Hawaii History

The History of Hawaii: From Kingdom to Statehood, and beyond

The present makes more sense when you understand the past. As this department grows, expect ASD to explore pre-contact Hawai‘i, Hawaiian Kingdom history, U.S. Annexation, Territorial days, Pearl Harbor, Statehood, the Hawaiian Renaissance and on into the modern era. We will celebrate the cultures, the people and landmarks that have made us who we are today.

Beneath the moon at Alakoko

Historians say that on certain nights, the Kauaʻi fishpond is not so still, and the riverbank not so empty.

Lopaka Kapanui and Tanya KapanuiAugust 13, 2025

USS Missouri volunteer looks back on Navy career

Fifth-generation kama‘āina John Fernie served for 30 years in the U.S. Navy, inspired by his boyhood heroes, and has worked and volunteered as a tour guide at the Missouri since 2006. You'll also find here information on how make reservations for events commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.

Cheryl Chee TsutsumiAugust 06, 2025

Heap of Misfortune in Mō‘ili‘ili Cemetery

Nearly a century ago, the Islands were stunned by the case of Myles Fukunaga, who kidnapped and murdered 10-year-old George Gill Jamieson, and was executed for his crimes. Does his guilty spirit haunt his gravesite?

Lopaka Kapanui and Tanya KapanuiAugust 06, 2025

Echoes of the Past at Poli‘ahu

The remains of this keiau on Kaua‘i carry a heavy burden of the past.

Lopaka Kapanui and Tanya KapanuiJuly 30, 2025

Vanishing lights in the Tunnel of Trees

This week's ghost tale comes from Kaua‘i, where the Tunnel of Trees near Kōloa, while beautiful by day, is home to eerie experiences by night.

Lopaka Kapanui and Tanya KapanuiJuly 23, 2025

Falls of Clyde to be removed from Honolulu Harbor

The 146-year-old vessel has been docked at the harbor for years and was impounded in 2016. Here's the fate that awaits the ship.

Stephanie SalmonsJuly 19, 2025

An East-West Center tailored for Hawaiʻi's needs

How this institution came to be and what it will need to become to survive.

Perry ArrasmithJuly 10, 2025

From haunted hotel to haunted museum

Spooky stories shared by staff at the No. 1 Capitol District Building, which was originally the Hawaiian Hotel that opened in February 1872.

Lopaka Kapanui and Tanya KapanuiJuly 09, 2025

The women who march at night in Kaimukī

A little place history, as well as stories of "a female procession of spirits" at Puʻu o Kaimukī.

Lopaka Kapanui and Tanya KapanuiJuly 02, 2025

The Statue That Watches

At Diamond Head Memorial Park, a statue of Jesus takes on a completely different feel after dark. What many people don't remember now is that the park was born out of crisis in Honolulu cemeteries at the turn of the last century — too few of them for the growing city, and often in poor condition.

Lopaka Kapanui and Tanya KapanuiJune 25, 2025

Haunted History of Hilton Hawaiian Village

Over the years, staff and guests alike have reported seeing, even speaking with, mysterious lone figures who then vanish without a trace.

Lopaka Kapanui and Tanya KapanuiJune 18, 2025

Historic Kona church gets rededicated after several years of renovations

A virtual visit with Christ Church Episcopal in Kealakekua: We share before and after photos of the 158-year-old buildingʻs transformation and community sentiment since its completion of this restoration project.

Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosJune 13, 2025