Big Island Name Change: What Hawaii Travelers Need to Know

HONOLULU — The Hawaii State Board on Geographic Names voted December 10, 2025, to officially rename the state’s largest island from “Island of Hawaii” to simply “Hawaii,” ending a decades-long inconsistency in how the archipelago’s islands are labeled on state maps and documents.

The change, part of a standardization effort dating back to Act 50 of the 1974 Hawaii State Legislature, aligns the Big Island’s official designation with neighboring islands like Maui and Kauai, but creates immediate confusion for travelers as booking platforms and federal databases lag behind the state’s decision.

Quick Facts:

• Official name: Hawai’i (as of Dec 10, 2025)
• What locals call it: Big Island, Hawaii Island
• What you should search: Kona, Hilo, or use airport codes (KOA, ITO)
• What changed: State documents only
• What didn’t change: Everything else

What changed and why it matters

The Hawaii State Board on Geographic Names voted on December 10, 2025, to update the formal name of the state’s largest island.

The island is now officially called Hawai’i, dropping the descriptor “Island of.” The December 10 vote caps a decades-long effort to standardize island names across the state, a project that began with Act 50 of the 1974 Hawaii State Legislature.

The decision applies to state records in Hawaii and aims to align naming across the islands. The change does not alter flights, accommodations, or on-the-ground experiences, but it creates temporary confusion when searching or reserving travel.

What this means for your Hawaii trip

This update doesn’t change your itinerary, but it does change how you search. The real risk: typing “Hawaii vacation” into a search engine and booking a Waikiki hotel when you meant to visit volcanoes and black sand beaches 200 miles away.

Traveler tips

• Book by airport code: Use KOA (Kona) or ITO (Hilo) to lock in the right island.
• Search by city or region: Kailua-Kona, Hilo, Waimea, Volcano, Kohala.
• Use familiar terms when talking locally: “Big Island” and “Hawaii Island” are both understood.
• Double-check confirmations: Make sure the island name matches the city and airport.
• If you’re using a travel agent: Say “Big Island” or give them the airport code (KOA or ITO). Don’t rely on “Hawaii” alone.

The Local Grammar Trick

Residents use a simple preposition hack to avoid confusion:

• “In Hawaii” = the state
• “On Hawaii” = the island

Example: “I’m flying in to Hawaii next week, then staying on Hawai’i for five days.” This simple preposition swap eliminates confusion instantly.

Why the name was updated

The board operates within the State of Hawaii Office of Planning and Sustainable Development. Members said the change improves consistency with other islands like Maui and Kauai, which do not include “island” in their official names.

The board also emphasizes linguistic accuracy, using the okina and kahako to reflect correct Hawaiian spelling and pronunciation.

“We wanted to honor the island’s name by returning it just to Hawaii, like all of its neighboring islands… and give it that distinction as that is its true name, and not ‘island of.'”
— Marques Hanalei Marzan, Board Member and Cultural Adviser

By stripping the “Island of” prefix, the board is affirming the island’s proper name and dismissing a descriptive crutch.

How this affects maps, GPS, and bookings

The name change creates short-term booking risks. The state board voted in December 2025, but the U.S. Board on Geographic Names hasn’t updated federal records yet.

This means Google Maps, airline systems, and booking platforms are working from different datasets—some showing “Island of Hawaii,” others showing just “Hawai’i.”

What Actually Breaks:

• Search defaults: Type “Hawaii hotels” and Google shows Waikiki (wrong island)
• Booking filters: Expedia might mix results from both the state and the island
• Map apps: Your rental car GPS might show “Hawaii” while the airport sign says “Island of Hawaii”
• Confirmation emails: Your hotel might say “Big Island” while your flight says “Hawaii”

Many apps still default to Oahu when users type “Hawaii,” because the state name has long pointed there in tourism data. Expect a lag as platforms update.

What to watch for:

• Search results that mix state-level and island-level pages
• Maps labeling the island differently across apps
• Booking filters that return results on the wrong island if searches are broad

For official background, see the State of Hawaii Office of Planning and Sustainable Development (external source). For trip-planning guidance, browse practical updates on Hawaii’s Best Travel (internal resource).

Local reaction and everyday names

The official change only applies to state documents and maps. In practice, “Big Island” remains the most common term used by businesses (Big Island Candies, Big Island Coffee Roasters), locals, and the tourism industry. Even Hawaii County Mayor Kimo Alameda prefers “Hawaii Island” for clarity.

On the ground, people still use several names and that’s unlikely to change soon. “Big Island” remains the dominant everyday term, especially in business names and casual conversation. “Hawaii Island” is often used to reduce confusion with the state.

Hawaii County leaders have acknowledged the risk of ambiguity between Hawai’i (the island) and Hawaii (the state), noting that clarity matters for the public. The board confirmed that “Island of Hawaii” remains an official variant, so you’ll continue to see multiple labels during the transition.

You may also hear “Moku o Keawe,” a traditional name referencing a historical chief. It’s culturally significant, though less common in travel planning.

The name is official, the island experience stays the same, and using the right search terms will keep your plans on track.