Relations included one treaty, proposed marriage alliances and exchanges of trade and diplomatic representatives from the early 1800s to 1880.

According to oral traditions the second migration of Polynesians to the Hawaiian Islands came from a place to the south called Kahiki, which is often identified as Tahiti.

[2] Communication between the two regions ceased for more than 500 years before the arrival of Captain James Cook, who was already famous for exploring the Pacific islands, including Tahiti.

Before his kidnapping by Queen Kaʻahumanu in 1819, Kaumualiʻi had planned a voyage to Tahiti with Reverend Hiram Bingham I for the purpose of exploring the possibilities for trade and missionaries there.

[5] Using western weaponry, native rulers on both Hawaiʻi Island and Tahiti were able to consolidate their power and defeat rival chiefs.

[11] Hawaiʻi was able to escape colonialism by gaining the recognition of France, Great Britain, and the United States while Tahiti was not so fortunate.

In a certain newspaper, printed and circulated at Honolulu, called the Polynesian, there are made known to all men some false statements, spoken by Frenchmen and those who agree with them.

[14][15]Hawaiians, who were sympathetic to the Tahitian Queen, were horrified at the situation in Tahiti, knowing Hawaiʻi was as susceptible—if not more so—to European colonial aggression in the Pacific.

[17][18] Western pressure on Hawaiʻi continued with the 1843 Paulet Affair involving the British and the threat of annexation was ever present.

[17] [19] From the palace of Honolulu, Kamehameha III wrote back to her on February 4, 1845:[20] To Queen Pomare, Aliʻi of Tahiti Respectful greetings to you.

As soon as I received it I quickly ordered these documents to be published in the Polynesian, in accordance with your idea that the people of this land should hear of it.

At one time, however, I thought of fetching you, and of bringing you to live here in Hawaiʻi with us, but upon reflection I hesitate lest you soon become a refugee from your own country.

[20]The French Admiral De Tromelin invaded Honolulu in 1849, causing $100,000 in damage and took the king's yacht, Kamehameha III, which was sailed to Tahiti.

In 1849, Tahitian Princess Ninito Teraʻiapo accompanied by her cousins—all nieces of Queen Pōmare IV—arrived in Honolulu from Tahiti as guests of De Tromelin.

[21][4] She was betrothed to Prince Moses Kekūāiwa but arrived to news of his death and she married John Kapilikea Sumner.

[22][23] On November 24, 1853, Tahiti and Hawaiʻi signed a postal treaty that set postage rates in both kingdoms at 5¢ per 0.5 oz (14 grams).

In response, King Kalākaua also planned to visit Tahiti in late 1887 to renew Hawaiʻi's connection with the Tahitian royal family as part of his aim at forming a Polynesian confederation.