Cultural Feature: King Kamehameha IV Voyages to Nihoa

King Kamehameha IV. Photo Credit: Hawaii State Archives

In 1857 King Kamehameha IV (Alexander Liholiho) voyaged to Nihoa aboard the Manuokawai and formally annexed (actually re-affirmed annexation of) Nihoa for the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi. He had a difficult time landing, and his landing craft was upset. After visiting, the King instructed Captain Paty to travel northwest on the Manuokawai to verify the existence of other lands. Paty traveled to Mokumanamana, Gardner, Laysan, Lisianski, and Pearl and Hermes. Laysan and Lisianski were declared new lands under the domain of the Kingdom.