Images of Old Hawaiʻi

by Peter T Young 1 Comment

Foreign Interest in Hawai‘i

Polynesia is a region of the Pacific Ocean and forms, together with Melanesia and Micronesia, one of the three cultural areas of Oceania.

Polynesia extends from the Hawaiian Islands in the north to New Zealand in the south, and from Tuvalu in the west to Rapanui (Easter Island) in the east. The region includes Samoa, Tonga, Tahiti, and the Cook and Marquesas Islands.

The name Polynesia derives from Greek words meaning many islands and refers to the numerous islands of the region. (The-Crankshaft Publishing)

In Polynesia, as in North America – New France (Canada to Louisiana (1534,)) New Spain (Southwest and Central North America to Mexico and Central America (1521)) and New England (Northeast US (1585, 1607, 1620)) – there was foreign interest.

Since the first contact with Westerners, starting with the Spanish and Portuguese explorers, the Polynesian islands have been colonized by various European and Asian countries.

In the central Pacific, practically every vessel that visited the North Pacific in the closing years of the 18th century stopped at Hawai‘i for provisions and recreation; then, the opening years of the 19th century saw the sandalwood business became a recognized branch of trade.

Sandalwood, geography and fresh provisions made the Islands a vital link in a closely articulated trade route between Boston, the Northwest Coast and Canton, China.

At the same time, the Hawaiian demand for American goods was rapidly increasing, owing to the improved standards of living.  The central location of the Hawaiian Islands brought many traders, and then whalers, to the Islands.

“And so for forty years Hawaiians wanted everything on every ship that came.  And they could get it; it was pretty easy to get. Two pigs and … a place to live, you could trade for almost anything.”  (Puakea Nogelmeier)

Centuries of experience taught Great Britain that having fortified stations all over the world is the only way to protect her commerce in peace or in war.

Other foreign nations were not slow to grasp this idea. France, Germany, Holland, Spain and Russia are second only to Great Britain in the possession of such stations. (Harman)

Hawai‘i is the strategic point of control for the whole northern Pacific.

Any foreign power occupying Hawai‘i would have an impregnable base from which to strike at any part of the Pacific coast and destroy the Pacific commerce. Not only this, but Hawai‘i is the only base in the Pacific from which this could be successfully done.

The British, Russians, French, Americans and others were all interested in Hawai‘i.  At various times, different countries took or demonstrated ‘control’ of Hawai‘i.

Here are just a few examples: Russia – Fort in Honolulu – 1815; US – The Battle of Honolulu – 1826; French – Catholic Protests Resulting in the Edict of Toleration – 1839; Belgian Company of Colonization – 1843; Britain – Paulet Affair – 1843; French Invasion of Honolulu – 1849; US – Protectorate Proclamation – 1851; US – Attempt at Annexation – 1854; US – Annexation – 1898.

Hawaiian Kingdom Request for American and British Troops to Land in the Islands

At the time of the overthrow, the Committee of Public Safety felt “the public safety is menaced and lives and property are in peril, and we appeal to you and the United States forces at your command for assistance.”

“(A) small force of marines and sailors was landed from the United States ship Boston, as a precautionary step for the protection of American life and property, and as a safeguard against night incendiarism stimulated by the hope of plunder, greatly feared by many of the best citizens.” (Stevens, The North American Review, December 1893)

That wasn’t the only time American Troops landed to keep the peace and/or restore order.  It happened a couple of times; and, … it was requested by the Monarchy.

Election Riot of 1874: On February 12, 1874, nine days after the death of King Lunalilo, an election was held between the repeat candidate David Kalākaua and Queen Emma, widow of King Kamehameha IV.

The election was held by the members of the legislature, not the public.  The election was held in a special session of the Legislature at the old Courthouse on Queen Street (it was almost the last official action to take place in the courthouse.)  When the vote was tallied, Kalākaua won by a count of 39 – 6.

Emma’s supporters (referred to as the “Queenites,” “Emmaites” or the “Queen Emma party”) were unhappy with the decision – an angry mob of about 100 of the Queen’s followers gathered. 

