History of Hawaii in Timeline
Hawaii, a US state located approximately 2,000 miles southwest of the mainland in the Pacific Ocean, stands out as the sole state existing outside North America, the only state comprising an archipelago, and the only state situated within the tropics. Hawaii's unique geographic location distinguishes it from other US states, placing it in Oceania. As an archipelago, Hawaii consists of a chain of islands, rather than a single landmass. Its tropical location contributes to its distinct climate and biodiversity.
1900: Hawaii Granted Self-Governance
In 1900, Hawaii was granted self-governance as a U.S. territory, retaining ʻIolani Palace as its capitol building.
1901: Puerto Rican Migration to Hawaii
By 1901, over 5,000 Puerto Ricans had settled in Hawaii.
1903: First Wave of Korean Immigration
The first wave of Korean immigration to Hawaii began in 1903, prompted by labor needs in the sugarcane plantations.
1920: Decline of Indigenous Hawaiian Population
By 1920, the Indigenous Hawaiian population had declined to 24,000, largely due to foreign diseases.
1923: Shifting Demographics of Hawaii
In 1923, the population of Hawaii saw a significant shift, with 42% of Japanese descent, 9% of Chinese descent, and 16% of Native Hawaiian descent.
1924: End of First Korean Immigration Wave
The first wave of Korean immigration to Hawaii ended in 1924.
April 27, 1931: Record High Temperature
Hawaii's warmest recorded temperature of 100 °F (38 °C) occurred in Pahala on April 27, 1931.
December 7, 1941: Attack on Pearl Harbor
On December 7, 1941, the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, propelled the United States into World War II. This event had major global and historical significance.
1947: OR&L Railway Abandonment
In 1947, the Oahu Railway and Land Company (OR&L) main line was officially abandoned after playing a key role in transporting troops and supplies during World War II. Although part of the line was bought and operated by the U.S. Navy until 1970, the main line was abandoned in 1947. A small portion of the track (13 miles) is still preserved and occasionally used.
1948: Hawaiian Language Newspapers Stop Publication
In 1948, Hawaiian-language newspapers (nūpepa) ceased publication, marking the end of an era that began in 1834. These newspapers, along with traditional native speakers, generally omitted macrons (kahakō) when writing Hawaiian, even though they indicate vowel length.
1949: Drafting of State Constitution
The Constitution of the State of Hawaii was drafted in 1949, predating the modern use of the ʻokina and kahakō in Hawaiian orthography.
March 1959: Hawaii Admission Act
In March 1959, the Hawaii Admission Act was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Eisenhower, paving the way for Hawaii's statehood.
June 27, 1959: Statehood Referendum
On June 27, 1959, a referendum in Hawaii resulted in an overwhelming vote in favor of statehood.
August 21, 1959: Hawaii Becomes a State
On August 21, 1959, Hawaii became the 50th state of the United States, marking the most recent addition to the union.
1959: Hawaii Achieves Statehood
Hawaii officially became a U.S. state in 1959.
1959: Growth of Hawaii's Tourism Industry
Hawaii's tourism industry started expanding after it gained statehood in 1959.
1960: Hawaii's First Presidential Election
After becoming a state, Hawaii participated in its first presidential election in 1960, supporting the Democratic candidate. Since then, the state has consistently favored Democrats, except in the 1972 and 1984 landslide re-election victories of Republicans Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan, respectively.
1961: Hawaii Islanders Begin Play
The Hawaii Islanders, a Triple-A minor league baseball team, started playing in the Pacific Coast League in 1961.
1964: Hiram Fong Seeks Presidential Nomination
Hawaii Senator Hiram Fong sought the Republican presidential nomination in 1964.
1965: Second Wave of Korean Immigration and Puerto Rican Immigration
A second wave of Korean immigration to Hawaii began in 1965 following changes in U.S. immigration laws. Puerto Rican immigration started in 1899 after a hurricane devastated their sugar industry.
1965: Sony Open in Hawaii Begins
The Sony Open in Hawaii golf tournament commenced in 1965.
1970: Racial Demographics of Hawaii
In 1970, Hawaii's population was reported as 38.8% White and 57.7% Asian and Pacific Islander.
1970: Last Republican Senator Elected in Hawaii
In 1970, Hiram Fong was the last Republican elected to represent Hawaii in the U.S. Senate. Since 1977, both of Hawaii's U.S. Senators have been Democrats.
