<P> Evidence of the first settlement of Honolulu by the original Polynesian migrants to the archipelago comes from oral histories and artifacts . These indicate that there was a settlement where Honolulu now stands in the 11th century . However, after Kamehameha I conquered Oʻahu in the Battle of Nu ʻuanu at Nu ʻuanu Pali, he moved his royal court from the Island of Hawai ʻi to Waikīkī in 1804 . His court relocated in 1809 to what is now downtown Honolulu . The capital was moved back to Kailua - Kona in 1812 . </P> <P> In 1794, Captain William Brown of Great Britain was the first foreigner to sail into what is now Honolulu Harbor . More foreign ships followed, making the port of Honolulu a focal point for merchant ships traveling between North America and Asia . </P> <P> In 1845, Kamehameha III moved the permanent capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom from Lahaina on Maui to Honolulu . He and the kings that followed him transformed Honolulu into a modern capital, erecting buildings such as St. Andrew's Cathedral, ʻIolani Palace, and Ali ʻiōlani Hale . At the same time, Honolulu became the center of commerce in the islands, with descendants of American missionaries establishing major businesses in downtown Honolulu . </P> <P> Despite the turbulent history of the late 19th century and early 20th century, such as the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy in 1893, Hawai ʻi's subsequent annexation by the United States in 1898, followed by a large fire in 1900, and the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, Honolulu remained the capital, largest city, and main airport and seaport of the Hawaiian Islands . </P>

When was honolulu chosen as hawaii's capital