HONOLULU (KHON2) — The Hawaiʻi State Archives began digitizing its physical collections in 2021. Dr. Adam Jansen and his team began this project so people could view their collections from anywhere they have digital access.
That effort opened a window into what Honolulu, and much of Hawaiʻi, looked like more than a century ago.
The photos from the past have opened up how people understand Hawaiʻi’s evolution from isolated islands to internationally recognized kingdom to illegally occupied territory to United States statehood.
The archive holds thousands of photographs. They show parades moving through downtown streets, ships arriving in Honolulu Harbor and people filling the sidewalks. Everyday life unfolds in black and white and offers a record of a city in the middle of change.
The work also includes the digitization of more than 22,000 glass plate negatives. These fragile images date back to the early 1900s, and capture details from clothing styles to architecture that no longer exists.
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US Servicemen and their families relax on the stretch of land beside Waikiki Beach, land owned by United States military reservation Fort DeRussy, in the Waikiki neighbourhood of Honolulu, on the island of Oʻahu, Honolulu, Hawaii, circa 1955. (Photo by John Titchen/Three Lions/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) -
Waikiki Beach in Honolulu, Hawaii on the island of Oahu, circa 1949. (Photo/George Bacon via Hawaii State Archives) -
Waikiki Beach in Honolulu, Hawaii on the island of Oahu with Leahi (a.k.a. Diamond Head) in the background, circa 1949. (Photo/George Bacon via Hawaii State Archives) -
Waikiki Beach in Honolulu, Hawaii on the island of Oahu with Leahi (a.k.a. Diamond Head) in the background, circa 1949. (Photo/George Bacon via Hawaii State Archives) -
Aerial view of Waikiki in Honolulu, Hawaii on the island of Oahu between 1947-1954.(Photo/George Bacon via Hawaii State Archives) -
Aerial view of Waikiki in Honolulu, Hawaii on the island of Oahu between 1948-1954. (Photo/George Bacon via Hawaii State Archives) -
Moana Hotel Waikiki Beach in Honolulu, Hawaii on the island of Oahu between 1948-1954. (Photo/George Bacon via Hawaii State Archives) -
King Street. (Photo/Hawaii State Arches) -
Daisy the enslaved elephant. (Photo/Hawaii State Archives) -
Kawaiahao. (Photo/Hawaii State Archives) -
Makee Island. (Photo/Hawaii State Archives) -
Waikiki Road. (Photo/Hawaii State Archives) -
Kaimu Black Sand beach, Kalapana, Hawaii island. (Photo/Hawaii State Archives) -
Children are seen enjoying Waikiki Beach in this undated photo. (Courtesy Hawaii State Archives) -
Houses are seen along Waikiki Beach in this undated photo. (Courtesy Hawaii State Archives) -
A pier is seen in this undated photo on Waikiki Beach with the then Moana Hotel in the background. (Courtesy Hawaii State Archives) -
An undated photo of Hawaii from archive folders labeled as Christmas in Hawaii. (Photo/Hawaii State Archives) -
A photo of Hawaii in 1911 from archive folders labeled as Christmas in Hawaii. (Photo/Hawaii State Archives) -
An undated photo of Hawaii from archive folders labeled as Christmas in Hawaii. (Photo/Hawaii State Archives) -
An undated photo of Hawaii from archive folders labeled as Christmas in Hawaii. (Photo/Hawaii State Archives) -
An undated photo of Hawaii from archive folders labeled as Christmas in Hawaii. (Photo/Hawaii State Archives) -
An undated photo of Hawaii from archive folders labeled as Christmas in Hawaii. (Photo/Hawaii State Archives) -
An undated photo of Hawaii from archive folders labeled as Christmas in Hawaii. (Photo/Hawaii State Archives) -
An undated photo of Hawaii from archive folders labeled as Christmas in Hawaii. (Photo/Hawaii State Archives) -
An undated photo of Hawaii from archive folders labeled as Christmas in Hawaii. (Photo/Hawaii State Archives) -
