Honolulu, Hawaii

:This article refers to the unincorporated census designated place. For the city and county, see City & County of Honolulu.

History

It is not known when Honolulu was first settled by the original Polynesian migrants to the archipelago. Oral histories and artifacts indicate that there was a settlement where Honolulu now stands in the 12th century. However, after Kamehameha I conquered O‘ahu in the Battle of Nu‘uanu Pali, he moved his royal court from the Island of Hawai‘i to Waikīkī in 1804. His court later relocated, in 1809, to what is now downtown Honolulu.

Related Topics:
Polynesia - 12th century - Kamehameha I - O‘ahu - Nu‘uanu Pali - Hawai‘i - Waikīkī - 1804 - 1809 - Downtown Honolulu

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Captain William Brown of England was the first foreigner to sail, in 1794, into what is now Honolulu Harbor. More foreign ships would follow, making the port of Honolulu a focal point for merchant ships traveling between North America and Asia.

Related Topics:
1794 - North America - Asia

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In 1845, Kamehameha III moved the permanent capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom from Lāhainā on Maui to Honolulu. He and the kings that followed him transformed Honolulu into a modern capital, erecting buildings such as St. Andrew's Cathedral, Iolani Palace, and Ali‘iolani Hale. At the same time, Honolulu became the center of commerce in the Islands, with descendants of American missionaries establishing major businesses in downtown Honolulu.

Related Topics:
1845 - Kamehameha III - Lāhainā - Maui - St. Andrew's Cathedral - Iolani Palace - Ali‘iolani Hale

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Despite the turbulent history of the late 19th century and early 20th century, which saw the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy, Hawai‘i's subsequent annexation by the United States, and the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Honolulu would remain the capital, largest city, and main airport and seaport of the Hawaiian Islands.

Related Topics:
19th century - 20th century - United States - Japanese - Pearl Harbor

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An economic and tourism boom following statehood brought rapid economic growth to Honolulu and Hawai‘i. Modern air travel would bring thousands, eventually millions (per annum) of visitors to the Islands. Today, Honolulu is a modern city with numerous high-rise buildings, and Waikīkī is the center of the tourism industry in Hawai‘i, with thousands of hotel rooms.

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