1. In 1842, King Kamehameha III established the first official government holiday in Hawaii, which was known as La Ku‘oko‘a, or Independence Day. This holiday celebrated Hawaii's sovereignty and independence from Great Britain and France.

2. On December 19, 1820, the first group of American missionaries arrived in Hawaii. Led by Hiram Bingham, the missionaries established Christian churches and schools throughout the islands, greatly influencing Hawaiian culture and society.

3. In 2008, Hawaii became the first state in the US to ban the use of plastic bags at grocery stores. The ban went into effect on December 19 of that year and was aimed at reducing plastic waste and preserving the environment.

4. On December 19, 1941, just days after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Japanese forces landed on the island of Niihau, which was home to a small community of Native Hawaiians. The Japanese were looking for a place to refuel their planes and were eventually driven off the island by local residents.

5. In 2009, Hawaii-born musician Bruno Mars released his debut album, "Doo-Wops & Hooligans." The album, which included hit songs like "Just the Way You Are" and "Grenade," was a commercial and critical success, earning Mars numerous awards and nominations.