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.
News
The Haunting Legacy of Ali‘iōlani Hale
The Massie Case may still haunt this building — literally!
Lopaka Kapanui and Tanya KapanuiMay 14, 2025
Sand Island to be Mauliola once again?
Honolulu City Council to discuss resolution to restore Sand Island's traditional Hawaiian name
Michael BrestovanskyMay 13, 2025
Bud Pikrone to retire as GM of the Wailea Community Association after 25 years
Since 1987, the nonprofit corporation has stewarded the 1,500-acre master-planned Wailea Resort community on Maui, which today, has over 2,400 members and a budget of more than $3.5 million. A search for Pikrone’s successor is underway led by the board of director’s hiring committee and Inkinen Executive Search.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosMay 10, 2025
Mysterious Whispers at Kawaiaha‘o
Spectral experiences at Kawaiaha‘o Church and its neighboring cemetery, which sit on lands in use by Hawaiians since before Westerners arrived.
Lopaka Kapanui and Tanya KapanuiMay 07, 2025
Lei Day marked release of Māhealani Uchiyama’s new song
A growth spurt helped this artist discover her calling as a singer, songwriter and kumu hula. Māhealani Uchiyama released her newest song on Lei Day. It is part of the album, “Pōpoloheno: Songs of Resilience and Joy,” which launches June 13 and celebrates a compilation of stories of people of African descent in Hawaiian history.
Katie HellandMay 06, 2025
Lost Time at Topa Tower
Weird experiences at the site of the former Honolulu Fort suggest that the boundaries between past, present and future might be porous.
Lopaka Kapanui and Tanya KapanuiApril 30, 2025
A Hair Pulling Ghost at the Pier
Honolulu's waterfront changed dramatically 100 years ago, but the presence of an even older past did not.
Lopaka Kapanui and Tanya KapanuiApril 23, 2025
Pipikaula Corner: Downtown Honolulu 100 years ago (Updated!)
Do you recognize anything in this aerial view of Honolulu taken in April 1925?
A. Kam NapierApril 19, 2025
Hawai‘i Scene on Social: "Local braddahz every time they go thru the H3 tunnel"
Today's social media find was posted by jesstoomuch, and we have never seen anyone so excited about oxygen deprivation.
ASD StaffApril 17, 2025
A Haunting at a Princely Hotel
Hospitals, and the places where they once stood, can be a source of strange experiences. Here, our columnists share a firsthand account.
Lopaka Kapanui and Tanya KapanuiApril 16, 2025
Readers share their eerie stories about "The cave of an ancient shark god"
People have had a lot to say about their own strange encounters at what many call Mākua Cave since we published the legend of the place two weeks ago.
A. Kam NapierApril 15, 2025
Hawaiian History Meets Feng Shui
Looking into the eerie energies surrounding the Mānoa Chinese Cemetery.
Lopaka Kapanui and Tanya KapanuiApril 09, 2025