Images of Old Hawaiʻi

by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Aliʻi Letters John Papa Ii to Amos Cooke April 10, 1843

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.

The letters, written between 1823 and 1887, are assembled from three different collections: the ABCFM Collection held by Harvard’s Houghton Library, the HEA Collection of the Hawaii Conference-United Church of Christ and the Hawaiian Mission Children’s Society.

These letters provide insight into what the Ali‘i (Chiefs) were doing and thinking at the time, as well as demonstrate the close working relationship and collaboration between the aliʻi and the missionaries.

In this letter, John Papa ʻĪʻī writes to Amos and Juliette Cooke at the Chief’s Children’s School in Honolulu, informing them about things in Lahaina, where he and Dr. Judd are traveling with students from the school.

John Papa ʻĪʻī began his service in the royal court when he served as an attendant to Liholiho, Kamehameha II. Īʻī later became a trusted advisor and chief in the court of Kauikeaouli, Kamehameha III and continued to serve the sovereigns of Hawaiʻi until his death in 1870. At the time of this letter, he is escorting the boys from the Chiefs’ Children’s School as they travel in Lahaina.

Mr. Amos Starr Cooke was a missionary with the eighth company. He and his wife, Juliette Montague Cooke, ran the Chiefs’ Children’s School. Sarai, the wife of John Papa ‘Ī‘ī at the time of this letter, assisted at the Chiefs’ Children’s School.

In part, the letter notes:

“Wainee, April 10, 1843”

“Greetings to you two, Mr. and Mrs. Cooke,”

“Because we are apart these days, unable to converse one mouth to another, it is necessary to clarify by letter the various aspects of our stay. Because of that, I am informing you about us and the boys of ours.”

“From the first day of our stay here until now, it has been as it is when we all stay together, either there or here. They do not resist, and they are not a burden; our stay here is pleasant.”

“The domicile is peaceful, staying here at the house and going to the ocean to swim last Saturday, horseback riding that evening, and going to church yesterday.”

“The boys went to English-language services twice, all of us in the morning and then just Dr. Judd and the four boys went again.”

“And that night we sailed to the ship, the four boys and the two of us. Dr. Judd took over Sunday School. We saw someone talking with Dr. Judd, possible help for all of us, however it was not clear. …”

“We miss you folks very much and pray to God on your behalf, to help you folks and us as well. Much affection to the two of you and the young girls”.

Here’s a link to the original letter, its transcription, translation and annotation (scroll down):
https://hmha.missionhouses.org/files/original/77b4e4f2532453409fd570f4b9a498c5.pdf

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.) They arrived in the Islands and anchored at Kailua-Kona on April 4, 1820.

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 American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions (ABCFM) in the Hawaiian Islands.

One of the earliest efforts of the missionaries, who arrived in 1820, was the identification and selection of important communities (generally near ports and aliʻi residences) as “stations” for the regional church and school centers across the Hawaiian Islands.

Hawaiian Mission Houses’ Strategic Plan themes note that the collaboration between Native Hawaiians and American Protestant missionaries resulted in the
• The introduction of Christianity;
• The development of a written Hawaiian language and establishment of schools that resulted in widespread literacy;
• The promulgation of the concept of constitutional government;
• The combination of Hawaiian with Western medicine, and
• The evolution of a new and distinctive musical tradition (with harmony and choral singing).

Follow Peter T Young on Facebook 

Follow Peter T Young on Google+ 

Follow Peter T Young on LinkedIn  

Follow Peter T Young on Blogger

© 2018 Hoʻokuleana LLC

Ii to Cooke April 10, 1843-1
Ii to Cooke April 10, 1843-1
Ii to Cooke April 10, 1843-2
Ii to Cooke April 10, 1843-2

by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Aliʻi Letters John Papa Ii to Amos Cooke April 6, 1843

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.

