Images of Old Hawaiʻi

by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Mālama – Respect & Care for All

Mālama ke Akua – Ola no ka mea akua, make no; ka mea akua ʻole. (He who has a god, lives; he who has none, dies. (ʻŌlelo No’eau, 2492)); Mālama ka Honua – E mālama i ka ‘āina, a e mālama ho‘i ka ‘āina iā ‘oe (Care for the land, and the land, in turn, will care for you) (Maly)

Mālama ke Ali‘i – I aliʻi no aliʻi no nā kānaka (A chief is a chief because of the People); Mālama ke Kānaka – E mālama i ka mākua, ho’omakua auane’i i ka ha’i. (Take care of [your] parents lest [the day come when] you will be caring for someone else’s. (Mākua includes all relatives of the parents’ generation, including their siblings and cousins.) (ʻŌlelo Noʻeau 347)); Hoʻokahi ka ʻilau like ana. (Wield the paddles together; Work together.) (ʻŌlelo Noʻeau 1068)

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Timeline Tuesday … 1970s

Today’s ‘Timeline Tuesday’ takes us through the 1970s – first Waikiki Roughwater swim, first Merrie Monarch, Hokule‘a launched and English and Hawaiian are recognized as official State languages.. We look at what was happening in Hawai‘i during this time period and what else was happening around the rest of the world

by Peter T Young 1 Comment

Initial Homes for the Missionaries

“The Hawaiian mode of building habitations was, in a measure, ingenious, and when their work was carefully executed … A house thus thatched assumes the appearance of a long hay stack without, and a cage in a hay mow within. The area or ground within, is raised a little with earth, to prevent the influx of water, and spread with grass and mats, answering usually instead of floors, tables, chairs, sofas, and beds.”

When the Pioneer Company of American Protestant missionaries arrived in the islands (April, 1820,) through the kindness of some of the traders living in Honolulu three grass houses were offered to the five families. It is believed that these houses stood near the site of the McCandless building, at the corner of King and Bethel Streets. About 3-months after their arrival, Boki began building hale pili for the missionaries. There were three hale connected by a long covered lanai with a fourth hale used as a storage room, separated from the rest.

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United?

Over the centuries, the Islands weren’t under single rule. The suggestion is that to ‘unite’ is a positive, beneficial thing. Most say Kamehameha ‘united’ the Islands; however, it wasn’t very ‘positive’ during the process, for either conqueror or conquered. According to Kalākaua’s account, Kamehameha was barbarous, unforgiving and merciless to his enemies, but just, sagacious and considerate in dealing with his subjects. He was more feared and admired than loved and respected … and he accomplished what no one else could have done in his day. (Kalākaua)

Vancouver was appalled by the impoverished circumstances of the people and the barren and uncultivated appearance of their lands. “The deplorable condition to which they had been reduced by an eleven years war” and the advent of “the half famished trading vessels” convinced him that he should pursue his peace negotiations for “the general happiness, of the inhabitants of all the islands.” (Vancouver) “(T)he greatest loss of life according to early writers was not from the battles, but from the starvation of the vanquished and consequential sickness due to destruction of food sources and supplies – a recognized part of Hawaiian warfare.” (Bingham)

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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.