Historical Collections of The Hawaiian Islands - Queen Kaahumanu (Part 5)

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Historical Collections of The Hawaiian Islands
" Keepers of the Culture "
A study in time of the Hawaiian Islands
As told by the ancients--
Queen Kaahumanu -- Part 5
by Darlene E. Kelley
November 24, 2000

http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00026.html#0006374

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As told by the ancients--
Queen Kaahumanu -- part 5.

As Mr. and Mrs Bingham had hoped. when Kaahumanu had learned to read,
her interest in education became the center of her life. Encouraged by
the mission, she and Kaumualii organized an education tour. Hundreds of
native people joined the caravan, carrying their books and slates with
them, studing as they went, traveling by foot the many long miles around
the island. The missionary teachers took this opportunity to preach and
exhort, teaching the new religion wherever the party stopped.

In Honolulu an examination of those studying English was held. Kaahmanu
also was examined. She stated that she was making herself stronger and
that she believed in God.

Kaahumanu constantly studied the Bible and often commented upon what she
read. Cooperating with the mission, the Regent ordered that schools
should be opened on all of the islands, and that the grass school houses
should be well constructed. Many classes were held in the open air when
the weather permitted. The pupils were called together by the blowing of
the conch shell, sacred to the high born. Surf boards were sometimes
used as desks, but generally the pupils sat on mats of woven lauhala
spread on the ground. Kaahumanu had her own private school where the
young men who were most proficent under the instruction of the
missionries were prepared to go out as teachers.

There was a constant call for more books. Mr. Bishop, who was stationed
on Hawaii, sent word to Mr. Bingham that Kamakua wanted four thousand
books for to send to Kau, where Chieftess Kapiolani and her husband,
Naihe, were sojourning. Governor Kuakini asked for forty thousand for
his and Kaaahumanu's people, since they had not one on hand. In a brief
time, twenty large schools were equipped on the island of Hawaii. The
missionaries work was progressing with great promise.

Kaahumanu's interest in education knew no bounds. Before Liholiho
departed for England. she and Kaumualii visited Kauai. They took with
them a retinue of eight hundred people. When Kaahumanu learned there
were three hundred pupils waiting to study, she sent a letter to Queen
Kamamalu asking for eight hundred books immediately.

Just before the royal couple left for Engand, a new company of
missionaries arrived. Kaahumanu received them cordially stating that she
was overwelmed that they had come and welcome to them all, especially
the teachers and their women.

The King gave a reception in honor of the new teachers and the papers
and commission of the missionaries were presented. Liholiho and the
chiefs endorsing them with their approval and aloha. Kaahumanu was
present at the reception. She is described as entering the house with
majsety in her step and manner. She wore the native costume. The pau, or
undergarment was of purple stain in profuse quanity. It was cast over
one arm and shoulder leaving the other exposed, and flowed in its
richness far on the ground behind her. Her hair was neatly put up with
combs and ornaments by a double coronet of exquisite feathers, the
colors bright yellow, crimson, and bluish green. At this time Kaahumanu
appeared to be between forty and fifty years old, but she still retained
much of the beauty for which she was so celebrated.

Among the high ranking chiefs present, was Kuakini, Kaahumanu's brother,
the governor of the Island of Hawaii. Governor Kuakini had chosen the
American name of John Adams because of his admiration for John Quincy
Adams. He was known as Governor Adams of Hawaii. He was wearing a black
silk velvet cloak and pantaloons, with buff waistcoat, white silk
stockings, a splendid gold watch with seals with rich ornament.
Kalanimoku was dressed in a suit of rich Camlet with a white Marseilles
waistcoat and white stockings. Kalanimoku, in his conversation with the
missionaries and others present, declared his belief in the true god. He
said that as an officer of the government, he would use all of his
influence in favor of Christianity.

In order to establish the western ideals of right and wrong , the
missionaries had to destroy the old Hawaiian  standards. Preaching
endlessly about the depravation and stupidity of the Hawaiian life
style, the missionaries shamed the Hawaiians into abandoning their ways
and their hero worship.

