1. In 1881, the Kamehameha Day holiday was established. This holiday is celebrated on June 11 each year in honor of Kamehameha I, the first king of Hawaii.

2. On September 17, 1907, 11,000 acres of land were donated to the Territory of Hawaii to establish Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. This park covers over 323,000 acres and is home to both the active Mauna Loa and Kilauea volcanoes.

3. September 17, 1944 marked the beginning of the Battle of Peleliu, a major battle fought between the United States and Imperial Japanese forces during World War II. This battle lasted for over two months and resulted in heavy casualties on both sides.

4. On September 17, 1979, Hurricane Iva made landfall on the island of Kauai, causing extensive damage and resulting in several deaths. This hurricane was the strongest to hit Hawaii in over 20 years.

5. In 1993, the Kukui Center in Honolulu was dedicated on September 17. This center serves as a community gathering place and offers programs and services for Native Hawaiians, including cultural events, educational programs, and health care services.