Posted in Hawaii November 07, 2015 by

11 Shocking Things You Had No Idea Happened In Hawaii

A state rich with political, military, and monarchy history, there are definitely some shocking events that have occurred in Hawaii throughout the years. Some of these events have become common knowledge, but others are more obscure, like these eleven shocking things in Hawaii’s past you might not have known about.

We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life as we all practice social and physical distancing. While we’re continuing to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, we don’t expect or encourage you to go check them out immediately. We believe that supporting local attractions is important now more than ever and we hope our articles inspire your future adventures! And on that note, please nominate your favorite local business that could use some love right now: https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/nominate/
1) During World War II, the Federal Reserve printed special money for Hawaii to make it easy to render the bills useless if the Japanese were to conquer the islands.
Wikimedia Commons
The money is essentially silver certificates with a large Hawaii stamp printed on the back. The bills are being sold on eBay for up to 15 times their face value.
2) On September 11, 1992, the eye of category 4 Hurricane Iniki passed over the island of Kauai. Steven Spielberg, and more than 130 cast members of the Jurassic Park film, were there to witness it. Some of the shots in the movie are of the actual hurricane.
Public Domain/Wikipedia
3) In July of 1934, President Roosevelt visited Hawaii, making him the first United States president to set foot on Hawaiian soil.
Navy History of Hawaii/Blog
He is photographed in between General Douglas MacArthur, left, and Admiral Chester Nimitz, right.
4) On April 1, 1946 a massive tsunami hit the Big Island, near Hilo.
Public Domain/Wikipedia
Many ignored the tidal warnings, thinking that it was an April Fools Day Prank. The natural disaster killed 159 people, and caused $26 million in damages.
5) Hawaii and Alaska both have the same highest recorded temperature, of 100 degrees. This is the lowest recorded high temperature for the United States.
Screenshot/U.S. National Climatic Data Center
6) Sega, formerly known as Standard Games, was actually an American company started in Hawaii.
Joanna/Flickr
The company moved to Japan in 1951.
7) Remember the 1990s Pogs craze? Yeah, that was started in Hawaii when a 5th grade teacher showed her class the game she used to play as a little girl.
Niall Kennedy/Flickr
8) A Hawaii Pidgin translation of the Bible was published in 2000.
Screenshot/Amazon Listing
A Cornell University professor and 26 speakers worked on the translation for 12 years, and it was simply titled, “Da Jesus Book.”
9) Until 2014, Hawaii police could legally have sex with prostitutes in order to bust prostitution rings.
Magnus Brath/Flickr
The law was put in place in the 1970s to protect police officers from prosecution after undercover prostitution rings, but concerns that police may be abusing the exemption caused for an examination of the law, which was repealed in 2014.
10) Before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the captain of the USS Dobbin went missing in the mountains of Hawaii. Hundreds of sailors and military dogs went in search of Latimore, but he was never found.
Public Domain/Wikipedia
Admittedly, there is probably no conspiracy here, as the mountains in Hawaii can be quite dangerous, and it was likely a hunting accident.

11) Established in 1969, Taylor Camp was a hippie colony in Hawaii who took in anyone who wanted to escape the insanity of modern life. Residents lived in make-shift homes, and clothing was optional.

Do any of these occurrences surprise you? If you know of any other shocking things that have happened in Hawaii, share them with us in the comments below.