1. In 1903, the first wireless message was transmitted from Hawaii to the mainland United States, marking a major milestone in telecommunications history.

2. On December 17, 1941, just 10 days after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the U.S. military began the internment of Japanese Americans in Hawaii, many of whom were forced to leave behind their homes and businesses.

3. The 1964 Alaska earthquake, the most powerful earthquake ever recorded in North America, caused a tsunami that reached Hawaii on December 17, resulting in significant damage to homes and businesses along the coast.

4. On this day in 1970, the Polynesian Voyaging Society dispatched its first voyaging canoe, the Hōkūleʻa, on a historic journey from Hawaii to Tahiti using traditional Polynesian wayfinding techniques.

5. December 17 is also celebrated as the birthday of Queen Emma, a beloved figure in Hawaiian history who was known for her philanthropy and dedication to improving the lives of her people.