Historic Honolulu

The land granted to the first missionaries to arrive in Hawai’i in 1820 for the purpose of establishing their residences, this barren desert like flat plain just south of the village of Honolulu had a refreshing oasis – a natural spring whose waters were reserved for high chiefs and chiefesses. One such royal chiefess who favored the spring and its pool was Ha’o. Thus the spring and surrounding land came to be known as Ka Wai a Ha’o (meaning “the fresh water pool of Ha’o”) of which the church is named after.

The missionaries were well accepted by the Hawaiian royalty as well as commoners and thatched houses were erected for them by local labor on orders of King Kamehameha III. A thatched roofed sanctuary measuring 54 ft by 22 ft seated some 300 people but would eventually be replaced with three more thatched structures. By 1837 the gathering of materials began for a great stone house of worship and as many as 1000 people dug the foundation (down to bedrock for stability).

Known as the “The Great Stone Church”, it was actually built of giant slabs of coral quarried from underwater. Natives dove 10 to 20 ft to hand chisel 1000 lbs slabs, raised them to the surface and transported them by canoe to the shore. The strength and hard work of the native Hawaiians chiseled and hauled some 14,000 slabs to the church site. After five years of intense labor the church was dedicated on July 21st, 1842 and was attended by 4000 to 5000 of the faithful, including King Kamehameha III who contributed generously to the funding.

Kawaiaha’o Church also became known as the “Westminster Abbey of the Pacific” and “The Church of the Ali’i” and is listed on the state and national registers of historic sites. Today worship services are held every Sunday at 9am and the church continues to be a large contributor to the community and it’s congregation.

Known as Kulolia and Ke Awa O Kou in ancient times, Honolulu Harbor was said to be the most beautiful in all the islands by early explorers. Archaeological surveys show that the area was bustling with human activity prior to 1100 A.D.

In Hawaiian Honolulu means “sheltered harbor” and the first recorded European ship to enter the harbor was a longboat from the merchant ship King George in December of 1786. However Captain Clerke of the famed Cook Expedition stopped at Oahu looking for provisions after Captain Cook was killed on the Big Island in 1779. It is not known exactly where he came ashore but commented in his journals that the ships “stood into a bay, the eastern shore of which was far the most beautiful country we have yet seen among these Isles”.

Kamehameha invaded the harbor and along nearby Waikiki beach in 1795 with nearly 1000 canoes, some 10,000 warriors and procured western ships and armaments firing from the harbor inland. In a day long battle he defeated Oahu and Maui warriors in the “Battle of Nu’uanu”, driving them over the cliffs of Nu’uanu Pali located in the mountains behind Honolulu and eventually securing his rule of the entire island chain.

The harbor became a busy port for foreign merchant ships and whalers even though the capital of the new kingdom was located in Lahaina Maui. In 1850, Kamehameha III declared Honolulu to be the official capital of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi as the harbor became preferred by merchant ship captains to the offshore mooring at Lahaina. Investments were made to build piers for accomodating an ever increasing amount of ships. The harbor quickly became the primary port of call for ships trading in the fur, sandalwood and whaling industries.

The merchants that docked at Honolulu Harbor brought new wealth to the Kingdom and the Hawaiian Monarchy. Native Hawaiians saw their quality of life improve even though there numbers continued to dwindle due to foreign diseases. The British soon built a fort to protect the harbor entrance. Multi story buildings and large docks were added as the sugar economy boomed. In 1893 the Kingdom was overthrown by businessmen and plantation owners looking to protect their sugar interests by seeking US annexation. Queen Lili’uokalani resisted under protest and arrested, but would eventually abdicate the throne to avoid bloodshed. The islands were annexed by the US in 1898. She would be the last reigning monarch of the Kingdom of Hawai’i. American interests continued to expand Honolulu Harbor to include docks for pleasure cruise ships which began arriving in the early 1900’s with visitors mainly from the US.

Today Honolulu Harbor is one of the busiest container ports in the US and handles more than 11 million tons of cargo annually. It is the main shipping link between the US mainland and the Far East and Pacific Rim regions. The harbor is also crucial to the entire state as Hawai’i imports close to 90 percent of it’s goods. Along with container shipping the port handles passenger vessels for excursions, fishing and research. Located just five miles from Honolulu International Airport enhances Honolulu Harbor’s shipping services.

A monument to the thousands who died in battles across the Pacific during WWI, WWII (13,000 graves), the Korean and Vietnam wars, the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific is the final resting place of over 50,000 service members interred here since it’s creation in 1949.

The base of the memorials grand stone staircase is engraved with the inscription: “In these gardens are recorded the names of Americans who gave their lives in service of their country and whose earthly resting place is known only to god”. Flanking the enormous staircase are the marble slabs of the ten “Courts of the Missing” listing over 28,000 names. Additional memorials can be found throughout the grounds commemorating soldiers of 20th century wars including those killed at Pearl Harbor. The memorial contains a small chapel and inside are displays and large maps showing the battles fought throughout the Pacific theater during WWII.

At the top of the staircase is a large statue of Lady Columbia, also known as Lady Liberty or Lady Justice. She is said to represent all grieving mothers who lost loved ones during war. The inscription below the statue is a quote from Abraham Lincoln’s letter to Mrs. Bixby (who lost 5 sons during the civil war). It reads:

THE SOLEMN PRIDE
THAT MUST BE YOURS
TO HAVE LAID
SO COSTLY A SACRIFICE
UPON THE ALTAR
OF FREEDOM