“Far, far back in the prosperous reign of Kamehameha I, a vessel visited these Islands. She had on board a blacksmith. Kamehameha was every inch a king. All these Islands were made for him; and so he thought was that foreign blacksmith.” (Lucy Thurston)
Kamehameha started to accumulate Western goods, including ships and weaponry. In 1790, he was joined by John Young and Isaac Davis, Europeans who knew how to use both.
A blacksmith would have been needed to keep these ships and weapons in working order. Samuel Rice was a blacksmith by trade. (Solomon)
“Power and skill so interlaced providences, that when the vessel sailed, the blacksmith was detained on shore. (He later) worked for his royal master, but with the full purpose of embracing the first opportunity to leave the Islands.” (Thurston)
Samuel Rice was born in about April 1787; his Hawaiian naturalization certificate notes he was a native of New Hampshire. He came to the Islands around 1811, probably aboard a fur trading ship. (Solomon)
Other note Rice was a native of Springfield, Massachusetts, and left a ship at Kealakekua, of which he was blacksmith, about the year 1815, and became the King’s ‘armourer.’ (Sheldon; Thrum, 1882)
“Kamehameha had never been introduced to the code of Christian morals. Another vessel came and went, and the pioneer blacksmith was still detained. The frightful idea of long and hopeless captivity now burst upon him. He drank more deeply …”
“Such was his sad state when the American Missionaries reached these Islands in 1820. Other foreigners came and took us by the hand. For four years he never approached us. His first call was one never to be forgotten.” (Lucy Thurston)
“If Mr Samuel Rice, of Kailua to be credited, Kamehameha did not forget John Young in his dying instructions to Kaʻahumanu. As Mr Rice was present on that occasion, and as few or any other of those who were, now survive, the statement made by him is to some historical importance, as a record of the olden time.” (The Polynesia, October 11, 1851)
Around 1820, Samuel married a Hawaiian woman known as Kahiwakalana. There are records with other variations of this name as well. They had a daughter named Hannah Kaʻakau Rice. That marriage was annulled; Rice married Kaʻanae of Lanihau on March 24, 1851. (Solomon)
“For about 18 years of his residence in these islands he was addicted to drinking to intoxication, and spent all he earned in this way. But about the year 1833 or 4 there was a marked change in his character in this respect, and he appeared a reformed man; and in the year 35 he was received as a member of the church at Kailua”. (Asa Thurston)
“The daughter had learned to fear, to obey, and to love her father. She then came under his guidance, the instruction and influence of the missionaries, as had never been thought of before. She married, became a faithful wife, a devoted mother, and a humble Christian.” (Lucy Thurston)
In the service of Kamehameha, and later Kuakini, Rice was given property in West Hawaii: Honuaʻino (an ahupuaʻa that runs through Kainaliu) and two house sites in Kailua; the first, Pa O ʻUmi Heiau (on Ololi Road between Kopiko Plaza and Kuakini Hwy.)
During Land Commission hearings regarding various land awards, John ʻIʻi stated, “I have seen this place which is on Hawaii named Honuainoiki (Honuaʻinoiki.) I had heard during the lifetime of Kamehameha that the place had been acquired by him (Rice) and in the year 1843.”
“I had seen the land and house-lot personally. … It is my belief that Kamehameha had given this land to him (Rice) because he (Rice) was Kamehameha’s blacksmith and no one has ever objected.”
“The House lot at Kailua Rice’s house-lot at Kailua is named ʻUmi. It has been enclosed and there are houses. The boundaries are shown in the map of the lot. I believe Kuakini had given him this interest in the year 1829 and since then to this day, no one has objected.” (ʻIʻi; Maly)
The other was Kolelua (in the Honuaʻula ahupuaʻa – in the vicinity of Kona Inn and Huliheʻe Palace;) “the first house built by a white settler”. (Daily Bulletin, April 8, 1886) “Claimant received from Kamehameha I in the year 1814…”
Hannah Rice married Charles Hall. “In the year 1843, Mr Rice came up from Oʻahu to make arrangements with Hall to enter into partnership in a coffee plantation.”
“Some four or five miles beyond Keauhou I reached Mr Hall’s place where he has an extensive coffee plantation. His thatched house, or rather houses, is pleasantly situated among beautiful shade trees – among them the Pride of India, kukui, etc.”
“He has many thousand coffee trees, and after five years’ labor is beginning to find it profitable. He estimates that coffee may be afforded at 5 cents per pound; the actual price this year is 16 cents, and in past years it has been 20 cents or more. “
“There is abundance of rain in this elevated region (some 2000 or 3000 feet above the sea and about 3 miles inland,) and the climate is moderate and bracing. He has a native wife and a family of several children. His wife is a daughter of Mr. Rice of Kailua…” (Lyman; Maly)
“He has been a member of the Church for about 18 years, during which period, and except the faults above mentioned, after each of which he professed repentance, he has exhibited himself as on the Lord’s side.”
“He was a regular attendant on the means of Grace, and his seat in the house of God was never vacant except from ill health, absence from home, or some press of business which could not well be deferred.”
“He read the Bible much till his eyesight failed, and since he frequently requested his wife to read to him some chapter or portion of the word of God; and a short time since lie was seen to take the blessed book and pressing it to his lips, with streaming eyes, expressed his tears that he should no more be able to peruse its sacred pages.”
“He died on the morning of the 24th (of July, 1853,) rather suddenly, with the cholic or cramp, of which he had many previous attacks in years past.” (Asa Thurston)
“Honor be to the memory of the humble old patriarch. I knew him well. He had my most profound sympathy in his deep degradation, in his mighty conflicts, and in his great conquests.” (Lucy Thurston)
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