Three years into the American Revolution my People, Native Hawaiians, were discovered by Captain Cook of the British Bark Endeavor. The People of Hawaii, Kanaka Maoli, were still living in a subsistence economy. It is evident that little value was held for the life of Hawaiians, as they would be pushed off their lands, culture forbidden to practice and economy turned completely around into Capitalism. Though poor captain Cook met his demise on that fateful journey to Hawaii, the People of the Islands also suffered much around it’s discovery by the outside World.
Immediately, STD’s overtook all the islands within a year and even the common cold meant a scarlet fever death for the native people. In addition to this fragility, the People would be affected more by the greed of foreigners who continued to harvest Hawaii for its commercial industry. Let’s back up though to the time of Kamehameha the first, who conquered all the islands and crowned himself King of all Hawaii.
King Kamehameha fought a pivotal battle about 12 years after Cook’s landing, on Oahu, called the Battle of Nu’uanu. In an infamous painting of the Battle, by Herb Kawainui Kane, he reminds us of the developing relationship between Hawaii and foreigners. Both sides of the islanders had the assistance of artillery, modern English weapons. This moment in History also reminds us of the true motives behind help from these foreigners, their intention gaining control of Hawaiian Lands. The artillery used by Kamehameha at this battle was given by English Captain George Vancouver. The opposing Chief, Kahekili, received help from English Merchant Captain William Brown. It is evident that though one side of the Hawaiians would lose, both foreign supporters would win Hawaii for England, either way. This is the first of many ways that Hawaiians had been preyed upon by the outside invading World. Upon his death, Kamehameha’s Wife, Ka’ahumanu, made a historic move to abolish the Kapu system.
The Kapu system of Hawaii was a code of conduct for the People. For example, forbidding common People to greet and even look upon the island Chiefs or Ali’i. It was Kapu to take certain fish, livestock and other staples to prevent misuse of commodity. But also Kapu forbade Men and Women from eating together. After Kamehameha II was crowned, he was called by his mother Ka’ahumanu and she offered him a piece of food which he took; Violating the Kapu. There would be a small battle over this among Hawaiians but it would cease because of the wave of foreigners coming next, like western Missionaries and Economic opportunists.
Now, I imagine that the Hawaiians natural state to be part or completely naked, would cause quite an uproar in civilized European Society. Hawaiian Koa Warriors fought battles naked, which I am sure was grossly misunderstood by foreigners as atrocious. So immediately they set to work influencing the Ali’i in judging the People according to the New Religions. With the old religion gone and Kahuna practices outlawed that preserved our ancient traditions; the Ali’i began to build their own Governing body to rival their British and American counterparts. Hawaii gained wealth and notoriety by trading commodities. Foreign Religious Leaders and Traders moved onto Hawaii, becoming Nationals and appointed Political figures. As I am only 60% Hawaiian the remaining 40% can claim genealogy of these Nationals and Political officials. Family History being our greatest evidence as to what happened to the People of Hawaii.
During the Reign of Kamehameha the third, he established the Island’s first Constitution, which brought forth new codes of conduct for the People. He had to fend off attempts to overthrow and overtake the islands. A British Captain Lord George Paulet attempted to capture Hawaii away from Kamehameha the third, this was appropriately called the Paulet Affair. Kamehameha reported the incident to the British Monarchy and through the denouncement of Paulet’s actions, delivered by British Admiral Richard Thomas, the Hawaiian King was restored to the throne. It was during this reign that American’s would begin their mission to Annex the Hawaiian Islands to the US.
During the reign of Kamehameha the fourth, he admittedly sought trade with England and Europe over America. His Wife, Emma Rooke, was part English and for this was taken under Queen Victoria’s wing. The English Queen was made Godmother of the couples son, Prince Albert, by proxy. Her affection immortalized in a lock of hair sent to Emma, who was made Queen Dowager after losing her young son and husband to fatal illness.
During the reign of Kamehameha the fifth, he opted to write a new Constitution instead of amend the previous one. He reinstated the outlawed Kahuna, keepers of ancient Hawaiian traditions, to restore the dying culture of the People and began the first Hawaiian renaissance.
Kamehameha the fifth did not name a successor before his death so Hawaii had their very first elections between two popular High Ranking Chiefs, Kalākaua and Lunalilo. Lunalilo being the most popular vote, won the legislative election but died a little over a year later of tuberculosis. As King, Kalākaua saw fit to restore the Hawaiian culture and frequently enjoyed the traditions of hula and luau celebration.
It is at this time that American Nationals begin to aggressively bring forth their agenda for the Hawaiian Islands. Kalākaua was forced at bayonet point to establish a new constitution which relinquished Lands to the generations of Americans at the time.
After Kalākaua’s death his sister and successor, Lili’uokalani, was overthrown at bayonet point by the same American agenda to Annex Hawaii to the US. Despite her attempts to gain back her crown through diplomacy with America, it would be to no avail. The Annexation took place, unlawfully with much resistance from Hawaii’s people in the form of the Ku’e Petition.
