From the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1893, to the Japanese attacks on Pearl Harbor in 1941, the Hawaiian Islands have had quite the tumultuous history. Our past is full of conflict, intrigue, and even quite a few events and occurrences that are sure to baffle you. There are so many weird things that have happened in Hawaii, and we’ve chosen a few of the most interesting to share with you today. These things are as bizarre as a rumored wallaby colony in the Aloha State to a few decisions that many would prefer could be forgotten. Without further ado, here are a few of our favorite pieces of weird Hawaii history.

  1. The Niihau Incident (December 7-13, 1941)

US Army, Public Domain/Wikipedia During World War II, the small, privately-owned island of Ni’ihau was the site of an event that would become known as the Ni’ihau incident. After the attack on Pearl Harbor that made international headlines, a Japanese fighter pilot crashed on Ni’ihau. He terrorized residents for one week before two island residents, Hawila Kaleohano and Beni Kanahele, were able to disarm and kill the intruder. Kanahele was shot three times during the incident, but still allegedly managed to grab the pilot and fling him against a wall, cracking his skull and killing him.

  1. The Wreck Of The Sarah Joe (February 1979)

Mr Minton/Wikipedia In February 1979, five men with extensive sailing experience set sail on a fishing expedition aboard a 17-foot boat named the Sara Joe. The men were caught in a storm and disappeared. An extensive search ensued, but no sign was found of the men or their boat, and the manhunt was called off after five days. Ten years later, a man on a wildlife expedition found the Sarah Joe and an unmarked grave on Taongi, an atoll in the Marshall Islands. It was discovered that the remains in the grave belonged to one of the crew members, but the site was 2,200 miles from where their last known location. It was unknown how they got there and why they were not discovered during the extensive search. What was even more puzzling is that a government survey of the Marshall Islands four years after the Sarah Joe’s disappearance should have yielded the evidence of the crash site and grave. It was unknown where the ship, or the five men aboard, were during the time period between the disappearance and the discovery on Taongi.

  1. Oahu’s Wallaby Colony (1916)

William Warby/Flickr A century ago, two wallabies escaped from a private zoo on Oahu. Allegedly, a small wallaby colony now inhabits the Kalihi Valley. Sightings are quite rare of the animals, which typically live in Australia and New Guinea. Visitors are asked to not look for the wallabies on their own, as they are delicate creatures.

  1. Waialae Home For Wayward Boys (1906-1947)

Eugene Kim/Flickr The Waialee Home for Wayward Boys is located on Oahu’s north shore, just blocks away from some of the island’s most famous beaches. The home was in operation from 1906 to 1947. Its residents were sent there for all sorts of infraction, ranging from truancy and disobedience to larceny and assault. The extensive complex could house more than 100 boys. The buliding pictured is the boy’s dormitory, which was later part of the Crawford Convalescent Home. Part of the facility burned down in 2002.

  1. Kalaupapa Leper Colony (1860s-1960s)

Ian Charleton/Flickr Located on the tiny island of Molokai, with the ocean on one side and giant 1,600-foot cliffs on the other, are the Kalawao and Kalaupapa Leper Colonies – described by Robert Louis Stevenson as a “prison fortified by nature.” Kalaupapa is now a U.S. National Park, and home to a dwindling population, those of whom are outnumbered exponentially by those in the cemetery – where an estimated 2,000 graves lie unmarked, in addition to those with headstones.

  1. The Overthrow Of Queen Liliuokalani (January 17, 1893)

George Prince, of Washington, DC/Wikimedia Commons Queen Liliuokalani was the last reigning monarch, and only queen regnant, of the Kingdom of Hawaii. In January 1893, a group of Americans and Europeans who called themselves the “Commitee of Safety” had planned a coup d’etat to overthrow the Hawaiian monarchy. Half a dozen policemen were sent by the queen to Iolani Palace to arrest Committee members who tried to enter. A shooting broke out, and one of the policeman was shot and had to be carried out by the remaining palace guards. Then, the Committee of Safety entered. With almost no audience, they signed a document that ended the Hawaiian monarchy. Queen Liliuokalani didn’t even find out about it until the following day. The queen was held prisoner in her own home, and half of the palace’s furnishings were sold at auction.

