Historical Collections of The Hawaiian Islands - Kamehameha l (Part 4) The US GenWeb Archives provide genealogical and historical data to the general public without fee or charge of any kind. It is intended that this material not be used in a commercial manner. All submissions become part of the permanent collection. Historical Collections of The Hawaiian Islands " Keepers of the Culture " A study in time of the Hawaiian Islands Kamehameha l and stories told by the ancients -- part 4 John Young and Isaac Davis by Darlene E. Kelley November 6, 2000 http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00026.html#0006374 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ As told by the ancients--- part 4. Foreign ships had been supplying the Hawaiian chiefs with more and more ammunition, and several foreign men had joined the chiefs in their battles. Kamehameha, in order to meet the attack from Kauai and Maui, prepared a large fleet, including several double canoes armed with guns, and, with John Young and Isaac Davis in charge of the artillery, he fought and won the first great navel battle in the history of Hawai'i. The Hawaiian's called this naval war "the battle of the red mouthed gun." Following this battle, Kamehameha, returned to the completion of the Temple at Kawaihae. John Young--- [ 1749 --1835 ] John Young was the English boatswain of a small American fur trading vessel called Eleanora, in 1790. Off the coast of Maui, the ship was attacked and the Captain Simon Metcalf, punished the Hawaiians severly. Later off the big island at Kawaihae, Young was ashore when the Fair American, commanded by Metcalf's eighteen year old son, Thomas, was captured and only one of the six members of the crew [ Isaac Davis ] was saved. John Young was detained ashore and therafter Kamehameha l trusted both Young and Davis to advise him of the ways of people from overseas. He was given the nickname of Olohana. Both manned large guns mounted on canoes when Kamehameha invaded the northern side of the island of Hawai'i. and later were in charge of the cannons during the attack on Oahu. Young married Kaonaeha [ Melie Kuamoo ], a niece of Kamehameha. and held landed estates on five islands. He served as governor of several of the islands, and helped to repel the Russian filibusters under Dr. George Anton Scheffer. Young took part in all the major changes in the islands as an elder statesman, joining in the overthrow of the ancient tabus in 1819. He did not object to the landing of the American missionaries in 1820 but feared the rivalry might grow between the United States and Great Britain, which at that time was supposed to hold a protectorate over the kingdom. Young also forsaw the decline of the native population through wars and disease. He died in 1835 and in 1865 his body was placed in the Royal Mausoleum. His granddaughter reigned as Queen Emma. His son John Young ll was born in 1810, and was called Keoni Ana , [ at Kawaihae, Hawai'i ]. He married Alapai and succeded Kekauluoki as kuhina nui, or prime minister, from 1845 to 1854. He also served as governor of Maui, minister of the interior, chamberlain of the King's household, and Supreme Court Justice. He aided in communication between native, and foreign elements in the community. Isaac Davis -- [ 1758 -- 1810 ] Isaac Davis was born in Milford, England. He was the sole survivor of the massacre in 1790 of the crew of The Fair American. He was found tied to a canoe, half blind and half dead. He was nursed back to health by an American beachcomber named Isaac Ridler. Like his friend Young, Davis was made a high chief and helped Kamehameha l in his dealings with foreigners and in wars of conquest. Isaac Davis married a relative of the King and founded a prominent family in the islands. He held estates on Hawai'i, Maui, Molokai, and Oahu. His daughter, Betty, married George P. Kaumualii, and is said that Davis was poisoned and died because he warned King Kaumualii of a plot to kill him when the ruler of Kauai came to Honolulu in 1810 to confirm the cession of his island to Kamehameha. Three children of Davis's second marriage to Kualukuna, also known as Grace Kamaikui, were adopted by John Young after Davis died. Isacc Young Davis, a grandson and one of nineteen children, was the second husband of Princess Ruth. Although Kamehameha had not been able to control Keoua Kuahuula's invasion, he believed that he held the final victory on Hawai'i in his own hands. His next move was one of diplomacy. Acoording to accepted tradition, Kamehameha sent two of his high chiefs to see Keoua Kuahuula and to invite him to come to Kawaihae and meet him face to face. The chiefs approached Keoua Kuahuula with every formality and courtesy due his high rank as king of Kau. They gave him Kameameha's message and urged him to return with them to Kamehameha, saying that they two would be rulers. This pleased Keoua Kuahuula and evidently believing the invitation was one of friendliness on Kamehameha's part, he decided to accept the invitation. He assembled his retinue and, with all the splendor of his court, he accompanied the two chiefs back to Kawaihae. History can not tell what was in the mind of Keoua Kuahuula, but the fact that he rearranged the seating in his canoes before reaching Kawaihae denotes that he was not confident of the outcome of his visit to Kamehameha. He took into his own double canoe with himself the chiefs wo would be suitable companions to die with him. At Keoua Kuahuula's canoe neared the place of landing, he said to his companions that it looked stormy ashore and things did not look right.. Standing on the platform of the canoe, he observed the scene. On the shore stood Kamehameha, resplendant in cloak and helmet. With him was the high chief, Keeaumoku, his prime minister. Surrounding him were armed warriors. On the mountainside was the new temple, finished and complete,ready to be dedicated to Kamehameha's god. But he called to Kamehameha in pleasant greeting. As the canoe touched the beach, Keoua Kuahuula sprang ashore. Men closed around him and about his canoe. Then suddenly, the old chief, Keeaumoku, threw his spear and killed Keoua Kuahuula. The body of the dead king was carried to the temple and there sacrificed in the dedicationtory ceremonies of this new temple to Kukailimoku, the war god. The death of Keoua Kuahuula cleared the stage for Kamehameha and gave him tje sovereignty of the island of Hawai'i. The big island torn by war, settled down to more peaceful living. Kamehameha studied his people and his dominions with a long look forward. Foreign ships were arriving in great numbers. Kamehameha gave them all a cordial welcome and supplied their needs. He became personally acquainted with the captains of these vessels, and he was not slow in learning the intricacies of trade. One captain, in his records, spoke of him as an acute trader and a match for any European in driving a bargain. But while he was shrewed, he was also honest. On one occassion when a English ship had run aground and had cast overboard 90 ingots of copper to lighten the vessel, Kamehameha ordered his men to dive to the bottom of the ocean an salvage the copper, which they did. Instead of keeping the metal as his reward, he inquired of an Englishman as to what would be done in England in a simular case. He was told that one-eighth was considered a fair salvage. he counted out twelve ingots and returned the rest to the owner.