Hawai‘i History

The History of Hawai‘i: 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.

Huaka‘i Pō at Pu‘ukoholā

It is said that Kamehameha himself helped build the Pu‘ukoholā heiau, a massive undertaking that involved a human chain 20 miles long passing stones from Pololu Valley to Puʻukoholā. Once completed and consecrated, Kamehameha's kahuna had said, the heiau would mean the successful end to Kamehameha's wars of conquest. Naturally, tales of night marchers — Huaka‘i Pō — still haunt the area.

Lopaka Kapanui and Tanya KapanuiJuly 08, 2026

Aloha Tower at 100 years old, Part 2: It seemed like a good idea at the time ...

In the early 1960s, the State of Hawai‘i invested millions in harbor upgrades that included modernizing Aloha Tower as a terminal for passenger liners. But jet planes soon replaced passengers liners, rendering the terminal obsolete. In the 1990s, those structure were torn down to create Aloha Marketplace, a shopping and dining destination that would never draw the anticipated crowds. ASD history writer DeSoto Brown brings us to the present day as Aloha Tower celebrates its centennial.

DeSoto BrownJuly 06, 2026

From Waipahu to Italy: Remembering Staff Sgt. Grover Kazutomi Nagaji

Born and raised in Waipahu, Nagaji joined the U.S. Army on March 25, 1943. He became a proud member of the 100th Infantry Battalion (Separate), 34th Infantry Division, and trained at Camp Shelby in Mississippi. One year later, he was deployed to Europe, where he saw action in Italy as part of the Allied campaign against German forces.

John DekhaneJuly 03, 2026

Olivet Baptist Church on Beretania Street turns 100

Senior Pastor Jamie McElrath shares about the church’s history in Honolulu and his hope for the congregation’s future: “A healthy body will grow.” Olivet Baptist will be celebrating this milestone with events open to the community over the weekend.

Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosJuly 03, 2026

Community Voices: Commercial fishing is not a cultural practice

Rather than framing ocean protection as a burden, we should instead ask why Pacific Island peoples, and our protected and sacred oceans, are forced to bear the unfair burden of industrial fishing, write two members of the Papahānaumokuākea Native Hawaiian Cultural Working Group.

Hau‘oli Lorenzo-Elarco and Kenika Lorenzo-ElarcoJuly 01, 2026

Moanalua’s Haunting History

If an old Hawaiian woman asks you to cut a cord for her in Moanalua Valley, be very, very careful what you do next. That's just once of the eerie tales of this part of O‘ahu where many battles have raged, from the invasion of Kahekili from Maui to the dispute over the route of H3.

Lopaka Kapanui and Tanya KapanuiJuly 01, 2026

Aloha Tower at 100 years old: Part 1

A hundred years ago, Aloha Tower was built as an intentional landmark for the bustling harbor where all visitors to O‘ahu arrived, and that plan worked, as it quickly became synonymous with Hawai‘i itself. In part one of our look back at the tower's history, ASD history columnist DeSoto Brown takes us from the creation of the tower to just after WWII.

DeSoto BrownJuly 01, 2026

Remembering Hawai‘i's bicentennial license plates

For the first time in 1976, Hawai‘i license plates transformed into something beyond just letters and numbers on a colored background. They became the state's first graphic plates, designed to be attractive and convey their times. Across the country, these bicentennial plates paved the way for license plates with artistic flair.

A. Kam NapierJune 30, 2026

Legends and Spirits of Polihale

At the end of an unpaved, 5-mile road on Kaua‘i's west side is Polihale Beach. It is many things — a treasured local hangout, a visitor attraction that's gaining popularity, and, in ancient Hawaiian tradition, it is a jumping-off place for souls seeking the afterlife. Eerie stories abound about it.

Lopaka Kapanui and Tanya KapanuiJune 24, 2026

The saga of the fountains

The fountain we all know and love near the Diamond Head end of Kapi‘iolani Park is not the first fountain in the area, nor is it in the original location of the first fountain. ASD history columnist DeSoto Brown takes us through the fountain's story, all the way back to its original source — Imperial Japan.

DeSoto BrownJune 18, 2026

The Choking Ghost at OCCC

As if prison wasn't scary enough, prisoners and guards alike at O‘ahu Community Correctional Center have many tales of a choking ghost stalking the facility, as well as other apparitions.

Lopaka Kapanui and Tanya KapanuiJune 17, 2026

Hamada: Commemorating Honouliuli

Events coming up this weekend recognize the 80th anniversary of the closing of the Honouliuli Internment Camp, where up to 1,800 Japanese and Japanese Americans were detained during World War II. ASD opinion columnist Rick Hamada gives an overview of the history of the site, and the steps taken in the years after to attempt to right that wrong.

Rick HamadaJune 17, 2026