“The only alternative, in this emergency, was to seek aid from the war vessels in port. About half-past 4 pm, a written request was sent by Charles R Bishop (the Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Hawaiian Kingdom,) on behalf of the Government, to the American Minister Resident, for a detachment to be landed from the US ships Tuscarora and Portsmouth, lying in the harbor. And a similar request was transmitted to the British Consul General.” (Hawaiian Gazette – March 4, 1874)

A force of 150 American marines and sailors under Lieutenant Commander Theodore F. Jewell were put ashore along with another seventy to eighty Britons under a Captain Bay from the sloop HMS Tenedos.

The Wilcox Rebellion – 1889: Americans landed another time.  “On the 30th of July, 1889, an insurrection was set on foot by Robert W. Wilcox and Robert Boyd (to overthrow the present Government of Hawaii and depose the King) on the afternoon of the same day, together with their adherents, about 100 in number, were defeated. The ringleader, with about 60 of his followers, was imprisoned.”

“About 6 o’clock am a message from the King informed me that an armed party, led by Mr. Wilcox, was in possession of the palace grounds, and soon thereafter it was learned that insurgents were in charge of the building containing the Government offices.”

“As soon as possible I had communication with Commander Woodward of the USS Adams, and at once all necessary preparations were made to land a force, if found necessary for protection of the people and property interests.” (Merrill, American Legation; Blount Report)

“About 70 sailors and marines from the USS Adams, then in the harbor, were landed by permission with a machine gun to protect life and property at the legation and in the city, and their appearance on the streets had a favorable effect on the populace.”

“The members of the cabinet and many prominent residents expressed much commendation of the prompt landing of the men, and remarked upon the very salutary effect their presence seemed to have among the people on the streets.”  Merrill, American Legation, Blount Report)

“Remaining over night, quartered at the armory, they returned on board the next morning when tranquility was restored.”  (Blount Report)

Click he following link for more information on Foreign Interests in Hawai’i.

https://imagesofoldhawaii.com/wp-content/uploads/Foreign-Interest-in-Hawaii.pdf

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by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Victoria and Emma

The earliest known humans arrived in the British Isles around 900,000 years ago. Prehistory (the time before written records) stretches from then until the Roman invasion in AD 43.

The Romans stayed in Britain for almost four centuries. In some parts of the country they were met with rebellion and resistance, but in more peaceful areas cities were founded, villas constructed and a network of roads developed.  By the seventh century, England was made up of different Anglo-Saxon kingdoms, all fighting for power.

(Anglo-Saxon (a term to distinguish the Saxons of Britain from those of the European continent (the invaders from three tribes, Angles, Saxons, and Jutes)) describes any member of the Germanic peoples who, from the 5th century, inhabited and ruled territories that are today part of England and Wales. )

(“Anglo-Saxon” continues to be used to refer to a period in the history of Britain, generally defined as the years between the end of Roman occupation and the Norman Conquest.)

Between 865-878, the Vikings from Denmark invaded all of the kingdoms, apart from the kingdom of Wessex. In 901, the rulers of Wessex slowly began to take back these lost kingdoms.

Then, in 927, the king of the Anglo-Saxons, Athelstan, became the first King of England. His rule ended in 1066, when William of Normandy (a region in what is now France) defeated King Harold II of England at the Battle of Hastings. William claimed the English throne, and became known as William the Conqueror.

(By the time of the Norman Conquest (1066), the kingdom that had developed from the realm of the Anglo-Saxon peoples had become known as England, and Anglo-Saxon as a collective term for the region’s people was eventually supplanted by “English.”)

Ruling families could rule for many years, creating dynasties. There have been six main dynasties:

  • Norman (1066-1154)
  • Plantagenet (also called the house of Anjou or the Angevin dynasty).  (1154-1485)
  • Tudor (Henry Tudor defeated Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485. This battle ended the Wars of the Roses. Henry Tudor became King Henry VII). (1485-1603)
  • Stuart (the Tudor line ended when Elizabeth I died in 1603; the crown passed to her cousin James (at the time he was James VI, king of Scotland) of the house of Stuart (or Stewart).  (1603-1714)

Until 1603 the English and Scottish Crowns were separate, although links between the two were always close – members of the two Royal families intermarried on many occasions.

