| 1888 | First diffusion process plant for sugar it manufacture received, introduced by Col. Z. S. Spalding for Makee Sugar Co., Kauai. |
| | Walter Murray Gibson, ex-minister of Foreign Affairs under Kalakaua, died at San Francisco. January 21. |
| | Electric lighting of Honolulu streets established. March 23. |
| | Lighthouse at Barber's Point, Oahu, erected. |
| | Ground broken for street railway system (mule-drawn). |
| | Mrs. W. D. Alexander, of the 1832 missionary arrivals, died. June 29. |
| | Samuel C. Wilder, one of Honolulu's most prominent citizens, promoter of steamship line and other enterprises, flied, aged 82 years. July 28. |
| | Oahu Steam Railway franchise granted to B. F. Dillingham and associates, on Oahu. September 4. |
| | Opening of streetcar system by Hawaiian Tramway Co. December 28. |
| 1889 | Parcels post system with United States inaugurated. March 1. |
| | First turf for Oahu Railroad turned. |
| | Death of Father Damien, Catholic priest, at the Leper Settlement. Molokai, aged 49 years. April 15. |
| | Death of Mrs. Mary Dominis, mother-in-law of Princess Liliuokalani, aged 86 years, resident of Honolulu since 1837. |
| | April 24. Departure of Princess Kaiulani for England to finish her education. May 10. |
| | Track laying for Hawaiian tramway completed (12 miles). |
| | July 12. Insurrection of R. W. Wilcox and party of malcontents quickly subdued; six insurgents killed, twelve wounded, and remainder surrendered. July 30. |
| | First section of inter-island cable laid between Maui and Molokai August 12. |
| | First trial over Oahu Railroad, called "Dillingham's Folly." September 4. Opening of railroad to Aiea and Ewa. November 18. |
| 1890 | Cable laid between Oahu and Molokai, but its first message proved its last, owing to inferior quality of cable. April 2. |
| | Rev. Hiram Bingham II completes his translation of the entire Bible into Gilbert Island language. April 11. |
| | Reform party cabinet resigns on a tie "want of confidence" vote. June 13. |
| | First ostriches (three) introduced from California by Dr. C. Trousseau, followed a few months later by others from the British Colonies. June 27. |
| | Departure of King Kalakaua on the U. S. S. Charleston for San Francisco in search of health. November 25. |
| | H. H. H. Princess Liliuokalani appointed regent of the kingdom. November 25. |
| | Official census of the Islands taken under direction of Dr. C. T. Rodgers. December 28. |
| 1891 | Death of King Kalakaua in San Francisco, aged 54 years. January 20. |
| | Kalakaua's remains arrived at Honolulu on the Charleston. January 29. |
| | Liliuokalani proclaimed queen of the Hawaiian Islands. January 29. |
| | State funeral of King Kalakaua. February 15. |
| | Cabinet resigns at request of queen, and a new ministry of her "election appointed. February 25. |
| | Princess Kaiulani, niece of queen, proclaimed heir apparent. March 9. |
| | Cornerstone, Central Union Church, laid. June 3. |
| | Semi-centennial anniversary of founding of Oahu College celebrated. June 25. |
| | H. R. H. John Dominis, Prince Consort, died at Washington Place, Honolulu, aged 60 years. August 27. |
| | H. A. P. Carter, Hawaiian -Minister Resident at Washington, died, aged 56 year. November 1. |
| 1892 | Total loss, by fire, of American whaleship John P. West in Oahu Molokai channel. Crew, in boats, towed to port by passing vessel. January 5. |
| | Hawaiian Historical Society formed. January 11. |
| | Australian ballot system adopted. February 3. |
| | Opening of Honolulu harbor bar commenced. April 16. |
| | Lottery Bill introduced in legislature for a twenty-five years franchise. August 30. |
| | "Want of confidence" resolution against cabinet carried by a vote of 31 to 10. August 30. |
| | New cabinet appointed with C. E. Macfarlane as premier. September 12. |
| | New "Want of confidence" resolution failed by one vote. Protest entered, and question being referred to Supreme Court (Hawaii). President's ruling confirmed. September 15. |
| | Completion of deepening harbor bar to 30 feet, at an expenditure of $175,000. September 20. |
| | "Want of confidence" resolution carries on a vote of 31 to 15. October 17. |
| | Cornwell-Nawahi cabinet formed; rejected same day on vote 26 to 13. |
| | Wilcox-.Jones cabinet appointed. November 8. |
| | Dedication of Central Union Church. December 4. |
| | Cornerstone of Masonic Temple laid. December 27. |
| | Opium license bill passed the House by large majority. December 31. |
