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June 9, 2018 by Peter T Young 2 Comments

Together Forever

“In her Boston-style, two-story house by the sea, Kaahumanu lay in her large bed, daily growing weaker. Realizing that the end was near, she asked to be taken to Pukaomaomao, her mountain home far up in Manoa Valley.”

“While eager to grant her every wish, Dr. Judd doubted the wisdom of moving her from bed in her feeble condition. Then her devoted Hawaiian retainers offered to carry the bed, with her in it, over the long trail up the Valley. Dr. Judd consented.”

“Forthwith the attendants set about to make the journey as comfortable as possible. Over her bed they built a canopy of woven palm fronds to shield her from the direct rays of the sun. For sake of the woodland goddess Laka, they trimmed the canopy with bright hibiscus flowers and over the sides hung garlands of fragrant maile and golden ilima.”

“Carefully, and ever so tenderly, the bearers lifted the heavy bed with its heavy occupant upon their broad shoulders and carried their beloved queen forth into her Valley of Rainbows. Slowly the procession moved up the Valley.”

“Kaahumanu grew weaker. Mr. Bingham said that her knowledge of approaching death left her without perturbation. The Hawaiians in attendance felt that she had lost the will to live.”

“Members of the alii surrounded the couch; Mr. Bingham knelt by the side. ‘Perceiving herself to be dying she called to me; and as I took her cold hand in mine she inquired, ‘Is it Bingham?’ I replied, ‘It is I.’ She then turned her languid and friendly eyes upon me and said, ‘I am going now … where the mansions are ready.’’”

“Closing her eyes Kaahumanu appeared to sleep. Throughout the night the sorrowing group held vigil around the death-couch. And just before dawn of June 5 (1832), the great soul of Kaahumanu departed.”

“With realization that she was gone came a burst of bitter wailing from the Hawaiians inside the room. … The wailing increased in volume and intensity until Mr. Bingham and Kuakini appeared in the doorway of the house and signaled for silence. ‘The almost immediate stillness that prevailed seemed magical and mysterious,’ wrote Mrs. Judd.”

“The funeral service was read by Mr. Bingham. Then to ‘the slow and solemn tolling of the bell’ the body was carried to the mausoleum which held the caskets of King Liholiho and his consort Kamamalu.”

“In silence they watched the foreign casket placed in a foreign tomb. And even in the company of Liholiho and Kamamalu it seemed to them that Kaahumanu was still alone.”

“For in a secret cavern, somewhere on the Kona coast, wrapped in tapa, and lying in a basket woven of wild mountain vines, reposed the bones of the Lonely Warrior, Kamehameha the Great, the true love of Kaahumanu, the Magnificent Matriarch.”

“It was nearing midnight. The kukui torches before the royal mausoleum in the palace grounds had burned out. Gone was the last mourner of the thousands who, during the past two weeks, had sobbed their aloha ino at the sepulcher of their alii. Only the royal guard of honor remained. Over the silent village of Honolulu brooded the moonless night.”

“Stealthily, out of the darkness appeared a group of eight men led by Governor Kuakini. Six of the men carried sandfilled bags; the seventh, a large surf-board; the eighth, a fresh banana stalk. They moved silently into the tomb.”

“Exactly at the sacred hour of midnight Governor Kuakini reappeared in the doorway. Pausing a moment, he started walking toward the beach. Close behind him came the eight men. Upon their powerful shoulders they bore the surfboard upon which lay a large tapa-covered bundle.”

“Silently, and with carefully broken step, they made their cautious way to a secluded beach area near Kewalo, eastward of
Honolulu harbor.”

“There, gathered in silence, waited a small group of old Hawaiians, men and women. In the gentle surf lay a double canoe steadied by the crew standing waist-deep. Dimly visible offshore beyond the reef was the ship in which Kuakini had come to Honolulu from the island of Hawaii.”

