Hawaii's history began with the settlement of the islands by Polynesian people between 940 and 1200 AD. In 1778, British explorer James Cook was the first European to make contact. Kamehameha I unified the islands to create the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1795. The kingdom eventually fell to American business interests, leading to the overthrow of Queen Liliuokalani in 1893 and the U.S. annexation in 1898, followed by statehood in 1959.
Philippine history is marked by early Austronesian migration, followed by centuries of foreign rule, primarily by Spain (1565-1898) and the United States (1898-1946). The Spanish colonial era introduced Catholicism, while the American period brought modernization but also conflict. Key events include the 1896 Philippine Revolution against Spain, World War II, the declaration of Martial Law by Ferdinand Marcos, and the 1986 People Power Revolution that overthrew him, leading to a struggle for stability and democracy in the post-independence era.
“I had the immense privilege to be a malihini to Maui recently … I … wanted my attitude and actions to reflect that I respected that home.”
“We just got back from our first trip to Maui… Every single person we met was kind, warm, and genuinely welcoming. … If you treat Maui like you would your own home, with respect and care, you’ll feel that same kindness right back.”
“I had the immense privilege to be a malihini to Maui recently … I … wanted my attitude and actions to reflect that I respected that home.”