The letters, written between 1823 and 1887, are assembled from three different collections: the ABCFM Collection held by Harvard’s Houghton Library, the HEA Collection of the Hawaii Conference-United Church of Christ and the Hawaiian Mission Children’s Society.

These letters provide insight into what the Ali‘i (Chiefs) were doing and thinking at the time, as well as demonstrate the close working relationship and collaboration between the aliʻi and the missionaries.

In this letter, John Papa ‘Ī‘ī writes to Mr. and Mrs. Amos Cooke to inform them of their arrival in Lahaina with the boys from the Chiefs’ Children’s School and tells of their activities there.

John Papa ʻĪʻī began his service in the royal court when he served as an attendant to Liholiho, Kamehameha II. Īʻī later became a trusted advisor and chief in the court of Kauikeaouli, Kamehameha III and continued to serve the sovereigns of Hawaiʻi until his death in 1870. At the time of this letter, he is escorting the boys from the Chiefs’ Children’s School as they travel in Lahaina.

Mr. Amos Starr Cooke was a missionary with the eighth company. He and his wife, Juliette Montague Cooke, ran the Chiefs’ Children’s School. Sarai, the wife of John Papa ‘Ī‘ī at the time of this letter, assisted at the Chiefs’ Children’s School.

In part, the letter notes:

“Luaehu, April 6, 1843”

“Greetings to the two of you, Mr. and Mrs. Cooke, and to the girls and Sarai,”

“We landed here in Lahaina yesterday, Wednesday, at four in the afternoon. Because of the fair winds, the boys did not suffer; Lota was the only boy weak from vomiting, and recovery was quick upon reaching the shore.”

“The men’s strong paddling was one of the reasons for arriving quickly. From morning time on they paddled that day until we neared our anchorage. All the canoes were already at hand and took all of us, the boys, Dr. Judd and Kekūanāoʻa.”

“We saw Auhea and Kuakini, who both give their greetings to the two of you and all the girls. The king has not reached during these days; he is in Wailuku and may or may not arrive tomorrow. This Sabbath day is up to me, and the work begins.”

“We slept here in Luaehu last night along with Dr. Judd, and he and I talked with Auhea about how we should go inland, and for Judd to stay with her; and that seems to be what was decided. Auhea and I went up there this morning to put things in order and the boys came up too.”

“By 10 am, all of us, the boys and Dr. Judd, mounted horses, and we rode to Lahainaluna for the presentation. We returned in the evening before dinner. “

“Dr. Judd went to Mr. Baldwin’s place for the foreigner’s meeting to abolish liquor. At nine, he returned. At that meeting, there were twenty foreigners as well as the officer of the ship. They are liquor abolitionists. …”

“Many whaling ships are anchored here these days. There are perhaps thirty ships anchored, and the rest are coming, according to what we saw of the ships between yesterday and today.”

Here’s a link to the original letter, its transcription, translation and annotation (scroll down):
https://hmha.missionhouses.org/files/original/9c5073d1f4378c8887d761505e16a8d7.pdf

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.) They arrived in the Islands and anchored at Kailua-Kona on April 4, 1820.

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 American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions (ABCFM) in the Hawaiian Islands.

One of the earliest efforts of the missionaries, who arrived in 1820, was the identification and selection of important communities (generally near ports and aliʻi residences) as “stations” for the regional church and school centers across the Hawaiian Islands.

Hawaiian Mission Houses’ Strategic Plan themes note that the collaboration between Native Hawaiians and American Protestant missionaries resulted in the
• The introduction of Christianity;
• The development of a written Hawaiian language and establishment of schools that resulted in widespread literacy;
• The promulgation of the concept of constitutional government;
• The combination of Hawaiian with Western medicine, and
• The evolution of a new and distinctive musical tradition (with harmony and choral singing).