“To the water’s edge and onto the deck between the hulls of the double canoe stepped Kuakini. The eight men, standing alongside, gently lifted aboard their burden, the surfboard and its tapa-covered bundle. The deep hush of night was broken only by the sound of waves lapping softly against the shore.”

“The canoe merged with the darkness, became remote, mysterious. Only the sound of paddles drifted back on the gentle night breeze. Fainter.”

“Now there was only the sound of the mourners’ own muffled sobs and the muted threnody of their Sorrow. Tear-filled eyes watched the phantom shape of the big canoe blend with the dim bulk of the waiting ship. Then both disappeared in the blackness of a night lit only by the gleaming stars of Kane.”

Reportedly, Kuakini, with the help of Hoapili and Ho‘olulu (who had previously hidden the bones of Kamehameha) took the bones of Kaahumanu, the favorite wife of Kamehameha, so she would be with Kamehameha forever. (All here is from Mellen.)

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Together Forever-Kamehameha-Kaahumanu

June 8, 2018 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Ka‘ahumanu Funeral

“Retaining her reason apparently to the last, as she descended into the dark valley, she sent back to us intelligible signals, to show us where her soul was resting and looking for aid.”

“A little before the power of utterance failed, she ejaculated meekly the language of the penitent, confiding soul, giving itself to Christ, as found in two lines of a Hawaiian hymn, which she valued …”

“… and which, with their context, indicated the humble, penitent, and believing posture of her soul, as she was about to present herself before him at the threshold of his heavenly temple. The fifth and sixth lines of what I here translate were audible:”

‘Now will I go to Jesus,
My Lord who pitied me,
And at his feet lie prostrate,
For there I cannot die;
Lo, here am I, O Jesus,
Grant me thy gracious smile:
But if, for sin, I perish,
Thy law is righteous still.’

“Perceiving herself to be dying, she called me; and as I took her cold hand in mine, she inquired, ‘Is this Bingham?’ I replied, ‘It is I.’ She turned her languid and friendly eyes upon me for the last time, and said, ‘I am going now.’”

“Her brother and sister, Adams and Hoapili-wahine, her husband’s children, Kīna‘u, Kauikeaouli, and Nāhi‘ena‘ena; her niece, Kekāuluohi, several members of the mission families, and others, looked and listened with intense interest as the dignified sufferer manifestly felt the cold waters of Jordan. “

“Giving her our Aloha, I bade her ‘Farewell – go in peace – lean on Jesus, and dwell with him forever.’”

“Breathing more and more faintly for ten or fifteen minutes, this ruling mother of the reformed nation fell asleep, no more to be affected by the applause or reproach of human breath. She died just before the dawn, June 5th, 1832.”

“As she rested from her labors, her relatives and attached attendants wept tenderly over their much loved friend, whose going in and out among them had now for ever ceased, and united in prayer to the Christian’s God; and when the morning rose, conveyed her body to her house at Honolulu.”

“Many attended, weeping. The nation felt the shock. None, perhaps, felt it more deeply than the missionaries, whose firmest helper had left them in the midst of their struggle, and who were overwhelmed at the thought that there was not a mortal on earth, who could then fill her place as a leader of her people.”

“At their convention, they immediately adopted the following minute: ‘Whereas God in his mysterious and holy-providence has seen fit to visit this nation by a deeply afflictive stroke, which has removed by death the Queen Regent, Elisabeth Kaahumanu …”

“… a distinguished reformer of her nation, a kind friend, and benefactress of the missionaries, a firm supporter of their cause, and faithful comforter of the brethren, and of the infant churches in these isles …”

“… in whom much confidence has been deservedly placed by the commercial, political, and Christian world, but especially by the people and missionaries of the Sandwich Islands:”

“Resolved, That the business of the general meeting be suspended till after her interment, that we may unitedly pay to her the last sad honors due to her remains, and that a funeral sermon be preached at each of the stations, as a tribute to her worth …”

“… and as a means of consolation to the afflicted people, and of furthering the cause of piety and national improvement, which was so dear to her heart from her conversion to her dying hour.’”

