Hawaii's History: From Cook to Pearl Harbor

Uncover Honolulu’s tragic history, from Captain Cook to Pearl Harbor. Explore the dark past of this seemingly happy place.

Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • King Kamehameha Statue - Discover the fascinating and intense tale of King Kamehameha’s conquest of Oahu.
  • Iolani Palace - Envision a royal palace in the United States, complete with kings, queens, and thrones, and a rich history culminating in the unfortunate overthrow of the monarchy.
  • Kawaiahao Church - Crafted by the notable…
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)
Additional Information

Who would have thought that such a joyful place harbors such a sorrowful past? Hawaii’s turbulent interaction with the outside world began with the arrival of Captain Cook, who met a grim fate. A few years later, in 1795, King Kamehameha marked his victory over Oahu by sacrificing his own cousin. The missionaries, who arrived in 1820, came with good…

Location
King Kamehameha Statue
South King Street
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.
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
4.8
(8 Ratings)
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236brandons
Jul 9, 2025
Best Tour Of Old Hawaii ! - Terry was an excellent and knowledgeable guide, I really enjoyed his tour and all the interesting stories he had throughout, I wanted to add we were running a little late and he was nice enough to wait and accommodate! Thanks Terry ! Hands down best Hawaiian tour I’ve ever been on !
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Cynthia_k
Jun 4, 2025
New perspective - Hawaii isn't just about surfing the waves. It was great for us to learn about the history and stories passed down from generations. Walking this tour and having gone to the Bishop museum we gained a new perspective of the island.
Review provided by Viator
Judithgx1300rb
Jan 11, 2025
Stories and ghosts - Terry is a great storyteller and extremely knowledgeable based on over 50 years on Oahu. We really enjoyed learning about the history of the city we now call home.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Marcella_m
Jan 5, 2025
Knowledgeable and Sufficiently Spooky - Terry was an excellent tour guide. He was patient, knowledgeable, and made it interesting for three generations of people.
Review provided by Viator
4s8rkwbr65
Jan 1, 2025
Excellent history lesson - Retired history professor who has in-depth knowledge about history. It is worth of money. $27 is worth of money.
Review provided by Viator
Kaypt2414rd
Dec 22, 2024
A Walk-and-Talk History of the Lives (and Afterlives) in the Iolani Palace Area - A great tour and guide with lots of interesting insights that I wouldn't have heard otherwise. Perfect for those who love ghost stories.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Bernadette_b
Jun 15, 2025
Four Aussies - A good overview of the history of settlement in Oahu. Knowledgable guide. Didn’t expect to hear so much about ghosts.
Review provided by Viator
From $29
up to 15 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).