Chiefs Letters | Page 2 | Images of Old Hawaiʻi

January 15, 2018 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Alii Letters – Kapiolani to Ruggles

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, Kapiʻolani writes to Reverend Samuel Ruggles and his wife about progress at Kuapehu, Hawaiʻi Island, and her wish for them to visit or write.

The letter is addressed to Keiki ma. Keiki was an affectionate nickname given by the Hawaiians to Rev. Samuel Ruggles. “Keiki mā” refers to Samuel Ruggles and company, in this case, probably his wife, Nancy Wells Ruggles.

In 1822, Naihe and Kapiʻolani (husband and wife) were among the first chiefs to welcome instruction and accept Christianity. Kapiʻolani was the daughter of Keawemauhili, who was the high chief of the district of Hilo (the uncle of Kiwalaʻo.)

“Ka‘awaloa, Kuapehu, January 17, 1840”

“Greetings to the two of you, Reverend and Mrs. Ruggles,”

“Here is a message to you two to tell of the events of these years. The love of the Lord has been great in these years, converting many persons to his church through his love for us.”

“Here too, a church was one of our endeavors. Parts of it are complete and others are not. The intention is, however, to complete it, for our teacher might not find physical comfort in a house that is bad, or might get sick.”

“Listen, all of you, generate some compassion for us, those in need, for the minds of those in the land of ignorance have not matured to know righteousness, but the Lord sees the fruition of some, and others truly strive, so if the Lord sees it, that is good.”

“There is also this: Namakelua is holding school here at Kuapehu. Also, all the chiefs have died; Kinau passed away, Lililiha died, Hoapili Kane has died, Keano is dead.”

“I beseech you two to pray diligently for us so we may all live together in a good place. Thus I abide, yearning to meet together in a good place.”

“Listen, both of you, you should generate love in the hearts of the brethren with my message. An expression of affection is my message to all of the brethren in America.”

“Here is another message for you two, that I have no bundle to send to the two of you, it remains here in Kuapehu. On Sunday, I will go down and come back when that is done.”

“All of you should know that Mr. Forbes and his wife are diligent in the work of the Lord, tender sometimes and forceful at other times.”

“We also have new teachers, Mr. Ives and others, so the Lord has not deserted us here.”

“Also, we have plans we are working on for our livelihood. We have planted sugar cane and the mill is processing, we planted cotton, but it is not certain. We are planting coffee again. The grape vines did not bear much fruit due to improper cultivation.”

“You should write to me again about other good crops to plant so things flourish again here in Kuapehu.”

“Why are you two not writing to me?”

“You should both write. Hale sends regards, Kamuela sends regards, Naihe sends regards, our mother/aunt sends regards.”

“Say, you should sail here again and then return there. There are great efforts that our teacher is striving to do.

“Assisting in the new garden for the school teachers, that is up to the women, and as for the men, there is firewood for the church and other needs within the works of the Lord.”

“Kapiolani Love to all the people”

Here’s a link to the original letter, its transcription, translation and annotation:

https://hmha.missionhouses.org/files/original/f792abbfa34f6a37f22ed310477a6d14.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).

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Kapiolani – Ruggles Jan 17, 1840-1

Kapiolani – Ruggles Jan 17, 1840-2

Kapiolani – Ruggles Jan 17, 1840-3

May 31, 2017 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Ali‘i Letters – Nahienaena to Stewart (1828)

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.

In this letter, Harriet Nahi‘ena‘ena, who briefly describes her devotion to the word of God and updates Stewart about the passing of Henrietta Haletii and Kekauōnohi’s marriage to Keali‘iahonui.

Nāhiʻenaʻena was the child of Kamehameha I and his most sacred wife, Keōpūolani, and was the younger sister of Liholiho and Kauikeaouli.

Charles and Harriet Stewart were teachers sent to Hawaiʻi by the ABCFM with the second company of missionaries.

“Lahaina May 31 1828”

“Very great love to you Mr. & Mrs. Stewart,”

“I have a thought to communicate to you – In former times when you dwelt in the midst of us, the word of God had not taken deep root in this land.”

