From Pre-Contact to Statehood in Hawaii

Pre-Contact

A. Islands began with volcanic activity along a Pacific rift.

Each island represents a volcanic eruption or rock off of eruption.

(Old Hawaiian legend says the god Mani let down fish hooks and pulled the

islands up from the sea.)

There are still two active volcanoes: Mauna Loa and Kilauea on the big island.

When flow goes into sea there is law suit over who owns the new land! That

volcanoes were remembered to have played a part in formation is embodied

in legends about Pele, goddess of fire and volcanoes.

B. Most vegetation was not indigenous. Some brought by man, birds, sea, wind,

storm. Coconut trees, bamboo, sugar cane all brought by man.

C. In the beginning few animals on island: no cows, horses, pigs, dogs, cats.

D. First inhabitants arrived at unknown date. Linguistic and legendary evidence suggests 400 – 500 C. E.

1. Whether first persons arrived by accident (storm) or by plan is highly debated.

2. Probably first canoe was all male and may have perished with little or no record. Yet, if voyage made by plan, they may have brought seeds, females, etc.

3. We are also unsure whether they came from Tonga, Samoa, Tahiti, Bora Bora, or Marquesas. We do know Polynesians had great sailing skills. Sailed Pacific without sexton or compass, survived by fishing, eating bread fruit, coconuts. Carried water in gourds. Canoes 60 to 80 feet long.

4. Descendants from Polynesian triangle. Hawaii, New Zealand, Easter Island. Originally movements from So. China to Tonga, then to Indonesia and Fiji. Then scattering.

E. Archaeological evidence suggests a second wave of migration from the South arrived sometime between 900 – 1300 C. E.

1. Built on first wave’s work.

2. In debt to Polynesian background but also new legends, traditions developed by first wave were incorporated. Even legends

3. Several different settlements on the various islands, so - still provincial and local, no “kingdom” or unified rule.

4. About first inhabitants – They were called menehunes (little men, three feet tall)

F. The Hawaiians used all parts of the coconut tree as food and clothing. They also excelled in feathered clothes and wore basic coverings when first whites arrived. Other clothing was representative of status.

G. Industry may be fairly characterized as stone age. No use of metals, no writing, no wheel, no pottery. But did know how to irrigate, sew and knit. Simple music: drums, gourds, flutes of bamboo.

H. Pre-contact society was rigidly stratified with definite classes.

1. Ali’i (chiefs) – originally leaders of exploring groups possessed the land, distributed as they willed. Collected taxes, tribute, women. Known for “mana” a sort of charismatic or spiritual power. Rivalry for power, sex. Frequently invaded other islands, etc. Some inter-marriage between Ali’i of the islands.

2. Kahunas – Priest caste, orally kept the history and legends in chant and ritual. Grew out of Ali’i probably. Much “mana”. Articulated the Kapu (taboos) like Shaman

3. Ma ka’a imana (commoners) land workers. Moral rules different for these and for Ali’i. Handsome men often killed by Ali’i.

4. Kau wa (slaves, persons who lost in wars, rebels, lowest class, used as sacrificial victims.)

5. Women – regarded as impure, strongly restricted. Some foods Kapu to women.

I. According to one legend, the settlers named the islands “Hawaii” in honor of chief named Hawaii-loa. But the name is also a form of Hawaiki, a religious term for “homeland”.

J. The earliest written history by a Hawaiian, David Malo. It does show some missionary influence. Oral tradition continued. Hawaii was pictured as paradisiacal before contact with Haoles

Contact: Western Discovery and Exploration

I. The first white men:

A. Spanish, Dutch, and Japanese explorers may have stopped at the Hawaiian

islands as early as the 1500’s but this is not certain.

B. Even the great Ferdinand Magellan sailed from Cape Horn to the Philippines without encountering a single Hawaiian island on the way.

II James Cook

A. The first recorded Westerner.

B. On his third voyage, 1776 to 1779, here for scientific research, was pursuing a northwest passage connecting Hudson Bay and the Pacific.

C. From Christmas Island he sailed north 1000 miles. Sighted Western Oahu in 1777 but couldn’t land.

D. Landed on Kauai. Hawaiians were surprised at whites. His ship astonished the islanders as did the possessions. The mast and sail looked like the legendary banner of the god, Lono. Coincidentally, Cook arrived in the season of Lono. Kahunas called him Lono.

E. He named the islands the Sandwich Islands for the captain of the British Admiralty, the Earl of Sandwich. Cook knew how to use islanders, especially to get food. Some “executions” were sometimes necessary. Trading, bartering, and sex were exchanged.

F. On return trip he struck Maui and went to Hawaii anchoring at Kealakekua Bay for some time. In Feb. 1779, he sailed but the Resolution encountered gale winds and suffered a damaged mast. Stealing from the ship increased.

G. After Cook left, Hawaiians thought it was tragic – venereal disease, distemper, etc.

H. In a confrontation Cook warned he would fire on the natives if they did not produce a thief. Also, two ships officers were beaten by natives after a dispute with an Ali’i. A ship’s cutter was stolen from the Discovery resulting in the blockade of the bay.

