1. In 1913, the Haleakala National Park was established on May 12. This park is located on the island of Maui and encompasses over 30,000 acres of volcanic landscape, including the massive Haleakala Crater.

2. On May 12, 1942, Japanese submarines launched a series of attacks on the island of Oahu, targeting various military installations at Pearl Harbor. Although the damage was minimal, it marked a significant moment in the ongoing conflict of World War II.

3. May 12, 1897, marks the birth of Duke Kahanamoku, a legendary Hawaiian athlete who is widely regarded as the father of modern surfing. Kahanamoku helped to popularize the sport, and went on to win five Olympic medals for swimming.

4. In 1994, the USS Missouri (BB-63), an Iowa-class battleship that was famously the site of the signing of the Japanese Instrument of Surrender during World War II, was decommissioned on May 12. The ship is now a museum located in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

5. On May 12, 2009, the Hawaiian island of Maui became the first county in the United States to ban the use and possession of plastic bags. The law aimed to reduce litter and protect the environment, and has since been adopted in other counties throughout Hawaii.