The state of Hawaii is nicknamed the “Aloha State” and became the official 50th state in the American Union on August 21, 1959. Some fun facts about the Aloha State: State Flower: the yellow Hibiscus Brackenridgei. State Tree: the Kukui tree, better known as the candlenut. The nuts provided ancient Hawaiians with oil, light and medicine. State Bird: the Nene, a land bird and a variety of goose. State Marine Mammal: the Humpback whale, an annual visitor to Hawaiian waters. State Fish: the Humuhumunukunukuapua'a, a Hawaiian Triggerfish. State song: Hawaii Pono'i written by King David Kalakaua. State Motto: Ua mau ke ea o ka aina i ka pono, translated: “The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness,” attributed to King Kamehameha III after a brief period of unauthorized usurpation of authority. State Flag: the flag has eight stripes to represent the eight major islands in red, white and blue.