  1. The Menehune Fishpond

Collin Grady/Wikimedia Commons Menehune are mystical dwarf-like creatures that reside in lush forests, far away from civilization. These 2-foot-tall creatures are portrayed as mysterious, but also have excellent craftsmanship. According to legend, they can construct whatever they desire. They’re actually credited with building the Menehune Fishpond on Kauai in just a single night. The truth, we’re all a little unsure about the fish pond’s creation.

  1. Surfing Mermaids

Oahu Surfing Experience/YoUTube Really, what more can we say about the fact that there were mermaid sightings in Hawaii?

Which of these strange things from Hawaii’s history do you think is the strangest? We’re such a unique and quirky state!

From the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1893, to the Japanese attacks on Pearl Harbor in 1941, the Hawaiian Islands have had quite the tumultuous history. Our past is full of conflict, intrigue, and even quite a few events and occurrences that are sure to baffle you. There are so many weird things that have happened in Hawaii, and we’ve chosen a few of the most interesting to share with you today. These things are as bizarre as a rumored wallaby colony in the Aloha State to a few decisions that many would prefer could be forgotten. Without further ado, here are a few of our favorite pieces of weird Hawaii history.

US Army, Public Domain/Wikipedia

During World War II, the small, privately-owned island of Ni’ihau was the site of an event that would become known as the Ni’ihau incident. After the attack on Pearl Harbor that made international headlines, a Japanese fighter pilot crashed on Ni’ihau. He terrorized residents for one week before two island residents, Hawila Kaleohano and Beni Kanahele, were able to disarm and kill the intruder. Kanahele was shot three times during the incident, but still allegedly managed to grab the pilot and fling him against a wall, cracking his skull and killing him.

Mr Minton/Wikipedia

In February 1979, five men with extensive sailing experience set sail on a fishing expedition aboard a 17-foot boat named the Sara Joe. The men were caught in a storm and disappeared. An extensive search ensued, but no sign was found of the men or their boat, and the manhunt was called off after five days. Ten years later, a man on a wildlife expedition found the Sarah Joe and an unmarked grave on Taongi, an atoll in the Marshall Islands. It was discovered that the remains in the grave belonged to one of the crew members, but the site was 2,200 miles from where their last known location. It was unknown how they got there and why they were not discovered during the extensive search. What was even more puzzling is that a government survey of the Marshall Islands four years after the Sarah Joe’s disappearance should have yielded the evidence of the crash site and grave. It was unknown where the ship, or the five men aboard, were during the time period between the disappearance and the discovery on Taongi.

William Warby/Flickr

A century ago, two wallabies escaped from a private zoo on Oahu. Allegedly, a small wallaby colony now inhabits the Kalihi Valley. Sightings are quite rare of the animals, which typically live in Australia and New Guinea. Visitors are asked to not look for the wallabies on their own, as they are delicate creatures.

Eugene Kim/Flickr

The Waialee Home for Wayward Boys is located on Oahu’s north shore, just blocks away from some of the island’s most famous beaches. The home was in operation from 1906 to 1947. Its residents were sent there for all sorts of infraction, ranging from truancy and disobedience to larceny and assault. The extensive complex could house more than 100 boys. The buliding pictured is the boy’s dormitory, which was later part of the Crawford Convalescent Home. Part of the facility burned down in 2002.

Ian Charleton/Flickr

Located on the tiny island of Molokai, with the ocean on one side and giant 1,600-foot cliffs on the other, are the Kalawao and Kalaupapa Leper Colonies – described by Robert Louis Stevenson as a “prison fortified by nature.” Kalaupapa is now a U.S. National Park, and home to a dwindling population, those of whom are outnumbered exponentially by those in the cemetery – where an estimated 2,000 graves lie unmarked, in addition to those with headstones.

George Prince, of Washington, DC/Wikimedia Commons

Queen Liliuokalani was the last reigning monarch, and only queen regnant, of the Kingdom of Hawaii. In January 1893, a group of Americans and Europeans who called themselves the “Commitee of Safety” had planned a coup d’etat to overthrow the Hawaiian monarchy. Half a dozen policemen were sent by the queen to Iolani Palace to arrest Committee members who tried to enter. A shooting broke out, and one of the policeman was shot and had to be carried out by the remaining palace guards. Then, the Committee of Safety entered. With almost no audience, they signed a document that ended the Hawaiian monarchy. Queen Liliuokalani didn’t even find out about it until the following day. The queen was held prisoner in her own home, and half of the palace’s furnishings were sold at auction.

