Timeline

1795

Kamehameha I unifies the Hawaiian Islands after the Battle of Nuʻuanu, forming the Hawaiian Kingdom.

1834 (Dec 31)

Birth of Queen Kapiʻolani (Kapiʻolani Napelakapuokakaʻe) in Hilo, Hawaiian Kingdom. 

1848 

The Māhele reorganizes land ownership in Hawaiʻi, enabling private landholding and dramatically altering Hawaiian society.

1852

She marries High Chief Bennett Nāmākēhā (her first marriage).

1863
After being widowed, she marries David Kalākaua, becoming part of the royal line.

1874 (Feb 12)

Kalākaua becomes king, making Kapiʻolani the queen consort of Hawaiʻi.

1874  

Supporters of Queen Emma protest Kalākaua’s election, leading to the Courthouse Riot and the landing of U.S. and British troops.

July 6, 1887 

The Hawaiian League compels Kalākaua to sign the Bayonet Constitution, stripping the monarchy of power and disenfranchising many Hawaiians.

1887

During a royal visit (on return from Europe after attending Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee) — Queen Kapiʻolani presents the canoe to the Smithsonian Institution as a gesture of goodwill.

1888 (Jan 25)

The canoe is officially accessioned into Smithsonian’s collection under catalog number E160416-0 / 020085.

1891

King Kalākaua dies; Queen Kapiʻolani becomes Dowager Queen.

1893 

 Queen Liliʻuokalani is deposed by American and European businessmen backed by U.S. Marines, ending the Hawaiian monarchy.

1898 

Despite Native Hawaiian protests, Hawaiʻi is annexed by the United States during the Spanish–American War.

1899 (June 24)

Queen Kapiʻolani passes away in Waikīkī.

2004–2005

The canoe goes on display in the Smithsonian’s “Na Mea Makamae o Hawaiʻi – Hawaiian Treasures” exhibit.

2018

The canoe becomes a focal point for the Waʻa Project — a collaborative study by Hawaiian and Māori canoe carvers & researchers, to document and learn from the historic vessel.