Some firsts in Hawaiʻi
Cover Image: Masthead of Ka Hoku o ke Kai, published in June, 1883.
The Hawaiian language newspapers published timelines on Hawaiian history as well as world history. This one from Hoku o ke Kai is a timeline of “firsts” in Hawaiʻi nei.
Image: Waineʻe Church, Lahaina, Maui, 1915. Bishop Museum Archives, SP 203204.
Image sharing on social media is welcome. For all other uses please contact Archives@BishopMuseum.org
Image: “Na Hikimua o Hawaii nei,” Hoku o ke Kai, June 1883, p. 137
Firsts of Hawaiʻi nei.
Birth of Kamehameha III., Mar. 1814.
Fort of Honolulu, construction began in 1816 and completed in 1817.
Death of Kamehameha I., May 8, 1819.
Reign of Kamehameha II., Mei, 1819.
Pioneer company of missionaries arrive in Kailua, Mar. 30, 1820.
Arrival in Honolulu of the pioneer company of missionaries arrive in Honolulu, Apr. 18, 1820.
Very first introduction of the printing trade to Hawaiʻi nei, Jan. 7, 1822.
Waineʻe Church built in Lahaina, 1828.
Birth of Kamehameha V., Dec. 11, 1830.
Lahainaluna College established, 1831.
Construction of the fort in Lahaina began, 1831.
Death of Kaʻahumanu, June 5, 1832.
Church of Polelewa built, 1833.
Birth of Kamehameha IV., Feb. 9, 1834.
Very first Hawaiian newspaper distributed in Lahainaluna, called Lama Hawaii, Feb. 24, 1834.
Newspaper, Kumu Hawaii distributed for very first time in Honolulu, 1834.
Almanac first printed in Hawaiian, 1835.
Birth of Queen Emma Kaleleonālani, Jan. 2, 1836.
First English weekly newspaper distributed, 1836.
Lyman’s boarding school established in Hilo, 1836.
Birth of Victoria Kamāmalu, Nov. 1, 1838.
Old Kaumakapili Church built, 1838, and consecrated, Aug. 29, 1839.
Printing of the Hawaiian Bible completed, May 10, 1839.
Very first Constitution written by hand in these islands, by Kamehameha IIII., Oct. 8, 1840.
Punahou College built, 1841.
Kawaiahaʻo Church completed, July 21, 1842.
Shop of J. T. Waterhouse built on Queen Street, 1851.
Kāwā Prison established, 1853.
Sailor’s Home established in Honolulu, 1855.
Queen’s Hospital built, 1860.
Image: Lahainaluna College, Lahaina, Maui, ca. 1880s. Bishop Museum Archives, SP 77961.
Image sharing on social media is welcome. For all other uses please contact Archives@BishopMuseum.org
Image: “Na Hikimua o Hawaii nei,” cont., Hoku o ke Kai, June 1883, p. 138
Steamship Kilauea first arrives in Honolulu nei, 1860.
Custom house built at ʻĀinahou in 1800, and expanded in 1861.
Anglican faith arrives in Honolulu, Oct. 11, 1862.
Hawaiian Hotel built, 1868.
Post Office established, 1870.
Aliʻiōlani Hale built, 1872.
Crypt of Lunalilo at Kawaiahaʻo built, 1874.
New bank of Bishop established, 1877.
Smallpox spread once again in Honolulu, 1880.
New Kaumakapili Church built, 1881.
Home for the indigent opened in Makiki, 1882.
Image: Kaumakapili Church, Honolulu, Oʻahu, ca. 1885. Bishop Museum Archives, SP 78403.
Image sharing on social media is welcome. For all other uses please contact Archives@BishopMuseum.org
This post is part of He Aupuni Palapala: Preserving and Digitizing the Hawaiian Language Newspapers, a partnership between Bishop Museum and Awaiaulu with assistance from Kamehameha Schools. Mahalo nui loa to Hawaii Tourism Authority for their support. Learn more about this project here.