Following the Accession of King James VI of Scotland as King James I of England to the English Throne, a single monarch reigned in the United Kingdom.

  • Hanover (Hanover was a German state, and both George I and George II were born in Germany.  George III was the first of the Hanoverian line to be born in England.  (1714-1901)

Queen Victoria, born on May 24, 1819, the daughter of George III, and became queen in 1837, was the last monarch of the House of Hanover.  With the marriage of Queen Victoria to Prince Albert, son of Ernst, Duke of Saxe-Coburg & Gotha, the name Saxe-Coburg-Gotha came into the British Royal Family in 1840.  When Queen Victoria died in 1901, the house of Hanover came to an end.

  • Windsor (Victoria was succeeded by her son Edward VII. His dynasty was at first called the house of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha.  It encompassed the reign of King Edward VII, who reigned for nine years at the beginning of the modern age in the early years of the twentieth century, and the first seven years of his son, King George V.  (1901-present).

The House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, as a British dynasty of that name, was short-lived.  During World War I, Britain was fighting Germany. George V replaced the German-sounding ‘Saxe-Coburg-Gotha’ with ‘Windsor’ in 1917.

(The name Saxe-Coburg-Gotha survived in other European monarchies, including the current Belgian Royal Family and the former monarchies of Portugal and Bulgaria.)

By George V’s Proclamation of July 18, 1917, it was decreed “that as from the date of this Our Royal Proclamation Our House and Family shall be styled and known as the House and Family of Windsor …”

“… and that all the descendants in the male line of Our said Grandmother Queen Victoria who are subjects of these Realms, other than female descendants who may marry or may have married, shall bear the said Name of Windsor”.

Windsor remains the family name of the current Royal Family.

The early English kings were absolute monarchs, or rulers with total power over the kingdom. Over time, much of the English monarch’s power was transferred to Parliament. In 1215 King John was forced by English nobles to sign a document called the Magna Carta, which placed some limits on the king’s power.

The English Bill of Rights of 1689 made the king responsible to Parliament and subject to the country’s laws. In 1701 the Act of Settlement further limited the role of the monarch.

The United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy, in which the monarch shares power with a constitutionally organized government. The reigning king or queen is the country’s head of state. All political power rests with the prime minister (the head of government) and the cabinet, and the monarch must act on their advice. (Information here is primarily from Britannica.)

Queen Victoria and Queen Emma

Victoria was born at Kensington Palace, London, on May 24, 1819. She was the only daughter of Edward, Duke of Kent (fourth son of George III). She became heir to the throne because the three uncles who were ahead of her in succession – George IV, Frederick Duke of York and William IV – had no legitimate children who survived.

On William IV’s death, she became Queen at the age of 18 on June 20, 1837.  Queen Victoria is associated with Britain’s great Victorian Era of industrial expansion, economic progress and, especially, empire. (At her death, it was said, Britain had a worldwide empire on which the sun never set.)  (British Monarchy)

Across the globe, John Young, a Briton who came to the Hawaiian Islands in 1790 and befriended and supported Kamehameha, was called Olohana (“All Hands!”) He had four children,—Jane, Fannie, Grace and John Young Jr.

Young’s daughter, Fanny, married George Naea; they had a daughter, Emma, born on January 2, 1836. Emma was adopted by her aunt Grace Young & husband, Mr. Thomas Charles Byde Rooke. On June 9, 1856, Emma married Alexander Liholiho, King Kamehameha IV, and then was known as Queen Emma.  (Restarick)

Queen Victoria and Queen Emma were unlike in more than the size of their realms.  Victoria was almost a generation older than Emma.  Victoria had nine children, the last one born in 1857, a year before Emma’s one and only child, Albert.

