Through A Glass Darkly The Tragic History Of Honolulu

5 Reviews5.00 out of 5 stars Based on 5 traveler reviews collected by Cool Hawaii and TripAdvisor | Oahu, USA

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1 hour 30 minutes (Approx.)
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Overview

Who would imagine that such a happy place has such a tragic history? Hawaii's tumultuous encounter with the outside world began with the arrival of Captain Cook, whom they ate, sort of, for his troubles. A few years later, King Kamehameha celebrated his conquest of Oahu in 1795 by sacrificing his own cousin. The missionaries, who arrived in 1820, came here to do good... and did very well. Then there was the demographic bomb of waves of imported labor to cut sugar cane. Then the overthrow of the monarchy, annexation, and statehood. In the meantime, there was Pearl Harbor. And it seems that for all of that, we're just getting started.

What's Included

  • A well-informed perspective from a life-long Hawaii resident, history teacher, and teller of tales.
  • Forever access to the largest online trove of Hawaiian history videos (several thousands, all free)

    Meeting Location

    Meeting point

    King Kamehameha Statue, 447 S King St, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA

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    We'll meet at 10:45 AM at the King Kamehameha Statue, located right across the street (S. King St.) from Iolani Palace. Abundant free parking in the lots adjacent to the statue on weekends. Your guide is the big guy with the walking stick and lantern.

    End point

    This activity ends back at the meeting point.

    Start Time • 10:45 AM

    What To Expect

    King Kamehameha Statue

    Learn the amazing (and horrifying) story of the conquest of Oahu by King Kamehameha.
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    5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

    Iolani Palace

    Imagine... a royal palace (with kings and queens and thrones and stuff) in the United States... and a storied past that ends with the tragic overthrow of the monarchy.
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    10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

    Kawaiahao Church

    Designed by the infamous missionary Hiram Bingham, this "stone church" (to the Hawaiians) was anything but.
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    10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

    Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site and Archives

    As the Hawaiians say, "the missionaries came here to do good, and they did very well."
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    5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

    Honolulu Hale (City Hall)

    A lovely Italianate Spanish Colonial Revival structure with an unlovely past.
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    5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

    Hawaii State Capitol

    An elegant expression of the aloha spirit... and a statue (with a story) of the queen who embodied that spirit.
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    5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

    Washington Place

    Queen Liliuokalani's home where she lived in an unhappy marriage and where she returned to after the overthrow of the monarchy.
    Read more

    5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

    Saint Andrew's Cathedral

    A church built from thousands of block of sandstone cut in England and shipped to Hawaii. A magnificent stained glass nave. And a tragic tale of a king and his little boy.
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    5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

    Capitol Modern

    Also known as the Hawai'i State Art Museum, this was the original Royal Hawaiian Hotel (built in 1872). So successful that a second Royal Hawaiian was built on Waikiki Beach (the Pink Palace).
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    5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

    Ali'iolani Hale

    Now the Judiciary Building and home to the Hawaii State Supreme Court, this was where the Massie Affair, the marquee event of Hawaiian jurisprudence), played out
    Read more

    5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

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    Additional Info

    • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
    • Wheelchair accessible
    • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
    • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
    • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

    Cancellation Policy

    You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the activity for a full refund.

    Still have questions?

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    Activity code: C-5516950P3

    Reviews

    5.00
    5 reviews

    Average 5.00 out of 5 stars based on 5 traveler reviews collected by Cool Hawaii and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

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