1970: U.S. Navy Ceases OR&L Operation
The U.S. Navy ceased operating its section of the Oahu Railway and Land Company (OR&L) line in 1970. It had acquired the section following the official abandonment of the OR&L main line in 1947.
1972: Patsy Mink Runs in Oregon Primary
Patsy Mink ran in the Oregon Democratic presidential primary in 1972.
1972: Republican Presidential Win in Hawaii
In 1972, Republican Richard Nixon won Hawaii's presidential election vote. This was one of the few times Hawaii deviated from its usual support for Democratic candidates since achieving statehood in 1960.
1973: Honolulu Marathon Begins
The Honolulu Marathon was first held in 1973.
1974: The Hawaiians in the World Football League
The Hawaiians played in the World Football League during 1974.
1975: Earthquake and Tsunami
In 1975, slope instability on the flanks of Hawaii's volcanoes caused a damaging earthquake and subsequent tsunami.
1975: The Hawaiians' Second Season
The Hawaiians played their second season in the World Football League in 1975.
1977: Both Hawaii Senators Become Democrats
Since 1977, both of Hawaii's U.S. Senate seats have been held by Democrats. The last Republican senator from Hawaii, Hiram Fong, was elected in 1970.
1977: Team Hawaii in the North American Soccer League
Team Hawaii competed in the North American Soccer League in 1977.
1978: Promotion of Hawaiian Culture
The 1978 Hawaii State Constitutional Convention established institutions like the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to promote indigenous language and culture.
1978: Official Languages of Hawaii
Hawaii's 1978 constitution designated English and Hawaiian as the official state languages.
1978: Hawaiian Language Recognized
In 1978, Hawaiian was officially recognized as a state language of Hawaii alongside English, added to the state's constitution.
1978: Ironman World Championship Begins
The Ironman World Championship triathlon race started in Hawaii in 1978.
May 1979: Record Low Temperature
Hawaii's record low temperature of 12 °F (−11 °C) was recorded on Mauna Kea in May 1979.
1980: Pro Bowl Comes to Hawaii
The National Football League's Pro Bowl began its run in Hawaii in 1980.
1983: Ultraman Triathlon Begins
The Ultraman triathlon was established in Hawaii in 1983.
1984: Republican Presidential Win in Hawaii
In 1984, Republican Ronald Reagan won Hawaii's vote in the presidential election. This was one of the few instances where Hawaii favored a Republican presidential candidate since becoming a state in 1960.
1987: Hawaii Islanders End Play
The Hawaii Islanders ceased playing in the Pacific Coast League in 1987.
1993: U.S. Apology for Overthrow
In 1993, the U.S. government formally apologized for its role in the 1893 overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy, acknowledging the illegality of the act and its impact on the indigenous population.
1993: Hawaiian Sovereignty Movement March
On 1993, 17,000 Hawaiians marched to demand access and control over Hawaiian trust lands as part of the modern Hawaiian sovereignty movement.
1993: Congressional Apology
In 1993, Congress passed a joint Apology Resolution, signed by President Bill Clinton, formally apologizing for the U.S. role in the illegal overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1893.
1993: Apology Resolution and Sovereignty Movement
In 1993, the US Congress passed the Apology Resolution, acknowledging the overthrow of Queen Liliʻuokalani in 1893 and the subsequent military occupation. This resolution fueled the Hawaiian sovereignty movement, which views Hawaii as an illegally occupied nation and seeks redress from the United States.
1997: Tourism's Contribution to Hawaii's GSP
In 1997, tourism made up 24.3% of Hawaii's gross state product (GSP).
1999: Tournament of Champions Begins in Hawaii
The Tournament of Champions golf tournament started in Hawaii in 1999.
2000: Language Use in Hawaii
As of the 2000 Census, 73.4% of Hawaii residents aged 5 and older spoke only English at home.
2000: Distribution of Religion in Hawaii
Data from religious establishments in 2000 revealed the distribution of various religions in Hawaii.
2000: Life Expectancy in Hawaii
In 2000, the average life expectancy for people born in Hawaii was 79.8 years, the highest of any U.S. state.
2000: FINA World Open Water Swimming Championships in Hawaii
The 2000 FINA World Open Water Swimming Championships took place in Hawaii.
2000: Median Home Value in Hawaii
The median home value in Hawaii during the 2000 U.S. Census was US$272,700, considerably higher than the national median of US$119,600 and the highest among all states.
