Diamond head

History of Hawaii

  • 300

    First People Arrived

    Polynesians settled during 4th-7th centuries
  • Jan 1, 800

    Second wave of settlers

    Tahitian settlers during 9th-10th century
  • First European Settlers

    Captain James Cook arrived, leading to contact with the outside world
  • Livestock brought to Hawaii

    Capt. George Vancouver arrived with livestock
  • Kapu system overthrown

    Hawaiians overthrew taboo system of laws and punishments
  • Christian missionaries arrive

    Missionaries bring reading, writing, and Christianity to Hawaii
  • Great Mahele is written

    The division of lands document approved by King Kamehameha III guaranteed private ownership of property
  • Reciprocity Treaty of 1875

    King Hamehameha III signed agreement with US for duty-free market for Hawaiian sugar & economic privileges
  • Committee of Safety seized power of Hawaii

  • Hawaiian islands annexed as US territory

    President William McKinley approved annexation
  • Attack on Pearl Harbor

    Attack brought US and Hawaii into WWII
  • Hawaii becomes a state

    Hawaii becomes the 50th state in the union.