FIRST CONTACT IN THE PACIFIC

What were some of the Europeans’ initial impressions of Islanders? For example…

1. How did the Europeans view the Islanders?

The Dutch were the first Europeans to sight Australia’s indigenous people. Later these Dutch navigators were followed by British explorers including Captain James Cook who scared the indigenous people with their guns. The European saw the indigenous people as violent and uncultured who required their guidance and colonization.

1. Did their perceptions change over time? How?

The local people of the Island and the British explorers had much difference including language, dressing, culture, food, and traditional practices. The British failed to understand the lifestyle of the indigenous people and adopted a hostile and negative attitude towards them. This lead to a misunderstanding between them and the indigenous people was taken as prisoners to serve the British.

1. What were some of the Islanders’ (or Highlanders) initial impressions of Europeans? For example…
2. What or who did the Islanders/highlanders think the Europeans were at first?

The Europeans came as strangers with a different skin color. The indigenous people had never seen someone like that before which scared them and alarmed them because they were seen as the enemy or the evil. They approached them to fight when the Europeans showed their guns and power over them.

1. How did the islanders/Highlanders come to realize the Europeans were human?

The Islanders saw the Europeans as unknown people who they were not sure where they came from, the sky or the sea or the moon? And what purpose they came with? They soon realized the white men were human like them when they were attacked and forced to be their prisoners, and begin to ‘civilize’ the indigenous population.

PART 1B: FIRST CONTACT IN HAWAIʻI

1. How was “first contact” in Hawaiʻi similar to the experiences described in the article and video?

Captain Cook was the first European to make contact with the people of Hawai. The arrival of a white man was a different experience for the Hawai’an because of the time they arrived. The festive month celebrated by the indigenous people made them think of the Europeans as a symbol of God.

1. Describe the circumstances of Captain James Cook’s death.

Captain James Cook returned to the Island of Hawaii, this time not in the festive month. His intentions were doubted by the local people and the white men who had joined him seemed like a threat to them. Therefore, there was a conflict among the local people and the Europeans who were led by Captain Cook. This resulted in the death of many local people and Captain Cook. All though, there are two depictions of the event, one of which shows that Cook rather tried to save the local people and avoid the confusion.

PART 2: Assignment 6-2: A brief history of the Kingdom of the Hawaiian Islands I

1. Describe the major points of Kamehameha I’s campaign. Include information (dates, names, significance) about the following:
2. Battle of Mokuʻohai

The Battle of Mokuʻohai took place in 1782 which is considered one of the most significant battles in the history of Hawaii and King Kamehameha I.

1. Kiwalaʻō

The heir to the ruler of Hawaii, and the eldest son, Kiwalaʻō was not present in the battle with Captain Cook.

1. Keōua

Keōua Kalanikupuapaʻīkalaninui Ahilapalapa was the father of King Kamehameha I and the first king of united Hawaii.

1. Kahekili

He was also a King, who was known to be a great warrior and chief of the army.

1. Kalanikūpule

The last king to physically fight with Kamehameha I for the Islands of Hawaii. He was the last of the family and failed in his battle.

1. Battle of Nuʻuanu Pali

The battle of Nuʻuanu Pali was fought over the land of Oahu, Hawai between the King Kamehameha I and Kalanikupule, the King of Oahu in 1795. The purpose of the war was to secure the unity of Hawaii.

1. 1810

By the time of 1810, King Kamehameha I united the Island of Hawaii to rule the region altogether. He was considered a great warrior and ruler in the Hawaiian history.

1. Identify and describe the major events/changes that occurred under each of the monarchs (the terms below are titles, don’t forget to include their actual names in your descriptions):
2. Kamehameha II

The birth name of Kamehameha II was Liholiho, the second king of the Kingdom of Hawaii. He discredited the gods and destroyed temples to overturn Kapu. This was followed by Christian missionaries entering the land and spreading their religion.

1. Kamehameha III

He ruled from 1814 to 1854, which was the longest period of power by any king of Hawaii. Kamehameha III, also known as Kauikeaouli, introduced the system of a constitution and land ownership to the Hawaiian public with keeping the foreign invaders as a useful model.

1. Kamehameha IV

Alexander Liholiho ruled from 1834 to 1863 and became the fourth king of the Kingdom of Hawaii. During his reign, the Kingdom was affected by a disease that killed his people and his wife which caused him great sadness. This was followed by the death of his son and led him to suffer from asthma and later dying in 1863.

1. Kamehameha V

King Lot begin his rule at the age 33 and was prepared for his job due to his experiences as an interior minister. He further improved the constitution system, developing better and more suitable laws for the King to improve his kingdom.

PART 3: Assignment 6-3: History of the Kingdom of the Hawaiian Islands II

1. Identify and describe the major events or changes that occurred under each of the last three monarchs of the Kingdom of the Hawaiian Islands:
2. William Charles Lunalilo

He was chosen through the system of election and voting, introducing democracy to the Hawaiian Kingdom. Soon, the new king amended the constitution of Hawaii and made better relations with the United States.

1. David Kalakaua

He followed the throne in 1873 after William. He took a tour of all the islands and also visited Washington to build a treaty, being the first monarch in Hawaiian history to go to the United States.

1. Lydia Liliʻuokalani

Lydia was elected as the Queen of Hawaii in the 1890s. She followed her brother and was soon overthrown by constant committees made by the people who were frustrated with her in power. She was abdicated in 1895.

PART 4: The 1893 Insurrection

1. What was the status of the Kingdom of the Hawaiian Islands nationally and internationally?

Hawaii was recognized as the Republic of Hawaii and a state of the United States of America, as soon as the Queen was abdicated.

1. What method did the Committee of Safety hope to employ in their quest to make Hawai’i a part of the United States?

The Committee of Safety plotted to overthrow the kingdom of Hawaii and introduced the constitution of United States, making the region a state of America.

1. Why did American President Cleveland pull the proposed treaty from Congress?

President Cleveland refused the annexation of the islands of Hawaii because he believed it was against the mission and policies of America. He believed in making America great with the resources available to them.

1. What was Queen Liliʻuokalani’s characterization of John Stevens, the American Minister to the Kingdom? Of President Cleveland?

The Queen viewed John Stevens as the enemy who wanted to overthrow her from power and make Hawaii a part of the United States, while President Cleveland was the defender of the Kingdom of Hawaii.