2003: Hawaii's Gross Output
Hawaii's gross output reached US$47 billion in 2003.
2003: Founding of Pacific Buddhist Academy
In 2003, the Pacific Buddhist Academy was founded in Hawaii. It was the second Buddhist high school in the U.S. and the first in Hawaii.
2004: John Kerry Wins Hawaii
In the 2004 presidential election, John Kerry secured all four of Hawaii's electoral votes with 54% of the vote, winning by a nine-point margin. Every county in the state supported the Democratic candidate.
August 2005: Hawaii's Public School Test Scores
In August 2005, Hawaii's public school students performed below national averages on tests mandated by the No Child Left Behind Act. Of the 282 schools statewide, 185 did not meet federal minimum standards in math and reading. While seniors scored slightly above the national average on the ACT, they tended to score below average on the SAT, except in mathematics.
2005: Kamehameha Schools Enrollment and Admission Policy
In 2005, Kamehameha Schools, known for its unique ancestry-based admission policy, enrolled 5,398 students, which made up 8.4% of the Native Hawaiian children in the state. Kamehameha Schools are unique as one of the few U.S. schools that openly use ancestry for student admissions. They are also considered one of the wealthiest schools globally due to their significant estate assets.
June 15, 2006: Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument
On June 15, 2006, President George W. Bush established the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, protecting a vast area of reefs, atolls, and ocean around Hawaii.
2006: Hawaiian Language Speakers
Between 2006 and 2008, there were over 24,000 Hawaiian language speakers in Hawaii, according to the United States Census.
December 2007: Hawaii Superferry Operations Begin
The Hawaii Superferry began service between O'ahu and Maui in December 2007. While additional routes were planned, protests and legal issues concerning environmental impact ultimately led to the cessation of the service.
February 19, 2008: Barack Obama Wins Hawaii Democratic Caucus
On February 19, 2008, Barack Obama won the Hawaii Democratic caucus with 76% of the vote during his campaign for the presidency.
November 4, 2008: Barack Obama Elected President
On November 4, 2008, Honolulu-born Barack Obama, then a U.S. Senator from Illinois, was elected the 44th President of the United States. He had previously won the Hawaii Democratic caucus in February 2008 with 76% of the vote. Obama was the first president from Hawaii.
2008: Language Use in Hawaii
According to the 2008 American Community Survey, 74.6% of Hawaii residents over age 5 spoke only English at home.
2008: Hawaiian Language Speakers
Between 2006 and 2008, there were over 24,000 Hawaiian language speakers in Hawaii, according to the United States Census.
2008: Pan-Pacific Championship in Hawaii
The 2008 Pan-Pacific Championship soccer tournament was held in Hawaii.
March 2009: Hawaii Superferry Operations End
In March 2009, the Hawaii Superferry ceased operations due to ongoing legal challenges and protests related to environmental impacts. Although the company hoped to restart in the future, currently, only a limited passenger ferry service operates between Lana'i and Maui, without vehicles, following the end of Molokai's passenger ferry in 2016.
2009: Hawaii's Healthcare System
As of 2009, Hawaii's healthcare system insured 92% of its residents. Businesses were required to provide insurance to employees working over 20 hours a week, and heavy regulation of insurance companies helped reduce costs for employers. The emphasis on preventive care meant Hawaiians needed hospital treatment less often compared to the rest of the US, resulting in lower healthcare expenses relative to the state's GDP.
2009: Membership of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Hawaii
In 2009, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints had 68,128 adherents in Hawaii.
2009: U.S. Military Spending in Hawaii
In 2009, the U.S. military allocated US$12.2 billion in Hawaii, constituting 18% of the state's total spending that year.
2010: Same-Sex Couple Households in Hawaii
In 2010, there were 3,239 same-sex couple households in Hawaii, showing a 35.5% rise from the previous decade.
2010: Median Sale Price of Single Family Homes in Honolulu
In 2010, the median sale price for a single-family home in Honolulu, Hawaii was US$607,600, the highest of any U.S. city and significantly above the national median of US$173,200.
2010: Membership of Religious Denominations in Hawaii
In 2010, the Roman Catholic Church had the largest membership in Hawaii with 249,619 adherents.
2010: Israel Kamakawiwoʻole Named "The Voice of Hawaii"
In 2010, NPR recognized Native Hawaiian musician Israel Kamakawiwoʻole as "The Voice of Hawaii" in their 50 great voices series.
