Images of Old Hawaiʻi

by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

“Oh, father, dear father, do take me back!”

From 1820 to 1848, 12-Companies of missionaries, under the auspices of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions (ABCFM), arrived in the Islands. Missionaries were torn between preaching the gospel and teaching their kids.

From 1826 until 1842, young missionary parents began to make a decision seemingly at odds with the idealizing of the family so prevalent in the 19th century; they weighed the possibility of sending them back to New England. No fewer than 33 children were either taken back to the continent by their parents.

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Princess Ka‘iulani School

“As you drive through to Palama your eyes, accustomed to the barren land, or sordid stores that line the roughened way, turn with Involuntary pleasure toward a splendid residence that suddenly looms before your vision. It is set well back from the roadside. Its gates are wide open, as if inviting visitors; its beautiful lawns refresh one’s senses, and its trees and fernery call up many a pleasant memory of other trees and other ferneries in a far distant land. For this is the Ka‘iulani School!”

Princess Ka‘iulani, who was the heir apparent to the Hawaiian throne; Ka‘iulani’s mother passed away when she was just 11 years old, she was later sent to England to be educated. Ka‘iulani died unexpectedly on March 6, 1899 at the young age of 23. That same year, a new school was opened in Kalihi-Palama and was named Princess Victoria Ka’iulani Elementary School. A cutting of Ka‘iulani’s banyan was taken from her home, ‘Āinahau, and given to the school when it opened, April 25, 1899.

by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Maui No Ka Oi

West Maui was considered a ‘window to the world’ because this area has seen the comings and goings of rival chiefs, kings, missionaries, whalers, government officials, the military, sugar and pineapple plantation owners, early labor immigrants, celebrities and travelers for centuries. The stories of West Maui give a bigger perspective of the world, than we would otherwise have, and helps us to expand our view and broaden our understanding of the world.

Probably there is no portion of the Valley Isle, around which gathers so much historic value as West Maui. It was the former capital and favorite residence of kings and chiefs. By whatever means (vehicle, transit, bicycle or on foot,) exploring West Maui, and embracing the scenic beauty, natural features, historic sites, associated cultural traditions and recreational opportunities, will give the traveler a greater appreciation and understanding of Hawai‘i’s past and sense of place in the world.

by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Mak-oo-wi-he-na

The American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Mission (ABCFM) “decided to establish a school in this country to train the natives of non-European races to become missionaries to their own peoples.” A notable student there was ‘Ōpūkaha‘ia. Another student, referenced as Mak-oo-wi-he-na from Owhyee (the Island of Hawai‘i), was referred to as David Brainerd (named for the famous early missionary to the Native American Indians, David Brainerd).

“He has been studious, and diligent in duty, his deportment amiable, and his life such as becomes the followers of Christ. He felt much for his countrymen, and expressed desires that he might communicate the gospel to them. … But infinite Wisdom has not thus ordained. In the course of last Winter, he was arrested by disease which proved to be the consumption (tuberculosis).” Mak-oo-wi-he-na – David Brainard – died April 6, 1825.

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Liholiho and the Missionaries

The Pioneer Company of missionaries arrived “On the morning of the 4th of April, 163-day from Boston, we came to anchor, abreast of the village of Kailua … a great number of the natives-men, women and children, from the highest to the lowest rank, including the king and his mother, were amusing themselves in the water.” “(The Missionaries sought) permission to take such situations for a year, a very short probation for such an experiment. This the king granted, not only permitting us to reside and labor at different islands, but offering us such a shelter as the grassy huts of the country afforded”.

While the initial approval of allowing the missionaries to stay in the Islands was an extensive process, on March 18, 1823, Liholiho wrote to the American Mission stating, in part, “The ministers sailed here to do good things for us, we were overjoyed. And later on we may well be fully virtuous. We observe the sacred day of Almighty God in heaven, savior of us all.” “Greatly beloved are all of you for thinking of us, for sending them here. Thankfully you sent teachers or our lands would be completely ignorant. But no, you showed us compassion. Our lands have become enlightened.”