Perpetuation of the Hawaiian race was a major concern for our ancestors in the late 1800's and early 1900's. The leaders of the Hawaiian nation at that time were careful to leave behind a legacy of care that would help to do just that, perpetuate the race. In his first speech as king, Kamehameha IV stated the need for a hospital to treat the native population. Due to introduced diseases, the Hawaiian population had plummeted from 350,000 at the time of Captain Cook's arrival, to 70,000, with extinction a very real possibility. King Kalakaua dedicated himself and his queen to the slogan "ho'oulu a ho'oola lahui.to propagate and perpetuate the race". Kamehameha IV and his wife Emma were the first ali'i to establish an institution to assist Hawaiians with one of their major obstacles to perpetuation, their health. The Queen's Hospital as it was called, opened in 1859. Upon her death in 1885, Emma left the bulk of her estate, some 13,000 acres o
Native Hawaiians living on Maui who were financially or medically impacted by COVID-19 can apply for the ʻAi Hua food voucher program. Maui Economic Opportunity is overseeing the program, which is funded by a $150,000 grant from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.
The History of Hawai‘i From Our Files: Secret Worshipping of Pele
The history of Hawai‘i from our files.
January 28, 2021
A lava fountain at Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō erupted for 23 hours on March 13, 1985. Photo: Courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey
In 1990, the lava from Kīlauea took its most destructive path since the eruption in 1983. The town of Kalapana was destroyed and HONOLULU named Pele the Islander of the Year. The 1991 article also took a look at why some families were forced into hiding their practice of honoring the goddess.
“Pele lives. She smolders inside the red-hot chambers of volcanic craters. She flows in the lava that pours from heaving vents. She animates the steam that seethes below the surface of the land. To find her, go to Kalapana, where homes are being overrun by her streams of fire. The people will tell you: Pele is here. Go to Wao Kele O Puna, where her steam is being harnessed for energy. They’ll tell you: Pele is here. Go to Kilauea