On Viewing Some Old Buildings in Honolulu

The pre-contact Hawaiian cleared the lowlands and established remarkable agricultural system based on taro and sweet potatoes. The fields were irrigated by complex and efficient systems for water distribution.

European contact brought horses, cattle, goats and sheep. These animals began to graze the landscape, primarily in the dry lowlands. Some of the traditional agriculture was replaced with grazing lands. The grazing was a major impact.

Trees were introduced to Hawai'i for many reasons. Some were for practical reasons, such as providing food. Other trees were brought to enhance the beauty of the city.

There were few permanent structures in Honolulu in 1818. Early maps record 135 thatched houses, the fort and few houses and docks.