1. 1843: The Flag of Hawaii is Created

June 30, 1843, marks a significant day in Hawaiian history as the Flag of Hawaii (also known as Ka Hae Hawaiʻi) was created. The flag initially featured only eight stripes of white, red, and blue with a smaller version of the Union Jack (the flag of the United Kingdom) in the top left corner, as Hawaii was a British protectorate at the time.

2. 1961: Hawaii's First Television Station Begins Broadcasting

On June 30, 1961, Honolulu's first television station, KGMB, began broadcasting. The station aired a mix of local and syndicated programming and was the first in the state to broadcast color television. Today, KGMB's programming is carried on Hawaii News Now, a multimedia news organization.

3. 1971: Hawaiian Electric Company Announces Plans for Wind Energy

June 30, 1971, marked the announcement by the Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO) that it would begin developing wind energy as an alternative to fossil fuels. This move came as a response to the 1970 oil crisis, and HECO's efforts have led to the installation of over 500 wind turbines throughout Hawaii today.

4. 1997: Hawaiian Monk Seal Declared Critically Endangered

The Hawaiian monk seal, a species native to Hawaii, was declared critically endangered on June 30, 1997. The monk seal population has faced a significant decline due to factors such as hunting, habitat loss, and entanglement in fishing gear. Today, there are only around 1,400 monk seals left in the wild.

5. 2018: Kilauea Volcano Erupts

Perhaps the most notable event in recent Hawaiian history to occur on June 30, 2018, was the eruption of the Kilauea volcano on the Big Island. The eruption lasted for several months, spewing lava and ash across the island and causing widespread destruction. It was the largest volcanic eruption in Hawaii in over 200 years.