Figure 1.-- The Hawaiian Islands are well watered and have fertile, volcanic soil. This and their strategic position meant that it was only a question as to which of the great naval powers would seize the islands. It proved to be the United States.

The first humans to reach the islands were were voyagers from the Marquesas Islands (about 500 AD). They were followed by Tahitians that ventured out from the Society Islands (1000 AD). The islands were thus well settled at the beginning of the Second Melinium. There is no written record of Hawaiia's Polynesian history. Oral legends kept by Kahunas provide colorful accounts, but it is difficult for historians to separate fact from these legendary accounts. Modern Hawaiian history begins with the arrival of Spanish (16th century). The Spanish did not colonize the islands, but the encounter introduced European diseases resulting in a collspse of the Polynesian population. Captain James Cook death on the Islands was a pivotal event in Hawaiian history (1779). Chief Kamahameha is the towering figure in Hawaiisan history. He brought all the islands under central control. The Hawaiian Islands are well watered and have fertile, volcanic soil. This and their strategic position meant that it was only a question as to which of the great naval powers would seize the islands. It proved to be the United States. American planters on the Islsnds staged a coup. The queen who was still reigning at the time was deposed and a republican government was set up. Congress did not approve annexation, however, until several years later (1898). It was the Japanese carrier strike on Pearl Harbor that brought the United States into World War II (1941). Hawaii became the 50th state of the Union (1959).

Polynesians

The Hawaiian Islands are an archepelago of volcanic islands strung out over the tropical central Pacific. There are eight inhabited islands. The first humans to reach the islands were were voyagers from the Marquesas Islands (about 500 AD). They were followed by Tahitians that ventured out from the Society Islands (1000 AD). The islands were thus well settled at the beginning of the Second Melinium. There is no written record of Hawaiia's Polynesian history. Oral legends kept by Kahunas provide colorful accounts, but it is difficult for historians to separate fact from these legendary accounts.

Spain (16th Century)

Modern Hawaiian history begins with the arrival of Spanish (16th century). The Spanish did not colonize the islands, but the encounter introduced European diseases resulting in a collspse of the Polynesian population.

English (18th Century)

Captain James Cook reached the Islands (18th century). He labded on Kauai and Niihau. Captain Cook's death was a pivotal event in Hawaiian history. His ship spranf a leak. He landed at Kealalekua Bay for repairs. The work crews began having trouble with the natives there who attempted to steal toos and other valuables. They stole a large cutter. The British than seized a local chief in an effort to ransome back ytheir cutter. When the British tried to taken him aboard shiop, the Hawaiians attacked. While poorly armed, there numbers surprised the British. Captain Cook and four of his men were killed (1779).

Hawaiian Kingdom

Chief Kamahameha is the towering figure in Hawaiisan history. He was one of the most powerful chiefs on the Islands. He began to expand his power after Captain Cook visited the Islands the first time. He dominated the Big Island and from that powerbase gradually conquered the smaller islands (early 19th century). Chief Kamahameha promoted contacts with European and American ships in an effort to benefit economically from trade. He allowed English and American missionaries to preach. American planters followed. And large numbers of Japanese began emigrating to the Islands. The Japanese Government after the Mejii Respration actually banned emigration for a time, fearful that a Japanese laboring class on the Islands would lower the prestige of the Japanese nation. As a result of that emogration, however, the Japanese became the largest ethnic group on the Islands.

American Annexation (1898)

The Hawaiian Islands are well watered and have fertile, volcanic soil. This and their strategic position meant that it was only a question as to which of the great naval powers would seize the islands. It proved to be the United States. American planters on the Islsnds staged a coup. The Queen who was still reigning at the time was deposed and a republican government was set up. The Japanese and British were not pleased. Boyh countries had naval vessels in Hwaii at the time. The Japanese briefly toyed with the idea of gunboat diplomacy. Congress did not approve annexation, however, until several years later (1898). It came as part of the Spanish American War in which other Pacific territories wre acquired, the Ohilippins and Guam.

World War II (1939-45)

Japanese aggression in China and Southeast Asian caused President oosevelt to order the base of the Pacific fleet from San Diego to the little-known base at Pearl Harbor (1940). America also embargoed strategic materials, including oil. And Jspan needed oil to continue its war in China. Japan decided on war to obtain the oil and other resources of Southeast Asia. T Efforts at negotiation failed. The Japanese carrier attack on Pearl Harbor that brought America into the War. While Pearl Harbor was a stunning tactical victory, it was a strategic blunder by the Japanese of incaluable proportions. It was a stunningly successful military success, brilliantly executed by the Japanese. Eight battle ships, the heart of the American Pacific fleet were sunk. But the three carriers were not at Pearl. Despite the success of the attack, it was perhaps the greatest strtegic blunder in the history of warfare. The Japanese attack on the Pacific fleet at Pearl Harbor changed everything. A diverse and quareling nation, strongly pacifistic was instantly changed into a single united people with a burning desire to wage war. The issolationism that President Roosevelt had struggled against for over 7 years instantly disappeared. Even Lindburg asked for a commision to fight for the United States. The sunk the eight battleships of the Pacific Fleet, but the carriers were not at Pearl.

Statehood (1959)

Hawaii became the 50th state of the Union (1959).

Created: 6:09 AM 7/23/2008
Last updated: 11:02 PM 12/18/2016