Captain James Cook landed at Waimea on Kauai Jan. 20, 1778, named the Sandwich Islands, was killed in 1779
Kamehameha I (1782-1819) united the four kingdoms
Missionaries 1820
First Company of missionaries left Salem on the brig Thaddeus in 1819, arrived in March 1820, led by Hiram Bingham
Kamehameha II (1819-1824) cooperated with whites, died in England
Kaahumanu acted as regent 1824-1832
first sugar plantation started on Maui 1835
Kamehameha III (1832-1874) approved first written constitution 1839
commercial treaty signed with U.S. 1849
planters petitoned for annexation 1853, but not merchants or missionaries
Reciprocity 1875
Hamilton Fish signed reciprocity treaty with Hawaii 1875
growth of sugar, naval base
Kalakaua (1874-1891) sought an empire Primacy of the Pacific
planters led revolt agaisnt Kalakaua 1887, new constitution
Liliuakalani (1891-1893) supported native Liberal party
Revolution 1893
Queen Liliuokalani became monarch 1891, sought to replace 1887 "Bayonet Constitution"
imposed on her brother Kalakaua by the Reform Cabinet of foreigners led by Lorrin Thurston and William Green
John Stevens and USS Boston support 1893 revolt
Gresham opposed conspiracy of Claus Spreckels (father of John D. Spreckels), Sanford Dole (leader of Hawaiian League of Honolulu businessmen)
advised no annexation, no marines, supported James "Paramount" Blount
1894 tariff restored sugar bounty for Hawaii growers
recognition of Republic of Hawaii, but no annexation until 1898
James Dole, cousin of Sanford, created the Hawaiian Fruit and Plant Co. in 1900 to grow pineapples in Wahiawa
Territory 1898
June 16, 1897 - Hawaii annexation treaty submitted
sought by Sanford Dole since 1893 revolution
McKinley declared protectorate - against Japan
July 6, 1898 - treaty passed for annexation
included Johnston atoll 700 mi. southwest claimed by Hawaii since 1858
Military base grew after 1898, Schofield barracks 1909
Pearl Harbor naval base authorized by Congress 1908
Tourism caused the growth of hotels on Waikiki beach, starting with the Moana Hotel resort in 1901
George Freeth revived the ancient native practice of surfing in 1900 with a 150-lb. surfboard, standing instead of lying down on the board. He was brought to Redondo Beach in 1907 by Henry Huntington and became California's first lifeguard in 1908, received the Congressional Medal of Honor for his rescue of seven Japanese fishermen during a storm in December 1908, died in San Diego at age 35 from influenza in 1919
