Hawaii
History Timeline
Travel through our timeline of major events in Hawaii's history.
200-500:
Polynesians, probably from the Marquesas Islands, arrive in Hawaii.
800-1200:
Another wave of settlers, this time from Tahiti, invades the islands.
1778:
British explorer Captain James Cook anchors in Waimea Bay near Kauai. He names the islands the Sandwich Islands after Britain's Earl of Sandwich.
1795:
The fierce warrior Kamehameha I conquers many of the islands and establishes the Hawaiian monarchy. In 1819, he dies and his son becomes Kamehameha II.
1816:
King Kamehameha I commissions the Hawaiian Flag. The design, which is now Hawaii's state flag, has eight red, white, and blue stripes to represent Hawaii's eight major islands. It also includes a small version of Great Britain's flag, known as The Union Jack, to symbolize Hawaii's longstanding friendship with Britain.
1820:
American traders searching for sandalwood and whales begin to arrive in Hawaii. They are followed by American missionaries who settle on the islands to spread the teachings of Christianity.
1839-48:
Kamehameha III signs a series of measures that form the foundation of a constitutional government.
1850:
Kamehameha III proclaims Honolulu as the capital of Hawaii. The city remains the capital to this day.
1885:
The first Japanese immigrants arrive in Hawaii on February 9. Asian laborers continue to move to Hawaii to work on sugar plantations.
1898:
The U.S. Congress passes a resolution to annex Hawaii.
1900:
Hawaii becomes a U.S. territory on February 22nd.
1922:
Jim Dole buys the island of Lanai and turns it into the world's biggest pineapple plantation.
1941:
On December 7, the Japanese military attacks U.S. forces in Pearl Harbor. The U.S. enters World War II.
1959:
On March 18, U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower signs a bill acknowledging Hawaii's statehood. On August 21, Hawaii becomes the 50th, and last, state to join the union.
1970s and 1980s:
Two popular television shows draw attention to the beautiful scenery in Oahu. Both Hawaii Five-O and Magnum P.I. take place on the beaches of the tropical island.
1980:
Hawaii becomes home to the NFL Pro Bowl, as the first ever AFC-NFC all star-game lands in Oahu's Aloha Stadium. The Pro Bowl has brought football legends and their fans to Hawaii every February for the past 26 years.
1993:
President Bill Clinton signs a resolution apologizing for the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom, which took place when Queen Liliuokalani surrendered. Hawaiians continue to debate whether they want to remain a U.S. state. Some groups want to restore the monarchy, while others want to maintain their current status.