2010: Population Growth in Hawaii
Between 2010 and 2018, Hawaii's population increased by 60,190 (4.42%), due to natural increase and net migration.
2010: Native Hawaiian Population
As of 2010, 156,000 people identified as solely Native Hawaiian, while 371,000 identified as having Native Hawaiian ancestry combined with other races.
2011: U.S. Military Personnel in Hawaii
As of 2011, the U.S. military reported having 42,371 personnel stationed in Hawaii.
2011: Private School Attendance in Hawaii
During the 2011-2012 school year, private schools in Hawaii educated over 17% of students, almost three times the national average. This was attributed to relatively low tuition fees compared to mainland private schools and their overall reputations. In 2011, Hawaii public and charter schools had 181,213 students enrolled, while private schools had 37,695 students.
November 6, 2012: Barack Obama Re-elected
Barack Obama was re-elected for a second term as President of the United States on November 6, 2012.
December 26, 2012: Brian Schatz Appointed to Senate
Following the death of Senator Daniel Inouye, Brian Schatz was appointed to the U.S. Senate by Governor Neil Abercrombie on December 26, 2012. He subsequently won the 2014 special election and the regular elections in 2016 and 2022.
2012: Gallup Poll on LGBTQIA+ Adults in Hawaii
A 2012 Gallup poll indicated that Hawaii had the highest percentage of LGBTQIA+ adults in the U.S. at 5.1%, an estimated 53,966 individuals.
2012: Private School Attendance in Hawaii
During the 2011-2012 school year, private schools in Hawaii educated over 17% of students, almost three times the national average. This was attributed to relatively low tuition fees compared to mainland private schools and their overall reputations. In 2012, Hawaii public and charter schools had 181,213 students enrolled, while private schools had 37,695 students.
2012: Agricultural Sales and Seed Industry in Hawaii
In 2012, agricultural sales in Hawaii totaled US$370.9 million from diversified agriculture, US$100.6 million from pineapple, and US$64.3 million from sugarcane. The seed industry, generating US$264 million and employing 1,400 workers, benefited from Hawaii's climate, allowing for testing three generations of crops annually.
2012: Racial Demographics of Hawaii
In 2012, only 14.5% of Hawaii's resident population under age 1 was non-Hispanic white, highlighting the state's diverse population.
2012: Mazie Hirono Elected to Senate
Mazie Hirono, former representative from the second congressional district, won the 2012 Senate election in Hawaii after the retirement of Daniel Akaka. She is the first female Asian American and the first Buddhist senator.
2012: Lotte Championship and Hawaiian Islands Invitational
The Lotte Championship golf tournament and the Hawaiian Islands Invitational soccer tournament were held in Hawaii in 2012.
2013: Legalization of Same-Sex Marriage in Hawaii
Hawaii legalized same-sex marriage in 2013, becoming the fifteenth U.S. state to do so, which reportedly boosted tourism by $217 million.
2013: Millionaires Per Capita in Hawaii
A 2013 study revealed that Hawaii had the fourth-highest number of millionaires per capita in the U.S., at a ratio of 7.2%.
October 2014: Electricity Prices in Hawaii
In October 2014, average electricity prices in Hawaii were 36.41 cents per kilowatt-hour, almost three times the national average (12.58 cents) and significantly higher than the second-highest state, Connecticut.
2014: Religion in Hawaii
A survey was conducted about religion in Hawaii in 2014.
2014: Brian Schatz Wins Special Election
Brian Schatz won the special election in 2014 for the U.S. Senate seat in Hawaii after being appointed in 2012. He also won the regular Senate elections in 2016 and 2022.
2014: Majority-Minority Status of Hawaii
In 2014, Hawaii was expected to be one of three states without a non-Hispanic white plurality.
2014: Per Capita Income in Hawaii
The per capita income for Hawaii residents was US$54,516 in 2014.
December 2015: Unemployment Rate in Hawaii
As of December 2015, Hawaii's unemployment rate stood at 3.2%.
2015: Asian Ancestry in Hawaii
As of 2015, a significant portion of Hawaii's population had Asian ancestry, primarily Filipino, Japanese, and Chinese, due to immigration for sugarcane plantation work.
2015: Land Ownership in Hawaii
By 2015, according to scholar Winona LaDuke, 95% of Hawaiʻi's land was owned or controlled by just 82 landholders.
