List of National Historic Landmarks in Hawaii facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

The United States National Historic Landmark program helps protect amazing places across the country. These special places can be buildings, areas, or even objects that are super important to American history. Hawaiʻi has 33 of these landmarks! Many of them tell stories about World War II and the incredible ancient Hawaiians.

These landmarks are spread across six of Hawaiʻi's islands. Most of them (16) are on Oʻahu. Let's explore some of these cool spots!

Historic Places in Hawaiʻi

USS Arizona Shipwreck

The USS Arizona Memorial, built over the sunken ship.

The USS Arizona was a huge battleship. It was sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Today, its remains are still in Pearl Harbor, and a special memorial stands over it. It reminds us of the brave people who lost their lives that day.

USS Bowfin Submarine

The USS Bowfin submarine, now a museum.

The USS Bowfin was a US Navy submarine. It was very important during World War II, sinking 16 Japanese ships! After the war, it became a museum ship. You can visit it in Pearl Harbor and learn what life was like inside a submarine.

CINCPAC Headquarters

The CINCPAC Headquarters building in 1942-1943.

This building was the main office for Admiral Chester W. Nimitz from 1942 to 1945. He was a very important leader during World War II in the Pacific. This headquarters helped plan many big operations.

Cook Landing Site

A statue of Captain James Cook in Waimea.

This spot in Waimea is where Captain James Cook landed on January 20, 1778. He was the first European to see the Hawaiian Islands. His arrival changed Hawaiʻi forever.

Hickam Field

Bullet holes from the Pearl Harbor attack are still visible at Hickam Field.

Hickam Field was a major target during the attack on Pearl Harbor. This Air Force Base played a super important role throughout the entire World War II Pacific campaign. It's a reminder of the start of the war for the U.S.

Honokohau Settlement

A traditional Hawaiian structure at Honokohau.

This is an ancient Hawaiian village site. You can find old fishponds, house platforms, kiʻi pōhaku (rock carvings or petroglyphs), and heiau (religious sites) here. It shows us how ancient Hawaiians lived.

Huilua Fishpond

Part of the wall of Huilua Fishpond.

The Huilua Fishpond is the last working ancient Hawaiian fishpond on Oʻahu. Long ago, there were about 97 of these amazing structures! Hawaiians built them to raise fish, showing their clever farming skills.

'Iolani Palace

The beautiful 'Iolani Palace.

ʻIolani Palace is super special because it's the only royal palace in the United States that was actually used by a reigning monarch. It was the official home of Hawaiʻi's kings and queens.

Kalaupapa Leprosy Settlement

The church established by Father Damien at Kalaupapa.

Founded in 1866, Kalaupapa was a place for Hawaiians with leprosy to live. It's now part of the Kalaupapa National Historical Park. It tells a powerful story of isolation, care, and the people who lived there.

Kamakahonu

Kamakahonu, the final home of King Kamehameha I.

This site was the final home of King Kamehameha I, the great king who united the Hawaiian Islands. It's a very important place in Hawaiian history.

Kaneohe Naval Air Station

A memorial service at Kaneohe Naval Air Station in 1942.

The Kaneohe Naval Air Station was attacked by the Japanese just minutes before the main attack on Pearl Harbor. This early attack was meant to stop American planes from flying.

Kaunolu Village Site

The ruins of Kaunolu Village.

This old fishing village on Lānaʻi was abandoned in the 1880s. It's the largest and best-preserved example of a prehistoric Hawaiian village. It's like stepping back in time!

Kawaiahaʻo Church

Kawaiahaʻo Church in Honolulu.

Kawaiahao Church was once the national church of the Hawaiian Kingdom. It was also the special chapel for the royal family. It's a beautiful building with a lot of history.

Keauhou Holua Slide

The Keauhou Holua Slide.

This is the biggest and best-preserved hōlua course. A hōlua was a special stone slide used for a type of sledding, but only chiefs were allowed to do it! It was a very exciting and dangerous activity.

Lahaina Historic District

A street in the historic Lahaina Town.

The Lahaina Historic District on Maui helps us imagine what a Hawaiian seaport was like in the mid-1800s. It's full of old buildings and stories from that time.

