Who would imagine that such a happy place has such a tragic history? Hawaii's tumultuous encounter with the outside world began with the arrival of Captain Cook, whom they ate, sort of, for his troubles. A few years later, King Kamehameha celebrated his conquest of Oahu in 1795 by sacrificing his own cousin. The missionaries, who arrived in 1820, came here to do good... and did very well. Then there was the demographic bomb of waves of imported labor to cut sugar cane. Then the overthrow of the monarchy, annexation, and statehood. In the meantime, there was Pearl Harbor. And it seems that for all of that, we're just getting started.
Inclusions & Exclusions
✔ A well-informed local perspective from a life-long Hawaii resident, teacher, and teller of tales
✔ Forever access to the largest online trove of Hawaiian history videos (several thousands, all free)
Departure & Return
Departure:
,
We'll meet at 10:45 AM at the King Kamehameha Statue, located right across the street (S. King St.) from Iolani Palace. Abundant free parking in the lots adjacent to the statue on weekends. Your guide is the big guy with the walking stick and lantern.
Return: End right where it started.
Itinerary
1
King Kamehameha Statue
Learn the amazing (and horrifying) story of the conquest of Oahu by King Kamehameha.
Duration: 5 minutes
2
Iolani Palace
Imagine... a royal palace (with kings and queens and thrones and stuff) in the United States... and a storied past that ends with the tragic overthrow of the monarchy.
Duration: 10 minutes
3
Kawaiaha'o Church
Designed by the infamous missionary Hiram Bingham, this "stone church" (to the Hawaiians) was anything but.
Duration: 10 minutes
4
Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site and Archives
As the Hawaiians say, "the missionaries came here to do good, and they did very well."
Duration: 5 minutes
5
Honolulu Hale (City Hall)
A lovely Italianate Spanish Colonial Revival structure with an unlovely past.
Duration: 5 minutes
6
Hawaii State Capitol
An elegant expression of the aloha spirit... and a statue (with a story) of the queen who embodied that spirit.
Duration: 5 minutes
7
Washington Place
Queen Liliuokalani's home where she lived in an unhappy marriage and where she returned to after the overthrow of the monarchy.
Duration: 5 minutes
8
Cathedral Of St. Andrew
A church built from thousands of block of sandstone cut in England and shipped to Hawaii. A magnificent stained glass nave. And a tragic tale of a king and his little boy.
Duration: 5 minutes
9
Capitol Modern
Also known as the Hawai'i State Art Museum, this was the original Royal Hawaiian Hotel (built in 1872). So successful that a second Royal Hawaiian was built on Waikiki Beach (the Pink Palace).
Duration: 5 minutes
10
Ali'iolani Hale
Now the Judiciary Building and home to the Hawaii State Supreme Court, this was where the Massie Affair, the marquee event of Hawaiian jurisprudence), played out
Duration: 5 minutes
Additional info
• Wheelchair accessible
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
• All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Assistance available for those who need help with stairs or inclines
• Foldable wheelchairs, powered wheelchairs, scooters, and walkers can be accommodated
