State nicknames often seem to be completely made up. After all, what’s a Sooner State, anyway!? Hawaii is known as the Rainbow State, but our lovely nickname is based on cold, hard science. Here’s why they call Hawaii the Rainbow State.
What Makes a Rainbow?
Everyone knows a rainbow is made when sunlight passes through water droplets in the air. The light refracts and splits into different wavelengths, creating the arc of colors. But did you know there are optimal conditions to create perfect rainbows?
Research from the University of Hawaii (of course) determined that clean air, lush valleys with plenty of moisture, and daytime heating all work together to form the ideal conditions for rainbows. Want to take a guess where all these ideal conditions can be found in one place?
Hawaii: The Rainbow Capital of the World
You guessed it! Hawaii’s weather has the best conditions on earth to create pristine rainbows. According to University of Hawaii Professor Steven Businger, “At night, a warm sea surface heats the atmosphere from below, while radiation to space cools cloud tops, resulting in deeper rain showers in the morning that produce rainbows in time for breakfast.”
That scientific definition mixed with the incredibly lush valleys, super clean air, and plenty of daytime heat makes for one incredible place to catch rainbows. The mountains help out too by catching clouds floating over the ocean and keeping the floating water particles on the Island.
As if the conditions weren’t good enough to produce rainbows, it’s also much easier to see rainbows in Hawaii. There’s always a valley or a mountainside leading down to the ocean. The long vantage points and flat horizon over the water make it easy to see rainbows all over the Island.
I might not be a scientist, but I can tell you rainbows are as prominent in Hawaii as beaches, sunshine, and palm trees. Depending on where you live, it’s more common to wake up to a rainbow over your house than not!
Ready to Live Under a Rainbow?
If you want to add a splash of color to your life (and perhaps your cheeks), Hawaii is the place to be. Not only do we have rainbows overhead constantly, but we also have them on our license plates, drivers’ licenses, and sports teams! No matter where you look, you can see the beautiful colors all around you.
Ready to make this rainbow-filled Island your home? Now’s your chance! There are plenty of properties available on the Big Island. Contact me, and let’s find your Hawaiian dream home together. You can also sign up for my email newsletter below to get Hawaii real estate updates sent straight to your inbox.
Aloha, and welcome to Hawaii.