Courtesy: Hawaii State Archives -
Waikiki Beach, Oahu, circa 1949. (Courtesy: George Bacon / Hawaii State Archives) -
Waikiki Beach, Oahu, circa 1949. (Courtesy: George Bacon / Hawaii State Archives) -
Waikiki Beach, Oahu, circa 1949. (Courtesy: George Bacon / Hawaii State Archives) -
Waikiki Beach, Oahu, between 1949-1954. (Courtesy: George Bacon / Hawaii State Archives) -
Moana Hotel, Waikiki Beach, Oahu, between 1948-1954. (Courtesy: George Bacon / Hawaii State Archives) -
Waikiki Beach, Oahu, circa 1946. (Courtesy: George Bacon / Hawaii State Archives) -
King Street in Honolulu, circa 1925. Left foreground is the Advertiser newspaper and further along the street is the Lewers & Cooke Bldg. (Courtesy: Hawaii State Archives) -
Bishop Bank at Bishop St. between King and Merchant Streets in Honolulu, circa 1925. Later Bishop Bank and First Hawaiian Bank. The building on the corner of Bishop and King Streets is the Alexander Young Hotel. Pacific Trust on Merchant St. (Courtesy: Hawaii State Archives) -
Corner of Fort and Hotel Streets in Honolulu, circa 1925. The building houses Benson Smith Drug store and Manufacturers Shoe Store. (Courtesy: Hawaii State Archives) -
Fort St. from a building on King St., Honolulu, circa 1923. M.A. Gunst Co. on corner, Odd Fellows Hall next door. First National Bank on Waikiki corner. (Courtesy: Hawaii State Archives) -
Crowd at the Honolulu waterfront, January 1921. (Courtesy: Hawaii State Archives) -
Fort St. from building on makai Waikiki corner of King St., Honolulu, circa 1923. General Cigar Co. on corner and Odd Fellows Hall next door. First National Bank on Waikiki corner. (Courtesy: Hawaii State Archives) -
Honolulu from Punchbowl toward Pearl Harbor and Waianae Mountains beyond, circa 1920s. Honpa Hongwanji Mission far right. (Courtesy: Hawaii State Archives) -
Aerial view of Downtown Honolulu and harbor, circa 1925. Aloha Tower under construction. (Courtesy: Hawaii State Archives) -
Corner of Hotel and Fort Streets in Honolulu circa 1920s. Benson Smith Drug Store on corner, Manufacturers Shoe Co., and Hawaii Music Co. further up Fort St. (Courtesy: Hawaii State Archives) -
Postcard of Honolulu from Aloha Tower, circa 1928. (Courtesy: Hawaii State Archives) -
View of Downtown and Harbor from Punchbowl, circa 1923. (Courtesy: Hawaii State Archives) -
Fort Street, Honolulu, circa 1920s. (Courtesy: Hawaii State Archives) -
Honolulu from Punchbowl, circa 1920s. (Courtesy: Hawaii State Archives) -
Fort St. at Queen St., Honolulu, circa 1904. On the left are Gomes Express office and Nieper’s Baggage Express office. Up Fort on the corner of Merchant St. is Wilder & Co. (Courtesy: Hawaii State Archives)
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Hollister Drug Co. on Fort St., Honolulu, circa 1910. Also in the building is C.J. Day & Co. and next door is the Baltimore Dairy. (Courtesy: Hawaii State Archives)
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Hotel St. with Fort St. crossing, Honolulu, circa 1903. Honolulu Photo Supply on one corner and Honolulu Tobacco Co. on the other. (Courtesy: Hawaii State Archives) -
King St. looking Ewa, with Fort. St. crossing, Honolulu, circa 1904. Chambers Drug Co. on makai Ewa corner and the Gunst-Eakin Cigar Co. across King St. Includes a trolley car, horse-drawn carriage, horse, and an automobile. (Courtesy: Hawaii State Archives) -
Looking up Fort St. from King St., Honolulu, circa 1905. On the Ewa mauka corner is the Gunst – Eakin Cigar Co. (Courtesy: Hawaii State Archives) -
Hotel St. from Bethel St., Honolulu, circa 1911. On left is the Collegia and Savoy. Near right is the Empire Theatre, K.M. Henry’s photography shop and Two Jacks. In the far distance is the Alexander Young Hotel. (Courtesy: Hawaii State Archives) -
The Triangle Store. King and South Streets, circa 1900. (Courtesy: Hawaii State Archives) -
Stock yards and stables on Queen St. near Punchbowl St., Honolulu, circa 1907. (Courtesy: Hawaii State Archives) -
