HAWAII - When tracing the history of the Aloha State, the timeline extends far deeper than the arrival of Captain Cook. The title of the oldest continuous settlement belongs to Hilo on the Big Island (Hawaiʻi Island). Established by Polynesian voyagers around 1100 AD, it predates Western contact by nearly seven centuries.
The Founding: c. 1100 AD & 1824
Hilo's history is a dual narrative of ancient indigenous settlement and later missionary influence.
- Ancient Origins: Archaeological evidence and oral history indicate that early Polynesians settled along the Wailuku and Wailoa rivers around 1100 AD. The area was a prime location due to its abundant freshwater and the fertile Crescent Bay.
- The Missionaries: The "modern" town began to take shape with the arrival of Christian missionaries. In 1824, the Haili Church was established, becoming the anchor for a permanent Western-style town. Hilo grew into a commercial center for the sugar industry and later a hub for the whaling fleet.
Indigenous Roots
Long before the first church was built, Hilo was a significant center of power in ancient Hawaiʻi.
- The Naha Stone: Hilo is the home of the Naha Stone (Pōhaku Naha), a massive 3.5-ton volcanic rock. Legend held that whoever could overturn the stone would unite the Hawaiian Islands. In 1789, a young Kamehameha I (Kamehameha the Great) reportedly overturned the stone, foreshadowing his eventual conquest and unification of the archipelago.
- Name Origin: The name "Hilo" implies "twisting," possibly referring to the twisting of ti leaves used in cordage, or the way the wind twists around the bay.
A Technical Distinction: Honolulu
While Hilo is the oldest settlement, Honolulu is the oldest political capital and developed city.
- The Royal Capital: Honolulu ("Sheltered Bay") was a small fishing village until King Kamehameha I moved his royal court there in 1809. It became the permanent capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom in 1845 under Kamehameha III.
- Royal City Decree: On August 31, 1850, King Kamehameha III officially declared Honolulu to be a city, making it the first to hold that title under the Kingdom's law.
Settlement vs. Incorporation
Hawaii has a unique government structure compared to the rest of the U.S.: it does not have incorporated cities in the traditional sense.
- The County System: The state is divided into counties (e.g., Maui County, Hawaii County) that manage all municipal services. There are no independent mayors or city councils for towns like Hilo or Kailua-Kona.
- The Exception: The only legally incorporated municipality is the City and County of Honolulu, established by the Territorial Legislature in 1907. Therefore, while Hilo is the oldest community (1100 AD), Honolulu is the only "true" incorporated city in the state.
Hilo is the oldest continuous settlement in Hawaii, founded by Polynesian voyagers around 1100 AD and later developed by missionaries in 1824. It was the site where Kamehameha I proved his legitimacy by lifting the Naha Stone. However, Honolulu serves as the historical capital (since 1845) and is the only legally incorporated city in the state due to Hawaii's unique county-based government system.
Sources
- University of Hawaii at Hilo. "History of Hilo."
- Hawaii Tourism Authority. "Hilo History."
- National Park Service. "Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail."
- City and County of Honolulu. "History of the City."
- The Lyman Museum. "Mission House History."