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 9th)

What with more probability may be considered a remnant of Catholic teaching is the belief in the resurrection of the body, which doctrine did not make part of the general beliefs of the Hawaiians, but was taught by the heathen priest Kapihe, who in the time of Kamehameha I, officiated in Puna, not far from the place where Paao built his first temple. Concerning this priest and his teaching on the resurrection, a historian had this to say:

“A very interesting conversation ensued, on the resurrection of the dead at the last day . . . . The people said they had heard of it by Kapihe, a native priest, who formerly resided in this village, and who, in the time of Kamehameha, told that prince, that at his death he would see his ancestors, and that hereafter all the kings, chiefs, and people of Hawaii, would live again . . . .

Kapihe . . . priest to the god, Kuahairo, . . . informed Kamehameha that when he should die, Kuahairo would take his spirit to the sky, and accompany it to the earth again, when his body would be reanimated and youthful; that he would have his wives, and resume his government in Hawaii; and that at the same time the existing generation would see and know their parents and ancestors, and all the people who had died would be restored to life . . . . ”

I hold it then to be most probable, that Paao was a Catholic priest, or perhaps a friar not in Holy Orders. Pili, I presume to have been a friar, but not a priest, although after Paao’s removal he replaced him in his ministry.

(to be continued tomorrow)

Blessings, pono and pule!

Fr. Brian, ss.cc.
Priest
Molokai