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 Hawai‘i, 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.

55 years of Kāhala Mall

The first enclosed, air-conditioned shopping center in the Islands celebrates its 55th anniversary in October.

Stephanie SalmonsOctober 01, 2025

Lopaka Kapanui brings ghost stories to Hawaiʻi Theatre

What do ghosts, storytellers and the symphony have in common? They will be gathering for a one-night-only show at Hawaiʻi Theatre on Saturday, Oct. 18. Storyteller Lopaka Kapanui shares a behind-the-scenes look at his upcoming collaboration with the Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra.

Katie HellandSeptember 25, 2025

Chamber of Commerce Hawai‘i set to celebrate 175th anniversary

Founded in 1850, the chamber — the second oldest chamber organization west of the Rockies — will mark its 175th anniversary in October. To celebrate the milestone, the chamber will host "An Evening of Legacy" gala on Thursday, Oct. 9, at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Coral Ballroom.

Stephanie SalmonsSeptember 25, 2025

Kaukonahua’s Haunted Drive

The tree-lined two-lane connecting Wahiawā to the North Shore just might be home to the ghostly presence of a doomed bride.

Lopaka Kapanui and Tanya KapanuiSeptember 24, 2025

The mana remains at Pu‘u o Mahuka

Above Waimea Bay on O‘ahu stands the island's largest heiau, Pu‘u o Mahuka. Dedicated to the war god, Kū, the place still holds special power. Is it any wonder people have had some intensely strange experiences there?

Lopaka Kapanui and Tanya KapanuiSeptember 17, 2025

Hauntings at Hawai‘i’s Biggest Mall

With a long history of Hawaiians living in the area prior to Ala Mona Center's development, the shopping center has been home to many strange and eerie sightings.

Lopaka Kapanui and Tanya KapanuiSeptember 10, 2025

"Chief of War" actor Siua Ikaleʻo shares journey to playing Nahi

He didn’t plan to try out for Nahi, the little brother of Kaʻiana, played by Jason Momoa, in “Chief of War.” But the casting team for the Apple TV+ mini series asked actor Siua Ikaleʻo to audition for the role after casting him as a villain didn’t seem to be the right fit.

Katie HellandSeptember 04, 2025

The Haunting of Kinau Hale

Is it ironic, or fitting, that the government office that hands out death certificates may be haunted by multiple spirits? Strange things have been experienced at the corner of Punchbowl and Beretania.

Lopaka Kapanui and Tanya KapanuiSeptember 03, 2025

Mysteries of Hawai‘i competes for nation's Best Ghost Tour

"We're humbled and excited to be running for Best Ghost Tour in the nation for the third year in a row," the Kapanuis told Aloha State Daily.

A. Kam NapierSeptember 03, 2025

September marks inaugural Hawaiian History Month

Learn about some of the groups coming together to mark the occasional with events and activities.

Katie HellandAugust 30, 2025

Former Blue Angels pilot John Hiltz leads local nonprofit museum

Get to know the new CEO of Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum, who was appointed by the board of directors in June to take the organization into its next phase.

Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosAugust 27, 2025

Watchful eyes at Makiki Temple

Only Hawai‘i can claim to have had two monarchs who sat as masters of a Masonic lodge during their reign: King Kamehameha IV and King David Kalākaua. Freemasonry offered brotherhood and a moral code — and a sense of mystery, with a strange tale emerging about the Makiki Temple.

Lopaka Kapanui and Tanya KapanuiAugust 27, 2025

Your guide to Labor Day weekend

Wondering how to spend the long weekend? Aloha State Daily has you covered. Check out activities for the 80th Commemoration of WWII, including an air show plus a free concert by the Mākaha Sons; enjoy the Okinawan Festival; or find the latest fashion at the Hawaiʻi Swim Show. Learn more about these events and others happening Friday, Aug. 29, through Sunday, Aug. 31.

Katie HellandAugust 27, 2025

Ali‘i are ever-present at Mauna ‘Ala

In October 1865, a solemn procession of ali‘i moved 21 sets of royal remains from the grounds of ‘Iolani Palace to a then-new final resting place in Nu‘uanu Valley, Mauna ‘Ala, the Royal Mausoleum.

Lopaka Kapanui and Tanya KapanuiAugust 20, 2025

Beneath the moon at Alakoko

Historians say that on certain nights, the Kauaʻi fishpond is not so still, and the riverbank not so empty.

Lopaka Kapanui and Tanya KapanuiAugust 13, 2025

USS Missouri volunteer looks back on Navy career

Fifth-generation kama‘āina John Fernie served for 30 years in the U.S. Navy, inspired by his boyhood heroes, and has worked and volunteered as a tour guide at the Missouri since 2006. You'll also find here information on how make reservations for events commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.