LIholiho carried on his father's policy of continuing to regard the
kingdom as being under the protection  of the British Empire. Desiring
to see his friend King George lV, and get a look at the outside world.
Liholoho planned a voyage to England. Perhaps fearing from the danger
from the United States because of the large influx of American traders
and missionaries, he may have wanted to obtain advice and assistance in
dealing with these foreigners. Accompanied by his favorite wife,
Kamamalu, Boki [governor of Oahu] and his wife Liliha, and a number of
high ranking chiefs, plus numerous servents and interpreters, the king
sailed for England on November 27, 1823 on a chartered whaler.

In Liholiho's absence, his younger brother would inherit the throne in
the event of the King's death. Since this younger brother was only about
nine years old, the position of regent was established, and Kaahumanu
assumed this position in addition to her other duties. During the King's
absence, the older chiiefs chose a more orderly policy in running the
affairs of government and they laid down a mini-code of laws that was
based upon the teachings of the missionaries. There were five laws, as
follows;
1-- There shall be no murder-- This law especially applied to the custom
to the ancient custom of infanticide.
2 -- There shall be no theft of any description -- 
Prohibiting thecustom of helping ones self to the property of his
neighbor, as, for instance, walkng into his garden and taking his
growing vegetables.
3 -- There shall be no boxing or fighting among the people. No
drunkenness is also listed in this law.
4 -- There shall be no work or pay on the Sabbath, but this day shall be
as the sacred day of Jehovah.
5 -- When schools are established all the people shall learn the
palapala. [ To read and write.]

The important chiefs entered into this new movement with enthusiasm,
with Kaahumanu's support. Small church's had been built on the different
islands under the directions of the mission. Kaahumanu devoted herself
to providing such buildings for church services, as well as the use of
larger buildings which was needed for storage and schools. People were
thronging to the meetings by the hundreds to listen to the gospel and to
learn to read and write. So Governor Adams on Hawaii took his men to the
forests to cut trees for larger buildings.

The joy of building the new church in Hawaii, which was measured one
hundred eighty feet by seventy eight feet and seated four thousand eight
hundred people, was shadowed by the illness and death od Kaumualii. The
good king. at his own request was buried beside the Queen Mother,
Keopuolani, at Lahaina. Kaumualii was not only a great chief, but was
one of the most cultured gentlemen of old Hawaii. he left his estate in
care of Kaahumanu and Kalanimoku for Liholiho when he should return.

The royal party arrived in Portsmouth, England in mid May of 1824.
Having no advance notice of their visit, the British government hasily
assigned them a guardian. Conducted to London, the royal party received
new wardrobes in an attempt to make them more presentable. Their dark
skin caused the Hawaiians some embarrassment in that they were ridiculed
by the press and the fashionable
aristocrats. But generally, they received the most courteous treatment,
seeing all the important buildings and places of interest, visiting
theatres and occupying royal boxes, attending receptions, and etc.

Prior to meeting with King George, the royal party came down with
measles. Having no immunity to the disease, their condiion worsened. The
attending physicians could do little, and Queen Kamamalu died on July
8th. Grief stricken , Liholiho sank into decline and passed away on the
14th. The other Hawaiians gradually recovered, and Boki took charge. He
met with King George in September, and in the discussians that followed,
King George promised to protect the Hawaaian kingdom from external
forces and also promised not to seize the islands. In appointing a
consul to the kingdom, he recognized its independence.

The forty six gun frigate, H.M.S. Blonde returned the royal party to the
Hawaiian Islands. On the moring of May 11, 1825, the sumptuously
decorated coffins containing the deceased and Queen were taken ashore
for funeral ceremonies. After a brief service at the church, the lead
coffins were placed inside Kalanimoku's own house until a Royal Tomb
could be constructed.

On June 6, 1826, the ruling chiefs convened a national council to
officially determine sucession to the Hawaiian throne. In an unanimous
decision, the deceased younger brother would become king with the ttile
of Kamehameha lll. Because the new king was only twelve years old, the
council appointed Kalanimanu to be the Kings special guardian and also
continued the regency of Kaahumanu.
In the meantime, the new kng would be instructed by the misionaries in
religion, reading and writing.