In 1778, Capt. James Cook arrived in the Hawaiian Islands during a truce between the warring factions of Maui and Hawaii, when Kamehameha was a young warrior under Kalaniopu‘u.
In 1778, Capt. James Cook arrived in the Hawaiian Islands during a truce between the warring factions of Maui and Hawaii, when Kamehameha was a young warrior under Kalaniopu‘u.
Over the next two decades, warfare continued while trade by rival countries between China and America increased, and a steady stream of foreigners made its way into the islands.
Some foreigners came only to trade but others remained and became residents. As the fighting persisted and Kamehameha’s power grew, dominion over the various islands changed hands. Many foreigners took part in the battles, fighting and sometimes dying for chiefs on different islands.
Two foreigners in particular, John Young and Isaac Davis, rose to prominence and Kamehameha treated them as high chiefs, granting them lands and chiefly wives, and their descendants are found throughout modern Hawaii.
Hawaii Island historian Boyd Bond weaves the lives of these British advisers and other outlanders into the fabric of our Island history during a presentation from 7-8:30 p.m. April 27 at the Lyman Museum in Hilo.
The nationally accredited and Smithsonian-affiliated Lyman Museum, at 276 Haili St., showcases the natural and cultural history of Hawaii. Museum hours are 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday. For additional information, call 935-5021 or visit www.lymanmuseum.org.