Remnants of Hawaii's Past Linger Across the Islands

From abandoned structures to historical landmarks, traces of Hawaii's history remain scattered throughout the state.

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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Across Hawaii, remnants of the state's past can still be found, from the concrete walls of a former royal summer home in Nuuanu to the anchor of a long-gone yacht club in Pearl Harbor. Writer Bob Sigall explores these historical artifacts, highlighting how they offer a window into Hawaii's history even as the original structures have disappeared.

Why it matters

These remnants provide a tangible connection to Hawaii's past, allowing residents and visitors alike to explore the state's rich history. As development continues to transform the islands, preserving these historical markers becomes increasingly important to maintain a sense of place and cultural identity.

The details

The article cites numerous examples of historical remnants across Oahu, including the concrete walls of Kaniakapupu, the summer home of King Kamehameha III and Queen Kalama; the anchor and pier remains of the former Pearl Harbor Yacht Club; and the concrete observation bunkers and fire control stations of the coastal defense system at Fort Ruger. Other remnants include the Koko Crater Stairs, originally built as a railway to a radar installation, and the rock foundation of Fort Elizabeth, a Russian fort built in 1817 on Kauai.

  • In 1847, King Kamehameha III hosted a party at Kaniakapupu for 10,000 people to celebrate Restoration Day.
  • The Koko Crater Stairs railway operated from 1956 to 1966, when the Air Force deactivated the radar installation.
  • Fort Elizabeth was built in 1817 on the Waimea side of Kauai.

The players

Kamehameha III

The king of the Hawaiian Kingdom who reigned from 1825 to 1854 and had a summer home at Kaniakapupu in Nuuanu.

Queen Kalama

The wife of Kamehameha III and co-resident of the Kaniakapupu summer home.

Abner Paki

A leader who directed 600 men to divert water from Nuuanu Stream and send it through auwai to taro loi after the Battle of Nuuanu in 1795.

Alan Misaki

A person who pointed out the stone foundation that was once the home of Kamehameha V on Molokai.

Alan Lloyd

A former engineer who took the author to Oahu's first hydroelectric power-generating station on Nuuanu Stream.

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What they’re saying

“Just before the Kaunakakai Wharf on Molokai, inland from the shoreline and near the canoe club facilities, sits a stone foundation that was once the home of Kamehameha V.”

— Alan Misaki (N/A)

The takeaway

These historical remnants scattered across Hawaii serve as tangible links to the state's past, offering residents and visitors a window into the islands' rich history and culture. As development continues to transform the landscape, preserving these artifacts becomes increasingly important to maintain a sense of place and identity.