It all began on the Big Island

The youngest Island in the archipelago, Hawaii’s Big Island was believed to be the first island Polynesian voyagers from the Marquesas islands set foot on 1,500 years ago.

In 1778, Captain Cook arrived on Kauai opening the door to an influx of westerners. Only a year later on the Big Island, warriors at Kealakekua Bay killed Cook after a contentious chain of events.

During this time of discovery, Hawaii’s Big Island was divided into separate chiefdoms and war between factions was common. In 1791, Kohala-born Kamehameha united the Big Island and went on to unify all of the Hawaiian Islands. This was the home to King Kamehameha’s court until it moved to Oahu in 1804. In 1812, Kamehameha the Great returned to his beloved Big Island where he died in 1819.

In 1820, the first missionaries arrived in Kailua-Kona. Other westerners followed, introducing cattle to the island. Parker Ranch was born, becoming one of the largest cattle ranches in the country. Sugar plantations also bloomed on the Hilo side in the 20th century.

Today, the Big Island remains a vital touchstone for Hawaiian culture. Throughout its modernization, one ancient Hawaiian god is believed to be alive and well here. Pele, the volcano goddess, has settled in Kilauea Volcano after moving south along the island chain. She continues to display her power today, keeping Kilauea in a constant state of eruption, since 1983.

HISTORICAL SITES ON HAWAII’S BIG ISLAND:

Puuhonua O Honaunau National Historic Park

This last place of refuge for kapu (taboo) breakers on the Kona Coast, is a 180-acre, completely restored compound offering an authentic look at ancient Hawaiian temple ruins, fish ponds, sacred burial spots, and petroglyphs from the time before Captain Cook’s arrival. Learn more

Puukohola Heiau National Historic Site

Built in 1790-1791 under the rule of King Kamehameha I to help in his quest to unify the islands, this was the last major religious heiau (religious temple) built by ancient Hawaiians. Located in North Kohala, this is the largest restored heiau in Hawaii. Learn more

Kealakekua Bay

A monument marks the spot where Captain James Cook, who first established European contact with the Hawaiian Islands, was killed in a skirmish with natives in 1779. Today this marine life preserve is an excellent area for snorkeling. Learn more

King Kamehameha I State Monument and Statue

Hawaii’s greatest King was born here at the island’s northern tip in 1758, the same year Halley’s Comet appeared. In nearby Kapaau stands the original King Kamehameha Statue. Thought to be lost at sea, the statue was discovered after a replacement was created. The second (and more famous) statue stands across from Iolani Palace on Oahu. Learn more

Mokuaikaua Church

Located on Alii Drive in Kailua-Kona, this is the first Christian Church built in Hawaii by the first missionaries to arrive on the islands in 1820.

Legend has it, the Demigod Maui pulled the Island from the Sea

Maui was named after this mythological being, perhaps because the shape of the island is said to resemble his head and body. But it was a man named Piilani who made the greatest impact here as the first ruler to unite all of Maui.

In 1790, after a fierce battle in Iao Valley, King Kamehameha took control of Maui and made Lahaina the new capital of the unified Hawaiian Kingdom. For nearly five decades, Lahaina served as the center of government for Hawaii. Simultaneously, the town experienced a surge in its whaling industry. At the height of the whaling era (1840-1865) as many as 500 ships anchored in Lahaina’s port.

Maui has many historical places of interest that shouldn’t be missed. From ancient myths to its booming whaling era, Maui’s rich history will add a fascinating new dimension to your visit.

HISTORICAL SITES ON MAUI:

Halekii-Pihana State Monuments

Two historical sites with remnants of a lava rock heiau (religious temple) and a reconstructed house of refuge that existed in Old Hawaii (circa 1240). Like all heiau and ancient Hawaiian sites, these areas should be treated with the utmost respect and reverence.

Olowalu Petroglyphs

Primitive drawings etched in rock allow you to see history preserved in stone. These simple figures depict life of the ancient Hawaiians.

Iao Valley State Park

The valley was a sacred burial ground for the alii (Hawaiian royalty). In 1790, the Battle of Kepaniwai took place here, uniting Maui with the Hawaiian Kingdom. Learn more

Alexander & Baldwin Sugar Museum

This stately plantation home lets you learn all about Maui’s plantation life and sugar industry with authentic machinery, photo murals, and artifacts. Learn more

Whalers Village Whaling Museum

This free museum is home to hundreds of whaling artifacts, photo murals, interpretative graphics, and scrimshaw, illustrating life at sea in the 1800s. Learn more

Lanai is a window into Hawaii's past

Uninhabited until the 1500’s, Lanai was a sovereign land until King Kamehameha I united the Hawaiian islands under his rule.

