Hawaii’s HISTORY

Hawaii’s history is intertwined with various countries throughout the world to include: Russia, Japan, Great Britain, and the United States.

Arrival of James Cook

In 1778 Captain James Cook, commanding the HMS Resolution, became the first European to have formal contact with the Hawaiian Islands and its people. Captain James Cook returned to Hawaii in 1779 after a trip to the Bering Strait, making landfall at Kealakekua Bay on Hawaii island. There is a monument erected to mark the location of his arrival and death. Captain Cook was killed trying to take King (Ali’i Nui) Kalani’opu’u prisoner after a misunderstanding between the crew of the HMS Resolution and the Hawaiians. The arrival of Captain James Cook’s marked the beginning to the gradual end of Hawaii’s sovereignty.

Origins of Hawaiian People

The name “Hawaiians” was given to the people of Hawaii under the rule of Kamehameha I. They were the original settlers of the islands. Although the exact date of arrival of the Hawaiians is not known, there are archeological surveys dating back to 300 AD at various locations throughout the island chain. Through Mitochondrial DNA and assumptions of migration through the pacific, it is hypothesized that the Hawaiians Migrated through Asia, down through the South Pacific Islands, eventually landing in Hawaii.

The “Origins Chant”, also known as the Kumulipo, perpetuated by the people of Hawaii, places Hawaii at the piko of the world. All life to have originated in Hawaii from the beginning and rising from the sea. The Kumulipo also safeguarded rank, birthright, mana (power), and genealogical ties. The chiefs, and later the kings and queens of Hawaii (1795-1893), used the Kumulipo to signify their rank amongst the people. An individual’s genealogy determined the amount of spiritual power, (or mana) they possessed.

Religion

The Hawaiian Religion is polytheistic and animistic. They believed in many deities and spirits, including the belief that some spirits are found in non-human beings and objects such as other animals, the waves, the sky, and the land. Ancient religious temples were built throughout the islands to strengthen the relationship with the power, or mana, of the natural world. Temples, or Heiau, can be seen throughout the islands. The most famous Heiau, Puukohola, can be found on Hawaii Island. Kamehameha built Puukohola Heiau to gain the blessings of Ku, the god of war, in preparation of his campaign to unite the Hawaiian Islands as one nation.

The Rule of King Kamehameha I

Kalani Pai’ea Wohi O Kaleikini Keali’ikui Kamehameha o’ Iolani I Kawikapu Kau’i Ka Liholiho Kunuiakea also know As Kamehameha I or Kamehameha the Great was the first king of the united Islands. He was born on the Kohala cost on Hawaii Island (exact date not known) and was born into a prophecy which resulted in his reign. He fulfilled three major prophecies including lifting the Naha stone, a 5,000-pound stone located in the front of the Hilo library on Hawaii Island. Lifting this stone secured his right to rule the Hawaii Islands. By 1810, he became the first king of all the islands.

The Rise and Fall of the Kingdom of Hawaii

King Kamehameha I established foreign trade throughout the pacific to include Russia, Great Britain, Asia, South America, and North America. Hawaii became a resupply point, a whaling community, an exporter of goods and a strategic haven in the middle of the Pacific primed for colonialism and opportunity.

The strategic location in the Pacific proved to be the final blow to Hawaiian independence. In 1893, an attempt to overthrow the Nation of Hawaii by the US Marine backed Committee of Public Safety, a group of men comprised of missionaries who became wealthy farmers and merchants as a result of the monetizing of Hawaiian lands in 1848, failed due to intervention by President Grover Cleveland. Prior to and after the attempted overthrow in 1893, the CPS continued to lobby the United States for annexation under the American Flag. In 1898, their lobbying efforts under then President William McKinley proved successful as the Spanish, Cuban and American War had placed Hawaii at the forefront of strategic significance. Hawaii was made a territory of the United States in 1900, securing the boarders of the United States from threats in the Pacific. The monarchy existed from 1810 to 1898 and was reigned by eight kings and queens.

The fall of the Kingdom of Hawaii fostered a new era in Hawaii’s History. These were turbulent times for the native sons and daughters of Hawaii. This new error resulted in the suppression of the culture and the indigenous people. Hawaiians became second class citizens in a purposeful “whitewash.” Iolani palace, located on Oahu, is the only palace in America- a home and eventual prison to Queen Liliuokalani, the last Monarch of Hawaii.

Involvement in WWII

The strategic value of Hawaii became even more apparent on 7 December 1941 when Japan launched a surprise attack on the US Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor. The United States responded swiftly with the Pacific Island Hopping campaign enlisting Pearl Harbor as the supply/repair station to its Pacific Fleet. Today we are able to visit Pearl Harbor and see where WWII began for America. The sinking of the USS Arizona was the catalyst that set the United States involvement in WWII. The Surrender of Japan, ending the war for the United States, was signed in Tokyo Bay 2 September 1945 on the Deck of the USS Missouri. Located within eyesight of each other, you can see these two symbols book-ending America’s involvement in WWII.

Hawaii’s strategic significance has been utilized during the Korean War and Vietnam, and continues to serve as a safeguard throughout the Pacific.

The Road to Statehood and Controversy

On 21 August 1959, Hawaii became the United States 50th state. Coincidentally, the novel Hawaii by James A. Michener was published the same year. With victory in the Pacific, the length of time between the overthrow, the assimilation of the new culture, and the acceptance of the constitution of the United States, more than 93% of the people of Hawaii voted for Hawaii to become a state.

In the excitement of this new era, the past was all forgotten. Or was it? In a resurgence of Hawaiian culture, the Hawaiian people started to remember, and thus steamed a new era of Hawaiian responsibility. Through education and conversation many Hawaiian people are revisiting the injustices of the past and are actively seeking reparations. Unfortunately, the will of the State versus the will of the Hawaiian people are not in-line, which results in continuous protest throughout the islands. The latest stance by the Hawaiian people can be seeing throughout social media, news, and in person on Maunakea, in efforts to stop the construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT). How do you fix the problem for all to live in harmony?

Tourism

There are many events that added to the allure of Hawaii and increased tourism. The rich history of the islands, countless movies and TV series, tropical weather, beaches, mountains, vegetation, snorkeling, WWII history, and the jet age have attracted and allowed people to travel to Hawaii from all over the world. In 2017, Hawaii hosted a record 9.4 million visitors to the islands, and the number continues to grow.

Timeline Hawaii

1778 Hawaii Pre-Contact

1795 Battle of Nu’uanu

1810 King Kamehameha I establishes monarchy

1819 Death of Kamehameha I and the Era of Whaling

1820 Introduction of Christianity

1835 First Sugar Export

1848 Great Mahele

1850 Importing Workers to Farm

1893 Coup d’etat against Queen Lili’uokalani

1898 Spanish American War

1900 Annexation of Hawaii

1907 Congress Establishes Coast Artillery Corps

1914 WWI

1939 Germany Invades Poland

1941 United States Involvement WWII

1950 Korean War

1955 Vietnam

1959 Hawaii Establishes Statehood

1969 Hawaii Five-O

1979 Hawaiian Language Taught in School for the First time Since Overthrow