Historic Places

Oʻahu was the home of the Hawaiian monarchy, the birthplace of modern and big-wave surfing, the stage for the overthrow of the Hawaiian kingdom, and the tipping point that led to the United States’ involvement in World War II. Those are just the grand highlights of Oʻahu vivid past, offering rich stories for visitors who crave a deeper experience of this incredible island. 
 
After gaining control of the Hawaiian Islands to the east, island of Hawaiʻi chief Kamehameha invaded Oʻahu in 1795 with an army of thousands. The fight culminated at the Nuʻuanu Pali, a cliff with a 1,000-foot drop where 800 warriors were driven to their deaths by Kamehameha’s advancing army. The Battle of Nuʻuanu was a pivotal turning point in the unification of the Hawaiian Islands, and Oʻahu played a central role in the unified kingdom for the next century.