Queen Victoria and Queen Emma exchanged letters; many of them sad exchanges about the losses experienced by each.  The correspondence between the two queens began in September 1862, with Queen Emma’s announcement of the death of Albert, her son and Queen Victoria’s godson.

It took 6-months for letter exchanges – at least 3-months for a letter to travel each way from Hawaiʻi to England.  (Kanahele)

Queen Emma’s first letter (September 10, 1862) expresses her appreciation to Queen Victoria for her willingness to be godmother to Emma’s only child, Prince Albert …

”As a wife and fond mother, my heart overflows with gratitude to your Majesty, for the honour which you have been so graciously pleased to render to the King, my husband, and to our only son, in condescending to become his sponsor, at his baptism.”

However, that same letter also notified Queen Victoria that Prince Albert had died … “But, alas! Your Majesty’s spiritual relation to my beloved child has been of short duration, for it pleased Almighty God, in his inscrutable Providence, to call him away from this world, on the 17th August, only a few days after his baptism.”  Queen Emma signed it: “Your Good & Grateful friend – Emma.”

Victoria, in mourning for years after the death of her husband in December 1861, replied (February 14, 1863) on her personal notepaper, marked with a wide black border on the paper and envelope and sealed with black sealing wax.

“As a Mother you will understand how fully I am able to appreciate the depth of your grief, at the sad loss which so soon succeeded to the Holy Ceremony. As a wife I can sincerely hope that you may be spared the heavier blow which has plunged me into life long sorrow,—but which makes my heart tenderly alive to all the sorrows of others.”

Later that year, Alexander Liholiho (King Kamehameha IV,) Emma’s husband, died.  On February 14, 1864, she wrote to Victoria of the news and her grief, signing, “I remain Your Majesty’s afflicted but grateful friend”.

“My heart is very, very heavy while I make known to Your Majesty that God has visited me with that great trouble which in your kind and consoling letter you said you hoped I might be spared.”

“On the 30th. November my Husband, of whose danger I had never entertained one thought, expired suddenly, almost while in the act of speaking to me, and it was a long while before they could make me believe that what I saw was death and that he had really left me alone for the remainder of my life.”

“This blow has been very hard on me. It seems truly as yesterday that we lost our beautiful boy Albert, Your Majestys Godson, of whom I am afraid we were too fond and proud, and from whom we looked for such great things, flattering ourselves that his very name gave an assurance of his becoming as he grew up, every thing that is good and true and Prince-like.”

Victoria replied (June 14, 1864,) “My bleeding heart can truly sympathize with you in your terrible desolation! A dear & promising only child & a beloved Husband have both been taken from you within two years! Time does not heal the really stricken heart!”

“May God give you strength to bear up under your heavy affliction.   I remain Your Majesty’s affectionate & unhappy friend Victoria R.”  (The phrase “unhappy friend” was often used by Queen Victoria after the death of Prince Albert.  (Hackler))

For the next 20 years, the two Queens wrote each other from time to time, sharing news of family events, happy and tragic. They exchanged photographs and small gifts and inquired about each other’s health and that of their families.

It was not until 1865 that Queen Emma travelled to England; there, she had the rare experience of spending the night with the British royal family in Windsor Castle.  Victoria never made it to the Islands.

“The highlight of Emma’s visit was her audience with her son’s godmother and the ruler of the most powerful nation in the world and hence the most powerful woman in the world, Queen Victoria.  She had looked forward to the meeting since her first letter recounting her son’s death.”

“But so was had Queen Victoria who, according to Prime Minister Lord John Russell, was ‘anxious to show her every attention and civility, & will be much interested in seeing her.’”  (Kanahele)

In writing her appreciation for the visit, Emma wrote (December 12, 1865,) “Allow me to say with how much gratitude and affection I shall always cherish the remembrance of you and yours and with what pleasure I feel that I may subscribe myself My dear Madam, Your very sincere and faithful friend, Emma”

The last known letter exchange between the two was in 1882, Victoria responded to Emma, “My dear Friend, You wrote me a most kind letter on the occasion of the attempt on my life … We are now engaged in a war which I hope will be of short duration …”

“We were pleased to make the acquaintance of King Kalakaua and I would ask you to remember me to him. With renewed expressions of friendship and esteem, Your majesty’s affectionate friend, Victoria R.I.”

