Highlights from
Kamehameha's kingdom, to the
monarchy's overthrow

Pre-1810

1782: Kamehameha begins campaign to unify the Hawaiian Islands. This includes a decisive battle with his cousin, Chief Kiwalao, on the Big Island's west coast; Kiwalao is slain.

1794: Death of Maui's Kahekili, who had ruled all the islands except Hawaii island. Kamehameha overtakes the holdings.

1803: U.S.'s $15-million Louisiana Purchase from France doubles its domain.

1804: A sickness, likely bubonic plague or cholera, kills 150,000, nearly half the Hawaiian people.

1809: Russian governor of Alaska indicates interest in Hawaii: fort is built, imperial flag raised, talks to lease Kauai begin but not finalized.

Whaling begins in Hawaiian waters.

THE 1810s

1810: Kaumualii, king of Kauai, cedes his island to Kamehameha; the Kingdom of Hawaii is born.

1816: Hawaiian flag designed by Capt. George Beckley.

1819: Kamehameha dies, succeeded by son Liholiho (Kamehameha II). The kapu system is overthrown. Also: The first New England whaling ship harpoons whales in Hawaiian waters.

Kinau, a regent to the young Kauikeaouli,
returns from Kawaiahao Church.

THE 1820s

1820: First Protestant missionaries arrive on the brig Thaddeus; Kawaiahao Church founded with the Rev. Hiram Bingham as pastor.

1824: King Liholiho and Queen Kamamalu visit England, catch measles and die.

1825: Kauikeaouli becomes Kamehameha III at age 10. Also: The first sugar and coffee plantations, in Manoa, are started by John Wilkinson. Also: Kaahumanu and Kalanimoku accept Christianity.

1826: Capt. James Hunnewell trades sandalwood with China, starting what later becomes C. Brewer & Co. Also: First U.S. naval vessel in Hawaiian port.

THE 1830s

1830: Mexican and Californian cowboys arrive on Big Island to teach the cattle business. Also: Sandalwood trees gone due to over-trading.

1835: First sugar plantation -- at Koloa, Kauai, by Ladd & Co. on leased land, using native laborers.

1836: First English newspaper west of the Rockies: the Sandwich Island Gazette. Also: A treaty is negotiated between the Sandwich Islands and Great Britain.

1837: Tidal wave hits Hilo, killing 14 people.

1839: Kamehameha III enacts Bill of Rights.

THE 1840s

1840: First Hawaiian Constitution of the Kingdom; king shares power with Legislature.

1842: U.S. recognizes Kingdom of Hawaii.

1843: British naval captain Lord George Paulet seizes Hawaiian kingdom in February; in July, British Adm. Richard Thomas restores Hawaiian flag at what is today Thomas Square. Kamehameha III, in restoration-day speech, recites phrase which becomes Hawaii's motto: Ua mau ke ea o ka aina i ka pono ("The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness.")

1848: Gold discovered in California.

1848: The Mahele, or "Division of Lands," by Kamehameha III creates fee-simple ownership of lands. Also: Epidemic of measles, whooping cough and flu kills 10,000.

1849: Captain H. Hackfeld opens store which becomes American Factors (Amfac).

Queen's Hospital in the early days.

THE 1850s

1850: Treaty with United States ratified; Honolulu declared Hawaii's capital. Also: Legislature OKs contract labor system to recruit foreign workers for plantations. Also: Mormon mission arrives.

1851: Castle & Cooke formed.

1852: Chinese contract laborers arrive.

1853: Smallpox epidemic kills thousands.

1854: Kamehameha III dies, suceeded by nephew Alexander Liholiho.

1859: Queen's Hospital opens.

THE 1860s

1861-65: America's Civil War.

1863: Kamehameha IV dies, succeeded by brother Lot (Kamehameha V). Also: C. Brewer is first sugar plantation agent.

1864: Kamehameha V sells Niihau to Elizabeth Sinclair for $10,000.

1866: Hansen's disease patients exiled to Kalaupapa, Molokai. Also: First monthly steamer service from California.

1868: Earthquake hits Big Island, causing Hilo tsunami; 79 killed.

Father Damien with orphans near hospital
compound at Kalaupapa in the 1870s.

THE 1870s

1870: Alexander & Baldwin founded.

1872: Kamehameha V dies; Lunalilo elected in 1873.

1873: Father Damien goes to Hansen's disease settlement at Kalaupapa; he dies there in 1889 of the illness.

1874: Lunalilo dies, riot ensues when Legislature votes between Queen Emma and Kalakaua. Kalakaua elected king, is first Hawaii monarch to visit United States; writes song "Hawaii Pono'i."

1877: Big Isle tsunami kills five, leaves 163 homeless, causes $14,000 in damage.

1878: First telephone lines in Hawaii -- on Maui. Also: Portuguese laborers arrive.

1878: Liliuokalani writes "Aloha 'Oe."

1879: James Campbell digs Hawaii's first artesian well, in Ewa; field irrigation starts.

Star-Bulletin file photo
The Royal Order of Kapiolani Officer Cross,
now in Iolani Palace, was created in 1880 to
reward excellence in the arts, sciences
and service to the kingdom.

THE 1880s

1880: King Kalakaua revives the hula. Also: Hawaiian Bell Telephone Co. established.

1881: Norwegian and German laborers arrive.

1883: Coronation of King Kalakaua and Queen Kapiolani marks reign's ninth year. Also: Kamehameha statue erected in front of Aliiolani Hale.

1884: First trade union forms. Also: First Japanese immigrants arrive; the next year, 1,400 more come.

1885: Princess Pauahi Bishop dies, leaving lands to endow Kamehameha Schools, founded two years later. Bishop Museum founded in 1889.

1886: Huge Honolulu fire.

1887: Kalakaua forced to sign "Bayonet Constitution," which limits monarch's powers.

1888: B.F. Dillingham starts Oahu railway.

Damage from the 1886 fire in downtown Honolulu.

THE 1890s

1890: Electricity becomes widespread.

1891: Kalakaua dies, succeeded by sister Liliuokalani.

1893: Liliuokalani and Kingdom of Hawaii are overthrown; a provisional government, under President Sanford Dole, is proclaimed.

About this Series The Honolulu Star-Bulletin is counting down to year 2000 with this special series. Each month through December, we'll chronicle important eras in Hawaii's history, featuring a timeline of that particular period. Next month's installment: July 12. Series Archive Project Editor: Lucy Young-Oda Chief Photographer: Dean Sensui