banner
banner
banner
banner
banner
banner
banner
banner
banner
banner
banner
banner
banner

Through A Glass Darkly The Strange and Tragic History Of Honolulu | 1 hour 30 minutes

3 Reviews | Oahu
New On TravelOne
From $29.00 per person Lowest Price Guarantee
Select Date and Travelers
You can select up to 15 travelers in total.
Adult (18-100) Minimum: 1, Maximum: 15
2
Youth (12-17) Minimum: 0, Maximum: 15
0
Child (3-11) Minimum: 0, Maximum: 15
0
Infant (0-2) Minimum: 0, Maximum: 15
0
Free Cancellation For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Through A Glass Darkly The Strange and Tragic History Of Honolulu
2 Adults x $29.00
$58.00
Approx Total
$58.00

Inclusions / Exclusions

  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English
  • A well-informed perspective from a life-long Hawaii resident, history teacher, and teller of tales.
  • Forever access to the largest online trove of Hawaiian history videos (several thousands, all free)

Overview

Who would imagine that such a happy place has such a tragic history? Hawaii's tumultuous encounter with the outside world began with the arrival of Captain Cook, whom they ate, sort of, for his troubles. A few years later, King Kamehameha celebrated his conquest of Oahu in 1795 by sacrificing his own cousin. The missionaries, who arrived in 1820, came here to do good... and did very well. Then there was the demographic bomb of waves of imported labor to cut sugar cane. Then the overthrow of the monarchy, annexation, and statehood. In the meantime, there was Pearl Harbor. And it seems that for all of that, we're just getting started.

Meeting points

We'll meet at 10:45 AM at the King Kamehameha Statue, located right across the street (S. King St.) from Iolani Palace. Abundant free parking in the lots adjacent to the statue on weekends. Your guide is the big guy with the walking stick and lantern.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

  • King Kamehameha Statue

    Learn the amazing (and horrifying) story of the conquest of Oahu by King Kamehameha.

    5 minutes

  • Iolani Palace

    Imagine... a royal palace (with kings and queens and thrones and stuff) in the United States... and a storied past that ends with the tragic overthrow of the monarchy.

    10 minutes

  • Kawaiaha'o Church

    Designed by the infamous missionary Hiram Bingham, this "stone church" (to the Hawaiians) was anything but.

    10 minutes

  • Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site and Archives

    As the Hawaiians say, "the missionaries came here to do good, and they did very well."

    5 minutes

  • Honolulu Hale (City Hall)

    A lovely Italianate Spanish Colonial Revival structure with an unlovely past.

    5 minutes

  • Hawaii State Capitol

    An elegant expression of the aloha spirit... and a statue (with a story) of the queen who embodied that spirit.

    5 minutes

  • Washington Place

    Queen Liliuokalani's home where she lived in an unhappy marriage and where she returned to after the overthrow of the monarchy.

    5 minutes

  • Cathedral Of St. Andrew

    A church built from thousands of block of sandstone cut in England and shipped to Hawaii. A magnificent stained glass nave. And a tragic tale of a king and his little boy.

    5 minutes

  • Capitol Modern

    Also known as the Hawai'i State Art Museum, this was the original Royal Hawaiian Hotel (built in 1872). So successful that a second Royal Hawaiian was built on Waikiki Beach (the Pink Palace).

    5 minutes

  • Ali'iolani Hale

    Now the Judiciary Building and home to the Hawaii State Supreme Court, this was where the Massie Affair, the marquee event of Hawaiian jurisprudence), played out

    5 minutes

Sample Menu

Additional Info

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Assistance available for those who need help with stairs or inclines
  • Foldable wheelchairs, powered wheelchairs, scooters, and walkers can be accommodated

Free Cancellation

October 24100% refund
October 25No refund

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Reviews

5.0

3 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
  • 5 stars
    3
  • 4 stars
    0
  • 3 stars
    0
  • 2 stars
    0
  • 1 star
    0

Reviews by TravelOne travelers

Showing 1-5 of 3 reviews with 5 stars

Stories and ghosts

Published on Jan, 2025

Terry is a great storyteller and extremely knowledgeable based on over 50 years on Oahu. We really enjoyed learning about the history of the city we now call home.

