
- Kapolei
- Kaumakani
- Kaunakakai
- Kawela Bay
- Keaau
- Kealakekua
- Kekaha
- Keokea
- Kihei
- Kilauea
- Koloa
- Ko Olina
- Kualapuu
- Kukuihaele
- Kula
- Kurtistown
Cities in Hawaii that start with L
- Lahaina
- Laie
- Lanai City
- Launiupoko
- Laupahoehoe
- Lawai
- Leilani Estates
- Lihue
Cities in Hawaii that start with M
- Maalaea
- Mahinahina
- Maili
- Makaha
- Makaha Valley
- Makakilo
- Makawao
- Makena
- Manele
- Maunaloa
- Mauna Loa Estates
- Maunawili
- Mililani Mauka
- Mililani Town
- Mokuleia
- Mountain View
Cities in Hawaii that start with N
- Naalehu
- Nanakuli
- Nanawale Estates
- Napili-Honokowai
Cities in Hawaii that start with O
- Ocean Pointe
- Olinda
- Olowalu
- Omao
- Orchidlands Estates
Cities in Hawaii that start with P
- Paauilo
- Pahala
- Pahoa
- Paia
- Pakala Village
- Papaikou
- Paukaa
- Pearl City
- Pepeekeo
- Poipu
- Princeville
- Puako
- Puhi
- Pukalani
- Punaluu
- Pupukea
Cities in Hawaii that start with R
- Royal Hawaiian Estates
- Royal Kunia
Cities in Hawaii that start with S
- Schofield Barracks
- Seaview
Cities in Hawaii that start with T
- Tiki Gardens
Cities in Hawaii that start with U
- Ualapue
- Urban Honolulu
Cities in Hawaii that start with V
- Volcano
- Volcano Golf Course
Cities in Hawaii that start with W
- Wahiawa
- Waiahole-Waikane
- Waialua
- Waianae
- Waihee-Waiehu
- Waikapu
- Waikele
- Waikoloa Beach Resort
- Waikoloa Village
- Wailea
- Wailua
- Wailua Homesteads
- Wailuku
- Waimalu
- Waimanalo
- Waimanalo Beach
- Waimea CDP
- Waimea CDP
- Wainaku
- Wainiha
- Waiohinu
- Waipahu
- Waipio
- Waipio Acres
- West Loch Estate
- Wheeler AFB
- Whitmore Village
Note
Hawaii has no towns in alphabetical order, beginning with the letters G, J, Q, X, Y and Z
Interactive Hawaii Map
FAQS
How many cities and towns are in Hawaii?
Hawaii does not have any incorporated cities or towns. Instead, all local government functions are managed by the state’s five counties: Honolulu, Maui, Hawaiʻi, Kauaʻi, and Kalawao. Unlike other U.S. states, Hawaii’s laws do not allow municipal incorporation, meaning no legally recognized cities, towns, or villages exist.
What are the top 5 biggest cities in Hawaii?
It is essential to mention that Hawaii has not incorporated cities; its laws permit populated areas to be designated as Census-Designated Places (CDPs). Based on population size, the top five biggest cities in Hawaii are listed below based on the data from World Population Review 2024:
- Honolulu– 350,429 people
- East Honolulu – 350,429 people
- Hilo – 350,429 people
- Pearl City – 46,664people
- Kailua– 40,604 people
What is the main town in Hawaii?
Honolulu
