From the first Europeans visiting the islands in 1778 and the establishment of the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1795 to Hawaii’s admittance to the United States of America in 1959, the Hawaiian Islands are steeped in history, heritage, and culture. The Aloha State has undoubtedly undergone monumental change throughout its history, and these rare photos from Hawaii will take you on a journey back in time to the late 1800s and early 1900s when monarchy thrived and life was simpler.
- Taken in the 1880s, this photograph depicts the Kalaupapa Leper colony.
Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons
- The Hawaiian railroad during construction in 1881.
Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons
- Native Hawaiians sell leis in 1901.
Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons
- The original Hale Ali’i, home to King Kamehameha IV and Queen Emma, on the site that is now home to the Iolani Palace.
Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons
- This photograph of the historic Kalua’aha Church on the island of Molokai was taken before its first restoration in 1912.
Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons
- A lovely Kapuaiwa Grove on Molokai.
Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons
- A woman sewing lauhala strips into a hat with a grass house in the background, circa 1915.
Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons
- This photograph of Laupahoehoe Village, circa 1885, shows us how gorgeous Hawaii is — even in black and white.
Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons
- A panoramic view of the Haleiwa Hotel on Oahu’s north shore, circa 1902.
Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons
- Housing at Schofield Barracks in the territory of Hawaii, circa 1925.
Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons
- Located on a remote, dry plateau between Mauna Loca and Hualalai on Hawaii’s Big Island is a vast complex of temples and living areas built around the 16th century.
Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons
- Peacocks roam the lawn of Princess Kaiulani’s residence at Ainahau.
Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons
- A fire burns in Honolulu’s Chinatown in 1900. The fire was set to destroy homes suspected of being infected by the bubonic plague.
Public Domain/Wikimedia
- Keoua Hale, the palace of Princess Ruth Ke’elikolani, was larger than Iolani Palace.
Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons
- This photograph depicts two Hawaiian children doing the hula in 1890.
Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons
- Kamehameha V’s summer home at Helumoa, the site of which is now home to the Royal Hawaiian Center in Waikiki.
Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons
- The Queen’s hospital, as photographed in 1905.
Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons
Hawaii sure has changed quite a bit since these photographs were taken, don’t you think? Do you have any rare photos from Hawaii to share with us? Share your opinions with us in the comments, then click here to discover 13 Places Where You Can Still Experience Old Hawaii.
Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons
Public Domain/Wikimedia
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Address: Hawaii, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Hawaii In History December 28, 2020 Megan Shute How long were the islands united as the Kingdom of Hawaii? The Kingdom of Hawaii was established in 1795 by King Kamehameha the Great through a series of conquests that brought all of the Hawaiian Islands except Kauai and Niihau under his control. The islands of Kauai and Niihau were ceded to Kamehameha through peaceful negotiations in 1810 and he became the undisputed ruler of the entire island chain. The Kingdom was overthrown less than 100 years later on January 17, 1893. When did Hawaii become an American state? Hawaii became a United States Territory in 1900, though it wasn’t until August 21, 1959, that the island chain became America’s 50th State. The history of the Hawaiian Islands dates back much, much further though: the island chain was inhabited for more than 1,000 years before English explorer Captain James Cook “discovered” the islands in 1778. Later, in 1887, the United States government was granted permission to establish a naval base in Hawaii at Pearl Harbor, but it wasn’t until after World War II that Hawaii would begin its long journey to statehood. Where can you go to experience the history of Hawaii? With such a storied past, the Hawaiian Islands are undoubtedly home to countless incredible sites that tell the history of these beautiful islands. From Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park, a place of refuge nestled along the coast of Hawaii Island to the Kalaupapa National Historical Park, where leprosy patients were sent to live in isolation, these 13 spots are some of the most unique historic sites in the Aloha State. And if you’d rather journey back in time to the Hawaii of yesteryear for yourself, here are 13 places where you can still experience old Hawaii.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Hawaii In History
December 28, 2020
Megan Shute
How long were the islands united as the Kingdom of Hawaii? The Kingdom of Hawaii was established in 1795 by King Kamehameha the Great through a series of conquests that brought all of the Hawaiian Islands except Kauai and Niihau under his control. The islands of Kauai and Niihau were ceded to Kamehameha through peaceful negotiations in 1810 and he became the undisputed ruler of the entire island chain. The Kingdom was overthrown less than 100 years later on January 17, 1893. When did Hawaii become an American state? Hawaii became a United States Territory in 1900, though it wasn’t until August 21, 1959, that the island chain became America’s 50th State. The history of the Hawaiian Islands dates back much, much further though: the island chain was inhabited for more than 1,000 years before English explorer Captain James Cook “discovered” the islands in 1778. Later, in 1887, the United States government was granted permission to establish a naval base in Hawaii at Pearl Harbor, but it wasn’t until after World War II that Hawaii would begin its long journey to statehood. Where can you go to experience the history of Hawaii? With such a storied past, the Hawaiian Islands are undoubtedly home to countless incredible sites that tell the history of these beautiful islands. From Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park, a place of refuge nestled along the coast of Hawaii Island to the Kalaupapa National Historical Park, where leprosy patients were sent to live in isolation, these 13 spots are some of the most unique historic sites in the Aloha State. And if you’d rather journey back in time to the Hawaii of yesteryear for yourself, here are 13 places where you can still experience old Hawaii.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
The Kingdom of Hawaii was established in 1795 by King Kamehameha the Great through a series of conquests that brought all of the Hawaiian Islands except Kauai and Niihau under his control. The islands of Kauai and Niihau were ceded to Kamehameha through peaceful negotiations in 1810 and he became the undisputed ruler of the entire island chain. The Kingdom was overthrown less than 100 years later on January 17, 1893.
When did Hawaii become an American state?
Hawaii became a United States Territory in 1900, though it wasn’t until August 21, 1959, that the island chain became America’s 50th State. The history of the Hawaiian Islands dates back much, much further though: the island chain was inhabited for more than 1,000 years before English explorer Captain James Cook “discovered” the islands in 1778. Later, in 1887, the United States government was granted permission to establish a naval base in Hawaii at Pearl Harbor, but it wasn’t until after World War II that Hawaii would begin its long journey to statehood.
Where can you go to experience the history of Hawaii?
With such a storied past, the Hawaiian Islands are undoubtedly home to countless incredible sites that tell the history of these beautiful islands. From Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park, a place of refuge nestled along the coast of Hawaii Island to the Kalaupapa National Historical Park, where leprosy patients were sent to live in isolation, these 13 spots are some of the most unique historic sites in the Aloha State. And if you’d rather journey back in time to the Hawaii of yesteryear for yourself, here are 13 places where you can still experience old Hawaii.
