The image of Hawaii as a beautiful vacation destination obscures a long and complex history for the islands and their people. For thousands of years, the Hawaiian islands were one of the most remote places in the world. Then, in the late 18th century, the arrival of foreign explorers and settlers began to transform every aspect of life on the islands. Amid these monumental changes, native Hawaiians managed to maintain their history and identity, even as Western visitors strove to repress their culture.

In the six lectures of Great Heroes and Heroines of Hawaiian Heritage, you will meet some of the key figures of Hawaiian history from the 19th and 20th centuries, a tumultuous period in Hawaii’s transformation from a secluded group of independent islands to the 50th US state and a bustling tourist destination. With Leilani Basham of the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa as your guide, you’ll be introduced to the political leaders, scholars, activists, and artists who have been integral to Hawaii’s story and the preservation of Hawaiian culture.

From unification of the islands under the Kamehameha dynasty to American annexation to the Hawaiian Renaissance of the 1970s and beyond, you’ll trace the history of Hawaii through the larger-than-life heroes who helped shape it. As you explore how these men and women fought to unite, preserve, and protect their home and their heritage, you’ll get a fuller picture of Hawaiian history in all its intricate and fascinating dimensions.