The word “Aloha” has many meanings. It means: hello, kindness, love, and even goodbye. 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.