Hawaii Becomes a State August 21, 1959. Hawaii officially became the fiftieth state on August 21, 1959. It is one of the smallest states, and it is the only state made up entirely of islands.The islands are the tops of volcanoes, some of them still active.Hawaii's story begins long before 1959.The earliest inhabitants were Polynesians who settled in the islands more than 1,000 years ago.t is one of the smallest states, and it is the only state made up entirely of islands. The islands are the tops of volcanoes, some of them still active.Hawaii's story begins long before 1959. The earliest inhabitants were Polynesians who settled in the islands more than 1,000 years ago.