TIME LINE

A journey through time

Some highlights of Hawaii's history, with an eye toward native Hawaiian milestones:

About 300-750 A.D.: Polynesian explorers first migrate to the Hawaiian Islands.

300-1778: Hawaiians develop cultural, caste and land systems that support an estimated 300,000 to 1 million people.

1778: British explorer Capt. James Cook finds Hawaii, ending the islands' isolation.

1780-1800: Hawaii gains international importance in East-West fur trade, sandalwood trade and as hub for Pacific whaling industry.

1810: Kamehameha the Great unites Hawaiian Islands.

1819: Liholiho ascends throne as Kamehameha II and abandons many of the ancient kapu (taboos).

1820: First American Protestant missionaries arrive aboard the brig Thaddeus, bringing Western education and commerce. Native population declines as new diseases are introduced.

1826: United States extends full diplomatic recognition to Kingdom of Hawaii and enters into treaties and conventions to govern friendship, commerce and navigation.

1835: Overharvesting of sandalwood and depletion of whales spurs first commercial production of sugar cane. Asian laborers are imported to work plantations.

1840: Kauikeaouli, Kamehameha III, enacts first constitution of kingdom. Western governmental structure is adopted, as well as Western judicial system.

1843: British Navy seizes Hawaii for Great Britain but restores kingdom five months later.

1848: Kamehameha III institutes Mahele, or division, aimed at dividing the land equally among king, ali'i (nobles) and maka'ainana (commoners).

1864: Prince Lot Kapuaiwa, Kamehameha V, signs Constitution of 1864 reasserting monarch's powers.

1873: Hawaii's first elected king, William Lunalilo, reigns for one year before his death.

1887: David Kalakaua, "Merrie Monarch" elected to the throne in 1874, is forced to sign "Bayonet Constitution," which reduces monarchy to ceremonial status and gives executive powers to new Cabinet. Voting rights are extended to American and European males regardless of citizenship.

1891: Congress passes "McKinley Tariff," which erases advantages enjoyed by American sugar growers in Hawaii.

1892: Queen Lili'uokalani ascends throne when brother, Kalakaua, dies.

1893: The monarchy is overthrown. A provisional government is proclaimed; a year later, it becomes the Republic of Hawaii.

1895: Lili'uokalani imprisoned after failed counter-revolt. Under house arrest, she signs document formally abdicating throne.

1898: During Spanish-American War, Hawaii gains importance as U.S. military hub. Also, President McKinley signs into law Joint Resolution of Annexation passed by Congress, which annexes Hawaii to United States and recognizes Hawaiian government and crown lands are in special trust under federal government's proprietorship.

1900: Congress passes Organic Act, establishing Hawaii's territorial government.

1920: Congress passes Hawaiian Homes Commission Act; some 200,000 acres are set aside for Hawaiian homesteads.

1941: Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor plunges United States into World War II.

1945: Japan's surrender ends war years, which saw martial law in Hawaii and internment of Japanese Americans nationwide.

1954: Democrats win Territorial Legislature for first time; birth of Democratic power here.

1959: After decades of efforts in Congress, Hawaii becomes a state. The United States cedes to the state of Hawaii former Hawaiian government and crown lands and mandates they be held by state "in public trust."

1962: After more than half-century of GOP and "Big 5" plantation rule, Hawaii voters elect John Burns first Democratic governor.

1978: Constitutional Convention creates Office of Hawaiian Affairs as principal agency for programs and activities relating to Hawaiians; for assessing policies of other agencies impacting Hawaiians; conducting advocacy; disbursing grants to Hawaiians; serving as receptacle for reparations from federal government.

1980: After negotiations between OHA and the state, Legislature sets a formula to satisfy federal requirement of bettering conditions for Hawaiians. It does this by appropriating a pro rata portion of the Public Land Trust and by providing all Hawaiians with the right to choose their leaders through the elective process.

1993: Congress passes and President Clinton signs "Public Law 103-150" apologizing for U.S. role in monarchy's overthrow 100 years ago and for deprivation of native Hawaiians' rights to self-determination.

1996: Harold "Freddy" Rice files suit in U.S. District Court, saying he has been unconstitutionally denied the right to vote for OHA's trustees. After years of court losses and appeals, the case is heard by the U.S. Supreme Court in October 1999. On Feb. 23, 2000, the high court rules in his favor.