In 1883, Emma suffered the first of several small strokes and died two years later on April 25, 1885 at the age of 49; Queen Victoria died on January 20, 1901.  (Information here is from Hackler and her paper, ‘My Dear Friend.’)

© 2021 Hoʻokuleana LLC

by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Foreigners and Fire Power

Combat in ancient Hawaiʻi was essentially hand to hand fighting, with various held or thrown weapons (included spears, daggers, clubs, slings, strangling ropes, shark tooth weapons and more.)

The cannon and other fire arms – and people who knew how to effectively use them – were pivotal factors in the outcomes of future battles after “contact.”   Here are a few who helped.

John Young (1790)

John Young, a boatswain on the British fur trading vessel, Eleanora, was stranded on the Island of Hawai‘i in 1790.  Kamehameha brought Young to Kawaihae, where he was building the massive temple, Puʻukoholā Heiau.

Because of his knowledge of European warfare, Young is said to have trained Kamehameha and his men in the use of muskets and cannons.

Young was instrumental in building fortifications throughout the Islands, which included the conversion of Mailekini Heiau (below Pu‘ukoholā Heiau) into a fort, which he armed with as many as 21 ship cannons.  Young also served as a negotiator for the king, securing various trade and political agreements with many of the foreigners that visited the Islands.

Kamehameha appointed John Young as Governor of Kamehameha’s home island, Hawai‘i Island, and gave him a seat next to himself in the ruling council of chiefs.  In 1819, Young was one of the few present at the death of Kamehameha.

Isaac Davis (1790)

Isaac Davis (c. 1758–1810) (Welch) arrived in Hawaii in 1790 as the sole survivor of the massacre of the crew of The Fair American.  He became one of the closest advisors to Kamehameha I.  He was instrumental in Kamehameha’s military ventures.

Davis became a respected translator and military advisor for Kamehameha.  Davis brought western military knowledge to Hawai‘i and played a big role during Hawaii’s first contacts with the European powers.  His skill in gunnery, as well as the cannon from the Fair American, helped Kamehameha win many battles.

Davis had the King’s “most perfect confidence” and he attended to Kamehameha’s needs on all travels of business or pleasure – and ventured with him during times of war.  Davis earned Kamehameha’s “greatest respect and the highest degree of esteem and regard.”

Isaac Davis resided immediately next to Kamehameha.   He became one of the highest chiefs under Kamehameha and was Governor of Oʻahu during the early-1800s.

When Captain George Vancouver visited Hawai‘i Island in 1793, he observed that both Young and Davis “are in his (Kamehameha’s) most perfect confidence, attend him in all his excursions of business or pleasure, or expeditions of war or enterprise; and are in the habit of daily experiencing from him the greatest respect, and the highest degree of esteem and regard.”  (Both Young and Davis fought alongside Kamehameha in his many battles.)

Mare Amara (1791)

Kāʻeokūlani left Kauaʻi with a well-equipped fleet of war canoes, accompanied by his nephew Peapea, his military commanders Kiikiki and Kaiawa, his foreign gunner Mare Amara and arrived at Oʻahu in the spring of 1791.  (Fornander)

Kahekili and his half-brother Kāʻeo sailed for Hawai’i, carrying with them Mare Amara (from France or Italy) and a special group of fighting men called the pahupu.

Once more foreign weapons worked devastation on the old methods of waging war.  Mare Amara picked off an enemy chief where he stood, feather-cloaked, directing his warriors with sweeping gestures.

At Kepuwaha’ula’ula, the battle of the red-mouthed gun, for the first time, a Hawaiian sea battle was fought in which both sides had foreign gunners – Mare Amara with Kahekili, and Isaac Davis and John Young with Kamehameha.  It was indecisive, and Kahekili was able to break off and withdraw safely to O’ahu.  (DeMink)

Later, Captain Brown had Mare Amara aboard advising his crew in a conflict.  Amara was later executed; he was considered a turncoat.  Reportedly, he was burned alive on the deck of the boat in a large pan of his own gunpowder.