Follow Peter T Young on Facebook 

Follow Peter T Young on Google+ 

Follow Peter T Young on LinkedIn  

Follow Peter T Young on Blogger

© 2018 Hoʻokuleana LLC

John Papa Ii to Amos Cooke April 6, 1843-1
John Papa Ii to Amos Cooke April 6, 1843-1
John Papa Ii to Amos Cooke April 6, 1843-2
John Papa Ii to Amos Cooke April 6, 1843-2
John Papa Ii to Amos Cooke April 6, 1843-3
John Papa Ii to Amos Cooke April 6, 1843-3
John Papa Ii to Amos Cooke April 6, 1843-cover
John Papa Ii to Amos Cooke April 6, 1843-cover

by Peter T Young 1 Comment

“It Was Not Done By The Missionaries”

John Papa ʻĪʻī began his service in the royal court when he served as an attendant to Liholiho (Kamehameha II.) Īʻī later became a trusted advisor and chief in the court of Kauikeaouli (Kamehameha III) and continued to serve the sovereigns of Hawaiʻi until his death in 1870.

On February 26, 1829, he wrote an account of events of that day dealing with drunken foreigners who wanted to tear down the missionary house because “they guessed that the missionaries had made the sanction” forbidding prostitution.

‘Ī‘ī notes in his letter, “but that was not so; the chiefs had laid the sanction for they knew that the word of God was right saying not to commit adultery, not to commit prostitution and that is why they forbade it. It was not done by the missionaries.”

The letter is part of the Ali‘i Collection at the Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site and Archives. The collection is part of a translation project spearheaded by Puakea Nogelmeier and Awaiaulu. Here is the full translated text of ‘Ī‘I’s account:

“Here are the actions of the house wreckers that we saw carrying out destruction.”

“On Sunday, the 26th of February in late afternoon, about four o’clock, they arrived at the yard of Kalaimoku’s house. We saw them running this way, drunk on rum, and they entered the stone house of Kalaimoku and climbed atop that stone house with clubs in their hands.”

“I entered after them and we looked from below at them doing damage above the door of that building and the glass panes of three windows were smashed by them as well as that of the main door, a fourth, which they scattered down in pieces.”

“Many people came at that time for evening prayers, for they intended to hear the word of God, but before we prayed those troublemakers arrived so a great number of people sat quietly and calmly watched their mischief. My thought to Boki was that we should hold them without beating them, because these scoundrels had no right, and that is what I said to Boki.”

“Because of that statement that I made to him, he ordered all the people sitting there to not make trouble to them, that it was fine as it was. Kahalaia was there, another chief, and the people everywhere in Honolulu heard so they came thinking that it was just a battle, for it had been heard that they were coming to tear down the house of the missionaries and to beat them. “

“Women were the offense, for they guessed that the missionaries had made the sanction, but that was not so; the chiefs had laid the sanction for they knew that the word of God was right saying not to commit adultery, not to commit prostitution and that is why they forbade it. It was not done by the missionaries.”

“When their destruction ended, they all came down from that house and stood with the people, saying to us, ‘There is no goodness about the missionaries, they are deceitful people. It is not that way in Britain and America. The missionaries are liars.’ And that is how they spoke to us.”

“Their statements having ended, it had reached five o’clock and they all left that place, going off to destroy Bingham’s house. He followed after them on a different path, coming from among the people, but none of the people followed along behind him. The place was filled with people sitting quietly.”

“His wife, (Mrs) Bingham had seen the rogue foreigners with sticks in their hands headed there so she closed the door and locked it. They quickly reached the door of the house, it being the second house they attacked, and wreaked damage there. They shattered the glass panes of the windows which scattered down.”

“They saw Bingham going there from where we were. So they gathered together to beat him with the wood from the door of his house, but he was caught by a foreigner from the whaling fleet who had come with the scoundrel foreigners, and he was saved by that foreigner.”

“So he quickly came back with that foreigner who had saved him and we followed after to take care of him. He came and stood with us and with a chiefess, Lidia Piia, she being a student of his, and she stood in front of him. I was there as well.”