The Kingdom of Hawaii

I. Kamehameha (c. 1753 – 1810)

A. Nephew of the Ali’i on Hawaii (Kalaniopea)

B. Legend says he was empowered by Kukailimoku, the war god.

C. After death of Kalaniopuu battle for rule of Hawaii followed.

D. After seizing control of Hawaii battles with Ali’i of other islands followed. Using guns furnished by English/Americans Kamehameha seized control of Maui and Molohai. Finally of Oahu too.

1. Battle of Nuuanu – famous Pali story of traitorous troops who plunged to their deaths.

2. He wanted to seize Kauai too, but his soldiers and chiefs fell victim to a plague on Oahu in 1804. Instead he made an agreement with Kaumualii (chief of Kauai)

3. Kamehameha moved to Oahu to Honolulu because of its deep ports. Got rich off trading vessels.

E. Kamehameha died in Kailua on May 8, 1819.

II Liholiho (Kamehameha II) (1797 – 1824)

A. Became king at age 22.

B. Somewhat “Britishized,”

C. Kaahumanu, Kam. I’s wife created post of Kuhina nui (executive officer) to be co-ruler with Liholiho.

1. She urged abandonment of Kapu system and modernization. (Type of women’s lib). This had been coming for some time. Haoles (whites) were rich but didn’t observe Kapus.

2. Break of Kapu system came when Liholiho consented to eat with the women chiefs. Brought about a war with Liholiho’s cousin (who was guardian of war god) Liholiho won.

3. Still the Kapu used by Ali’i’s to keep commoners in their place.

D. In 1820, Hiram Bingham of Vermont arrived as a Christian missionary.

1. Hawaiians were sinners in need of God and savages in need of culture.

2. Some missionaries stayed in Kailua, others went to Honolulu.

3. Missionaries objected to nakedness, dancing, polygamy, Kahunas and their art.

4. While well received on some islands the governor of Dahu, Boki, was reluctant to help missionaries.

5. But when Mrs. Bingham helped save Kaahumamu’s life, he became more receptive to teaching. Missionaries received houses at Kawaiahao.

E. Liholiho used old ways when they suited him but he liked British ways too.

1. He did go to England to see his “good friend” King George in 1824.

2. While gone, missionaries used power of the Kuhina nui to institute new moral laws against drink, smoke, dance – Sabbath laws.

3. Trip to England was a disaster, awkward and embarrassing. While there Liholiho died of measles on July 14, 1824.

4. Missionaries used this as an opportunity to say he died outside the church. Many in royal family then joined, some also commoners – into Kawaiohao church.

III Kaiukeauli (Kamehameha III) (1813 – 1854)

A. Definite difficulty with missionary increasing influence. Missionaries

published information on rights of chiefs, duties of subjects, under a

government based on Christian morality (especially 10 commandments)

B. Tiring of this, in 1833 he informed other chiefs he was taking complete

authority. Old pastimes, immorality etc., returned. Common school system of

missionaries was left to fail.

C. He attempted suicide in 1834 as a result of a disappointing love affair and was

attended by H. Bingham and Gerritt Judd. His affair was with his sister

and he encountered much condemnation from missionaries.

D. King took advice from William Richards on organization of government and

civil rights for subjects. He enabled commoners to buy land. Established a government with numerous white men in it, especially Americans. Essentially inaugurating the first constitutional monarchy in islands in 1840.

1. Some Hawaiians objected to having haole rulers.

2. Britain tried to regain its hold.

3. In 1833 Ladd & Company opened to sell sugar grown on unoccupied and unapproved land.

E. Issued the Great Makele (Division) in 1840, allowing commoners to own land!

F. Whaling industry began in earnest.

G. He even approached the US about annexing the islands in 1854. But he died later that year before it could be pursued.

IV Alexander Liholiho (Kamehameha IV) (1834 – 1863)

A. Raised in mission schools, but not a good convert, eventually became Episcopal.

B. While he ruled Punahou school was begun, to educate the missionary children, re-create New England.

C. He married Emma, who was part white.

D. Whaling became excellent source of revenue until Civil War, but then it fell off.

E. Civil War in US caused sugar industry to grow. Chinese coolies came in 1852.

V Lot (Kamehameha V) (1830 – 1872)

A. Broke with constitution because it was too American and did not protect the kings’ rights. He abrogated the constitution in 1852

B. Proclaimed a new constitution in 1864 and it was motivated by a return to Hawaiian values, beliefs, customs. “The Warning Voice”

C. He became ill. Since he was a bachelor, when asked to name a successor he did not, so it was left to the new legislature, not popular vote. Two candidates campaigned: David Kalakaua and William Lunaliho (Whiskey Bill). On Jan. 1, 1873 Lunaliho won overwhelmingly.

VI William Lunaliho – “Whiskey Bill”

A. Discussed the ceding of Pearl Harbor to America. But this move was defeated by popular resistance through a bilingual paper, the Nuhou.

B. Most embarrassing incident was revolt of palace guards. (militia)

C. He died in 1874.

VII David Kalakaua

A. Had support of haoles but never very popular with locals. Rumors were that he used paid genealogists to give him the right pedigree.

