"Nuuanu Valley, Honolulu, Hawaii" ca. 1890.
Bishop Museum Photograph.

Honolulu sat at the center of the many changes that affected the Hawaiian Islands since the beginning of the monarchy. Though not always the capital of the kingdom during this time, it remained a focal point and in the end became the permanent capital and largest city. This owed to the presence of the harbor -- the initial attraction for Western ships frequenting the islands, and later an extensively developed shipyard and loading/unloading area.

The other reason was the presence, most of the time, of the Kingdom's government. This factor affected Nu‘uanu in particular, for the same reason it always had: if you had to live and do business in the Honolulu area, the cool heights of Nu‘uanu were a more preferable residence than the hot plain of Honolulu. So with the growth of Honolulu came the growth of Nu‘uanu as the residence for, first, Hawaiian, and later non-Hawaiian business people and foreign embassadors.

Of course, the ongoing importance of the Pali as a transportation route across the Ko‘olau Mountains means also that there was always a path -- then a road, then a paved street, and finally a highway -- extending up through the valley, making this area accessible to Honolulu.

The Chronology below maps out many of the events discussed in the subsequent pages, as well as some of the larger issues affecting the Islands that are not discussed here. This chronology draws substantially from ones presented by the Honolulu Star-Bulletin in its Millennium series (Young-Oda, 1999), but has modified that original text considerably. It also takes us back to the death of Kamehameha I, to show the continuity of events reaching into the 20th century.

1819

Kamehameha dies, succeeded by son Liholiho (Kamehameha II). The kapu system is overthrown. The first New England whaling ship harpoons whales in Hawaiian waters.

1820

First Protestant missionaries arrive on the brig, Thaddeus; Kawaiha'o Church founded with the Rev. Hiram Bingham as pastor.

1824

King Liholiho and Queen Kamamalu’s visit to England results in the death of the royal couple from measles.

1825

Kauikeaouli becomes Kamehameha III at age 10. Ka‘ahumanu and Kalanimoku accept Christianity.

1826

First U.S. naval vessel in Hawaiian port.

1836

First English newspaper west of the Rockies--the Sandwich Island Gazette. A treaty is negotiated between the Sandwich Islands and Great Britain.

1839

Kamehameha III enacts a Bill of Rights.

1840

First Hawaiian Constitution of the Kingdom; King shares power with Legislature.

1842

U.S. recognizes Kingdom of Hawai‘i.

1843

British naval captain, Lord George Paulet, seizes Hawaiian kingdom in February; in July, British Adm. Richard Thomas restores Hawaiian flag. Kamehameha III, in restoration-day speech, recites phrase which becomes Hawai‘i’s motto. Feast held at Kaniakapupu.

1844

First ‘Iolani Palace becomes residence of the Monarchy when Kamehameha III relocates the capital from Lahaina, Maui.

1848

The Mahele, or "Division of Lands," by Kamehameha III creates fee-simple ownership of lands. Hanaiakamalama is built in Boston, shipped to Hawai‘i, and assembled in Nu‘uanu for John Young II.

1850

Treaty with United States ratified; Honolulu declared Hawai‘i’s capital.

1852

Chinese contract laborers arrive.

1854

Kamehameha III passes away, succeeded by his nephew Alexander Liholiho (Kamehameha IV). He and Queen Emma later give birth to Prince Albert, “Ka Haku o Hawai‘i.”

1857

Hanaiakamalama is willed to Queen Emma, becomes “Queen Emma's Summer Palace.”

1862

Ka Haku o Hawai‘i passes away on August 27.

1863

King Kamehameha IV passes away, Lot Kamehameha comes to the throne of Hawai‘i as King Kamehameha V.

1864

West wing of Mauna ‘Ala is completed at the end of January. On February 3, 1864, a large national funeral is held for King Kamehameha IV.

1865

The mausoleum of Mauna ‘Ala is completed in October. On the 12th of October, Robert C. Wyllie passes away, and is given the honor of being the third person to be placed inside of the mausoleum building, alongside of King Kamehameha IV.

1870

Work is commenced on the Barracks building, on the grounds of ‘Iolani Palace.

1872

Kamehameha V passes away. William Lunalilo elected King in 1873.

1874

Lunalilo passes away after a short reign. Kalakaua is elected king in a bitter contest against Queen Emma. First ‘Iolani Palace is demolished.

1878

Lydia Kamaka‘eha (later Queen Lili‘uokalani) writes "Aloha ‘Oe."

1879

Cornerstone laid for the second ‘Iolani Palace.

1880

King Kalakaua revives the hula.

1882

Second ‘Iolani Palace is completed.

1883

Coronation of King Kalakaua and Queen Kapi‘olani marks reign’s ninth year. Princess Ruth-- sister of Kings Kamehameha IV and V, Princess Pauahi, and Queen Emma--passes away. Kamehameha statue is erected in front of Ali‘iolani Hale.

1884

Queen Emma passes away, marking the last of the female portion of the Kamehameha family, gone forever. Hanaiakamalama is purchased by the Hawaiian government and rented out.

1885

Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop passes away in October, leaving lands to endow Kamehameha Schools.

1886

Huge Honolulu fire.

