Through A Glass Darkly The Tragic History Of Honolulu

3 Reviews5.00 out of 5 stars Based on 3 traveler reviews collected by Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor | Oahu, USA
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1 hour 30 minutes (Approx.)
Mobile Ticket
Instant Confirmation

Overview

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.

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

King Kamehameha Statue, 447 S King St, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA

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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.

Description

Stop At: King Kamehameha Statue, 417 S King St, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813

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

Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Iolani Palace, 364 S King St, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813

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.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Kawaiahao Church, 957 Punchbowl St., Downtown Honolulu, Hawaii

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

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site and Archives, 553 S King St, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813

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

Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Honolulu Hale (City Hall), 530 S King St, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813

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

Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Hawaii State Capitol, 415 S Beretania St, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813

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

Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Washington Place, 320 S Beretania St, Downtown, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813

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

Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Saint Andrew's Cathedral, Queen Emma Square, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813

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.

Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Capitol Modern, 250 S Hotel St, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813

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).

Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Ali'iolani Hale, 417 King Street, Honolulu, Hawaii

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

Duration: 5 minutes

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What To Expect

  • Reservations are REQUIRED for all bookings
  • Book Your Package On-Line and Receive Your Confirmation
  • Departure point: Detailed check-in instructions - including the address and parking information if applicable - will be included in your final confirmation email.
  • Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes (Approx.)
  • Departure Time: 10:45 AM
  • Return Details: Returns to original departure point

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)
  • Gratuities
  • Hotel pickup not offered

What To Bring

  • Confirmation Voucher (printed or mobile)
  • Any required or suggested items listed on your confirmation email.
  • A Smile!

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
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Assistance available for those who need help with stairs or inclines
  • Foldable wheelchairs, powered wheelchairs, scooters, and walkers can be accommodated

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Still have questions?

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Activity code: C-5516950P3

Reviews

5.00
3 reviews

Average 5.00 out of 5 stars based on 2 traveler reviews collected by Cool Destinations and partner sites such as Trustpilot, Viator, and TripAdvisor

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