“The foreign scoundrels followed him all the way with no fear of our great numbers, and then stood with us, some with clubs, others with jack knives, with evil statements coming from their mouths, and Bingham was talking with one of the foreigners.”

“Then one of those foreign scoundrels suddenly struck at him with a stick, hitting his umbrella. The blow on that umbrella was fended off by Lidia and then I grabbed the stick from the hand of that foreigner.”

“I seized it, and because of that the foreigners were afraid and they fled. The people talked of seizing them all, for finally we should make trouble to them for their prior mischief to our chiefs for no reason, and that is the same way that they attacked the teachers, who had made no transgression. Because of that, they were all seized and held.”

“Ka‘ahumanu saw us and that the foreigners had all been seized by us, so she called down to us from up on the house, ‘Do not beat the foreigners; you should take care of them.’ The people heeded her words and sat quietly.”

“That is my message. I am reporting to all of you in that land of America so that you know the wrongdoings of some of your people here, those foreigners.”

The following shows a short discussion by Marie Alohalani Brown on John Papa ‘Ī‘ī’s letter and other information related to this 1826 event.

The following shows a short discussion by John Laimana on a related letter written by Kalanimoku that addresses this 1826 incident, as well as the  role of decision-making by the ali’i related to situations like this (the ali’i made the decisions, not the missionaries).

The following shows a portrayal of John Papa ‘Ī‘ī (by William Hao;) it’s part of the Mission Houses Cemetery Pupu Theater; describing Hawai‘i of his time (not the events of February 26, 1829).

Follow Peter T Young on Facebook 

Follow Peter T Young on Google+ 

Follow Peter T Young on LinkedIn  

Follow Peter T Young on Blogger

© 2017 Hoʻokuleana LLC

John_Papa_Ii_(Bishop_Museum)-WC
John_Papa_Ii_(Bishop_Museum)-WC
John Papa Ii recount of actions of drunk foreigners-blaming the missionaries for the prostitution ban-1
John Papa Ii recount of actions of drunk foreigners-blaming the missionaries for the prostitution ban-1
John Papa Ii recount of actions of drunk foreigners-blaming the missionaries for the prostitution ban-2
John Papa Ii recount of actions of drunk foreigners-blaming the missionaries for the prostitution ban-2
John Papa Ii recount of actions of drunk foreigners-blaming the missionaries for the prostitution ban-3
John Papa Ii recount of actions of drunk foreigners-blaming the missionaries for the prostitution ban-3
John Papa Ii recount of actions of drunk foreigners-blaming the missionaries for the prostitution ban-4
John Papa Ii recount of actions of drunk foreigners-blaming the missionaries for the prostitution ban-4
John_Papa_Ii_WC
John_Papa_Ii_WC

by Peter T Young 3 Comments

Was Christianity Forced or Sought?

To help answer the question posed in the title, we look at portions of letters written during the first decade of the arrival of the missionaries by various chiefs/chiefesses that were in power at that time. The Ali‘i banned the kapu in 1819; shortly thereafter the missionaries arrived (1820.)

“March 30th, 1820. – Memorable day – a day which brings us in full view of that dark pagan land so long the object of our most interested thoughts.… ‘land appears.’”

“When the watch at four was called, Honoree (Honoli‘i) came down saying, ‘Owhyhee sight!’ … A fair wind carried us by different parts of the island near enough to discern its verdure …. “

“Capt. B(lanchard) – thought it advisable to send ashore to inquire into the state of things, and where he might find the king. … Our hearts beat high, and each countenance spoke the deep interest felt as we crowded around our messengers at their return.”

“Tamaahmaah is dead! The government is settled in the hands of his son Keehoreeho-Krimokoo (Liholiho) is principal chief – the taboo system is no more – men and women eat together! the idol gods are burned!!” (Sybil Bingham Journal, March 30, 1820 – the day the Pioneer Company of missionaries arrived at Hawaiʻi.)

