Through A Glass Darkly The Strange and Tragic History Of Honolulu

4.8
(10 reviews)

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1 hour 30 minutes (approximately)
Offered in: English

Who would imagine that such a happy place has such a tragic history? Hawaii's tumultuous encounter with the outside world began with the arrival of Captain Cook, whom they ate, sort of, for his troubles. A few years later, King Kamehameha celebrated his conquest of Oahu in 1795 by sacrificing his own cousin. The missionaries, who arrived in 1820, came here to do good... and did very well. Then there was the demographic bomb of waves of imported labor to cut sugar cane. Then the overthrow of the monarchy, annexation, and statehood. In the meantime, there was Pearl Harbor. And it seems that for all of that, we're just getting started.

What's Included

A well-informed perspective from a life-long Hawaii resident, history teacher, and teller of tales.
Forever access to the largest online trove of Hawaiian history videos (several thousands, all free)

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

We'll meet at 10:45 AM at the King Kamehameha Statue, located right across the street (S. King St.) from Iolani Palace. Abundant free parking in the lots adjacent to the statue on weekends. Your guide is the big guy with the walking stick and lantern.

End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes (approximately)
  • 1
    King Kamehameha Statue

    Learn the amazing (and horrifying) story of the conquest of Oahu by King Kamehameha.

    5 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 2
    Iolani Palace

    Imagine... a royal palace (with kings and queens and thrones and stuff) in the United States... and a storied past that ends with the tragic overthrow of the monarchy.

    10 minutes • Admission ticket not included
  • 3

    Designed by the infamous missionary Hiram Bingham, this "stone church" (to the Hawaiians) was anything but.

    10 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 4

    As the Hawaiians say, "the missionaries came here to do good, and they did very well."

    5 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 5

    A lovely Italianate Spanish Colonial Revival structure with an unlovely past.

    5 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 6
    Hawaii State Capitol

    An elegant expression of the aloha spirit... and a statue (with a story) of the queen who embodied that spirit.

    5 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 7
    Washington Place

    Queen Liliuokalani's home where she lived in an unhappy marriage and where she returned to after the overthrow of the monarchy.

    5 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 8

    A church built from thousands of block of sandstone cut in England and shipped to Hawaii. A magnificent stained glass nave. And a tragic tale of a king and his little boy.

    5 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 9

    Also known as the Hawai'i State Art Museum, this was the original Royal Hawaiian Hotel (built in 1872). So successful that a second Royal Hawaiian was built on Waikiki Beach (the Pink Palace).

    5 minutes • Admission ticket not included
  • 10
    Ali'iolani Hale

    Now the Judiciary Building and home to the Hawaii State Supreme Court, this was where the Massie Affair, the marquee event of Hawaiian jurisprudence), played out

    5 minutes • Admission ticket free

Additional info

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Supplied by Dark Side Adventure Tours

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Tags

Cultural Tours
Historical Tours
Walking Tours
New Product
Short term availability

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

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Rating

4.8 Based on 10 10 reviews
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