Don Francisco de Paula Marin (1793)

Don Francisco de Paula Marin was a Spaniard who arrived in the Hawaiian Islands around 1793.   His knowledge of Western military weapons brought him to the attention of Kamehameha, who was engaged in the conquest of O‘ahu.  Marin almost immediately became a trusted advisor to Kamehameha I.

Marin spoke four languages (he arrived fluent in Spanish, French and English, and learned Hawaiian) and was employed by Kamehameha as Interpreter, Bookkeeper and part time Physician (although he had no formal medical training, he had some basic medical knowledge.)

Marin also served as purchasing agent for the arms that proved decisive to Kamehameha’s victory of the Battle of Nuʻuanu (1795.)

These are only a few of the prominent foreigners who sided with Hawaiians during the post-contact era – there were others.

In the end, Kamehameha had more weapons on his side.  With these powerful new weapons and associated war strategy, Kamehameha eventually brought all of the Hawaiian Islands under his rule.

The image shows Herb Kane’s depiction of Kepuwahaʻulaʻula, the battle of the red-mouthed gun, where both sides had foreign guns and gunners.

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by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Destiny – Prophecy

At the end of the American Revolutionary War, the Treaty of Paris, signed on September 3, 1783, recognized the United States of America as an independent nation and established boundaries that extended far to the west of the 13 original colonies.

The new country was bounded by the Atlantic Ocean on the east, the Mississippi River on the west, Florida on the south and Canada and the Great Lakes on the north. Spain retained control of Florida, and the United States was permitted use of the Mississippi River.

Later, Manifest Destiny was the widely held belief that American settlers were destined to expand throughout the continent.  Journalist John L O’Sullivan wrote an article in 1839 and predicted a “divine destiny” for the United States …

“This is our high destiny, and in nature’s eternal, inevitable decree of cause and effect we must accomplish it. All this will be our future history, to establish on earth the moral dignity and salvation of man.”

In part, the stage was first set in 1803 when President Thomas Jefferson negotiated the 828,000-square mile Louisiana Purchase from France.  Later, after combat and negotiations, the US ran east to west across the continent.

Lots of folks criticize the US for these take-overs, wars and expansion.

Let’s look at what was happening in Hawaiʻi at about these relative times.

Over the centuries, the islands weren’t unified under single rule.  Leadership sometimes covered portions of an island, sometimes covered a whole island or groups of islands.  Island rulers, Aliʻi or Mōʻī, typically ascended to power through warfare and familial succession.

At the time of Cook’s arrival (1778-1779) (while the Colonists were battling the British,) the Hawaiian Islands were divided into four kingdoms: (1) the island of Hawaiʻi under the rule of Kalaniʻōpuʻu, who also had possession of the Hāna district of east Maui; (2) Maui (except the Hāna district,) Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi and Kahoʻolawe, ruled by Kahekili; (3) Oʻahu, under the rule of Kahahana; and at (4) Kauaʻi and Niʻihau, Kamakahelei was ruler.

Separate Kingdoms ruled separate parts of the Islands.  However, conquest was in the air and battles and negotiations for power and control were going on.

A notable player for power was Kamehameha.  He was born under a prophecy of Keʻāulumoku – Haui ka Lani, Fallen is the Chief; the prophecy stated Kamehameha would ultimately overthrow the kingdom and rule the Islands.

Following Kalaniʻōpuʻu’s death in 1782, the kingship was inherited by his son Kīwalaʻō; Kamehameha (Kīwalaʻō’s cousin) was given guardianship of the Hawaiian god of war, Kūkaʻilimoku.

In the Islands, about the time of the Treaty of Paris, civil war broke out between Kīwalaʻō’s forces and the various chiefs under the leadership of Kamehameha. At the Battle of Mokuʻōhai (just south of Kealakekua) Kīwalaʻō was killed and Kamehameha gained control of half the Island of Hawaiʻi.

