The Hawaiian Islands were prosperous long before they became a state, or even a United States territory, for that matter. These photographs, taken in the late 1800s and early 1900s, give us a glimpse into life before Hawaii joined America, when the monarchy thrived and life was much simpler.
1) Taken in the 1880s, this photograph depicts the Kalaupapa Leper colony.
Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons
2) The Hawaiian railroad during construction in 1881.
Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons
3) Native Hawaiians sell leis in 1901.
Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons
4) The original Hale Ali’I, home to King Kamehameha IV and Queen Emma, on the site that is now home to the Iolani Palace.
Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons
5) This photograph of the historic Kalua’aha Church on the island of Molokai was taken before its first restoration in 1912.
Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons
6) A lovely Kapuaiwa Grove on Molokai.
Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons
7) A woman sewing lauhala strips into a hat with a grass house in the background, circa 1915.
Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons
8) This photograph of Laupahoehoe Village, circa 1885, shows us how gorgeous Hawaii is – even in black and white.
Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons
9) A panoramic view of the Haleiwa Hotel, circa 1902.
Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons
10) Housing at Schofield Barracks in the territory of Hawaii, circa 1925.
Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons
11) Located on a remote, dry plateau between Mauna Loca and Hualalai on Hawaii’s Big Island is a vast complex of temples and living areas built around the 16th century.
Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons
12) Peacocks roam the lawn of Princess Kaiulani’s residence at Ainahau.
Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons
13) A fire burns in Honolulu’s Chinatown in 1900. The fire was set to destroy homes suspected of being infected by the bubonic plague.
Public Domain/Wikimedia
14) Keoua Hale, the palace of Princess Ruth Ke’elikolani, was larger than Iolani Palace.
Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons
15) This photograph depicts two Hawaiian children doing the hula in 1890.
Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons
16) Kamehameha V’s summer home at Helumoa, the site of which is now home to the Royal Hawaiian Center.
Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons
17) The Queen’s hospital, as photographed in 1905.
Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons
http://www.onlyinyourstate.com/hawaii/vintage-photos-hi/