Hawaiian history

Hawaiian history begins with Polynesian explorers arriving around the 1st millennium CE, establishing a complex society with chiefs and a rich culture. In 1778, European explorer Captain James Cook arrived, initiating contact with Westerners. The islands were gradually unified under King Kamehameha I in the early 19th century. Western influence grew, leading to the abolition of Hawaiian sovereignty and the overthrow of the monarchy in 1893 by American interests. Hawaii became a U.S. territory in 1898 and the 50th state in 1959. Today, Hawaiians preserve their cultural heritage while navigating modern social and political realities.