Collin Grady/Wikimedia Commons

Menehune are mystical dwarf-like creatures that reside in lush forests, far away from civilization. These 2-foot-tall creatures are portrayed as mysterious, but also have excellent craftsmanship. According to legend, they can construct whatever they desire. They’re actually credited with building the Menehune Fishpond on Kauai in just a single night. The truth, we’re all a little unsure about the fish pond’s creation.

Oahu Surfing Experience/YoUTube

Really, what more can we say about the fact that there were mermaid sightings in Hawaii?

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The OIYS Visitor Center

Weird Hawaii August 09, 2022 Lisa Sammons What are some more weird things that have happened in Hawaiian history? The history of Hawaii is probably the most interesting and little-known of all the states. After all, you probably heard a lot about the original 13 colonies in school, and most people are familiar with the Gold Rush and settling of the west. The average person is not that well-informed about the fascinating history of the 50th state. But our story is truly intriguing! Did you know that Honolulu is officially the largest city in the world? This is thanks to the fact that according to law, any island not officially belonging to a county is the property of Honolulu. What are some unique things to do in Hawaii? The beaches in Hawaii are incredible, don’t get us wrong, but everyone goes to the beach when they visit the Aloha State and there’s so much more to us than that! There are plenty of unique attractions to visit in Hawaii that are often overlooked in favor of our magnificent sandy shores. Be sure to check out the Pu’uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park. This place is amazing: it was once home to Hawaiian royalty, and offers incredibly educational self-guided tours, plus it’s got the added benefit of plenty of natural beauty. What are some obscure facts about Hawaii? With a state as interesting as Hawaii, there are plenty of great facts and tidbits to share about our landscape and history. It’s no secret that we’re made up of eight main islands, but did you know there are an additional 124 uninhabited islands that make up Hawaii? Also, the Hawaiian alphabet is made up of only 13 letters!

The OIYS Visitor Center

Weird Hawaii

August 09, 2022

Lisa Sammons

What are some more weird things that have happened in Hawaiian history? The history of Hawaii is probably the most interesting and little-known of all the states. After all, you probably heard a lot about the original 13 colonies in school, and most people are familiar with the Gold Rush and settling of the west. The average person is not that well-informed about the fascinating history of the 50th state. But our story is truly intriguing! Did you know that Honolulu is officially the largest city in the world? This is thanks to the fact that according to law, any island not officially belonging to a county is the property of Honolulu. What are some unique things to do in Hawaii? The beaches in Hawaii are incredible, don’t get us wrong, but everyone goes to the beach when they visit the Aloha State and there’s so much more to us than that! There are plenty of unique attractions to visit in Hawaii that are often overlooked in favor of our magnificent sandy shores. Be sure to check out the Pu’uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park. This place is amazing: it was once home to Hawaiian royalty, and offers incredibly educational self-guided tours, plus it’s got the added benefit of plenty of natural beauty. What are some obscure facts about Hawaii? With a state as interesting as Hawaii, there are plenty of great facts and tidbits to share about our landscape and history. It’s no secret that we’re made up of eight main islands, but did you know there are an additional 124 uninhabited islands that make up Hawaii? Also, the Hawaiian alphabet is made up of only 13 letters!

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

The history of Hawaii is probably the most interesting and little-known of all the states. After all, you probably heard a lot about the original 13 colonies in school, and most people are familiar with the Gold Rush and settling of the west. The average person is not that well-informed about the fascinating history of the 50th state. But our story is truly intriguing! Did you know that Honolulu is officially the largest city in the world? This is thanks to the fact that according to law, any island not officially belonging to a county is the property of Honolulu.

What are some unique things to do in Hawaii?

The beaches in Hawaii are incredible, don’t get us wrong, but everyone goes to the beach when they visit the Aloha State and there’s so much more to us than that! There are plenty of unique attractions to visit in Hawaii that are often overlooked in favor of our magnificent sandy shores. Be sure to check out the Pu’uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park. This place is amazing: it was once home to Hawaiian royalty, and offers incredibly educational self-guided tours, plus it’s got the added benefit of plenty of natural beauty.

What are some obscure facts about Hawaii?

With a state as interesting as Hawaii, there are plenty of great facts and tidbits to share about our landscape and history. It’s no secret that we’re made up of eight main islands, but did you know there are an additional 124 uninhabited islands that make up Hawaii? Also, the Hawaiian alphabet is made up of only 13 letters!