The result of the battle of Mokuʻōhai was virtually to split the island of Hawaiʻi into three independent and hostile factions. The district of Kona, Kohala and portions of Hāmākua acknowledged Kamehameha as their sovereign.  (Fornander)

The remaining portion of Hāmākua, the district of Hilo and a part of Puna, remained true to and acknowledged Keawemauhili as their Mōʻī; while the lower part of Puna and the district of Kaʻū, the patrimonial estate of Kīwalaʻō, ungrudgingly and cheerfully supported Keōua against the mounting ambition of Kamehameha.  (Fornander)

On Maui, Kamehameha also battled Kahekili and Kalanikūpule’s forces at a battle at ʻIao.  It was described, “They speak of the carnage as frightful, the din and uproar, the shouts of defiance among the fighters, the wailing of the women on the crests of the valley, as something to curdle the blood or madden the brain of the beholder.” (Fornander)

The Maui troops were completely annihilated and it is said that the corpses of the slain were so many as to choke up the waters of the stream of ʻlao, and that hence one of the names of this battle was “Kepaniwai” (the damming of the waters).  (Fornander)

Late in 1790, Kamehameha sent an emissary to the famous kahuna (priest, soothsayer,) Kapoukahi, to determine how Kamehameha could conquer all of the island of Hawaiʻi.  Kapoukahi prophesized that war would end if Kamehameha constructed a heiau dedicated to the war god Kū at Puʻukohola.

Called back to Hawaiʻi by an invasion of Kohala by his cousin, Keōua (ruler of Kaʻū and part of Puna,) Kamehameha fought more battles without gaining a decisive victory.

Recalling the prophecy of Kapoukahi, Puʻukoholā Heiau was being used by Kamehameha to win wars and secure unification of the Hawaiian Islands (at the same time that George Washington was serving as the US’s first president (1790.))

“When it came to the building of Puʻu-koholā no one, not even a tabu chief, was excused from the work of carrying stone. Kamehameha himself labored with the rest. …”  (Kamakau)

After completing the heiau in 1791, Kamehameha invited Keōua to come to Kawaihae to make peace.  However, as Keōua was about to step ashore, he was attacked and killed by one of Kamehameha’s chiefs.

With Keōua dead, and his supporters captured or slain, Kamehameha became King of Hawaiʻi Island, an event that according to prophecy eventually led to the conquest and consolidation of the islands under the rule of Kamehameha I.

Then, in 1795, a final battle of conquest took place on Oʻahu.  Kamehameha landed his fleet and disembarked his army on Oʻahu, extending from Waiʻalae to Waikīkī. … he marched up the Nuʻuanu valley, where Kalanikūpule had posted his forces.  (Fornander)

At Puiwa the hostile forces met, and for a while the victory was hotly contested; but the superiority of Kamehameha’s artillery, the number of his guns and the better practice of his soldiers, soon turned the day in his favor, and the defeat of the Oʻahu forces became an accelerated rout and a promiscuous slaughter. (Fornander)  Estimates for losses in the battle of Nuʻuanu (1795) ranged up to 10,000.  (Schmitt)

Then, Kamehameha looked to conquer the last kingdom, Kauaʻi, which was under the control of Kaumualiʻi.  In 1804 (about the time of US expansion with the Louisiana Purchase,) King Kamehameha I moved his capital from Lāhainā, Maui to Honolulu on O‘ahu, and planned an attack on Kaua‘i. Kamehameha’s forces for this second invasion attempt included about 7,000-Hawaiians along with about 50-foreigners (mostly Europeans.)

Weather and sickness thwarted the invasions.  However, in the face of the threat of a future invasion, in 1810, Kaumuali‘i decided to peacefully unite with Kamehameha and join the rest of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi under single rule.

According to Manifest Destiny, the people of the United States felt it was their mission to extend the “boundaries of freedom” to others by imparting their idealism and belief in democratic institutions to those who were capable of self-government. (pbs)  After wars and negotiation, the US ran east to west across the continent.