2016: Brian Schatz Wins Senate Election
Brian Schatz won the regular U.S. Senate election in Hawaii in 2016, after previously winning the special election in 2014 following his appointment to the Senate in 2012. He was re-elected in 2022.
2016: Molokai Passenger Ferry Ends
In 2016, the passenger ferry service to Molokai was discontinued. Currently Norwegian Cruise Lines and Princess Cruises offer inter-island passenger cruise ship services.
2016: Pro Bowl Ends Run in Hawaii
The National Football League's Pro Bowl concluded its time in Hawaii in 2016.
May 30, 2017: Renaming of Honolulu International Airport
On May 30, 2017, Honolulu International Airport (HNL) was officially renamed Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) to honor U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye. The airport, sharing runways with Hickam Field, is Hawaii's main aviation hub, offering flights to North America, Asia, Australia, and Oceania.
2017: Political Shift
As of 2017, Hawaii generally votes Democratic, while Alaska typically votes Republican, contrary to earlier predictions.
May 2018: Kīlauea Eruption
The Kīlauea volcano erupted in May 2018, creating fissures, destroying buildings, and forcing evacuations due to lava flows and sulfur dioxide fumes.
2018: Population of Hawaii
In 2018, the population of Hawaii was estimated at 1,420,491, a decrease from the previous year but an increase since 2010.
2018: Immigrant Origins in Hawaii
In 2018, the primary countries of origin for immigrants in Hawaii were the Philippines, China, Japan, Korea, and the Marshall Islands.
2018: Mazie Hirono Re-elected to Senate
Mazie Hirono won re-election to the U.S. Senate in Hawaii in 2018. She is the first female Asian American senator and the first Buddhist senator.
2018: Ed Case Elected to Congress
Ed Case was elected to represent Hawaii's 1st congressional district in 2018. As of 2023, all four of the state's congressional seats were held by Democrats.
2019: Tourism in Hawaii
Hawaii had 10,386,673 visitors in 2019, a 5% increase from the previous year, with expenditures nearing $18 billion. Tourism provided over 216,000 jobs and over $2 billion in tax revenue. Over 1 million tourists from the U.S. East, almost 2 million Japanese tourists, and almost 500,000 Canadian tourists visited Hawaii this year.
2020: Hawaii Ranked 6th Easiest State for Voting
A 2020 study ranked Hawaii as the 6th easiest state for citizens to vote in.
2020: Racial Demographics of Hawaii
According to the 2020 Census, Hawaii's population was 37.2% Asian, 25.3% Multiracial, 22.9% White, 10.8% Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, 9.5% Hispanic/Latino, 1.6% Black, 1.8% other race, and 0.3% Native American/Alaskan Native.
2020: Environmental Concerns
In 2020, the Center for Biological Diversity highlighted the growing plastic pollution problem affecting Hawaii's Kamilo beach.
January 2022: Proposed Law Enforcement Department Restructuring
In January 2022, Hawaii officials proposed legislation to create a new Department of Law Enforcement. This would involve separating the sheriff department from the Department of Public Safety and merging it with the criminal investigation division of the Attorney General's office, forming a statewide police agency with crime investigation powers.
2022: Homeless Population in Hawaii
According to the HUD's 2022 Annual Homeless Assessment Report, there were an estimated 5,967 homeless people in Hawaii.
2022: Brian Schatz Wins Senate Election
Brian Schatz won the regular U.S. Senate election in Hawaii in 2022. He had previously won the special election in 2014 and the regular election in 2016 after being appointed in 2012.
2022: Hawaii Ranked as Third-Most Democratic State
In 2022, the Cook Partisan Voting Index ranked Hawaii as the third-most heavily Democratic state in the nation. Since becoming a state in 1960, Hawaii has voted for Republican presidential candidates only twice - in 1972 and 1984.
2022: Public Religion Research Institute's American Values Survey
In 2022, the Public Religion Research Institute conducted the American Values Survey, collecting data on religious self-identification across the United States, including Hawaii.
2023: Hawaii's Congressional Representation
As of 2023, all four of Hawaii's congressional seats (two senators and two representatives) were held by Democrats. Ed Case, elected in 2018, represents the 1st congressional district, while Jill Tokuda represents the largely rural and semi-rural 2nd district.
2023: Skyline Rail Opens
In 2023, the Skyline elevated passenger rail line began service on Oahu. Its construction aimed to alleviate traffic congestion on the island's highways.