Looking down Fort St. at Hotel St., Honolulu, circa 1901. On left are Benson Smith & Co., Thomas G. Thrum, and Manufacturers’ Shoe Store. (Courtesy: Hawaii State Archives) -
Fort Street; 1890s in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Courtesy/Hawaii State Archives) -
Fort Street near Hotel Street in Honolulu, Hawaii. On left is L.E. Tracy, men’s clothing store at Fort and Hotel streets, 1899. (Courtesy:/Hawaii State Archives) -
King Street corner Alakea; circa 1883 in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Courtesy/Hawaii State Archives) -
King St. at Nuuanu Ave. looking toward Waikiki, Honolulu, circa 1905. HRT’s Kalihi-Waikiki trolley. Shades on left are at Yat Loy Co. On makai corner is the Anchor Saloon featuring Primo Beer on draught. (Courtesy: Hawaii State Archives) -
King & Bethel Streets, circa 1900. (Courtesy: Hawaii State Archives) -
Woman in kimono crossing at Fort and Hotel Sts., Honolulu, circa 1904. (Courtesy: Hawaii State Archives) -
Banner over Fort. St. features Gov. Lucius Pinkham with slogan “May we all labor for the good of Hawaii.” Policeman in intersection and Chambers Drug Co. on corner, circa 1913. (Courtesy: Hawaii State Archives) -
King St., towards Palama, Honolulu, circa 1900. (Courtesy: Hawaii State Archives) -
Looking up Fort St. from King St., Honolulu, circa 1904. (Courtesy: Hawaii State Archives) -
Hotel St. from Fort St., Honolulu, circa 1903. On left corner is the Peniel Mission. On right corner is the Honolulu Tobacco Co. and further along Hotel St. are the Fashion Saloon and New England Bakery. (Courtesy: Hawaii State Archives) -
Fort and Merchant streets, Honolulu, Hawaii, looking toward the harbor, circa 1897. (Courtesy/Hawaii State Archives) -
Corner of Fort and Merchant streets, Honolulu, Hawaii. Building far left is the Annexation Club, circa 1899. (Courtesy: Hawaii State Archives) -
Fort Street from Hotel Street in Honolulu, Hawaii; circa 1898. (Courtesy/Hawaii State Archives) -
Crowd gathered at Hotel and Richards streets in Honolulu, Hawaii. Outside the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, circa 1898-1900. (Courtesy/Hawaii State Archives) -
Nuuanu Street from Hotel Street, Honolulu, Hawaii, circa 1890. (Courtesy/Hawaii State Archives) -
Bicyclist on King Street., Honolulu, Hawaii, 1895. (Courtesy/Hawaii State Archives) -
Hotel Street (Fort Street crossing) in Honolulu, Hawaii; about 1898; The lei makers conducted their occupation uninterrupted on the sidewalk at the corner of Fort and Hotel streets. (Courtesy:/Hawaii State Archives) -
Looking up Fort Street from Allen Street (later Nimitz / Ala Moana), Honolulu, Hawaii, circa 1885. Includes Lewers and Cooke streets, Pacific House, the Lucas clock tower and Wilder & Co. (Courtesy/Hawaii State Archives) -
Nuuanu Street from King Street in Honolulu, Hawaii,1883. (Courtesy/Hawaii State Archives) -
Merchant Street from Bethel Street in Honolulu, Hawaii about 1880s. (Courtesy/Hawaii State Archives) -
View down Fort Stret from Hotel Street, Honolulu, Hawaii circa 1883. (Courtesy/Hawaii State Archives) -
Alakea and Merchant streets, Honolulu, Hawaii. Occidental Hotel on left, J.R. Mills & Co., groceries on right, circa 1890. (Courtesy/Hawaii State Archives) -
Horse-drawn trolley on Beretania Street, Honolulu, Hawaii. Central Union Church on left, gate and fence of Washington Place on right, circa 1890. (Courtesy/Hawaii State Archives) -
Queen Street from Nuuanu Street, Honolulu, Hawaii. Includes The Old Corner, retail liquor dealers; Macfarlane & Co.; the ship chandlery of Inter-Island Steam Navigation Co., Ltd.; and M.W. McChesney & Sons, 1880s. (Courtesy/Hawaii State Archives) -
Hotel Street from Nuuanu Street, Honolulu, Hawaii. Includes M.A. Gonsalves & Co, and Crystal Soda Works, circa 1888. (Courtesy/Hawaii State Archives) -
