Hawaii History
The History of Hawaii: From Kingdom to Statehood, and beyond
The present makes more sense when you understand the past. As this department grows, expect ASD to explore pre-contact Hawaiāi, Hawaiian Kingdom history, U.S. Annexation, Territorial days, Pearl Harbor, Statehood, the Hawaiian Renaissance and on into the modern era. We will celebrate the cultures, the people and landmarks that have made us who we are today.
News
A Hair Pulling Ghost at the Pier
Honolulu's waterfront changed dramatically 100 years ago, but the presence of an even older past did not.
Lopaka Kapanui and Tanya KapanuiApril 23, 2025
Pipikaula Corner: Downtown Honolulu 100 years ago (Updated!)
Do you recognize anything in this aerial view of Honolulu taken in April 1925?
A. Kam NapierApril 19, 2025
Hawaiāi Scene on Social: "Local braddahz every time they go thru the H3 tunnel"
Today's social media find was posted by jesstoomuch, and we have never seen anyone so excited about oxygen deprivation.
ASD StaffApril 17, 2025
A Haunting at a Princely Hotel
Hospitals, and the places where they once stood, can be a source of strange experiences. Here, our columnists share a firsthand account.
Lopaka Kapanui and Tanya KapanuiApril 16, 2025
Readers share their eerie stories about "The cave of an ancient shark god"
People have had a lot to say about their own strange encounters at what many call MÄkua Cave since we published the legend of the place two weeks ago.
A. Kam NapierApril 15, 2025
Hawaiian History Meets Feng Shui
Looking into the eerie energies surrounding the MÄnoa Chinese Cemetery.
Lopaka Kapanui and Tanya KapanuiApril 09, 2025
Readers respond to "Bringing Pork Over the Pali"
On Instagram, we asked readers to share their own stories in response to Lopaka and Tanya KapanuiŹ»s history of why itŹ»s considered unlucky to bring pork over the Pali. Here are some of the replies so far, from funny to eerie.
A. Kam NapierApril 06, 2025
Bringing Pork Over the Pali
KamaāÄina know itŹ»s bad luck. Even visitors have heard itŹ»s bad luck. But do you know why?
Lopaka Kapanui and Tanya KapanuiApril 02, 2025
The cave of an ancient shark god
On the Waiāanae Coast near MÄkua is KÄneana Cave. In distant ages, the cave was underwater and the home of the shark god, KÄmohoaliāi. His romance with a mortal woman produced a son with a terrifying nature.
Lopaka Kapanui and Tanya KapanuiMarch 26, 2025
Eerie Impressions in Iwilei
The land beneath the Iwilei Salvation Army building has a dark history.
Lopaka Kapanui and Tanya KapanuiMarch 19, 2025
Haunted HÄnaiakamalama
This storied house in Nuāuanu Valley was well known more than a century ago for its many frightening experiences, from the sound of footsteps to visions of a disembodied head.
Lopaka Kapanui and Tanya KapanuiMarch 12, 2025
The eerie history of Chinatown's Hocking Hale
This week, ASD launches a weekly column by Robert and Tanya Kapanui, historians and co-owners of the popular ghost tour, Mysteries of Hawaiāi. Together, they'll take readers on a journey into the historic, spiritual and supernatural dimensions of Hawaiāi places.
Lopaka Kapanui and Tanya KapanuiMarch 05, 2025