“April 4th. This morning, ten o’clock, having been 163 days on the bosom of the great deep, we anchored in the bay of Korooah (Kailua-Kona,) near the residence of Keehoreeho (Liholiho) the king.”

“My dear husband, with brother Thurston and Thomas, has gone on shore as heralds of the Prince of Peace and King of Kings, to have an interview, and transact business for their Master … How important the moment! …” (Sybil Bingham Journal, April 4, 1820 – the day the Pioneer Company of missionaries first landed at Kailua-Kona.)

Later, in a March 18, 1823 letter to the mission’s mainland headquarters, Liholiho acknowledged that his timing of breaking the centuries-old kapu just before the missionaries’ arrival was fortunate; he notes, “We had wooden deities before, during my father’s time.”

“In my time (1819,) I have abandoned wooden deities. It turns out my abandoning of them beforehand was appropriate, for Mr Bingham, Mr Thurston and all the teachers were arriving.”

In that same letter, Liholiho states, “We really desire the good teachings of Jesus Christ. What he has taught all of us is excellent indeed and we have finally become learned. We were shown compassion by Jehovah, who sent Mr. Bingham and Mr. Thurston and all the teachers. And they dwelled with us here and our lands have become enlightened.”

“It is through our father that I may greet all of you. Jesus Christ was good in speaking to you, saying to you all, ‘Go and teach throughout the islands, and preach the good word of salvation.’” (Liholiho to ABCFM, March 18, 1823; Ali‘i Letters Collection, Mission Houses)

Shortly after (November 8, 1823,) Kealiʻiahonui, an adopted son of Kaumualiʻi, the last king of Kauai, sent a letter to Jeremiah Evarts, an early leader of the American Board of Commissioners of Foreign Missions (ABCFM.)

“Here is my word to you. I appreciate you for your generosity towards us in sending teachers of the word of Jesus Christ, being what will enlighten us here. They are very good at educating us in the virtuous ways that allow us to reach heaven, the finest place.”

“Not all people here on Oahu are learning the good word of salvation. Eventually the right time may come when all people of these unenlightened lands will learn the word of Jesus Christ.” (Kealiʻiahonui to Evarts, November 8, 1823; Ali‘i Letters Collection, Mission Houses)

A few years later, when Kamehameha III began his rule, Kalanimōku wrote a letter to Evarts. Kalanimōku states, “Love to you for sending over the missionaries and the word of God to us so that we know the good word of God. We observe the good word of God and we want the good word of God, Jehovah, our great lord in heaven. It is he who fashioned us well.”

“We all want the word of God and all the chiefs desire the good word of God. We have seen the righteous word at this time. We are repenting for our past faults. … That previous, ancient heart is ended, along with that former king of ours. … We regard the good word of our great God.” (Kalanimōku to Evarts, April 10, 1826; Ali‘i Letters Collection, Mission Houses)

Kalanimōku was a trusted advisor of Kamehameha I. During the travels of Liholiho and Kamāmalu to Great Britain, he co-ruled with Kaʻahumanu, maintaining a leadership role during the first reigning years of the new king, Liholiho’s younger brother, Kauikeaouli.

Nāmāhāna Piʻia, a high ranking chiefess, was a wife of Kamehameha I and daughter of Keʻeaumoku; she was also Kaʻahumanu’s sister. Nāmāhāna was an early convert to Christianity and wife of Gideon Laʻanui, another early supporter of the missionizing effort.

Her March 12, 1828 to Evarts states, “I am informing you that the holy word of Christ, his laws and all his good practices are being taught. We have obtained some small portions, but have gained no more. The desire of my heart moves day and night to ask him that my spirit attain eternal life in heaven.”

“My wishes, my affection, my heart, and my intention, I have bundled them securely and submitted them to him; his words and his laws are what I follow in my heart …”

“… that my house be populated with his powerful spirit, his eternal love, his true goodness and his patience that all of us from where the sun rises to where it sets be saved by him.” (Nāmāhāna to Evarts, March 12, 1828; Ali‘i Letters Collection, Mission Houses)

John Papa ʻĪʻī began his service in the royal court when he served as an attendant to Liholiho, Kamehameha II. ʻĪʻī later became a trusted advisor and chief in the court of Kauikeaouli (Kamehameha III) and continued to serve the sovereigns of Hawaiʻi until his death in 1870.

