1. In 1778, British explorer Captain James Cook became the first known European to visit the Hawaiian Islands. He landed at Waimea Bay on the island of Kauai on December 16th, marking the beginning of Western contact with Hawaii.

2. On December 16, 1959, Hawaii became the 50th state of the United States. This day marked the end of a long journey for Hawaii, which had been seeking statehood for many years.

3. On December 16, 1941, just five days after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Japanese forces landed on the island of Niihau. This small island, located just off the coast of Kauai, was initially thought to be the site of a larger invasion. However, the Japanese were quickly defeated by the island's residents and a small group of soldiers.

4. On December 16, 1819, King Kamehameha II officially abolished the ancient Hawaiian religion known as kapu. This marked a significant shift in Hawaiian culture, as many old traditions and customs were replaced by new practices introduced by Westerners.

5. In 1971, the first Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament was held on December 16th. This annual fishing tournament has since become one of the largest and most prestigious billfish tournaments in the world, attracting anglers from all over the globe.