According to a prophecy prior to his birth, Kamehameha would win wars and overthrow the whole kingdom; another prophecy suggested he would succeed in battle after constructing a special heiau.  After wars and negotiation, Kamehameha gained power from east to west across the Island chain.

© 2021 Hoʻokuleana LLC

 

by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Kalanimōku Encourages Christianity

Kalanimōku was a grandson of Kekaulike, the king of Maui – he was of the same rank as Kaʻahumanu, Kamehameha’s favorite wife, and Kuakini, the governor of Hawaiʻi (his first cousins.)

In his youth, Kalanimōku had fought in the army of Kiwalaʻo against Kamehameha, but afterwards served under Kamehameha, finally becoming his trusted advisor.

And, although at the death of Kamehameha, his widowed wife Kaʻahumanu shared the government with Liholiho, Kalanimōku remained a powerful person. (Yzendoorn)

Kalanimōku had been Kamehameha’s prime minister and treasurer, the adviser on whom the king leaned most heavily. He was a man of great natural ability, both in purely governmental and in business matters. He was liked and respected by foreigners, who learned from experience that they could rely on his word. (Kuykendall)

Kalanimōku became a friend of the American Protestant missionaries and promoted the missionary message. He made the following speech on December 10, 1825, in his effort to build up Christianity and spread education throughout the Islands:

“My greetings to you all, my brethren, chiefs, missionaries, native teachers, pupils, and all people of these islands. I am truly thankful because of the new kingdom of God as now given us, for it makes us servants of Jesus Christ.

“My desire is that we love God who has given us the Word of Life. Let us keep His commandments and turn to do right, forsaking evil. Let us not follow sinful ways.”

“Let us be mindful of the good words of Jesus who gave us His blessed blood to save our souls.”

“Let us strive in our hearts to follow the words of Jehovah, our Heavenly Father, and let our thoughts be right.”

“Let us praise our God Jehovah and Him only. We have no other God. He made us and is keeping us. Let us offer Him our prayers in the evening and in the morning.”

“Let us keep Sabbath day as the day of remembrance of Jehovah our God, and let us put away all labor on this day.”

“This is God’s only day, for we can labor six days in the week, but the seventh day we should remember as the day for the good of our souls and as a day of repentance of our sins. We must remember our God.”

“I wish also to say that I am always mindful of God’s words and my heart yearns for His salvation. I am jealous for God’s words and have forsaken my old ways and I want a new heart in me.”

“My beloved King Liholiho once said to me that my wife and I should learn how to read and write. Keōpūolani requested that I obey God in order that my soul might be saved so that I might meet her in that beautiful place in the future, in the Kingdom of God.”

“At the death of Keōpūolani my love for her became much greater. I want to keep her request that I keep to the right. And when the King sailed to that foreign land I wept for him.”

“Kaumuali‘i too died in the faith and he instructed me to take good care of Kauai, for the land and all the people belonged to the king. I therefore went to Kauai and some made war upon us, but God kept us.”

“On the way to Ni‘ihau again my thoughts were of God, and from then on I became afraid of evil and I am now afraid to do wicked things.”

“I have given my body, my soul, and my heart to God and I am His servant. I am now repenting of my old sins. I am praising God at this time. It is His grace that I want, for He alone knows my sins; He knows my body and my soul.”

“I want all the people to obey Jehovah, all of the chiefs and rulers and all the commoners as well, from Hawaii to Kauai. Let us faithfully keep the laws of God and the ten commandments given us by Jehovah.”

“These laws are of benefit to all nations. I desire also that we trust in Jesus Christ, that our souls may be saved by Him. My greetings to you. God in His great mercy bless you.” (Kalanimoku, in Ka Nupepa Kuʻokoʻa, Oct. 10, 1868, quoted by Kamakau)

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Kalanimoku_by_Alphonse_Pellion-1819
Kalanimoku_by_Alphonse_Pellion-1819