Did Hawaii Ever Split from the U.S.? No—Here's the History

Hawaii has never split from the United States. It remains the 50th state, admitted on August 21, 1959.

Key timeline:

• 1893: Overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom monarchy (backed by U.S. business interests).
• 1898: Annexed as a U.S. territory via Newlands Resolution.
• 1900: Organized as Territory of Hawaii.
• 1941: Pearl Harbor attack draws U.S. into WWII.
• 1959: Statehood approved by referendum (94% yes); admitted as 50th state.

There is an active Hawaiian sovereignty movement advocating for independence or nation-within-a-nation status, but legally and politically, Hawaii is unequivocally a U.S. state.