After contact with the west, Lanai was eventually purchased and converted into a cattle ranch. As a former manager of this ranch, George Munro made an indelible mark on the landscape by planting the first of what became the island’s many pine trees.

Later, under the leadership of James Dole, Lanai became the world’s foremost grower and exporter of pineapples – a title the former "Pineapple Isle," held for most of the 20th century. As the cost of business rose, pineapple production was moved overseas.

Throughout its history, man’s impact on the island has been minimal. There are now two lavish resorts here yet only a scant 30 miles of paved road. The timeless landscape is largely as it was, offering a glimpse into the Hawaii of another time.

HISTORICAL SITES ON LANAI:

Lanaihale

The trail up this 3,370-foot mountain was named after George Munro, who planted pine trees here from New Zealand. Hike or drive up the challenging Munro Trail for magnificent views of Oahu, Molokai, Maui, Kahoolawe, and Hawaii’s Big Island. Learn more

Keahikawelo

Formerly known as the “Garden of the Gods” because there was no better explanation for the bizarre rock towers that mark this landscape. Come in the evening, when the whole garden glows in the sunset. Learn more

Luahiwa Petroglyphs

Near the Manele harbor on Lanai’s southern coast, this four-acre area is home to the island’s largest collection of petroglyphs. Learn more

Kaunolu Village

This shoreline was once a favorite fishing spot for King Kamehameha I. Here you’ll find the ruins of 86 house platforms and the Halulu heiau (religious temple). Learn more

Molokai has long been a place of new beginnings

Long before settlers came, the first hula was danced on Molokai’s shores. The island was also a place of refuge for Hawaiians who broke kapu (taboo). In the late 1800s, it was again a safe haven for island outsiders, this time for those afflicted with Hansen's disease.

While close in proximity to both Oahu and Lanai, the people here have long been set apart from others in the Islands. Because of that, they’ve truly been able to make Molokai their own, working hard by the land to build their own society, one bound by religion and the fight to keep its rural nature.

With an eye on its environmental welfare, Molokai has been able to maintain many cultural sites important to understanding Hawaii’s history. It’s easy to be transported back to a simpler time here. Visiting Molokai, you’ll likely find your own personal refuge or retreat as people have for generations.

HISTORICAL SITES ON MOLOKAI:

Kalaupapa National Historic Park

In 1873, Belgium priest Father Damien began to help those banished to the isolated Kalaupapa Peninsula afflicted with Hansen’s disease, or leprosy. He treated patients, built shelters, hospitals, and churches, and gave hope to this forgotten colony. In 1889, Father Damien himself succumbed to Hansen's disease, leaving behind a legacy of selflessness. Learn more

Molokai’s Fishponds

At one time there were 62 fishponds around Molokai’s coast. Today, there are only a handful, all built around the 13th century. The most accessible is Kalokoeli in east Molokai, only six miles east of Kaunakakai. Learn more

Church Row

Alongside route 460 – about five miles southwest of the airport – is a row of churches, all of different denominations, all with primarily native Hawaiian congregations. Examine their unique missionary style architecture, which dates back to the late 18th century. Learn more

Kamehameha V House

On the western side of the Kaunakakai Wharf are the stone foundations of the Kamehameha V house, called Malama.

Oahu wasn't always the seat of power in Hawaii

Influence shifted from Hawaii’s Big Island to Oahu as recently as the late 1700’s. During this era of change, King Kamehameha I unified the Hawaiian islands under one rule. In the early 1800’s, Oahu also saw an influx of western seamen, businessmen, and missionaries, forever changing the face of Hawaiian history. During this time, Kamehameha III permanently established his royal court in Honolulu. Oahu is home to numerous historic landmarks and significant points of interest that shed light on these fascinating facets of Hawaii’s recent past. HISTORICAL SITES ON OAHU: Nuuanu Pali Lookout Atop these treacherous cliffs, Kamehameha the Great won an epic battle, unifying the Hawaiian Islands under one rule. From this steep precipice, the view of the lush green Koolau mountains is breathtaking. Iolani Palace In 1874, King Kalakaua instituted a Hawaiian cultural renaissance resulting in America’s only Royal Palace. This elegant structure is the islands’ finest example of Hawaiian Renaissance Architecture. Learn more The USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor On December 7, 1941, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on this site, propelling the U.S. into World War II. This somber memorial floating in Pearl Harbor marks the final resting place for many of the 1,177 crew members killed on the USS Arizona battleship. Learn more National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl Crater Located in a long extinct volcano crater, this expansive National Memorial is the final resting place for 33,259 soldiers. This serene site also offers a panoramic view of the city of Honolulu. Hawaii State Capitol This magnificent structure located in downtown Honolulu was completed in 1969, ten years after Hawaii was annexed as the 50th state of the Union. Bishop Museum Founded in 1889, the Bishop Museum is the largest museum in the state and is recognized as the premier natural history and Polynesian culture museum in the Pacific. Learn more

