Images of Old Hawaiʻi

by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Kahuna to Christian

“Hewahewa knew the prophesy given by Kalaikuahulu a generation before. This prophesy said that a communication would be made from heaven (the residence of Ke Akua Maoli, the God of the Hawaiians) by the real God. This communication would be entirely different from anything they had known. The prophecy also said that the kapus of the country would be overthrown. … when the kapus were overthrown, Hewahewa knew a communication from God was imminent.” “In the days of Kamehameha I, Hewahewa was the highest priest in the land. … Hewahewa developed doubts about Hawaiʻi’s pagan system and the gods – Kane, Ku, Lono, and Kanaloa – who ruled over it.”

“He observed foreign traders who ignored or even scoffed at the sacred kapus yet suffered no ill. … Thus it was not strange that when Liholiho (Kamehameha II) asked Hewahewa’s advice about breaking the eating-kapu, the priest in a few words indicated that he would not oppose such a move.” Later, Hewahewa wrote a letter to Levi Chamberlain of the mission, stating, in part, “I walk in fear and awe of God for the wrongs of my heart, for he is the one who knows me. The love of the son of God is true indeed. It is of my own volition that I tell this to you. Regards to all the church members there.” (Hewahewa)

by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

‘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 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?

by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Kapiʻolani Breast Cancer

“Kapiʻolani was born at Hilo, Hawaii, in the year 1781. She came into the world at a time when Kamehameha was engaged in his struggle for the conquest of Hawaii. … Her father was Keawemauhili, one of the very highest chiefs known to the heralds. He was half-brother of Kalaniʻōpuʻu, king of the island of Hawaii.” “Kapiʻolani was one or the most distinguished of the female chiefs of the Islands.” “She was the wife of Naihe, a high chief on the island of Hawaii, who was an early convert, and became one of the most influential Christian chiefs, and one of the ablest counsellors of the missionaries.”

“The conversion of Kapiʻolani, and her elevation in character, is perhaps one of the most delightful instances of the results of missionary labour.” Kapiʻolani, for more than a year before her death, suffered from breast cancer. “During the course of the operation, Dr. Judd asked her if it pained. She replied, ‘It does pain, but I have fixed my mind on Christ, thinking of his pain on the Cross for me, and I am thereby enabled to endure.’” “The wound healed kindly”. Kapiʻolani died about 11 am on May 5, 1841.

by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

The Alii, the Missionaries and Hawaii

On October 23, 1819, the Pioneer Company of American Protestant missionaries from the northeast US, led by Hiram Bingham, set sail on the Thaddeus for the Sandwich Islands (now known as Hawai‘i.) Over the course of a little over 40-years (1820-1863 – the “Missionary Period”,) about 180-men and women in twelve Companies served in Hawaiʻi to carry out the mission of the ABCFM in the Hawaiian Islands.

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.