Hawaii isn’t exactly known for huge amounts of ingenuity, but every once in a while, someone from our great state has a brilliant idea. From surfing to organic vodka, the following seven things invented in Hawaii (and firsts) are pretty stellar. What are some firsts in Hawaii you already knew about?

1. Surfing was invented in Hawaii thousands of years ago, and it was also the province of royalty.
John Mueller/Flickr
The first surfboards weighed more than 150 pounds and measured up to 20 feet in length. Check out some of the best places to go surfing in Hawaii. If you decide to give it a try, you'll want to invest in a wetsuit.
2. Speaking of surfing, Tom Blake made major contributions to the modern-day surfboard.
Ian Sanderson/Flickr
He is also credited with creating the lightweight Tom Blake Hollow Surfboard in the 1920s, in addition to inventing the waterproof camera housing, the sailboard, and the collapsible surfboard.
3. In 1911, Henry Ginaca invented a machine that could peel and core pineapples in an automated fashion per the request of Hawaiian pineapple magnate James Dole. You can even do a tour of the Dole Plantation in Hawaii.
Wally Gobetz/Flickr
Now, why does that name sound so familiar? Hmm...

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4. Hawaii was also the first state to outlaw billboards (in 1927), which is a pretty ingenious way to preserve the islands’ natural beauty.
David Evers/Flickr
That's just one of the fun, weird laws in Hawaii that really kinda makes the world a better place.
5. Kenneth J. Onion, an award-winning knifemaker from Kaneohe, invented the “SpeedSafe” assisted opening mechanism for Kershaw Knives.
James Case/Flickr
6. CBI Polymers, a Honolulu-based company, invented a special gel that can mop up radioactive particles.
Stephen Train/Flickr
7. Ocean Vodka, which was handcrafted in Hawaii, is the only spirit in the world that's made with deep ocean mineral water. It's also the only vodka that's distilled with organic sugar cane.
Brian Lauer/Flickr
You can also do tours of Kula, home of Ocean Vodka, if you'd like.

So, which of these seven Hawaiian inventions are you most grateful for? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below. We love hearing from you!

Need more amazing places in Hawaii to hold you over? Check out this epic Hawaii waterfalls road trip!

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Hawaiian Inventions

Tori Jane | July 20, 2022

Who are some Hawaiian inventors who have changed the world? 

Hawaii might be a little far away from the mainland United States, but that doesn’t mean it hasn’t made its own significant contributions to the nation, or to the world. There are plenty of fascinating things invented in Hawaii, and many Hawaiian inventors have changed the world with their brilliance. For example, the engineers and scientists at CBI Polymers in Honolulu invented a remarkable nuclear gel that is capable of “mopping up” radioactive particles. This invention was very monumental and might provide new ways of cleaning up after nuclear disasters. So, with that being said, the scientists at CBI Polymers might be some of the most influential Hawaiian inventors of all time. 

What's one of the most popular inventions from Hawaii?  

There have been several things invented in Hawaii, including surfing. That's right! One of the most popular water-based sports in the world came from beautiful Hawaii, and we would be lying if we said we weren’t totally proud of that. Long ago, there were all sorts of things about surfboards that told people about the status of the owner. The length of the board and the wood it was made from would tell the difference between the common folk and the royalty.

What are some of the best things invented in Hawaii?  

Well, “best” is pretty subjective, but let’s be real here. There are all kinds of things invented in Hawaii that made a splash in some way or another. Did you know that one of the finest coffees in the world comes from here? Yep! Kona Coffee. If you’ve never had it, you’ve never lived. It only grows in a tiny section of the Big Island, and it’s very special. Hawaii is also the only state in the United States to cultivate cacao and vanilla beans. Sure, Hawaii didn’t “invent” those, but still.

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