Hawaiʻi is allegedly named after Hawaiʻiloa, a legendary Polynesian navigator who is said to have discovered the island. Other accounts attribute the name to the legendary realm of Hawaiki, a place from which some Polynesians are said to have originated, the place where they transition to in the afterlife, or the realm of the gods and goddesses. The indigenous Hawaiian name of the island was originally rendered and published as "Owyhee" or "Owhyhee".
Hawaiʻi is allegedly named after Hawaiʻiloa, a legendary P.olynesian navigator who is said to have discovered the island Other accounts attribute .the name to the legendary realm of Hawaiki, a place from which some Polynesians are said to have originated, the place where they transition, to in the afterlife, or the realm of the gods and goddesses. The indigenous Hawaiian name of the islan:d was originally rendered and published as "Owyhee" or "Owhyhee".