On April 14, 1828, ‘Ī‘ī wrote to Bingham, wherein he states, “Here is (a) message to the two of you, Ka‘awaloa is good, there is decorum, wisdom, strength, and proper care, but it is only the two chiefs, their retainers and some other people. On the Sabbath, however, many people are there on that day.”

“I give my salutations to you two there, and to Mr. Chamberlain, Mr. Goodrich and the printers. Beloved is our work. I proceed, thoughtful of our efforts. Do extend my regards to the visitors.”

“God has protected them with grace and God has watched over all of you along with us here in this land of darkness. Deep regards for you folks who see all those who come there. We all love Jesus Christ, our Lord of salvation.” (‘Ī‘ī to Bingham, April 14, 1828; Ali‘i Letters Collection, Mission Houses)

Hewahewa was a kahuna (priest) of Kamehameha I who participated in the overturning of the kapu system under Liholiho, Kamehameha II. On July 27 1830, he wrote a letter to Levi Chamberlain, the superintendent of secular affairs for the mission and a missionary teacher. At the time of this letter, Hewahewa had converted to Christianity and was living in Lahaina, Maui.

“Greetings to you, Mr. Chamberlain, and Mrs. Chamberlain, This is my short message to you. I again testify to you about the grace God bestows upon me as I go on.”

“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 to Chamberlain, July 27, 1830; Ali‘i Letters Collection, Mission Houses)

Here’s a link to these and other letters from Ali‘i, written in their hand. With the Hawaiian letters are transcription and translation – this are part of the Ali‘i Letters Collection at Mission Houses:
http://hmha.missionhouses.org/collections/show/178

Related to that, here is an audio of Puakea Nogelmeier’s presentation at Mission Houses related to the translation project he worked on associated with letters from the ali‘i to missionaries. In it he noted many believe the missionaries “just kind of came in and took over. They got off the boat and said ‘stop dancing,’ ‘put on clothes,’ don’t sleep around.’” … “And it’s so not the case ….”

The preview image shows the closing of the letter from Liholiho to the ABCFM on March 23, 1823. It says, “Deep regards to all of you. May we have salvation through Jehovah and Jesus Christ our Lord. Tamehameha King of Hawaiʻi”

Follow Peter T Young on Facebook 

Follow Peter T Young on Google+ 

Follow Peter T Young on LinkedIn  

Follow Peter T Young on Blogger

© 2016 Hoʻokuleana LLC

Liholiho to ABCFM, March 18, 1823-1
Liholiho to ABCFM, March 18, 1823-1
Liholiho to ABCFM, March 18, 1823-2
Liholiho to ABCFM, March 18, 1823-2
Kalanimoku to Jeremiah Evarts (ABCFM)-March 16, 1825-1
Kalanimoku to Jeremiah Evarts (ABCFM)-March 16, 1825-1
Kalanimoku to Jeremiah Evarts (ABCFM)-March 16, 1825-2
Kalanimoku to Jeremiah Evarts (ABCFM)-March 16, 1825-2
Kalanimoku to Jeremiah Evarts (ABCFM)-March 16, 1825-3
Kalanimoku to Jeremiah Evarts (ABCFM)-March 16, 1825-3
Namahana to Jeremiah Evarts (ABCFM)-March 12, 1828-1
Namahana to Jeremiah Evarts (ABCFM)-March 12, 1828-1
Namahana to Jeremiah Evarts (ABCFM)-March 12, 1828-2
Namahana to Jeremiah Evarts (ABCFM)-March 12, 1828-2
John Ii to Hiram Bingham, April 16, 1828
John Ii to Hiram Bingham, April 16, 1828
Kealiiahonui to Jeremiah Evarts, November 8, 1823
Kealiiahonui to Jeremiah Evarts, November 8, 1823
Hewahewa to Levi CHamberlain, July 27, 1830
Hewahewa to Levi CHamberlain, July 27, 1830

by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

John Papa ʻĪʻī

John Papa ʻĪʻī, one of the leading citizens of the Hawaiian kingdom during the nineteenth century, was born at Waipi‘o, Oahu, on August 3, 1800.

