What Is The Hawaii Area Code?

Wondering what the area code is for Hawaii? If you’re planning a trip to the beautiful Hawaiian islands or need to make a call there, knowing the area code is essential.

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: The Hawaii area code is 808. This one area code covers all islands in Hawaii.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about Hawaii’s 808 area code. You’ll learn the islands it covers, a bit of history, who uses it, and more.

History and Origins of Hawaii’s 808 Area Code

When Area Codes Were First Introduced

Area codes were first introduced in the 1940s to help automate long-distance calling in the United States. At that time, all long distance calls had to be manually connected by an operator. To automate the system, the Bell System devised a numbering plan to designate specific geographic areas with unique area codes.

These area codes were assigned in 1947 and initially covered the US and Canada.

Hawaii was not included in the original allocation of area codes since it did not have extensive phone infrastructure in place at that time. The territory relied primarily on manual switchboards to connect local calls within islands.

Long distance calling between islands or internationally was extremely limited. So Hawaii was not viewed as a priority for assigning an area code in 1947.

808 Assigned to Entire Hawaii Territory

It wasn’t until 1959, when Hawaii officially became the 50th state, thatplans were made to modernize the territory’s telecommunications. Assigning it an area code became necessary to accommodate improved phone service.

In 1957, the Bell System reserved most area codes in the 800 range for states that were expected to join the union. So when Hawaii became a state in 1959, it was assigned the 808 area code for the entire territory.

At first, the 808 area code covered all Hawaiian Islands – Oahu, Hawaii, Maui, Kauai as well as Midway Island. Using a single area code for the whole state made sense back then because populations were much smaller and concentrated on individual islands.

For example, Honolulu accounted for around 70% of Oahu’s total population in 1960. So a single area code was sufficient for the limited amount of phone lines in use across Hawaii during the early years of statehood.

Geographic Region Covered by 808

Covers All Major Islands in Hawaii

The 808 area code covers all the major inhabited Hawaiian Islands, including O’ahu, Maui, Kaua’i, Moloka’i, Lana’i, and the Big Island of Hawai’i. This includes the state’s capital and largest city Honolulu, which is located on O’ahu.

The 808 area code blankets over 6,400 square miles, encompassing the entire state of Hawaii. From the world-famous beaches of Waikiki, to the volcanic slopes of Mauna Loa, if you are calling a number based in the Aloha State, you’ll need to dial the 808 area code.

Includes Honolulu and Other Major Cities

In addition to Honolulu, the 808 area code includes other major population centers in Hawaii such as Hilo, Kailua-Kona, Lihue, Wailuku, and Kahului. So whether you are calling a friend in bustling Honolulu or a business partner on rural Moloka’i, 808 is the area code you’ll need to connect.

Here’s a breakdown of some of the major cities and towns found within the 808 area code region:

• Honolulu (Population: 337,256)
• Hilo (Population: 43,263)
• Kailua (Population: 50,000)
• Kaneohe (Population: 34,597)
• Kahului (Population: 26,337)
• Lihue (Population: 6,455)

Types of Numbers Using the 808 Area Code

Landlines, Cell Phones, and Fax Lines

The 808 area code in Hawaii is used for traditional landlines, cell phones, and fax lines. According to the North American Numbering Plan Administration (NANPA), over 75% of the phone numbers with the 808 area code are assigned to cell phones and mobile devices.

The remaining numbers are used for landlines and fax lines.

Landline use has decreased over the years as more people switch to using cell phones exclusively. However, many businesses and some residences still utilize landlines with the 808 area code. Fax machines, while not as common anymore, also make use of phone numbers in this area code.

Toll-Free and Local Numbers

In addition to traditional phone numbers, the 808 area code is used for toll-free and local numbers in Hawaii. Many businesses use toll-free numbers prefixed with 800, 888, 877, 866 or 855 along with the 808 area code to provide call centers and customer service hotlines.

According to the NANPA Local Number Portability Administration report, over 500,000 numbers with the 808 area code are classified as toll-free. Local numbers make up the remainder and are used by government organizations, schools, hospitals, and other institutions that serve local communities.