Loaloa Heiau

The ancient Loaloa Heiau.

Loaloa Heiau is a large and well-preserved luakini heiau. These were special temples used by the state in ancient Hawaiʻi.

Mauna Kea Adz Quarry

This site on Mauna Kea Ice Age Reserve was used by prehistoric Hawaiians to get basalt rock. They used this rock to make stone tools. You can also find religious shrines, trails, rockshelters, and petroglyphs here.

Mookini Heiau

The ancient Mookini Heiau.

Mookini Heiau is a temple built way back in 480 A.D.! It was dedicated to Kū, the Hawaiʻian god of war. It's an amazing example of ancient Hawaiian architecture.

Old Sugar Mill of Koloa

The chimney of the Old Sugar Mill of Koloa.

The Old Sugar Mill of Koloa was the first successful sugarcane plantation in Hawaiʻi. It played a big part in the state's economic history.

Opana Radar Site

The Opana Radar Site.

This site is important because it's where the United States first used radar in wartime. This happened during the attack on Pearl Harbor. It shows how new technology was used in the war.

Palm Circle

An aerial view of Palm Circle at Fort Shafter.

Palm Circle is part of Fort Shafter. During World War II, it was the main office for the U.S. Army forces in the Pacific. They planned how to supply and manage all the soldiers in the Central and South Pacific.

Piilanihale Heiau

A drawing of Piilanihale Heiau.

Pi'ilanihale Heiau is an ancient temple in Polynesia. It was built from lava blocks in the 16th century. It's a huge and impressive structure.

Pu'u O Mahuka Heiau

The ruins of Pu'u O Mahuka Heiau.

Pu'u O Mahuka Heiau is another ancient temple. It might have been a place where sacrifices were made. It offers amazing views of the ocean.

Puukohola Heiau

Puukohola Heiau, built by King Kamehameha the Great.

The ruins of Puukohola Heiau are known as the "Temple on the Hill of the Whale." King Kamehameha I built this temple between 1790 and 1791.

Russian Fort Elizabeth

Ruined stone walls at the Russian Fort.

Russian Fort Elizabeth was built in 1816. It was a result of an alliance between High Chief Kaumualii and a Russian company. It's a unique piece of Hawaiian history.

South Point Complex

A wind-shaped tree at South Point.

South Point Complex is the southernmost point in the United States! It's also one of the earliest places where Hawaiians settled. It's a windy but beautiful spot.

United States Naval Base, Pearl Harbor

An aerial view of Pearl Harbor.

Pearl Harbor is famous as the site of the attack on Pearl Harbor by Japan on December 7, 1941. It's a very important place in American history.

USS Utah Shipwreck

The USS Utah capsizing during the attack on Pearl Harbor.

The USS Utah was another ship sunk by the Japanese during the attack on Pearl Harbor. Its remains are still in Pearl Harbor, serving as a memorial.

Wailua Complex of Heiaus

Kauai-Wailua-Heiau-Holoholoku-pohakuhanau

One of the heiaus at Wailua.

The Wailua Complex of Heiaus is an archaeological site on Kauaʻi with four heiaus. It's a great place to learn about ancient Hawaiian religious practices.

Washington Place

Washington Place in Honolulu.

Washington Place was built in 1844–1847. It was the home of Queen Liliʻuokalani, the last queen of the Hawaiian kingdom. She lived here from 1862 until she passed away in 1917. She saw the monarchy overthrown and Hawaiʻi become part of the United States. Later, it was used as the home for Hawaiʻi's governors.

Wheeler Field

Wheeler Field on December 7, 1941.

Wheeler Field was another main target during the attack on Pearl Harbor. The damage here allowed the Japanese to control the skies during the attack.

National Park Service Areas in Hawaii

Besides the landmarks listed above, Hawaiʻi also has five special areas managed by the U.S. National Park Service that are important for history.

Some of these, like the USS Arizona Memorial, Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park, Kalaupapa National Historical Park, and Puukohola Heiau National Historic Site, are also National Historic Landmarks and are mentioned above.

Another important historical park is Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park. This park was created in 1955, even before the National Historic Landmarks program started. It's a place of refuge where ancient Hawaiians could find safety.