“Preparations being made, while the lamentations of the people were continued, a great concourse assembled in the afternoon of the 8th of June to attend her funeral.”

“Her remains, carefully enclosed in an appropriate coffin, covered with crimson velvet, and attended by a long procession of the relatives of the deceased, and other chiefs, residents, strangers, missionaries, members of churches, and others of the people …”

“… were conveyed from her house to the church that had been built under her auspices, and where she had dropped the tear of gratitude, penitence and joy, in the presence of the great congregation, when the Gospel of the dying and exalted Savior, whom she loved, had been proclaimed to her and her beloved people.”

“Some desired to hear the strains of martial music, but the king said his mother did not desire such things, and the missionaries preferred to move in silence.” (Hiram Bingham)

“The mournful exclamation repeated from mouth to mouth ‘Ua make Kaahumanu,’ Ka‘ahumanu is dead, had touched the hearts of all in Honolulu. Minute guns were discharged from the fort, and from vessels at anchor in the bay. On every flag-staff the colors were at half-mast.”

“All the natives expressed by some symbol of mourning their respect and affection for their deceased queen. By twelve o’clock, nine or ten thousand people had collected to pay the rites of burial.”

“The funeral procession moved with measured steps and with muffled drums from the late residence of Kaahumanu to the chapel. Several hundred native soldiers, dressed in becoming uniform, were present, and divided to the right and left …”

“… while, through the midst the coffin was borne by six pall-bearers, and was followed by near relatives, the missionaries, the English and American consuls, and a large portion of the natives and resident foreigners.”

“The discourse was preached by the Rev. Mr. Bingham, who, having been the religious counsellor of the late queen, was peculiarly qualified faithfully and feelingly to portray her character.”

“Tears coursed down his face as he described Kaahumanu’s renunciation of idolatry, her interest in the progress of knowledge and piety, her last illness and death. The whole assembly also wept, for Kaahumanu was respected and beloved by all.”

“The services being concluded, the procession moved from the chapel to the place where lie buried the deceased sovereigns, and where, also, were laid the remains of this island queen, to await the bright dawn of an endless day.” (Dix)

“The slow and solemn tolling of the bell struck on the pained ear as it had never done before In the Sandwich Islands. In other bereavements, after the Gospel took effect, we had not only had the care and promise of our heavenly Father, but a queen-mother remaining, whose force, integrity, and kindness, could be relied on still.”

“But words can but feebly express the emotions that struggled in the bosoms of some who counted themselves mourners in these solemn hours; while memory glanced back through her most singular history, and faith followed her course onward, far into the future.” (Hiram Bingham)

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Kaahumanu-(HerbKane)

June 7, 2018 by Peter T Young 1 Comment

Did Missionaries Steal the Land?

“The popular theory that missionaries acquired land by dishonest practice is unsupported by facts.”

“A page-by-page research of all records of land conveyance in the Territory of Hawaii was made in order to determine the amount of land acquired by each individual member of the American Protestant Mission, the amount paid for it, and, in general, the disposition made of the property.”

“In most instances it is clear that these lands were disposed of for very nominal sums and that comparatively small areas were left by will to descendants.”

“The possession of land by foreigners in the sense of full individual title was always a disputed question. Such early foreign residents as John Young, Isaac Davis Don Francisco De Paula Marin occupied lands given them by the Great Kamehameha in the fullest sense of proprietorship then acknowledged.” (Hobbs)

Let’s look back …

“It being therefore fully established, that there are but three classes of persons having vested rights in the lands—1st, the Government, 2nd, the landlord (Chiefs and Konohiki,) and 3rd, the tenant (Makaʻāinana,) it next becomes necessary to ascertain the proportional rights of each.”

“Happily, evidence on this point is not wanting, though it may be the most difficult one to settle satisfactorily of any connected with land claims. The testimony elicited is of the best and highest kind.”