“But now the reality of the wonderful power of God here, is distinctly to be seen. I greatly exalt in the witness of the blessings received by my own soul. On this point I cannot write more fully at present.”

“I have to make known to you the death of your former pupil Henrietta Haletii. She was fully prepared for the house common to us all – the grave.”

“I have also to say that Kekauonohi is married to Keariiahonui.”

“Most affectionate are my salutations to you two Mr. & Mrs. Stewart, & to all the people of God, both male & female”

“Harriet Nahienaena”

Here’s a link to the original letter, its transcription, translation and annotation:
https://hmha.missionhouses.org/files/original/210d4e43c9bab7b98ecddd3a04eeaa46.pdf

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).

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Nahienaena – Stewart May 31, 1828

May 27, 2017 by Peter T Young 1 Comment

Aliʻi Letters – La‘anui to Ruggles (1827)

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.

In this letter, Gideon Laʻanui writes to Mr. and Mrs. Ruggles regarding cloth, expressing his affection to people there, and promoting faith in God.

The letter is addressed to Keiki. This is a name of endearment for Mr. Samuel Ruggles who arrived with the first company of missionaries.

Gideon Peleiōhōlani Laʻanui born in 1797, was a native of Waimea, Hawaiʻi who was partly raised in the court of Kamehameha I, and married Nāmāhana, a sister of Kaʻahumanu. After the arrival of the missionaries, he was an early convert and became an active member of the church, living in Waialua.

“May 29, 1827 Oahu”

“Greetings to you, Mr. and Mrs. Ruggles, and to all your retainers, as well as Kamahiainui and Haole.”

“Great affection to you all; may we all be saved through Jesus.”

“Here is my little message to you, Ruggles. Deliver my cloth. If it is with Maalo, then Kamahiainui should go get it, and once you see it, send it on one of your people’s ships, then document that and give it to Mr. Chamberlain.”

“Finished, that is all.”

“Relay my affectionate thoughts to the faithful men there and the faithful women there.”

“Let us all love God with great joy and with fear of God in our hearts for our many wrongdoings. That is my short message for you to tell them. It is done.”

“By Gideon Laanui”

Here’s a link to the original letter, its transcription, translation and annotation (scroll down):
https://hmha.missionhouses.org/files/original/1ddd918f2ae7aa030206f9bb8356b86c.pdf

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).

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Laanui – Ruggles May 29, 1827-1

Laanui – Ruggles May 29, 1827-2

November 20, 2016 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”

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Liholiho to ABCFM, March 18, 1823-1

Liholiho to ABCFM, March 18, 1823-2

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, 1825-3

Namahana to Jeremiah Evarts (ABCFM)-March 12, 1828-1

Namahana to Jeremiah Evarts (ABCFM)-March 12, 1828-2

John Ii to Hiram Bingham, April 16, 1828

Kealiiahonui to Jeremiah Evarts, November 8, 1823

Hewahewa to Levi CHamberlain, July 27, 1830

September 25, 2016 by Peter T Young 1 Comment

Windows into a Time

Puakea Nogelmeier gave a talk at Mission Houses related to the translation project he worked on associated with letters from the ali‘i to missionaries. The following is a transcript of portions of his talk. He speaks of the missionaries and the ali‘i and their relationship ….

“The missionary effort is more successful in Hawaii than probably anywhere in the world, in the impact that it has on the character and the form of a nation. And so, that history is incredible; but history gets so blurry …”

“The missionary success cover decades and decades becomes sort of this huge force where people feel like the missionaries got off the boat barking orders … where they 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 missionaries arrived here, and they’re a really remarkable bunch of people. They are scholars, they have got a dignity that goes with religious enterprise that the Hawaiians recognized immediately. …”

“The Hawaiians had been playing with the rest of the world for forty-years by the time the missionaries came here. The missionaries are not the first to the buffet and most people had messed up the food already.”