Queen Street from corner of Nuuanu in Honolulu, Hawaii, A saloon and J.T. Waterhouse on left and the C. Brewer Bldg., right, 1871. (Courtesy/Hawaii State Archives) -
Kawaiahao Church and King Lunalilo’s tomb, Honolulu, Hawaii, 1885. (Courtesy/Hawaii State Archives) -
Hotel Street looking toward Waikiki in Honolulu, Hawaii. Union Street running up; early 1880’s; Family Market later Fashion Stables run by Buckly & Sullivan. Far left: Honolulu Fire Dept. headquarters of three companies. (Courtesy/Hawaii State Archives) -
King and Richards streets, Honolulu, Hawaii. Includes Sing Wo Chong store and Hop Wo & Co. tailor, circa 1898. (Courtesy/Hawaii State Archives) -
Nuuanu Street from the waterfront in Honolulu, Hawaii, circa 1884. (Courtesy/Hawaii State Archives) -
Fort Street from King Street, Honolulu, Hawaii, circa 1862. (Courtesy/Hawaii State Archives) -
View across intersection of King and Punchbowl streets. with old Iolani Palace beyond and Our Lady of Peace and the Fort Street churches in background, Honolulu, Hawaii, circa 1860. (Courtesy/Hawaii State Archives) -
M.T. Donnell Cabinet-Maker & Upholsterer on King St., Honolulu, Hawaii, circa 1875. (Courtesy/Hawaii State Archives) -
Fort Street showing E. O. Hall & Hobron Drug, circa 1880s in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Courtesy/Hawaii State Archives) -
Honolulu, Hawaii from Fort Street. James Campbell Building on left. Benson Smith on right. Fort Street, circa 1870. (Courtesy/Hawaii State Archives) -
Bishop Bank. Merchant Street, Honolulu, Hawaii, circa 1879. (Courtesy/Hawaii State Archives) -
Nuuanu Valley from prison, Honolulu, Hawaii, circa 1876. (Courtesy/Hawaii State Archives) -
Fort Street at Hotel Street in Honolulu, Hawaii, circa 1879. (Courtesy/Hawaii State Archives) -
Crowd on Nuuanu Street, Honolulu, Hawaii. In white uniforms are Hawaiian Band members, July 4, 1881. (Courtesy/Hawaii State Archives) -
1870’s; Aliiolani Hale -1874. Iolani Palace (not yet built) in Honolulu, Hawaii,1881. (Courtesy/Hawaii State Archives) -
Pantheon – Hotel and Fort streets, Honolulu, Hawaii, circa 1860. (Courtesy/Hawaii State Archives) -
Establishment in Honolulu offering warm baths, circa 1850. (Courtesy: Hawaii State Archives) -
King Street from Waity Building looking Ewa, Honolulu, Hawaii, circa 1857. (Courtesy/Hawaii State Archives) -
In this undated photo, three women and Duke Kahanamoku looking out to sea. (Courtesy: Hawaii State Archives) -
In this undated photo, Helen Moses & Duke Kahanamoku. (Courtesy: Hawaii State Archives) -
In this undated photo, Duke Kahanamoku (right) with Arthur Godfrey (center) and Mr. Holtzman. (Courtesy: George Bacon via Hawaii State Archives) -
Hawaii Statehood Celebration displayed in March 1959. Neal Blaisdell is in suit at right. (Courtesy: George Bacon via Hawaii State Archives) -
Hawaii Statehood Honor Roll Petition in February 1954. Signing petition to Congress. (Courtesy: George Silk via Hawaii State Archives) -
Hawaii Statehood Honor Roll Petition in February 1954. (Courtesy: George Silk via Hawaii State Archives) -
Hawaii Statehood Honor Roll Petition in February 1954. Signing petition to Congress. (Courtesy: George Silk via Hawaii State Archives) -
An undated photo of Hawaii from archive folders labeled as Christmas in Hawaii. (Photo/Hawaii State Archives) -
(Photo/Hawaii State Archives)
While the photographs stand out, the State Archives is managing other projects as well. One of the largest known collections of Hawaiian music is now in its care.
More than 20,000 pieces sit in boxes, waiting to be cataloged and made available to the public.
The scale of these projects shows how much history remains to be uncovered. By placing records online, the State Archives makes it possible for anyone to explore Honolulu’s past.
To see more, you can go to the archives’ website.
The photo collections let viewers trace how Honolulu grew from a port city into a capital that welcomed the world.