Cheryl Chee TsutsumiAugust 06, 2025

Heap of Misfortune in Mō‘ili‘ili Cemetery

Nearly a century ago, the Islands were stunned by the case of Myles Fukunaga, who kidnapped and murdered 10-year-old George Gill Jamieson, and was executed for his crimes. Does his guilty spirit haunt his gravesite?

Lopaka Kapanui and Tanya KapanuiAugust 06, 2025

Echoes of the Past at Poli‘ahu

The remains of this keiau on Kaua‘i carry a heavy burden of the past.

Lopaka Kapanui and Tanya KapanuiJuly 30, 2025

Vanishing lights in the Tunnel of Trees

This week's ghost tale comes from Kaua‘i, where the Tunnel of Trees near Kōloa, while beautiful by day, is home to eerie experiences by night.

Lopaka Kapanui and Tanya KapanuiJuly 23, 2025

Falls of Clyde to be removed from Honolulu Harbor

The 146-year-old vessel has been docked at the harbor for years and was impounded in 2016. Here's the fate that awaits the ship.

Stephanie SalmonsJuly 19, 2025

An East-West Center tailored for Hawaiʻi's needs

How this institution came to be and what it will need to become to survive.

Perry ArrasmithJuly 10, 2025

From haunted hotel to haunted museum

Spooky stories shared by staff at the No. 1 Capitol District Building, which was originally the Hawaiian Hotel that opened in February 1872.

Lopaka Kapanui and Tanya KapanuiJuly 09, 2025

The women who march at night in Kaimukī

A little place history, as well as stories of "a female procession of spirits" at Puʻu o Kaimukī.

Lopaka Kapanui and Tanya KapanuiJuly 02, 2025

The Statue That Watches

At Diamond Head Memorial Park, a statue of Jesus takes on a completely different feel after dark. What many people don't remember now is that the park was born out of crisis in Honolulu cemeteries at the turn of the last century — too few of them for the growing city, and often in poor condition.

Lopaka Kapanui and Tanya KapanuiJune 25, 2025

Haunted History of Hilton Hawaiian Village

Over the years, staff and guests alike have reported seeing, even speaking with, mysterious lone figures who then vanish without a trace.

Lopaka Kapanui and Tanya KapanuiJune 18, 2025

Historic Kona church gets rededicated after several years of renovations

A virtual visit with Christ Church Episcopal in Kealakekua: We share before and after photos of the 158-year-old buildingʻs transformation and community sentiment since its completion of this restoration project.

Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosJune 13, 2025

Hawai‘i's forgotten governor

He served two terms at a pivotal moment in Hawai‘i history, now his official portrait is in storage. Who was he and what happened to his legacy?

Perry ArrasmithJune 09, 2025

Free summer yoga near Battleship Missouri Memorial

The military community can enjoy free yoga on Tuesdays on the pier in front of the Battleship Missouri Memorial this summer. Participants must have base access.

Katie HellandJune 06, 2025

Beware Nu‘uanu Pali Drive

Lush and beautiful as it may be, Nu‘uanu Valley also has a dark side as the site of the battle that defined King Kamehameha's Hawai‘i and as the home to infamously haunted Morgan's Corner.

Lopaka Kapanui and Tanya KapanuiJune 04, 2025

Remembering Chaminade Coach Merv Lopes

Merv Lopes was already well-known in the local community from his time at Kailua and Kalāheo High Schools when he burst onto the college basketball scene like a meteor on December 23, 1982. That night, with much of the nation asleep, Lopes coached tiny Chaminade to a win over three-time Player of the Year Ralph Sampson and No. 1-ranked Virginia in what is considered the Greatest Upset in the History of College Basketball.

Jack DanilewiczMay 30, 2025

Smoke and Whispers at the State Capitol

Something more than the memory of thousands of failed bills haunts the State Capitol, possibly including a gubernatorial ghost.

Lopaka Kapanui and Tanya KapanuiMay 28, 2025

Strange occurrences at Diamond Head

The legend of Hawaii’s night marchers has endured over time, and the ghostly procession is still seen today all around the islands, even at Lē‘ahi, the Hawaiian name for Diamond Head.

Lopaka Kapanui and Tanya KapanuiMay 21, 2025

The Haunting Legacy of Ali‘iōlani Hale

The Massie Case may still haunt this building — literally!

Lopaka Kapanui and Tanya KapanuiMay 14, 2025

Sand Island to be Mauliola once again?

Honolulu City Council to discuss resolution to restore Sand Island's traditional Hawaiian name

Michael BrestovanskyMay 13, 2025

Bud Pikrone to retire as GM of the Wailea Community Association after 25 years

Since 1987, the nonprofit corporation has stewarded the 1,500-acre master-planned Wailea Resort community on Maui, which today, has over 2,400 members and a budget of more than $3.5 million. A search for Pikrone’s successor is underway led by the board of director’s hiring committee and Inkinen Executive Search.

Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosMay 10, 2025