1. In 1959, Hawaii was officially admitted as the 50th state of the United States on August 23rd. This landmark event marked the end of a long and storied history for Hawaii, which had been a sovereign kingdom for nearly 90 years before being annexed by the United States in 1898.

2. On August 23rd, 1992, Hurricane Iniki made landfall on the island of Kauai, causing widespread devastation and resulting in nearly $2 billion in damages. Iniki was one of the most powerful hurricanes to strike Hawaii in recent memory, with sustained winds of up to 145 mph.

3. August 23rd is also celebrated as King Kamehameha Day in Hawaii, in honor of the legendary Hawaiian monarch who united the islands under his rule in the late 18th century. Kamehameha is revered as a figure of great cultural and historical significance in Hawaii, and his legacy is celebrated with parades, festivals, and other public events throughout the state.

4. In 1868, the first Sugar Planters' Association was formed in Hawaii on August 23rd. The group, which included many of the wealthiest and most influential members of the island's business community, played a pivotal role in the development of Hawaii's sugar industry, which became a major economic driver for the state throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries.

5. Finally, August 23rd is also notable as the birthday of Duke Kahanamoku, one of Hawaii's most famous sons and a pioneering figure in the world of surfing. Kahanamoku is regarded as one of the greatest athletes of all time, having won multiple Olympic medals in swimming and introduced the sport of surfing to a global audience in the early 20th century.