1) In 1778, British explorer Captain James Cook became the first European to visit the Hawaiian Islands, arriving on October 28th. He named the islands "the Sandwich Islands" after his patron, the Earl of Sandwich.

2) On October 28, 1868, the first sugar plantation in Hawaii was established in Koloa, Kauai. This marked the beginning of Hawaii's sugar industry, which would become a major economic force in the islands for over a century.

3) In 1919, the first trans-Pacific flight from California to Hawaii was completed by US Army pilots. The flight took over 25 hours and was a significant milestone in aviation history.

4) On October 28, 1986, the Hawaiian Sovereignty Commission released its final report, which detailed the state's history of colonialism and the oppression of Native Hawaiians. The report called for greater recognition of Hawaiian sovereignty and rights.

5) In 2006, Hawaii became the first state to ban smoking in all public places, including beaches, parks, and restaurants. The law went into effect on October 28th of that year, marking a significant step in the state's efforts to promote public health and cut down on tobacco use.