“It has been given immediately by a large number of persons, of a great variety of character, many of them old men, perfectly acquainted with the ancient usages of the country; some were landlords, and some were tenants.” (Land Commission Principles, adopted by Legislature October 26, 1846)

“The title of the Hawaiian government in the lands so acquired and so bona fide owned, as in the preceding sections set forth, shall be deemed in law to be allodial, subject to the previous vested rights of tenants and others, which shall not have been divested by their own acts, or by operation of law.” (Laws adopted 1846)

In 1848, King Kamehameha III responded to increasing economic pressure from foreigners who sought to control land by fundamentally changing the land tenure system to a westernized paper title system.

The lands were formally divided among the king and the chiefs, and the fee titles were recorded in the Māhele book. Lands granted in the Māhele were granted “subject to the rights of native tenants,” usually tenant farmers who already worked and resided on portions of those lands.

More than 240 of the highest-ranking Chiefs and Konohiki in the Kingdom joined Kamehameha III in this task. The first māhele, or division, of lands was signed on January 27, 1848; the last māhele was signed on March 7, 1848.

Each māhele was in effect a quitclaim agreement between the King and a Chief or Konohiki with reference to the lands in which they both claimed interests.

In 1850, a law was passed allowing maka‘ainana (the “native tenants”) to claim fee simple title to the lands they worked.

“The makaʻāinana were the planters and fishers who lived on (ma) the (ka) lands (‘āina;) the final na is a plural substantive.” (Handy) Or, they may be viewed as maka (eye) ‘āina (land) – ‘the eyes of the land.’ Pukui notes the name literally translates to ‘people that attend the land.’

Those who claimed their parcel(s) successfully acquired what is known as a kuleana. Of the 29,221 adult males in Hawaii in 1850 eligible to make land claims, only 8,205 makaʻāinana actually received kuleana awards. Their awards account for a combined 28,600 acres of kuleana lands—less than one percent of the Kingdom’s lands. (Garovoy)

The Kingdom looked to sell land to boost the economic opportunities in the Islands. “The need for agricultural products and the parallel problem of placing more lands under cultivation was again emphasized by the Minister of Finance in his report for 1848 …”

“‘There is little question if these islands ever become populous and wealthy, it must be by agriculture. … But I trust … that the
lands may, at no distant period, lie no longer unoccupied, or devoted solely to the sustenance of cattle and horses but dotted with enclosed and cultivated farms and pleasant dwellings.’”

“In 1849 the problem of getting additional land under cultivation was such that the Minister of Finance in his official report for the year made the following interesting proposal …”

“‘It is submitted to the consideration of the legislature whether the true interests of the country do not require the imposition of a small tax per acre upon all lands lying uncultivate or unused throughout the Kingdom. The lands are of no value whatever to the Kingdom and … they contribute nothing toward the support and maintenance of the government.’”

“The policy of disposing of public lands was, obviously, an attempt not only to enrich the economic life of the Kingdom but also to provide needed funds for the rapidly expanding departments of the new government.” (Hobbs)

At the same time that the Kingdom was addressing distribution of lands to the King, Chiefs and Makaʻāinana, they were also looking at land for the missionaries.

“Some conversation then took place on the expediency and policy of granting lands to Missionaries at a price cheaper than lands are disposed of to other parties.” (Privy Council Minutes, November 23, 1849)

In 1850, provision was made to permit foreigners equal privileges with Hawaiians; on July 10, 1850, the Hawaiian legislature passed ‘An Act To Abolish The Disabilities Of Aliens To Acquire And Convey Lands In Fee Simple’ (sometimes referred to as the Alien Land Ownership Act); it allowed: …

“That any alien, resident in the Hawaiian islands, may acquire and hold to himself, his heirs and assigns, a fee simple estate in any land of this kingdom, and may also convey the same by sale, gift, exchange, will or otherwise, to any Hawaiian subject, or to any alien, resident …” (Penal Code 1850)

At its August 19, 1850 Privy Council meeting, “Mr Wyllie brought forward & read a report of a committee appointed on the 29th April & powers enlarged on the 24th June to report respecting lands applied for by Missionaries.” The report was received and it was Resolved that it be left by the cabinet to publish when they see fit. The ‘Report on Missionary Lands’ was published in the Polynesian on May 7, 1852.

