| Date |
Event |
| 1778 |
Captain James Cook discovers the Hawaiian Islands |
| 1795 |
Kamehameha I comes to power as an absolute monarch |
| 1819 |
Kamehameha II(LihoLiho 'Iolani) comes to power |
| 1819 |
end of kapu system |
| 1820 |
first missionaries arrive from Boston |
| 1825 |
Kamehameha III(Kauikeaouli) comes to power |
| 1826 |
Hawaiian language is written for the first time |
| 1827 |
first national laws proclaimed under Western influence |
| 1831 |
Lahainaluna established |
| 1840 |
first constitution promulgated |
| 1843 |
Paulet Affair |
| 1845 |
Land Commission created |
| 1845 |
first coverture laws passed |
| 1850 |
Kuleana Act |
| 1852 |
arrival of first Chinese laborers |
| 1854 |
Kamehameha IV(Alexander Liholiho) comes to power |
| 1863 |
Kamehameha V(Lot Kapuaiwa) comes to power |
| 1866 |
drastic downturn in economy due to civil war |
| 1873 |
William C. Lunalilo comes to power |
| 1873-83 |
Father Damien ministers on Molokai |
| 1874 |
David Kalakaua comes to power |
| 1878 |
arrival of Portuguese laborers |
| 1885 |
arrival of first Japanese laborers |
| 1892 |
Lydia Liluokalani comes to power |
| 1898 |
the United States annexes Hawaii |
| 1900 |
Hawaii becomes a territory of the United States |
