The Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander population rose by 1.7 percent, or 17,000, from 2005 to 2006.

With 275,000, Hawaii had the largest population, followed by California, with 260,000, and Washington, with 49,000.

California had the largest numerical increase -- 3,400 -- of people of this group, followed by Texas, at 2,000, and Florida, at 1,500.

In Hawaii, Native Hawaiians and Other Pacific Islanders comprised the largest proportion (21 percent) of the total population, followed by Utah, with 1 percent, and Alaska, with 0.9 percent.

The Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander population in 2006 was younger, with a median age of 28.6, compared with the population as a whole at 36.4. About 30 percent of the Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander population was younger than 18, compared with 25 percent of the total population.

Source: U.S. Census