In part, that report notes, “The missionaries who have received and applied for lands have neither received and applied for them, without offering what they conceived to be a fair consideration for them.”

“So far as their applications have been granted, your Majesty’s government have dealt with them precisely as they have dealt with other applicants for land, that is, they have accepted the price where they considered it fair, and they have raised it where they considered it unfair. …”

“One of the undersigned strongly urged that consideration upon your majesty in Privy Council so far back as the 28th of May, 1847, recommending that a formal resolution should be passed, declaring the gratitude of the nation to the missionaries for the services they had performed, and making some provision for their children.”

“Your majesty’s late greatly lamented Minister of Public Instruction (and former missionary) Mr. Richards, with that disinterestedness which characterized him personally in all his worldly interests, was fearful that to moot such a question would throw obloquy upon the reverend body to which he had belonged, and hence to the day of his death, he abstained from moving it.”

“Neither has any missionary, or any one who had been connected with the mission, ever taken it up to this day; but the undersigned, who are neither missionaries, nor have ever been connected with them, hesitate not to declare to your majesty that it will remain, in all future history …”

“… a stain upon this Christian nation if the important services of the missionaries be not acknowledged in some unequivocal and substantial manner. This acknowledgment should not be a thing implied or secretly understood, but openly and publicly declared.” (Signed by RC Wyllie and Keoni Ana)

“Much has been said against sales of land to individuals of the American missionaries at low prices. But nothing can be more unreasonable and unjust.”

“It is well known that these parties are severing their connection with the Board in Boston with a determination to seek support for themselves and families on the Islands, that they return poor and in most cases with numerous children all born in the Islands …”

“It would then ill become the government to refuse to sell lands at moderate prices to retiring missionaries while it has confirmed grants of thousands of acres to others who never paid one dollar for it …” (Wyllie and Keoni Ana, 1850; Schulz, Hobbs)

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Na Mokupuni O Hawaii Nei-Kalama 1837

June 6, 2018 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Ahukini Landing

By report dated November 25, 1910, Major Eveleth Winslow of the Corps of Engineers provided “a report upon the preliminary examination of the ‘harbors of the island of Kauai, with a view to determining the best location for a port, Hawaii.’”

That report concluded, “it is believed that the present and prospective commercial importance of Kauai is sufficient to justify the United States in developing one good and commodious harbor, if this can be done at a reasonable cost.”

“After a personal inspection of the coast of the island and a careful consideration of all the papers presented by the persons interested in the development of the different harbors, I am convinced that the only ones worthy of more careful study are Nawiliwili, Koloa, and Hanapepe”.

“The improvement of any one of these places will consist merely in providing a harbor for seagoing vessels, and no water power will be created for industrial or commercial purposes.”

Not noted in the final list of prospective landing sites was, apparently, the first deep-water port to be used, and by 1898, the Lihue Plantation Company was using both Ahukini and Hanamaulu for shipping. (KHS)

The Corps report noted “Two landings have been provided in this bay – one on the north shore, formerly known as Hanamaulu, and one on the south shore, formerly known as Ahukini, though sometimes now called Hanamaulu.”

“Both of these landings were formerly in use for handling the sugar grown on their respective sides of the river, but a few years ago a long and high railroad trestle was constructed across the bay, about one-half mile from its mouth, and the sugar from both sides is now handled from the Ahukini landing, on the south side of the bay.”

“Here a warehouse has been constructed on the top of the hill, with mechanical means for handling sugar and carrying it down to a boom located on the end of a wharf and dumping it directly from the boom into the holds of the ships, which are able to come in close enough for this purpose.”

