The Hawks, who have created club history by winning the first six matches of the season for the first time ever, led at every change to win 16.8.104 to 12.19.91 in front of a capacity crowd, most of whom were supporting the Hawks.
But a shoulder injury to key forward Nick Holland early in the first quarter took some of the gloss off the victory for the Hawks.
Holland had missed the past three matches with a thigh strain and now faces up to a month on the sidelines.
Adelaide dominated the early passages of play but by the first change had managed to register 1.7 and had thrown away the opportunity to open up a big lead.
A nine-goal second quarter set up the Hawks' victory, although after setting up a 43-point lead in third term, they had to withstand a strong fightback from the Crows late in the match.
Much improved forward John Barker finished the match with three goals, while skipper Shane Crawford was everywhere in the midfield.
Luke McCabe celebrated his 100th game for the Hawks with a solid display while Daniel Chick, Ben Dixon, Barker, Trent Croad, ruckman Shaun Rehn and defender Jade Rawlings were all prominent.
The Crows could not find a consistent marking target in attack, with Darren Jarman their best performer.
The mercurial former Hawthorn premiership player amassed 39 possessions after starting the game as a sweeper across half back, and then booted three goals when shifted forward late in the game.
Andrew McLeod booted four goals for the Crows, who have now lost four of their six games in 2001.
The Hawks will return to Tasmania for at least the next two years to play further "home" games.
The club bettered its previous best start to a season of five straight wins in 1971, 1976, 1978 and 1984.
In each of those four years, Hawthorn made the grand final.
Scoreboard:
HAWTHORN: 3.1, 12.3, 14.4, 16.8 (104)
ADELAIDE: 1.7, 6.9, 9.15, 12.19 (91)
Goals: Hawthorn: J Barker 3 T Croad 2 B Dixon 2 S Crawford 2 D Chick 2 N Thompson L Picioane J Rawlings R Vandenberg A Lord. Adelaide: A McLeod 4 D Jarman 3 B Beinke 2 S Welsh M Ricciuto S Goodwin.
Best: Hawthorn: B Dixon J Barker T Chick J Rawlings L McCabe R Vandenberg. Adelaide: D Jarman A McLeod S Welsh B Beinke S Goodwin M Ricciuto.
Injuries: Hawthorn: A Lekkas (shoulder) replaced in selected side by R Vandenberg, N Holland (shoulder).
Reports: J Hay (Hawthorn) reported by emergency umpire S McInerney for wrestling A McLeod (Adelaide) during the second quarter.
A McLeod (Adelaide) reported by emergency umpire S McInerney for wrestling J Hay (Hawthorn) during the second quarter.
Umpires: M James, C Mitchell, S McBurney.
Official crowd: 17,460 at York Park.
