Images of Old Hawaiʻi

by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Maui Jinsha Shrine

Shintoism is not Buddhism; but, the two religions are compatible. While Shintoism involves the prehistorical deities of Japan, Buddhism worships the Buddhist gods imported from India, as well as the departed spirits of the family. The name Shinto is translated to mean ‘The Way of the Gods;’ it embraces natural and ancestor worship. It teaches the innate goodness of the human heart.

There were once six Shinto shrines on Maui, located at Wailuku, Pa‘ia, Ma‘alaea and Kahului. The Maui Jinsha Shinto Shrine is the only remaining original Shinto shrine on Maui, and one of very few left in the entire state. It was established in 1914 by Masaho Matsumura in commemoration of the Emperor Yoshihito (the Taisho Emperor). Up until this point, there were no shrines dedicated to the emperor of Japan in Hawaii. In 1951, they moved the shrine to Wailuku.

by Peter T Young 2 Comments

New Musical Tradition

The Pioneer Company of missionaries (April, 1820) introduced new musical traditions to Hawai‘i – the Western choral tradition, hymns, gospel music, and Western composition traditions. It was one of strophic hymns and psalm tunes from the late-18th century in America. Later on, with the arrival of new missionaries, another hymn tradition was introduced was the gospel tune with verse-chorus alternation. The missionaries also introduced new instrumentation with their songs.

The first hymnal in the Hawaiian language was ‘Nā Hīmeni Hawaii; He Me Ori Ia Iehova, Ka Akua Mau,’ published in 1823. On June 8, 1820, Rev. Hiram Bingham set up the first singing school at Kawaiaha‘o Church. Next time you and others automatically stand, hold hands and sing this song together, you can thank an American Protestant missionary, Lorenzo Lyons, for writing Hawai‘i Aloha – and his expression of love for his home.

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‘History Presents No Parallel’

“History repeats itself” … however, here, “history presents no parallel.” “(D)estruction of Idolatry and the abolition of the Tabu system … is one of the most remarkable events not only in the history of the Hawaiian but of the world. It is without a parallel, either in ancient or modern times.”

“It was altogether an unheard of event in the history of idolatrous nation, for any one to cast aside its Idols, unless others were adopted in their place, or their idols were cast aside for the people to embrace Christianity.” “Hawaiians cast aside theirs, and did not take others in their place, nor were influenced thereto by the messengers of gospel truth, for as yet the missionaries had not landed on these shores, and it was not known that they were on voyage hither.” (Rev Damon)

by Peter T Young 3 Comments

Ali‘i Letters – Ka‘ahumanu to Kamāmalu (1822)

Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site and Archives (Mission Houses) collaborated with Awaiaulu Foundation to digitize, transcribe, translate and annotate over 200-letters written by 33-Chiefs. In this letter, sent in late-July 1822, Kaʻahumanu writes to Kamehamalu (Kamāmalu – primary wife of Liholiho, Kamehameha II) to introduce Kaumualiʻi as her new husband, encourage more letter writing and send a gift of goby fish.

In part, it notes, “there you are among the longnecks (referring to the missionary women and their dresses), so send letters here. There are many people, but few letters. I want [you] to send eight hundred Hawaiian letters. We want literacy, it may make us wise. Give our affection to Mr. and Mrs. Bingham and all the longnecks.”

by Peter T Young 6 Comments

It’s Not About Race

Since ‘contact,’ Hawaiians (especially Hawaiian Aliʻi and Chiefs) had partnered and collaborated with the white foreigners. Kamehameha was successful because of his collaboration with the white foreigners. Over the years, the growing partnership and collaboration between native Hawaiians and the American Protestant missionaries resulted in the introduction of Christianity, a written Hawaiian language, literacy, constitutional government, Western medicine and an evolving music tradition. Our forefathers of different races got along fine; I am not sure what the benefit (or goal) is with repeated racial focus and racial rants, today. The Hawaiian nation was overthrown … not the Hawaiian race (it was a constitutional monarchy, not race-limited.)

By international practice and laws, as well as the specific laws and practice of the Hawaiian Kingdom, Hawaiian citizenship in the constitutional monarchy included people of other races (not just native Hawaiians.) Their descendants carry the same right to citizenship as the native Hawaiians. Yet, to date, apparently, the only people permitted to exercise their rights related to discussions on restoration, reparation, sovereignty, independence, etc related to the Hawaiian nation have been those of one race, the native Hawaiians. All Hawaiian citizens lost their nation in 1893 … Hawaiian citizens with their varying ethnicities, not just those who descend from those who lived in the Islands prior to 1778. Why aren’t all Hawaiian citizens included in the recognition and sovereignty discussions and decisions today? And, why don’t people stop the racial focus, name-calling and racial rants (and other inappropriate distractions), and start working together?