Some 10 million years ago: Top of the Waianae volcano breaks the Pacific Ocean surface; lava from three sets of cracks eventually meet to form a central vent near the present Kolekole Pass. Hawaii for the ages
Highlights from pre-history to
Capt. James Cook's 1778 discoveryA few million years later: The Koolau volcano emerges as an island a few miles east of the Waianae mount. The two volcanoes continue building, gradually filling in the sea between them to form Oahu.
About 1600-1200 B.C.: A cultural complex called Lapita, named after a New Caledonia site, spreads eastward from New Guinea in Melanesia to Fiji, Samoa and Tonga. Polynesian culture develops at the eastern edge of this region (Samoa and Tonga).
Around or pre-300 B.C.: Samoan and Tongan seafarers discover and settle islands to the east: the Cook Islands, Tahiti, Tuamotus and Hiva (Marquesas Islands).
About or pre-300 A.D.: Polynesian voyagers, possibly from the Marquesas, discover, settle Easter Island.
476 A.D.: Last Roman emperor, Romulus Augustulus, is overthrown.
About 500: Polynesians from the South Pacific, likely the Marquesas Islands, begin migrating to Hawaii in double-hulled canoes. This first migratory wave came via the Samoan and Society Islands, led by chief Nanaula, according to later writings by King David Kalakaua. He brought his gods, priest and astrologers, as well as dogs, pigs, fowl and seeds. Other lesser chiefs also came with their families either from Tahiti or Samoa, bringing early Polynesian traditions.\
About 1000: Adventurers arrive under the warlike chief Nanamaoa, probably from the Society Islands, who establishes his family in power on Hawaii, Maui and Oahu.
1095-1300: The Society Islands adventurers are soon followed by Tahitian explorers, who begin a long, second wave of immigration. This launches over 200 years of voyages between Hawaii and Tahiti, a 2,500-mile sea route; they subdue and enslave the more-primitive inhabitants.
1095-1120: Among the South Pacific immigrants is the high priest Paao fromTahiti, who grasps the shaky political situation in Hawaii and sends for Pilikaeae, a chief from his homeland. Pilikaeae becomes sovereign of the Big Island and begins a dynastic line there. Over the centuries, this line would become the master rulers of the Hawaiian isles -- Kamehameha the Great descends from this dynasty.
End of 12th century: All communications between the Hawaiian and southern island groups cease. One theory, say later writings by King David Kalakaua: The possible disappearance of island landmarks which had guided voyaging mariners. (Some date the halt of Tahiti-Hawaii voyaging closer to1275.)
1260: Marco Polo visits Yunnan, sees the 'Tartars' eating raw beef and other flesh seasoned with garlic.
In the 13th century: Shipwrecked Japanese sailors are said to have landed in Maui.
1400: England's Richard II dies in the Tower of London; his supporters revolt against Henry IV.
1400: The backbone of Hawaiian culture begins to emerge as social classes are established and islanders split into tribes, adornments include feathered capes, helmets and jewelry made from shells and human teeth.
1400-1600: Various island kings - notably Kiha, Liloa, Umi and Lono - rule over fiefdoms which include structured systems of tabu, religion, government, arts and customs. This is an era of inter-island wars.
1555: Spaniard Juan Gaetano reports finding a group of islands at the same latitude as the Hawaiian Isles which he calls "Islas de Mesa" or "Los Majos" (the tableland). But he records the longitude incorrectly - and Hawaii remains isolated from the Western world.
1754-1782: Kalaniopuu rules the 23rd regime in the Hawaii island sovereign line; his nephew and successor, Kamehameha I, would soon unify the Hawaiian islands.
1775-1779: Years of war between Kalaniopuu, moi of the Big Island, and Kahekili, moi of Maui.
About 1758: Kamehameha the Great is born on Kohala Coast, Hawaii. According to Hawaiian astronomers of the time, a brilliant celestial star appeared in the sky the year of his birth (probably the 1758 return of Halley's Comet).
1766: Kahekili of Maui becomes ruling chief, the top alii nui (hereditary chief) among the others.
1776: America's Declaration of Independence from England signed July 4.
Jan. 18, 1778: Capt. James Cook, British commander of the HMS Resolution and the HMS Discovery, sights Oahu and Kauai while seeking a northern sea passage from the Pacific to the Atlantic. He names his find the "Sandwich Islands" after his patron, the Earl of Sandwich. At first, the Hawaiians treat Cook as a god, identifying him with Lono, god of the elements.
January 1779: Capt. Cook and his ships arrive at Kealakekua Bay on the Big Island. One month later, on Feb. 13, Cook and others are slain at water's edge by Hawaiians over the theft of a boat from the HMS Discovery and rising tensions between the natives and foreigners.
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