1887

In July, a group of businessmen calling themselves the "Hawaiian League" forced Kalakaua to sign the "Bayonet Constitution," severely reducing the monarch’s powers. Kamehameha crypt is completed at Mauna ‘Ala in November. In a nighttime ceremony, the remains of the Kamehamehas are moved from the mausoleum building and placed in the crypt. The engineering firm of Whitehouse and Wilson is awarded a government contract to build what was then a new road, but is now the "Old Pali Road."

1889

Crown loyalist Robert Wilcox leads a rebellion that fails to overturn that Constitution. It is a tragic and bloody story.

1891

King Kalakaua passes away and his sister, Lydia Kamaka‘eha, ascends the throne as Queen Lili‘uokalani.

1893

On January 17, Lili‘uokalani moves to proclaim a new constitution. The monarchy is overthrown by the thirteen-man "Committee of Safety" with the support of the United States Consul and armed soldiers from the USS Boston. A provisional government, under President Sanford Dole, is proclaimed.

1894

After Annexation negotiations fail, the Republic of Hawaii is declared, symbolically on July 4. Sanford B. Dole is sworn in as president. ‘Iolani Palace becomes the Government building. Charles Reed Bishop, widower of Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop leaves Hawai‘i.

1895

Robert Wilcox leads unsuccessful coup to restore the monarchy.

1898

In July, President William McKinley signs Congressional resolution annexing Hawai‘i to United States; the U.S. flag is raised here.

1900

On June 14, President McKinley signs Organic Act that forms Territory of Hawaii. All laws of the United States are now enforced by Territorial Government headed by (now) Governor Sanford Dole. Robert Wilcox--now Hawai‘i’s first delegate to the U.S. Congress--and Queen Lili‘uokalani work together to have a resolution passed through the U.S. Congress to remove the 3.5 acres of Mauna ‘Ala’s sacred land from the public domain. A January fire, purportedly intended to purify Chinatown of bubonic plague, goes out of control and destroys 38 acres; thousands lose homes and businesses.

1902

Prince Jonah Kuhi‘o Kalaniana‘ole chosen delegate to U.S. Congress.

1903

Territorial Legislature petitions for statehood.

1904

A second crypt is built at Mauna ‘Ala, named the Wyllie crypt, to house the remains of Queen Emma’s family.

1907

Work begins on crypt for the Kalakaua dynasty. The crypt is completed in June of 1910, and during a nighttime ceremony, the Kalakaua family remains are interred inside.
1915. Mr. Bishop passes away in June at 93 years of age. His remains are brought to Hawai‘i and placed in the Kamehameha crypt, which is then sealed.

1917

Queen Lili‘uokalani passes away at Washington Place. A funeral procession bears her body up Nu‘uanu to the Royal Mausoleum, where she is interred in the Kalakaua crypt.

1922

U.S. Congress enacts the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act on July 9, which provides for homesteading by native Hawaiians. Prince Jonah Kuhi‘o Kalaniana‘ole, delegate to Congress since 1902, dies. His widow Princess Kahanu finishes the conversion of the mausoleum building, and on March 26, 1922, on the birthday of Prince Kuhi‘o, the chapel is dedicated in his memory.

1926

Aloha Tower is dedicated. Territorial Governor Sanford Dole dies.

1941-5

Japan attacks Pearl Harbor, plunging United States into World War II. Martial law in Hawai‘i is declared. In 1943, the White House announces civilian authority of some government functions restored, though martial law remains in effect. Martial law formally ends in1944, but continues “unofficially” until 1946.

1946

Subcommittee of U.S. Committee on Territories holds hearings, recommends legislation be considered to admit Hawai‘i as state. But U.S. Senate would oppose that for next decade. U.S. Supreme Court, 6-2, declares martial law in Hawai‘i was unconstitutional and illegal.

1945-8

U.S. Secretary of Interior Harold Ickes officially recommends statehood for Hawai‘i, based on its outstanding WWII record. Earlier, the Democratic National Convention had endorsed statehood. House of Representatives Territorial Committee opens first statehood hearings in 1946. Over next 10 years, statehood gains favor in the House, but opposition in Senate. In 1948, President Harry S Truman endorses Hawaii statehood bill in February report to Congress.

1949

National Memorial Cemetery at Punchbowl opens.

1954

U.S. Senate committee approves statehood bill for Hawai‘i.

1957

Pali Highway's first two tunnels open to traffic.

1958

Containerized cargo shipments begin on Matson freighters.

1959

Hawai‘i officially becomes 50th U.S. state on Aug. 21. As pact of statehood, U.S. transfers former Hawaiian Government and Crown lands to the state of Hawaii, and puts the land in a public trust, to be used only for native Hawaiians and specific public purposes.

1968

State Capitol on Beretania Street completed.

1993

Centennial of Hawaiian monarchy overthrow in January; in October, U.S. Senate apologizes to Hawaiians for illegal 1893 overthrow; in November, President Clinton signs Congressional Resolution acknowledging overthrow's illegality.

In the following sections, some of the more important changes and noteworthy historical incidents to affect Nu‘uanu are explored in detail. First of these is the development of a new Royal Mausoleum at Mauna ‘Ala.