Hawaiian architecture is a distinctive style that uniquely blends indigenous traditions with imported Western influences, vividly narrating the islands' history from ancient times through kingdom, territorial, and statehood eras. Pre-European contact, ancient Hawaiians built various hale (traditional structures) using natural materials like rock, wood, and thatch, with specific designs and symbolic elements such as kahili and kiʻi conveying social status, occupation, and religious importance.
A significant shift occurred with the arrival of New England missionaries in the 19th century, who introduced frame houses that evolved into a distinctive "Hawaiian mission architecture." This adapted style moved beyond wood, ingeniously incorporating readily available local materials like hewn coral blocks from the reefs for construction. From the simple hale of commoners to the elaborate sacred heiau and palatial homes of the aliʻi (nobility), Hawaiian architecture profoundly reflects the diverse cultural fusions and societal evolution of the islands.