“This bay, however, opens directly onto the northeast trade winds, and the sea inside of the harbor, under ordinary conditions, is too rough to permit vessels to actually lie at a wharf, though they can moor a few feet from it.”

“Within the bay there is a channel extending a few hundred yards above the wharf and having a depth of 5 fathoms over a width of 600 feet, not large enough to handle a large vessel, though ample for smaller vessels.”

“By the use of breakwaters and at no very great expense it is undoubtedly true that a good harbor for interisland traffic could be constructed at this point, but it is believed that the construction of a harbor large enough for ocean liners is not practicable at this point.”

“As regards its location, the harbor is much more favorably situated with regard to the commercial interests of the island than any so far considered, but on account of its small size it is not considered worthy of selection as the best port for development by the United States.” (Congressional Serial Set, House, 62d Congress, 2d Session, 1912)

Nevertheless, Ahukini was chosen by Lihue Plantation, and with the signing of a 50-year lease on July 20,1920 and construction by the Ahukini Railroad Company (formed by Lihue Plantation Company to fulfill this need) supplied the site with a breakwater, concrete reinforced wharf, sugar warehouse, railhead with supporting structures. (KHS)

Lihue Plantation Company originated in 1849 as a partnership between Charles Reed Bishop, Judge William L. Lee, and Henry A. Pierce of Boston. H. Hackfeld & Co. served as agents.

The Līhu‘e Plantation became the most modern plantation at that time in all Hawai‘i. It featured a steam-powered mill built in 1853, the first use of steam power on a Hawaiian sugar plantation, and the ten-mile-long Hanamā‘ulu Ditch built in 1856 by plantation manager William H. Rice, the first large-scale irrigation project for any of the sugar plantations. (Maly)

In 1922, American Factors, Ltd., successor company to H. Hackfeld & Co., acquired control of Lihue Plantation Company with the purchase of stock. (HSPA)

The selection of Nāwiliwili as the harbor of the future on Kauai was preceded by a year’s worth of debate between advocates of Port Allen and Nāwiliwili. By 1924, a total of 1,454 feet of breakwater had been set in place. (Cultural Surveys)

With the construction of Nawiliwili Harbor, the bulk of Kauai’s cargo began moving through Nawiliwili and inter-island service to Ahukini stopped. Port operations at Ahukini closed in 1950. (Soboleski)

State Parks subsequently took over the Ahukini Landing and it now serves as a State Recreational Pier. Seaward of the pier is a Fisheries Management Area; fishing regulations around the pier allow recreational fishing; swimming at and around the pier is prohibited.

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Ahukini State Recreational Pier

June 4, 2018 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

James Hunnewell

“James Hunnewell was early associated with the commercial interests of these islands, and his long and useful life was marked by such constant goodwill to my kingdom, That I shall always cherish his memory with sincere regard.”

“Although he was only removed in the fulness of time, I deeply sympathize with you in the loss of such a parent, but I congratulate you in the inheritance of such an honored name.” (King Kamehameha IV to Hunnewell’s son)

His Early Life

“A distinctly adventurous Boston group with which the Frothinghams intermarried was the Hunnewell family. Like the Frothinghams, the Hunnewells had much to do with Charlestown. … ‘Hunnewell’s Point’ on the western shore of the Kennebec River, not far south of Bath, Maine, was named. This ‘Point’ was the site of Lieutenant Richard Hunnewell’s garrison at the time of Benjamin Church’s expeditions against the Indians.” (Crawford)

“James Hunnewell was the youngest but one of the seven children of William and Sarah, and he it is who justifies our description of the Hunnewells as ‘adventurous.’ Before his time none of the family had been interested in a seafaring life, but he studied navigation with the distinct intention of journeying to distant countries”. (Crawford)

“As a boy, he was bright and active, of slight figure; at the age of fifteen years, when he first went to sea, weighing but ninety pounds. He was offered attractive situations in stores, but his decided predilection was for the sea.”

