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 June 3rd)

We have yet another historical proof of the visits by Spaniards to the Hawaiian Islands.

On the island of Oahu a stone statue has been found which is said to have been there before Captain Cook’s visit. The original statue is now at Bremen, Germany, but a cast may be seen in the Bishop Museum, Honolulu. It represents a European gentleman, whose circular ruff, pointed beard and standing Mantelet collar are of the fashion which prevailed between 1580 and 1630.

Whilst then from the one side, the traditions of the Hawaiians tell us that during the latter part of the XVI century white men landed at the Hawaiian Islands, of whom some stayed, historical documents and monuments prove that about the same period, Spaniards took cognizance of the group of islands that we now know as the Hawaiian Islands, and the statue at least suggests that they have resided there for some time.

It seems then that there can be but little doubt that the strangers of the Hawaiian legends are Spaniards, and that consequently Paao and Pili belonged to that nationality.

(to be continued tomorrow)

Blessings, pono and pule!

Fr. Brian Guerrini, ss.cc.
Priest
Molokai