Stories and ghosts

Published on Jan, 2025

Terry is a great storyteller and extremely knowledgeable based on over 50 years on Oahu. We really enjoyed learning about the history of the city we now call home.

Knowledgeable and Sufficiently Spooky

Published on Jan, 2025

Terry was an excellent tour guide. He was patient, knowledgeable, and made it interesting for three generations of people.

Knowledgeable and Sufficiently Spooky

Published on Jan, 2025

Terry was an excellent tour guide. He was patient, knowledgeable, and made it interesting for three generations of people.

Excellent history lesson

Published on Jan, 2025

Retired history professor who has in-depth knowledge about history. It is worth of money. $27 is worth of money.

Compare Similar Experiences

Current

Through A Glass Darkly The Strange and T ...
New On TravelOne
5516950P3
time

1 hour 30 minutes

time Free Cancellation
3
From
$29 /   Person
USS Arizona Memorial - Honolulu City - A ...
200011P1
time

5 hours to 6 hours

time Free Cancellation
731
From
$64 /   Person
Pearl Harbor, USS Arizona & Hawaiian His ...
21810P10
time

5 hours to 6 hours

time Free Cancellation
456
From
$79 /   Person
Grand Pearl Harbor and City Tour
375182P2
time

6 hours to 7 hours

time Free Cancellation
256
From
$69 /   Person
Byodo In Temple & Waimea Botanical Garde ...
324912P3
time

8 hours 30 minutes

time Free Cancellation
220
From
$139 /   Person
Private Pearl Harbor and Honolulu City T ...
46689P6
time

4 hours to 5 hours

time Free Cancellation
184
From
$233 /   Person
Complete Pearl Harbor Experience Tour De ...
179218P7
time

9 hours to 11 hours

time Free Cancellation
173
From
$175 /   Person
Half Day Pearl Harbor with USS Arizona M ...
313961P10
time

4 hours to 5 hours

time Free Cancellation
121
From
$69 /   Person
Pearl Harbor, USS Arizona and Honolulu C ...
5123P38
time

5 hours

time Free Cancellation
107
From
$73 /   Person
Historical Honolulu Bike Tour
37667P1
time

4 hours to 5 hours

time Free Cancellation
61
From
$149 /   Person
Byodo Temple and Waimea Botanical Garden ...
327824P3
time

8 hours

time Free Cancellation
20
From
$139 /   Person
Complete Pearl Harbor Experience Tour De ...
179218P27
time

9 hours to 11 hours

time Free Cancellation
19
From
$460 /   Person
North Shore Dole Pineapple Farm Tour
5123P90
time

7 hours

time Free Cancellation
10
From
$150 /   Person
Customers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought
Honolulu Xtreme Parasail
32200P1
time

1 hour

time Free Cancellation
6,013
From
$69 /   Person
Turtle Canyons Snorkel Excursion from Wa ...
64185P2
time

2 hours

time Free Cancellation
4,142
From
$86 /   Person
Beginner Scuba Diving Adventure with Vid ...
36559P1
time

1 hour 30 minutes

time Free Cancellation
2,958
From
$109 /   Person
Oahu Submarine Scooter Adventure
5824SCOOT
time

2 hours

time Partially Refundable
2,063
From
$188 /   Person
Kualoa Ranch: Hollywood Movie Sites Tour
5132MOVIE
time

1 hour 30 minutes

time Non Refundable
1,417
From
$61 /   Person
Kualoa Ranch UTV Raptor Tour
Likely To Sell Out
5132P16
time

2 hours

time Non Refundable
1,362
From
$179 /   Person
The ORIGINAL North Shore Tour
72437P1
time

8 hours

time Free Cancellation
1,344
From
$157 /   Person
Kailua Bay, Oahu: Epic Kayak Adventure w ...
5140_W0018
time

5 hours

time Free Cancellation
1,190
From
$110 /   Person
Shark Cage Diving In Oahu
7272P1
time

