List of conflicts in Hawaii facts for kids

The Hawaiian Islands have a rich history, filled with many important events that shaped them into the place they are today. This article explores the different conflicts, battles, and changes that happened in Hawaiʻi, from ancient times to more recent history. You'll learn about how the islands were united, how their government changed, and how they became part of the United States.

Ancient Hawaiian Conflicts

For hundreds of years, before Europeans arrived, the Hawaiian Islands were home to many different chiefs and kingdoms. These groups often fought each other for control of land and power. Some of these ancient battles might even be part of Hawaiian legends!

Here are a few examples of these early conflicts:

• A naval fight between King Kumuhonua of Oahu and his brothers over land. (11th century)
• The First Oahuan Revolution, which included the Battle of Lihue Fortress. (13th or 14th century)
• Battles led by Maʻilikākahi, including the Battle of Waikakalaua and the first invasion of Oahu by forces from Maui. (14th century)
• The War of the Oahuan Succession, which involved several battles and a second Oahuan Revolution. (15th century)
• Conflicts under Kauai in the 17th century, like the Battle of Kawaluna and the Raid of Hilo.
• Invasions of Molokai by Oahu forces, including the Battle of Kawela. (18th century)
• The Third Oahuan Revolution around 1773.
• Battles under Kahahana, including a second invasion of Oahu by Maui forces. (late 18th century)

One of the most important periods was the Unification of Hawaiʻi (1782–1810). This is when Kamehameha I began to unite all the islands under one rule.

Key battles during this time included:

• Battle of Moku'ohai (1782)
• Olowalu Massacre (1790)
• Battle of Kepaniwai (1790)
• Battle of Nu'uanu (1795) – A famous battle where Kamehameha I conquered Oahu.

The Kingdom of Hawaii

After many years of fighting, King Kamehameha I successfully united all the main Hawaiian Islands. He created the Kingdom of Hawaii, bringing peace and a single government to the islands. He ruled for nine years after adding the islands of Kauaʻi and Niʻihau to his kingdom, which he gained from Kaumualiʻi.

Here are some important events during the Kingdom of Hawaii:

• Russian Forts on Kauai (1815-1817): Russians tried to build forts on Kauai, but Kamehameha's forces made them leave.
• Battle of Kuamoʻo (1819): Kekuaokalani, Kamehameha I's nephew, led a rebellion against new religious rules but was defeated.
• Humehume rebellion (1824): The son of Kaumualiʻi tried to take back Kauaʻi, but his attempt failed.
• French Incident (1839): A French naval captain, Captain Laplace, used military force to stop the persecution of Catholics in Hawaii.
• Paulet Affair (1843) (1843): A British captain, Captain George Paulet, forced Kamehameha III to give Hawaii to the United Kingdom. However, another British admiral, Richard Darton Thomas, quickly arrived and gave the Kingdom back its independence.
• French Invasion of Honolulu (1849): A French captain, Louis Tromelin, attacked Honolulu to try and reduce trade limits on French goods and end the persecution of Catholics. The invasion caused a lot of damage but didn't meet all the French demands.
• 1873 Barracks Revolt (1873): Some members of the Hawaiian Army rebelled against their leaders and took over the ʻIolani Barracks. The revolt ended when they were promised they wouldn't be punished.

Hawaiian Revolutions (1887–1895)

This period saw several major changes that led to the end of the Hawaiian monarchy.

• 1887 Rebellion (1887): A group known as the Missionary Party forced King Kalākaua to sign a new constitution, often called the Bayonet Constitution. This new constitution greatly reduced the king's power.
• Dominis Conspiracy (1888): Princess Liliʻuokalani was involved in a plan to overthrow King Kalākaua, but the plot was discovered.
• Wilcox Rebellion of 1889 (1889): Robert William Wilcox tried to get rid of the Bayonet Constitution and bring back the older constitution, but his attempt failed.
• Overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom (1893): Members of the Missionary Party in the Hawaiian Legislature overthrew the monarchy. Queen Liliʻuokalani, who had become queen, was removed from power.

Provisional Government of Hawaii

After the monarchy was overthrown, a temporary government called the Provisional Government of Hawaii was set up. This government ruled until Hawaii was annexed by the United States.

• Leper War on Kauaʻi (1893): A group of people with leprosy on Kauaʻi rebelled against being forced to move to the Kalaupapa peninsula.
• Black Week (1893–1894): The US President, Grover Cleveland, considered sending the US military to restore the Hawaiian Kingdom. However, the US Congress did not approve this intervention.

Republic of Hawaii

Because of ongoing disagreements about the Provisional Government and calls for the queen to return, the leaders formed the Republic of Hawaii. This was a more permanent government, but it was still not the monarchy.

Hawaiian Revolutions (1887–1895) (continued)

• 1895 Wilcox rebellion (1895): Also known as the 1895 Counter-Revolution, this was another attempt by Robert William Wilcox and Colonel Samuel Nowlein to bring back the monarchy. They fought battles at Diamond Head, Moʻiliʻili, and Mānoa, but the counter-revolution failed.

Territory of Hawaii

Eventually, William McKinley signed the Newlands Resolution, which officially made Hawaii a territory of the United States. The Hawaiian Organic Act then changed the Republic of Hawaii's government into a US territorial government. During this time, the sugar industry grew, and many workers from Japan, the Philippines, Korea, Puerto Rico, and Portugal came to Hawaii to work on the sugarcane plantations.

• World War I (1914–1918): Eight German ships sought safety in Honolulu Harbor; some were captured.
• Hanapepe massacre (1924): Police used force to stop a strike by sugarcane plantation workers. Sixteen picketers were shot and killed.
• Hilo Massacre (1938): Striking dockworkers tried to cross a police line, leading to 50 picketers being injured.
• World War II (1939–1945): Hawaii played a very important role in World War II.
  • Attack on Pearl Harbor (1941): The Imperial Japanese Navy launched a surprise attack on the US naval base at Pearl Harbor. Nearly 2,500 people died, and this attack led to the United States joining World War II.
  • Niihau Incident (1941): A Japanese pilot, Shigenori Nishikaichi, crash-landed on the island of Niihau. He tried to control the local population to avoid being captured. He was killed in a standoff with civilians.
  • Operation K (1942): The Japanese Navy tried to fly a reconnaissance mission over Pearl Harbor. The mission was stopped due to bad visibility, but one plane dropped bombs near Roosevelt High School in Honolulu. No one was hurt.
  • Battle of Midway (1942): The Japanese Navy tried to take over Midway Atoll. However, they suffered huge losses in air battles, and their invasion was called off.
• Democratic Revolution of 1954 (1946–1958): Mostly Japanese plantation workers led a peaceful revolution. They managed to overthrow the Missionary Party, which had been in power since the monarchy was overthrown.

State of Hawaii

A year after the Missionary Party was overthrown, John A. Burns, a leader of the revolutionary movement, successfully convinced the US Congress to make Hawaii a state. This created the State of Hawaii.

• East Wood Affair (1992): The ship East Wood was hijacked while carrying 527 Chinese immigrants.
• Hawaiian Sovereignty Movement (1969?-present): This is a movement by various groups who want Hawaii to become an independent nation again.
• Pan Am Flight 830 (1982): A bomb exploded on a Boeing 747 plane due to Palestinian terrorists. The plane landed safely, but one person died.
• Statehood Day Takeover (2008): Some separatists tried to take over ʻIolani Palace in a failed attempt to change the government.

See also

• List of Hawaii-related topics
• List of battles