HONOLULU (KHON2) – From the ahupuaʻa of Kalihi to Waikīkī, which all lie within the moku of Kona here on Oʻahu, stands one of the busiest yet oldest named roads. We are speaking of King St.
On August 30, 1850, the first 35 streets throughout Honolulu received their official names.
While some streets no longer exist because of either development or absorption by another, some still do.
King Street, named in honor of the rulers of the Hawaiian Kingdom, once carried the name Mōʻī, meaning “king”, as early as 1836.
Originally an ancient foot path which led from the waterfront to the grounds of today’s ʻIolani Palace, King Street continues to serve as a principal thoroughfare but now encompassing much more distance.
King Street has been referred to by other nicknames over the generations.
From Lower Road to Broadway to Main to Chapel to even Kawaiahaʻo because of the church.
But Hawaiians were known to call it Alanui Aliʻi; alanui meaning “street” and aliʻi meaning “chief or king.”
The first King of all the Hawaiian Islands was Kamehameha I, who established the Hawaiian Kingdom in 1810.
His sons, Liholiho and Kauikeaouli, succeeded him as King Kamehameha II and III, respectively.
His grandsons, Alexander Liholiho and Lot Kapuāiwa, followed in succession as King Kamehameha IV and V.
William Charles Lunalilo then because the first elected king as his predecessor failed to name his heir prior to passing.
King David Kalākaua won the following election, who passed the throne to his sister and Hawaiʻi’s only ruling Queen, Liliʻuokalani.
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