The aim of the study was to determine rates and correlates and to predict cigarette use for Hawaiian and non-Hawaiian adolescents in Hawai'i. Data were collected on a multi-ethnic adolescent sample of 7,317 students in five high schools from three islands in the state of Hawai'i from 1992-1996. Psychopathology symptoms, school measures, environment and suicide/self injury accounted for the most variance in cigarette use. Non-Hawaiians (especially immigrant groups), females, speaking non-standard English, lower socioeconomic status and higher rates of suicide/self injury were related to cigarette use. Hawaiian culture was a small, but significant risk factor. For adolescents, psychopathology, school, environmental factors, the role of culture and the growing ethnic diversity of youth should be considered in smoking prevention and cessation interventions.