808 in Hawaiian Culture

The 808 area code holds special meaning in Hawaiian culture. The numbers 8, 0, and 8 are considered lucky numbers that signify new beginnings, eternal cycles, and spiritual alignment. Here’s a deeper look at the cultural significance of 808:

Number 8 – New Starts

The number 8 is associated with rebirth and starting fresh in Hawaiian culture. Some examples:

• In the Hawaiian language, 8 is pronounced like the word for new beginning (“ho’oku’u”).
• Traditionally, Hawaiian babies would get their ear piercings after 8 days as a celebration of their new life.
• The 8th month of the traditional Hawaiian calendar marked the start of the Makahiki season – a period of peace, celebration, and renewal.

Number 0 – Eternal Cycle

Zero represents eternity, continuity, and the full life cycle in Hawaiian culture. For instance:

• The Hawaiian word for love – aloha – has 0 letters if written in an oval shape, reflecting never-ending affection.
• In Hawaiian mythology, the Kumulipo chant traces the origins of life over 16 wā (epochs) that begin and end with 0.
• The circular shape of 0 symbolizes the circle of life – birth and death in an endless cycle.

Number 8 – Alignment and Balance

The number 8 turned on its side signifies balance, harmony, and spiritual alignment in Hawaiian beliefs. Consider:

• The 808 area code reminds local Hawaiians to walk the path of righteousness and pono (harmony with others).
• In ceremonies, 8 is represented by Lono – the god of peace, fertility, and alignment of mankind with nature.
• The 8th month on the Hawaiian calendar was a time to correct kapu (spiritual violations) and return to balance.

So in many ways, the 808 area code encompasses core aspects of Hawaiian culture – new beginnings, never-ending cycles, and living in harmony. It’s no wonder 808 is infused in local art, songs, jewelry, and expressions of identity in the islands.

When Hawaiians see the 808 number, it isn’t just an area code – it’s an affirmation of their beliefs.

How to Call Hawaii from Other States and Countries

Dialing 808 within the United States

When calling a number in Hawaii from another state, you must dial the area code 808 followed by the 7-digit phone number. For example, to call the number 555-1234 in Hawaii, dial 1-808-555-1234. The 1 before the area code is necessary when making calls between states.

All phone numbers in the 808 area code are in the state of Hawaii. Major Hawaiian islands with numbers in the 808 area code include Oahu, Maui, Kauai, Molokai, and Lanai. Calling these islands from another state requires dialing 1-808 prior to the phone number.

Hawaii does not observe daylight saving time, so callers should be aware of the time zone difference. Hawaii time is 3 hours behind Eastern Time and 2 hours behind Central Time. For example, when it is 3:00 pm in New York, it is 12:00 pm in Hawaii.

Dialing from Outside the United States

When calling Hawaii from another country, first dial the exit code of the country you are calling from. This tells the phone system that you are making an international call. Common exit codes are 00 in Europe and Australia, and 011 in North America.

Next, dial the country code 1 for the United States, followed by the area code 808 and the local Hawaii 7-digit phone number.

For example, to call the Hawaiian number 555-1234 from London, you would dial 00-1-808-555-1234. From Mexico City, dial 01-1-808-555-1234. Be sure to check the exact international dialing format with your local phone provider.

When calling internationally, callers should be aware of substantial time zone differences, in addition to Hawaii’s lack of daylight saving time. For example, when it is 3:00 pm in Paris, it is 5:00 am in Hawaii.

Some key things to remember when placing calls to and from Hawaii:

• Always dial 1 before 808 when calling Hawaii from another U.S. state
• Dial the exit code first when calling from overseas, followed by the country code and full Hawaiian phone number
• Account for Hawaii’s unique time zone and lack of daylight saving time to avoid early morning or late night calls
• Check international dialing formats with your local carrier prior to calling

By carefully entering the proper country codes and being mindful of time differences, calling Hawaii can be simple and straightforward. With its scenic landscapes and welcoming culture, it will certainly be a call worth making.

Conclusion

Whether you’re visiting paradise or just need to reach someone in Hawaii, knowing the 808 area code is essential. As the one and only area code used throughout the Hawaiian islands, 808 covers all major landlines and cell phones there.

We covered the origins of the 808 code, where exactly it’s used geographically, the types of Hawaiian numbers that use it, and how to dial it properly. We hope this guide gave you everything you need to know about 808 and calling Hawaii.

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