2 hours

time Free Cancellation
1,164
From
$100 /   Person
Oahu Catamaran Cruise: Snorkeling, Wildl ...
6837SNORCRUI
time

3 hours 30 minutes

time Free Cancellation
1,131
From
$174 /   Person
Waikiki Trolley Red Line Heroes & Legend ...
6845P35
time

1 hour 20 minutes

time Non Refundable
1,116
From
$32 /   Person
Oahu Catamaran Snorkel With Turtles: SEE ...
Likely To Sell Out
66349P2
time

2 hours

time Free Cancellation
645
From
$50 /   Person
Connect with TravelOne
Louise Berg
Destination Expert
Customize Your Trip
TravelOne Subscribe
We organise unforgettable vacations.
Subscribe for trending deals.
© Copyright 2025 TravelOne Technologies Inc. | All Rights Reserved.
Visa Card Mastercard Maestro Amex Discover
TravelOne uses cookies to give you the best possible service. If you continue browsing, you agree to the use of cookies. More details can be found in our privacy policy.

Do you have a destination in mind, or should we recommend one?

Where do you want to go next?

Is this your first time visiting ?

When do you plan to travel?

Select the general vibe you're looking for on this trip

What theme best captures the vibe you want for this trip?

Choose your preferred travel flow

Customize your trip's activity flow

Who's traveling and how many of you?

Adults
Ages 12 or above
Child
Ages 8-12
Child
Ages 3-7
Infant
Ages 0-2
Women Only
Adults
Ages 12 or above
Child
Ages 8-12
Child
Ages 3-7
Infant
Ages 0-2
Women Only
Join A Group

What kind of accommodation do you prefer?

Preferred Star Rating?

Property Preference?

Property Location?

Preferred Hotel Chain?

Meal At The Hotel?

Choose Hotel Options

We’ll help find the meals that suit your taste

Which meal package would you like to choose?

What are your meal preferences?

Dining Style Preferences?

Cuisine Preferences?

Dining Atmosphere Preferences?

Preferred Meal Times?

Tell us how you’d like to travel between places

What are your preferences for Arrival/Departure Airport Transfers?

What are your preferences for internal transfers?

Select your preferred guide style

What kind of guide support do you prefer during your trip?

Preferred Language for Guide?

Preferred Type of Guide?

Group Size for Tours with Guides?

Desired Role of the Guide?

Specific Guide Personality/Style Preference?

Do you need dining recommendations/reservations support from the guide?

Let us know if you want flight assistance

What are your preferences for onward and return flights?

Cabin Class

Preferred Departure Time

Preferred Arrival Time

Preferred Airlines

What are your preferences for internal flight?

Cabin Class

Preferred Departure Time

Preferred Arrival Time

Preferred Airlines

What type of experiences do you seek while traveling?