 At the age of ten John was brought to Honolulu and became an attendant of Kamehameha I and later became a companion and personal attendant to Liholiho (later King Kamehameha II.)

Upon the arrival of the missionaries in Hawai‘i in 1820, John ʻĪʻī was among the first Hawaiians to study reading and writing with the missionaries, studying under the Reverend Hiram Bingham.

As time passed, John ʻĪʻī divided his time between the ruling Kamehamehas and the missionaries, particularly Reverend Bingham.  John soon became an assistant to Bingham and a teacher at the latter’s school.

Ultimately, John ʻĪʻī served Kamehameha I, II, III and IV.  He also was selected to be kahu of the students (effectively a vice principal) at the Chiefs’ Children’s School in 1840 (effectively serving the next generations of the Kamehameha dynasty.)

By 1841, John ʻĪʻī was general superintendent of O‘ahu schools and was an influential member of the court of Kamehameha III.

In 1842, he was appointed by the king to be a member of the new Treasury Board.  This Board was empowered to set up a system of regular and systematic account keeping.

In 1845, as a member of the Privy Council, he was appointed with four other men to the Board of Land Commissioners.

In 1852, as a member of the House of Nobles, he was selected to represent that body in drafting the Constitution of 1852.

John ʻĪʻī’s service in the House of Nobles was from 1841 to 1854 and from 1858 to 1868.  He served as a member of the House of Representatives during the session of 1855.

He lived in an old fashioned cottage where the Judiciary building now stands.  His home was named “Mililani,” which means exalted or lifted heavenward.

In addition to his duties in the two legislative houses of the kingdom and his service on various governmental commissions, John ʻĪʻī served as a Superior Court judge, as well as on the Supreme Court.

His lifetime spanned many years of the Kamehameha Dynasty, beginning with the autocratic rule of Kamehameha I, extending through the transition period of rule by king and chiefs and continuing into the rule by constitutional monarchy.

He was raised under the kapu system and his life ended with him in service of the Christian ministry.

Mary A. Richards in her “Chiefs’ Childrens’ School” says, “Through the perspective of a century, John ʻĪʻī stands as one of the most remarkable Hawaiians of his time.”

The Reverend Richard Armstrong had this to say about him, “John ʻĪʻī, a man of high intelligence, sterling integrity and great moral worth.”

At nearly seventy years of age, after a life devoted to the furtherance and development of Christianity in Hawai‘i and the development of a democratic form of government, John ʻĪʻī died in May 1870.

ʻĪʻī received training at Lahainaluna Seminary, where the Rev. Sheldon Dibble and others encouraged Native Hawaiians to record their history.

With rare insight into the workings of the monarchy as well as the common people, ʻĪʻī  did just that, contributing regularly to the Hawaiian language publication Ka Nupepa Ku‘oko‘a from 1866 until his death in 1870.

The articles – first-hand accounts of life under the Kamehameha dynasty and detailed descriptions and observations on cultural practices, events, social interactions and other topics – were collected and translated by Mary Kawena Pukui and Dorothy Barre in the 1959 publication “Fragments of Hawaiian History,” a standard resource for historians and students.  (I have a copy and often refer to this book for information.)

Here’s a link to a YouTube video of a Mission Houses Oʻahu Cemetery Theatre portrayal of John Papa I’i (1800-1870) (portrayed by William Hao:)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNZsUodDtYU

© 2012 Hoʻokuleana LLC