Any walking tour of Honolulu is sure to be chock full of historical sites and artifacts. As the capital and largest city in the Hawaiian Islands, Honolulu has a long and significant history, starting with the early Polynesian settlers who arrived in Hawaii centuries ago. There is evidence of a Polynesian settlement in Honolulu dating back to the 11th century, which means the city has been inhabited for almost 1,000 years. However, the most important period in Honolulu’s history starts at the end of the 18th century with the arrival of King Kamehameha I.
Also known as Kamehameha the Great, King Kamehameha I was the king of the Big Island before he invaded the others, conquering and uniting them into a single Kingdom of Hawaii. After completing his conquest, Kamehameha moved his royal court to Honolulu, living there for about a decade while he ran his kingdom. Although he would eventually move back to the big island, his son, Kamehameha III, would permanently move the capital of the kingdom to Honolulu in 1850, where it remains to this day.
Early in Kamehameha I’s rule, the British sailor Captain William Brown arrived in Honolulu, the first foreigner to reach the city. Over the next few decades, more foreign traders arrived from Asia and North America, turning the city into a bustling trade port. Kamehameha III’s move to Honolulu also sparked growth, transforming it into a modern capital with attractions like the Iolani Palace, St. Andrew’s Cathedral, and more.
In the 20th century, after Hawaii was annexed by the US, Honolulu became the headquarters for the US Navy Pacific Fleet. In 1941, the Japanese attacked the central Navy base at Pearl Harbor, Honolulu, drawing the United States into WWII. Today, Honolulu is the capital and largest city in Hawaii. Approximately 70% of Hawaii’s inhabitants live in the Honolulu metropolitan area – that’s about 1 million people. The city is also the cultural center of the state, making it the perfect place to start any Hawaiian vacation.
To make the most of your trip, check out our Self-Guided Honolulu Walking Tour, or you can sign up for Action+ and gain access to over 100 tours for a single price.
