Historical Markers in
Honolulu County, Hawaii

40 MM Quad Gun Assembly Afong Villa Aliiolani Hale Amelia Earhart Battle of Nu’uanu – Uniting the Islands Bombers Over Battleship Row Breaking Ground with a Vision: An Inspired Beginning Diamond Head Lighthouse Duke Kahanamoku Duke Paoa Kahanamoku Fall and Rise of the Fleet Father Damien First Hawaiian Printing Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, USN Fort DeRussy He Ho‘Omana‘o Helumoa Hiram Bingham Iolani Palace Island of Oahu Japanese Light Tank Japanese Type 1 (1941) Kālia Bay Kaha ha ʻlo me nā Makani Kaiten Kãlia Fishponds Kawaiaha'o Church Kawaiaha'o Landmark Kawaiaha‘o Landmark Kawehewehe King David Kalākaua King Kamehameha I King William Charles Lunalilo Kuroda Field Le’Ahi Beach Park Lost Submarine Memorial Mahiole Major General John M. Schofield Mark 14 Steam-Driven Torpedo Mark 37 Electric Torpedo Millennium Peace Garden Mission School Monarchy Cannon Nuuanu Pali Lookout Opana Radar Site Pali Road Pali Road – From Trail to Highway Pearl Harbor Panorama-North Pearl Harbor Panorama-West Pohakuloa Amtrac Memorial Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalaniana’ole Rainbow Mural Rainbow Tower & Hilton Lagoon Regulus Reverend James Kekela Sunday Morning The Ala Wai Canal The Beaches of Waikiki The First Lady of Waikiki The Golden Anchor The Honolulu Memorial at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific The Lone Sailor The Stones Of Life The Story of Kālia This Sacred Site U. S. S. Missouri U.S. 105mm Howitzer M3 U.S. Light Tank, M24 U.S. Medium Tank U.S. Naval Base Pearl Harbor U.S. Prefabricated Pill Box U.S.S. Arizona U.S.S. Arizona Memorial U.S.S. Bowfin (SS287) United States Marine Corps USS Arizona Anchor USS Arizona Memorial USS Parche USS Seawolf (SS-197) USS Swordfish (SS-193) USS Tang (SS-306) USS Utah Memorial USS Utah Memorial USS Utah Memorial USS Wahoo (SS-238) USS West Virginia Memorial Victoria Kawekiu F Lunalilo Kalaninuiahilapalapu Ka’iulani Cleghorn Waikiki Wolphin Kekaimalu “Brothers in Valor” Memorial
The first European to visit Hawaii was British explorer Captain James Cook in 1778. He named the islands the "Sandwich Islands" after his patron, the Earl of Sandwich.
Hawaii random facts
Honolulu County, located on the island of Oahu in Hawaii, has a rich and diverse history that spans centuries. The region was initially settled by Polynesians, who established small, self-sustaining communities and developed advanced agricultural practices. These early settlers thrived for generations, creating a unique cultural identity that still influences the region today.

In the late 18th century, European explorers, led by British Captain James Cook, arrived in Hawaii, introducing Western influence to the islands. The Kingdom of Hawaii was established in 1810 under the reign of King Kamehameha I. Under his leadership, Honolulu began to flourish as an important trading port and became the capital of the Kingdom in 1845.

In the late 19th century, Honolulu experienced significant growth and development due to the sugar and pineapple industries. Immigrants from China, Japan, and the Philippines were brought in to work on the plantations, contributing to the multicultural makeup of the county. In 1898, Hawaii was annexed by the United States, leading to further development and modernization in Honolulu County.

During World War II, Honolulu was a strategic military base for the United States in the Pacific. The attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 marked a pivotal moment in the county's history, resulting in widespread destruction and loss of life. However, Honolulu quickly recovered and continued to grow, becoming a bustling metropolis and a renowned tourist destination.

Today, Honolulu County is a vibrant and cosmopolitan area, known for its beautiful beaches, diverse community, and rich cultural heritage. The county has evolved into a major economic and cultural hub in the Pacific, attracting visitors from around the world and serving as a gateway to explore the wonders of Hawaii.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Honolulu County, Hawaii.

  • 1778 - Captain James Cook lands in Waimea, Kauai, becoming the first recorded European to visit the Hawaiian Islands.
  • 1795 - King Kamehameha I, after several years of conflict, unifies the islands of Hawaii, including the area that would later become Honolulu County.
  • 1809 - The town of Honolulu is established on the island of Oahu by King Kamehameha I.
  • 1845 - Honolulu becomes the capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii.
  • 1893 - The Kingdom of Hawaii is overthrown by a group of American businessmen, leading to the establishment of the Republic of Hawaii.
  • 1898 - Hawaii is annexed by the United States, becoming a territory.
  • 1905 - The government of the Territory of Hawaii establishes Honolulu County, encompassing the island of Oahu and several smaller islands.
  • 1959 - Hawaii becomes the 50th state of the United States, maintaining Honolulu County as its principal county.