Hawaiian Historical Print Society

Original Etchings of Hawaiian History

The Hawaiian Islands have been the subject of thousands of prints and drawings. Vivid insightful illustrations and drawings from the early explores present a history of Hawaii. Each artist rendering of the Hawaiian Islands serves as a window through which yesterday can be observed.

Captain James Cook, one of the earliest explorers, by command of the King of England was ordered to make discoveries in the Pacific Ocean region. John Webber, a gifted artist, was appointed to accompany Captain Cook to create detailed drawings and paintings of people and places of the lands they touched upon. He created the first visual records of a pristine Hawaii and moments of the island’s early history.

After Captain Cook, many others explores, with their artist, visited Hawaii and other Polynesian Islands. They recorded the life-style and the rich traditions of the Islands.

These early engravings are rare, many have been lost or destroyed or are in museums and private collections.