Kauai is the Oldest Island of Hawaii

so it seems only appropriate that British explorer Captain James Cook landed in Kauai’s Waimea Bay for the first time in 1778. Cook’s discovery of what he called the “Sandwich Isles,” named after the Earl of Sandwich, introduced Hawaii to the world.

During this era of western discovery, King Kamehameha I was attempting to unify all the Hawaiian Islands under his rule. Kauai and the small, neighboring island of Niihau were the only islands to deter his efforts. Eventually, Kauai’s reigning king decided to peacefully unite with Kamehameha.

The fertile soil and bountiful rainfall provided excellent conditions to cultivate taro. The plant’s edible starchy tubers were pounded into poi and became part of the staple diet of the native population. Taro plantations are still scattered across Kauai today, contributing to the island’s beautiful green fields of heart-shaped taro leaves.

HISTORICAL SITES ON KAUAI:

Polihale Heiau

Located along the Coconut Coast, this Hawaiian temple still houses ancient idol sites along terraced land and is the largest heiau on the island.

Hauola Place of Refuge

Ancient Hawaiians fled to this sacred spot to seek sanctuary after breaking the law or being defeated in battle.

Waioli Mission House

Built in 1837, the Waioli Mission House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places with its antique furnishings that take you back 160 years. Learn more

Grove Farm Homestead Museum

This 80-acre sugar plantation depicts life in old Hawaii during the plantation era (1864) and showcases the restored Wilcox family home.

Kauai Museum

Established in 1960, Kauai Museum contains exhibits, artifacts, dioramas, and murals portraying the history of Kauai, its people and its unique culture.

" The Aloha State" Became the 50th State in 1959

But the history of Hawaii goes back centuries earlier. More than 1500 years ago, Polynesians from the Marquesas Islands first set foot on Hawaii's Big Island. With only the stars to guide them, they miraculously sailed over 2000 miles in canoes to migrate to the Islands. 500 years later, settlers from Tahiti arrived, bringing their beliefs in gods and demi-gods and instituting a strict social hierarchy based on a kapu (taboo) system. Hawaiian culture flourished over the centuries, but land division conflicts between ruling chieftains were common.

In 1778, Captain James Cook, landed on Kauai at Waimea Bay. Naming the archipelago the "Sandwich Islands" in honor of the Earl of Sandwich, Cook opened the doors to the west. Cook was killed only a year later in Kealakekua Bay on Hawaii's Big island.

In 1791, Kohala born Kamehameha united the warring factions of the Big Island and went on to unify all of the Hawaiian Islands into one royal kingdom in 1810. In 1819, less than a year after King Kamehameha's death, his son, Liholiho, abolished the ancient kapu system.

In 1820, the first Protestant missionaries arrived on the Big Island filling the void left after the end of the kapu system. Hawaii became a port for seamen, traders, and whalers. Throughout these years of growth, western disease took a heavy toll on the native Hawaiian population.

Western influence continued to grow and in 1893, American Colonists who controlled much of Hawaii's economy overthrew the Hawaiian Kingdom in a peaceful, yet still controversial coup. In 1898, Hawaii became a territory of the United States.

In the 20th century, sugar and pineapple plantations fueled Hawaii's economy bringing an influx of Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, and Portuguese immigrants. On December 7, 1941, the Japanese launched a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor on Oahu. Four years later, on September 2, 1945, Japan signed its unconditional surrender on the USS Battleship Missouri, which still rests in Pearl Harbor today.

In 1959, Hawaii became the 50th State of the United States. Beyond the sun and surf of the islands, we urge you to discover the rich cultural history of the Islands of Aloha to add even more depth to your visit.