1. May 17, 1792 - Captain George Vancouver arrived in Hawaii and met with King Kamehameha I. Vancouver presented the king with gifts, including a sword and a suit of armor, recognizing his position as a powerful ruler.
2. May 17, 1843 - British Admiral Richard Thomas arrived in Hawaii and raised the British flag to protest French claims to the islands. This event became known as the Paulet Affair and demonstrated Hawaii's vulnerability to foreign powers attempting to gain control.
3. May 17, 1868 - The Mahele, a major land distribution and ownership reform, was enacted by the Hawaiian Kingdom. This legislation aimed to distribute land fairly among all Hawaiian citizens, including native Hawaiians, and provided a legal framework for landownership.
4. May 17, 1913 - Hiram Bingham III, the explorer and archaeologist who discovered the ancient Inca city of Machu Picchu, arrived in Hawaii as a Christian missionary. His extensive archaeological work in Hawaii contributed greatly to our understanding of ancient Hawaiian culture and history.
5. May 17, 1979 - Hawaii celebrated its first statewide Lei Day, honoring the Hawaiian tradition of giving and wearing leis. The holiday is now celebrated annually on May 1st and is a symbol of the deep cultural heritage of Hawaii.