“His purpose to go to sea, however, was not prompted by a desire to be free from the parental restraints and the influences of home. He was not a wild, reckless youth, of a roving disposition. On the contrary, his affection for home and kindred was singularly strong.” (Seamen’s Friend)

Going to Sea

‘In early life, although none of my relatives, on either my father’s or mother’s side, had ever been to sea, I had a strong desire for a seafaring life, and, more than any other way, enjoyed being on board boats and vessels.’ (Hunnewell)

“In October, 1816, he started on his first voyage to the Pacific. On that voyage he visited California and the Sandwich Islands, and was absent from home two years.”

“(I)t was urged by some of the chiefs that knew me on my previous voyage that I should remain instead of a stranger to trade with them.” (Hunnewell) He traded his boat and cargo for sandalwood, “We were the only traders on shore at Honolulu that had any goods to sell.” There was no currency at the time, so they generally traded for sandalwood. (Hunnewell, The Friend)

Hawai‘i Business Interests – the Foundation for the Formation of C Brewer

“During his first residence at the Islands, he had formed the determination to establish there an independent commercial house”. (Seamen’s Friend)

The company Hunnewell formed in the Island’s had a lasting legacy. The following are the various names which the firm was known: James Hunnewell, Hunnewell & Peirce, Peirce & Hinckley, Peirce & Brewer, C Brewer & Co, SH Williams & Co, C Brewer 2d, C Brewer & Co Ltd. (The Friend, January 1, 1867)

It eventually became C Brewer & Co., Ltd., incorporated on Feb. 7, 1883. The company grew, as did a handful of others. They became known as the Big 5: Amfac – starting as Hackfeld & Company (1849;) Alexander & Baldwin (1870;) Theo H. Davies (1845;) Castle & Cooke (1851) and C Brewer (1826.)

Hunnewell and the Hawaiian Islands Mission

“In October (23), 1819, he embarked on his second voyage to the Pacific, in the noted brig Thaddeus, of which he was an officer, and which vessel and her cargo were the first in which he had an interest as owner. This voyage of the brig Thaddeus will be memorable through all coming time …”

“Although he and they did not have the same purpose in visiting those distant islands, yet, it is not strange, he seems to have caught something of their spirit; for from that time until the close of his life, the missionaries and the cause of missions in the islands, found in him a faithful and sympathizing friend, an untiring, efficient and ready helper.” (Seamen’s Friend)

“March 30, 1820 – Let us thank God and take courage. Early this morning the long looked for Owahyee and the cloud capt and snow spt Mauna Keah appear full in view to the joy of the animated multitude on board …”

“… Capt. B. (Blanchard) this afternoon sent off a boat to make inquiries respecting the king &c. Mr. Hunnewell, a mate, Thos. Hopoo, J. Tamoree and others, went nearly to the shore and fell in with 10 or 12 native fishermen in their canoes who readily gave the important information that the aged King Tameamaah is dead – that Reehoreeho his son succeeds him – that the images of his Gods are burned …” (Thaddeus Journal)

“It was Mr. Hunnewell’s privilege to hear from the lips of Hewahewa, the last High Priest of the old idolatrous system, an account of the causes which induced the destruction of idolatry.”

“He says: ‘This Chief told me he knew the wooden gods could not send rain, or cause food to grow, or send fish, or take care of the old men and women, and he knew there was but one great God dwelling in the heaven; and that in this persuasion he cautiously conversed with the King, Kamehameha II., when he found the King was of the same belief with himself.’”

“And, adds Mr. Hunnewell, ‘I had the pleasure of bringing from the shore to the mission the glad tidings that Hawaii’s idols were no more.’” (Seamen’s Friend, October, 1869)

Click HERE for more information on James Hunnewell.

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Captain James Hunnewell-(MissionHouses)