Duke Kahanamoku’s legendary swimming ability helped him to win five Olympic medals in the early 1900’s. He was also one of the first Waikiki Beach Boys, watermen who taught first-time Waikiki visitors how to surf and canoe.
Kamehameha was born in North Kohala on Hawaii’s Big Island. He united the Hawaiian Islands into one royal kingdom in 1810 during a time of increasing western influence. His legendary strength and ferocity as a warrior was tempered by his diplomatic skill and his love for the Hawaiian people.
There are four statues of King Kamehameha. The most famous stands in front of Aliiolani Hale (across from Iolani Palace) in downtown Honolulu on the island of Oahu. The second is located near his birthplace in front of the North Kohala Civic Center on Hawaii’s Big Island. The third stands in Wailoa River State Park in Hilo on Hawaii’s Big Island. The last statue can be found in National Statuary Hall in Washington D.C. > Learn more about King Kamehameha and his four statues > Learn more about North Kohala
In 1873, Belgium priest Father Damien arrived in Molokai. Islanders afflicted with the contagious Hansen’s disease were kept segregated here on the isolated Kalaupapa peninsula. After sixteen years of selflessly caring for the people of Kalaupapa, Father Damien himself succumbed to the disease.
