Hawaii History:

(from “History of the Catholic Mission in the Hawaiian Islands” by Father Reginald Yzendoorn, SS.CC., Honolulu Star-Bulletin Ltd., Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii, 1927)

(continued from Jun 1st))

“By all the documents that have been examined, it is demonstrated that the discovery [of the Hawaiian Islands] dates from the year 1555 . . . and that the discoverer was Juan Gaetano of Gaytan. The principal proof is an old manuscript chart, registered in these archives as anonymous, and in which the Sandwich Islands are laid down under that name, but which also contains a note declaring that he called them “Islas de Mesa (Table Islands).” There are besides other islands situated in the same latitude, but 10 degrees farther east and respectively named “La Mesa,” “La Desgraciade,” “Olloa,” or “Los Monges.” The chart appears to be a copy of that called the chart of the Spanish Galleon, existing long before the time of Captain Cook, and which is referred to by all the national and foreign authors that have been consulted, such as the following: Batavian Geography, 2nd vol. of the Geographical atlas of William Blaeu, Amsterdam, 1663. In the first map entitled ‘America Nova Fabula,’ the neighboring islands La Desgraciada, and those of Los Monges, are placed towards the 21st degree of northern latitude and 120 west of the meridian passing through the island of Teneriff . . . James Burney . . . cites the atlas of Artelius entitled ‘Theatrum Orbis’ in which the same islands are found, and placed in nearly the same position . . . .

Foreign authors say that the discovery of the Hawaiian Islands took place in 1542 in the expedition commanded by General Rui Lopez de Villalobo, while the Spanish chronicles denote 1555. The latter date should be the more correct one, for Juan Gaytan wrote the narrative of the voyage of 1542, and mentions nothing respecting those islands, while he gives an account of Rocca partida, and Amblada, and all those he discovered on that expedition . . . .”

(to be continued)

Blessings, pono and pule!

Fr. Brian Guerrini, ss.cc.
Priest
Molokai