Reset keyword
    Theme
    Adventure & Outdoor Activities
    Air & Water-Powered Thrill Rides
    Airboat Tours Flyboarding Jet Boat Rentals Jetpacks
    Climbing & Vertical Challenges
    Caving Climbing Ice Climbing Rock Climbing Sea Caving
    High-Adrenaline Aerial Adventures
    Air Tours Hang Gliding Heli-Hiking Helicopter Tours Helicopter Transfers Paragliding Parasailing Skydiving Ziplining
    Land-Based Extreme Driving
    4WD Tours ATV Tours Buggy Rentals Dune Bashing Go Kart Hummer Tours Motor Sports Motorcycle Tours Off-Road Tours Performance Car Driving Road Trip Vespa Rentals
    Sand & Desert Adventures
    Camel Rides Sandboarding
    Snow & Ice Adventures
    Dog Sledding/Mushing Husky Dog Tours Ice Fishing Ice Skating Snowboarding Snowmobiling Snowshoeing
    Unique & Unconventional Challenges
    Bungee Jumping Escape Rooms Flight Simulator Fun & Games Scavenger Hunts Shooting Shooting Ranges Tubing Zorbing
    Water & Surf Sports
    Freediving Kitesurfing Rafting Scuba Diving Surfing Lessons Wakeboarding Waterskiing White Water Rafting
    Theme
    Cruises & Water Journeys
    Classic & Scenic Cruises
    Canal Cruises Catamaran Cruises Dhow Cruises Gondola Cruises Sightseeing Cruises Water Tours
    Multi-Day & Extended Water Journeys
    Multi-day Cruises Ports of Call Tours Shore Excursions Worry-Free Shore Excursion
    Private & Adventure Boating
    Boat Rentals Power Boats Sailing
    Themed & Specialized Cruises
    Dinner Cruises Night Cruises Submarine Tours
    Unique & Alternative Water Travel
    Duck Boat Tours Ferry Services Pack Animal Tours Water Equipment Rentals Water Parks Water Transfers
    Theme
    Eco & Sustainable Travel
    Cycling & Eco-Friendly Transport
    Bike Rentals Bike Tours Cycling Cycling Classes E-Bike Tours
    Land-Based Exploration
    Hiking Tours Nature Walks Self-guided Tours Walking Tours
    Nature & Wildlife Conservation
    Eco Tours Nature and Wildlife Tours Wildlife Encounters Wildlife Watching
    Protected Natural Areas
    Involves Animals Involves Poverty Stricken Communities National Parks Nature Parks
    Sustainable & Responsible Travel
    Sustainable Tours Volunteer Tours
    Theme
    Food & Culinary Experiences
    Culinary Classes and Workshops
    Candy Making Classes Chocolate Tours Cocktail Tastings Mixology Classes Olive Oil Tasting Paella Making Classes Pasta Making Classes Pizza Making Classes Wine Making Workshops
    Dining Experiences and Meals
    Breakfast Brunch Dinner Dinner and Show Tickets Lunch Restaurants
    Food & Beverage Tours
    Beer & Brewery Tours Chocolate Tours Coffee & Tea Tours Culinary Tours Pastry Tours Sake Brewery Tour Sake Tasting Street Food Tours Taco Tours Wine Tours
    Food Tastings and Sampling
    Cocktail Tastings High Tea Olive Oil Tasting Sake Tasting Wine Tastings
    Food-Related Cruises
    Brunch Cruises Coffee Cruises Dinner Cruises Lunch Cruises
    Specialized Food Events
    Dining Experiences Dinner and Show Tickets
    Thematic Food Events & Experiences
    Donut Walking Tour Markets
    Theme
    Historical & Heritage Sites
    Classic & General History Tours
    Archaeology Tours Architecture Tours City Tours Cultural Tours Historical Tours
    Historical Landmarks & Sites
    Ancient Ruins Castles Tours Monuments and Memorials Religious Sites
    Industrial & Commercial History
    Factory Tours Plantation Tours
    Literature, TV & Film-Based Tours
    Game of Thrones Tours Harry Potter Tours Literary Tours TV Tours
    Museum & Cultural Institutions
    Attractions & Museums Museum Tickets & Passes Museums Planetariums
    Mystery & Dark History Tours
    Crime Tours Ghost Tours Underground Tours
    Observation & Structural History
    Classic Car Tours Observation Decks Skyscrapers & Towers
    Theme
    Local Culture & Traditions
    Art & Creative Workshops
    Art Classes Craft Classes Painting Classes Photography Tours Pottery Classes
    City Exploration
    Hop on Hop Off Buses Trolley Tours Tuk Tuk Tours
    Cultural & Heritage Experiences