“And the missionaries, that first bunch on the Thaddeus almost didn’t get to land. I am sure many of you know the story that Kamehameha had said, ‘yes send missionaries from England,’ so when they arrived from America, his son almost said, ‘no, we’ll wait for the pizza we ordered … this isn’t the group we asked for.’”

“But, they end up staying and the impact is immediate. They are the first outside group that doesn’t want to take advantage of you, one way or the other, get ahold of their goods, their food, or your daughter.”

“They cowered three really important things; they come with a set of skills that Hawaiians are really impressed with. Literacy, they had been waiting for it for forty years, basically. 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.”

“But, they couldn’t get literacy. It was intangible, they wanted to learn to read and write, and there is proof they did. Kamehameha sets up a school for his sons in 1810. It doesn’t work very well because (his sons) aren’t particularly good students. So it lasts for only about a week or two.”

“Kamehameha tries, he signs his name to letters … they wanted, but nobody can really settle it down.”

“The missionaries were the first group of a scholarly background, but they also had the patience and endurance. So that’s part of the skill sets. … That’s really the more important things that are attracted first.”

“But the second thing is they are pono.”

“They have an interaction that is intentionally not taking advantage. It’s not crude. They don’t get drunk and throw up on the street … and they don’t take advantage and they don’t make a profit. So that pono actually is more attractive than religion.”

“They start in on the skill set and the pono, and those two that lead Hawaiians into religion.”

“But I have students who say the missionaries brainwashed the Hawaiians. Well then, how dumb were the Hawaiians?”

“This project really opens up the move from learning to read and write, which was really a big gun, and advancing the pono, which is the new sort of virtue – that everybody should be held to a standard. That led Hawaiians on a one-by-one.”

“This is not a brainwashing; it’s, as people bought in, they became Christian.”

“Not all of them did. You’ll notice that in 1840, twenty years into the project, the missionaries are still complaining about all the people who didn’t convert. So, if it was a brainwashing effort, it wasn’t that effective.”

“But, reading and writing starts immediately. And, of course, the missionaries can only teach in English. So they are teaching English reading and writing. We’re still playing with trying to open up that little window; there’s a very short window of probably a couple of months where those who have learned to read and write in English suddenly start to … write Hawaiian.…”

“The remarkable success here is that Hawaiians are given a new technology and what they started to put out in writing, they are transitioning from a … very sophisticated stone age culture into a very, very modern world. And now they’re empowered to write all that, and document it.”

“So the first ones who knew how to write are writing down history that had been held orally for hundreds of years. And then, writing becomes a national endeavor.…”

“Hawaii becomes more literate than America or England because the two things, actually Liholiho starts it Kauikeaouli takes it off and says ‘mine will be a nation of literacy.’ When he said that he could already read and write in both languages.”

“It’s not that he’s saying we should learn to read and write.’ He’s saying ‘let my people,’ and he made schools and he made teachers and he made a teachers’ college….”

“That notion that they appreciated the skill set and they appreciated the pono, and that led to appreciation of Christianity….”

An example is found in a letter written by Kalanimōku in 1826 to Hiram Bingham, in part, that letter translates to, “Greetings Mr Bingham. Here is my message to all of you, our missionary teachers.”

“I am telling you that I have not seen your wrong doing. If I had seen you to be wrong, I would tell you all. No, you must all be good.”

“Give us literacy and we will teach it. And, give us the word of God and we will heed it. Our women are prohibited, for we have learned the word of God.”

“Then foreigners come doing damage to our land. Foreigners of American and Britain. But don’t be angry, for we are to blame for you being faulted. And it is not you foreigners, the other foreigners.”

“Here’s my message according to the words of Jehovah, I have given my heart to God and my body and my spirit. I have devoted myself to the church and Jesus Christ.”

“Have a look at this letter of mine, Mr Bingham and company. And if you see it and wish to send my message on to America to our chief (President,) that is up to you. Greetings to the chief of America. Regards to you all, Kalanimōku.”

Here’s the audio of Puakea Nogelmeier’s presentation:

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