B. But he was opposed by Queen Emma who made many promises from her summer palace, if she were elected. A riot broke out on election day. Kalakaua was minister of foreign affairs and asked for U.S. intervention. Kalakaua was elected and named his brother as his successor immediately upon his selection but his brother died in 1877.

C. He went to U.S. in 1874 to make treaty about Pearl Harbor and in 1887 the treaty was sealed in order to get a sugar treaty with the U.S.

D. When he saw growth of sugar plant and new pineapple industry and ursurping of land, he took measures to break Haole’s power.

1. No one could sit in legislature if not a Hawaiian citizen.

2. Appointed many new ministers of Hawaiian descent.

3. Revived Hawaiian customs – hula, etc.

E. He constructed Iolani palace at great expense – over $300,000. Completed in 1882. Part of celebration was unveiling of statue of Kamehameha I across from palace.

F. Kalakaua toured the world, going to England, Japan, Europe.

G. Together with Walter Gibson, a Mormon with definite appreciation for Hawaiian language, customs, and people, Kalakaua drafted a resolution rejecting any further annexations of the Pausu islands by the western powers. They even projected a confederation of Pacific Islands.

H. Kalakaua was criticized because of extravagant spending in government. This led to formation of an opposition party. The Hawaiian League in 1886. Included in this party was Sanford Dole, child of missionaries, political satirist for the Hawaiian Gazette. They felt Kalakaua ran the legislature for his own good and reform was needed.

I. Pressure continued until Kalakaua was forced to draft a new constitution in 1887. The legislature voted down Kalakaua’s program. Kalakaua was implicated in an opium pay-off. He wanted his cabinet to resign but the new constitution limited him severely. He vetoed five bills, all were over-ridden by the legislature.

J. Another reaction group, called the Liberal Patriotic Association, was organized by Robert Wilcox. This group was made up of Hawaiians, part-Hawaiians, and disgruntled businessmen and others. He actually plotted violent overthrow of new constitution. He wanted Liluiokalani on the throne. But his revolt was stopped.

K. Kalakaua left his sister in charge while he went to the U.S. There, in San Francisco, he died.

VIII Liliuokalini (1838 – 1917)

A. Last of the Hawaiian monarchs. Came to the throne at 52 years.

B. A conscientious Christian, with a pew in the Kawaiahao church.

C. Determined to show that Hawaii was a monarchy, even if a constitutionalized

one. But she inherited the complex situation of her brother’s day.

D. Her opponents began to move for annex of Hawaii as a territory of the U.S.

They felt the queen could be refined, and prosperity (especially sugar) could

be insured.

E. In an effort to curb economic problems, the legislature and Liliuokalani passed a lottery act and an opium licensing act.

F. Liliuokalini dropped a bombshell of a new constitution at her own ceremony. It supported equal voting rights, representation, democracy. ( and queen appointed nobles), King or Queen would not need approval of Sovereign. Although she did not actually present the new constitution, she said it was coming!

G. Reaction was swift and decisive. Those against it. (mostly American) appealed to the U. S. Marines for help to prevent new constitution. These men took over and set up a provisional government under martial law. Included were Lorrin Thurston and Sanford Dole. Dole became the one and only president of new republic. Liliuokalini was forced to abdicate.

Hawaii Becomes a Territory.

A. Sugar planters wanted Hawaii to be a territory of U.S. for trade reasons, and the “big five” controlled so much economical power in 1920 – 1930 that every governor was beholding to them. American factors – Castle & Cooke, Alexander & Baldwin, Theo. Davies & Co., C. Brewer & Co. 96% of the sugar industry by 1933. Not until 1937 were labor unions strong and these were on docks, not plantations. But plant unions followed. First strike against sugar industry in 1946.

B. 1898 succeeded in getting Hawaii annexed as a U.S. territory despite Hawaiian opposition. Dole was appointed the first governor. Once remarked it was essential to keep Hawaiian natives out of politics. They were too ignorant and irresponsible. Hawaiians had all but ceased to be persons.

C. Rehabilitation movement began in 1902. Some thought Hawaiians should have reservations like American Indians. But leases on more than 200,000 acres of government land expired between 1917 and 1921. It was decided in Congress that Hawaiian Houses Comm. Act (1920) would be passed. This gave Hawaiians of more than one-half native blood the permission to apply for a 99 year lease on agricultural land. Not like Great Mahele where they bought land, then sold it to sugar growers and were disposed.

D. Shortly before WW I, the U.S. began to build a great Naval Base at Pearl Harbor. Schofield Barracks became biggest Army post in the U.S.

E. In 1934 Franklin D. Roosevelt became the first U.S. President to visit the islands.

Hawaii Becomes a State

A. In 1919 Jonah Kuhio Kalaniaanole, adopted son of Kalakaua’s wife, and Hawaii’s delegate to U.S. Congress, presented first bill to make Hawaii a state, but war prevented any decision.

B. In 1959 Hawaiians voted 17 to 1 in favor of statehood, which became a reality on Aug. 21, 1959.

C. Largest source of income is money spent by U.S. Government for military personnel, etc. Tourism ranks second.