    Costume Dress Up Experiences Cultural Tours Culture Fashion Shows Fashion Tours Lantern Festival
    Dance & Music Participation
    Dance Lessons Dance Shows
    Historical & Traditional Skills
    Archery Classes Swordsmanship Classes
    Language & Cultural Learning
    Language Classes Spanish Lessons
    Performing Arts & Live Shows
    Acoustic Concerts Ballet Tickets Ballroom Dance Shows Belly Dance Shows Broadway Shows Cirque du Soleil Shows Classical Concerts Classical Music Flamenco Performance Live Concerts Musicals Opera Performances Sufi Whirling Shows Tango Dance Shows Theater Shows Traditional Dance Performances
    Theme
    Luxury & Romantic Getaways
    Exclusive & VIP Experiences
    Once in a Lifetime Experiences Private and Luxury Viator Exclusive Tours Viator Experience Award 2022 Viator Experience Award 2023 Viator Experience Award 2024 Viator VIP Tours
    Private & Personalized Travel
    Private Day Trips Private Drivers Private Sightseeing Tours
    Romantic & Scenic Experiences
    Helicopter Tours Limousine Tours Luxury Car Tours Photo Shoots Romantic Tours Sunset Cruises
    Weddings & Special Celebrations
    Photo Shoots Wedding Ceremonies Wedding Packages Weddings & Celebrations
    Theme
    Nature & Scenic Experiences
    Adventure & Sports in Nature
    Horseback Riding Mountain Bike Rentals Mountain Bike Tours Sandboarding
    Boating & Cruises
    Glass Bottom Boat Tours Gondola Cruises Sailing
    Camping & Outdoor Stays
    Camping Honeymoon Packages
    Fishing & Marine Experiences
    Eco Tours Fishing Charters
    Hiking & Exploration
    Glacier Walks Hiking Tours National Parks Natural Attractions Nature Parks Nature Walks Outback Tours Parks
    Paddle & Active Water Sports
    Jet Ski Rentals Kayaking Tours Stand Up Paddleboarding
    Sky & Aerial Nature Experiences
    Hot Air Balloon Rides Northern Lights
    Underwater Exploration
    Scuba Diving Shark Diving Snorkeling Swim with Dolphins
    Wildlife Observation & Encounters
    Aquariums Bird Watching Dolphin Watching Safaris Shark Diving Swim with Dolphins Whale Watching Wildlife Encounters Wildlife Watching Zoos & Wildlife Parks
    Theme
    Nightlife & Festivals
    Dance & Cultural Party Experiences
    Disco Dance Shows Luaus Samba Dance Shows
    Festivals & Seasonal Celebrations
    Carnival Christmas Festivals Halloween Mardi Gras Oktoberfest Packages & Special Events
    Live Music & Performances
    Concerts Jazz Shows Live Concerts Music Tours Musical Shows Opera Performances R&B/Soul Concerts Rap & Hip-Hop Concerts Samba Dance Shows Theater Shows
    Nightlife & Entertainment
    Adults-only Shows Bar Tours Burlesque Shows Cabaret Casino Tours Comedy Shows Night Cruises Night Tours Nightlife Pub Tours
    Spectacle & Family-Friendly Entertainment
    Children’s Shows & Concerts Circus Shows Family-friendly Shows Fireworks Shows Shows
    Unique & Themed Experiences
    LGBT Friendly Tours Street Art Tour Theme Parks Universal Theme Parks
    Theme
    Seasonal & Holiday Trips
    Travel by Season
    Autumn / Fall Spring Spring Break Summer Winter Winter Sports
    Theme
    Spiritual & Religious Journeys
    Healing & Wellness Experiences
    Spas Thermal Spas & Hot Springs Yoga Classes
    Immersive Spiritual Experiences
    Light & Sound Shows
    Sacred & Religious Sites
    Religious Sites Religious Tours
    Spiritual & Cultural Rituals
    Easter Lunar New Year Sufi Whirling Shows
    Traditional & Cultural Bathing Practices
    Arab Baths Hammams & Turkish Baths Onsens
    Theme
    Sports & Active Travel
    Ball Sports
    Golf Tours & Tee Times Lacrosse Classes Softball Classes Tennis
    Combat & Tactical Sports
    Martial Arts Classes Paintball
    Extreme & Challenge-Based Sports
    Obstacle Courses
    Spectator Sports & Events
    Baseball Tickets Horse Racing Rugby Soccer Sporting Event Tickets & Passes
    Sports Training & Lessons
    Cycling Cycling Classes Sports Lessons
    Winter Sports
    Skiing Skiing Classes

    Choose your preferred travel flow