About this video

• Video Title: Collision of Cultures
• Channel: Noah (Keola) Ryan
• Speakers: Noah (Keola) Ryan
• Duration: 01:05:35

Overview

This video lecture discusses the arrival of Captain James Cook in Hawaii and the subsequent interactions and conflicts between Western culture and Native Hawaiian culture. It explores the controversial legacy of Captain Cook, detailing his voyages, his impact on the Pacific, the inaccuracies in his published journals, and the violent events that led to his death. The lecture also covers the rise of Kamehameha I, his unification of the Hawaiian Islands, and the significant societal and religious changes that occurred in Hawaii during the 19th century, including the impact of missionaries and the decline of traditional Hawaiian beliefs.

Key takeaways

• Captain Cook's Arrival and Legacy: Captain James Cook is credited with the "discovery" of Hawaii in 1778, naming the islands the Sandwich Isles. While a celebrated explorer in the Western world, his legacy is complex due to his place-naming practices, mapping methods that reoriented the world through an English lens, and the violent acts he committed against native populations.
• The Myth of Cook as a God: The idea that Captain Cook was revered as a god in Hawaii was largely a narrative popularized by Europeans and reflected in Cook's own manipulated journal, rather than an accurate depiction of Hawaiian beliefs. Hawaiian historian Kui Kane argues that Europeans, not Hawaiians, deified Cook.
• Cook's Journal and Manipulation: Cook's published journal, which became a bestseller, was not entirely his own work, as he incorporated writings from his crew members. Furthermore, it was edited and reformatted to portray him as an enlightened, compassionate explorer, obscuring his actual actions and the contributions of individuals like Tupaya, a Tahitian navigator who provided crucial information for Cook's voyages.
• Cook's Brutality and Death: The lecture details Cook's cruel actions, such as destroying villages and war canoes over minor offenses, and his brutal punishment of Tongans. His attempt to kidnap the Hawaiian chief Kalanoʻopuʻu led to a confrontation and his death on Valentine's Day 1779, an event that Hawaiian historian Samuel M. Kamakau attributes to Cook's own transgressions and violence.
• Kamehameha's Unification and Societal Change: The video traces the rise of Kamehameha I, his unification of the Hawaiian Islands through warfare and diplomacy, and the establishment of a strong government. Following his death, significant societal shifts occurred, including the abandonment of traditional religious practices (ʻaikapu) and the increasing influence of Calvinist missionaries, leading to a "religious vacuum" that further altered Hawaiian society.
• Missionary Influence and Cultural Impact: The arrival of Calvinist missionaries in 1820 coincided with a period of confusion and disease in Hawaii. Missionaries, who held deeply prejudiced views of Native Hawaiians, capitalized on the weakening of traditional structures and the perceived ineffectiveness of Hawaiian gods against epidemics, eventually becoming influential figures in governance and religious life.

I can only answer questions based on the provided transcript.

Based on the transcript:

• Who was the first European to enter the Pacific? What year? The transcript does not state who the first European was to enter the Pacific, nor the specific year this occurred. It focuses on Captain James Cook's arrival in Hawaii in 1778.
• What fueled most European explorations in the Pacific during the 1700s? European explorations in the Pacific during the 1700s were primarily fueled by the search for new trade routes, the desire for wealth, and the pursuit of scientific discovery, such as observing the transit of Venus and searching for a southern continent (terra australis).
• After contact, popular views regarding Polynesians developed. Identify: Noble Savage, Semitic Polynesian, Aryan/Caucasian Polynesian The transcript does not mention the terms "Noble Savage," "Semitic Polynesian," or "Aryan/Caucasian Polynesian" in relation to views of Polynesians. It does discuss how Europeans viewed themselves and others, and how Captain Cook was depicted, but not these specific classifications.

Here are the answers based on the transcript:

• What year did Cook arrive in Hawai’i and what did he name the islands? Captain Cook arrived in the Hawaiian Islands in January 1778. He named them the Sandwich Isles.

• What Hawaiian god did Kānaka mistake Cook for? Some tales claim Captain Cook was seen as or mistaken for the god Lono, especially since he arrived during the Makahiki season, a time to welcome Lono back to Hawaii.

  • How did Hawaiians determine that Cook was not a god? Hawaiians quickly figured out shortly after his arrival that he was not Lono. While he was a chief with great mana, they knew he wasn't a god from the beginning.

• Why is Cook’s legendary persona as an Enlightened European Explorer misleading and considered by critics to be more myth than fact? Cook's legendary persona is considered misleading because:

  • His published journal was manipulated, not always written daily, and sometimes included the writings of his crew members, presenting a curated narrative.
  • He wanted to portray himself as an intelligent, courageous, compassionate humanitarian, and scientist, but historical accounts from his crew and other analyses suggest he was often cruel and committed acts of violence.
  • His place-naming practices and mapping reoriented the world through an English lens, and his journals did not credit individuals like Tupaya, who was instrumental in his navigation and understanding of the Pacific.

• According to Hawaiians, why was Cook killed? According to Hawaiians, Cook was killed because he was a killer himself and transgressed first. His death was a consequence of his own violent actions and mistreatment of the Hawaiian people.

  • Date and place of death? Captain Cook was killed on Valentine's Day, February 14, 1779, in Kealakekua Bay on the Big Island of Hawaii.

Here are the answers about Kamehameha the Great, based on the transcript:

• Identify Paiʻea Kamehameha, Kaʻahumanu, Keōpūolani, Kekuaokalani.

  • Paiʻea Kamehameha: He is referred to as Kamehameha, the nephew of Kalaniʻōpuʻu and a high-ranking chief. He eventually became the ruler of Hawaii Island and unified the Hawaiian Islands.

  • Kaʻahumanu: She was Kamehameha's favorite wife, known for her intelligence and savvy. She was declared Kūʻauhau (caretaker) of the Kūkāʻilimoku god and later appointed Kūhina nui (a position akin to co-ruler) by Kamehameha, assisting his son Liholiho.

  • Keōpūolani: She was Kamehameha's highest-ranking wife, and the mother of his successors, Liholiho (Kamehameha II) and Kauikeaouli (Kamehameha III).

  • Kekuaokalani: He was Kamehameha's nephew, the son of his youngest brother. He was the Kahu of the Kūkāʻilimoku god and led a rebellion against Liholiho's government.

  • What significant roles do Kaʻahumanu and Keōpūolani play in Kamehameha's kingdom? Keōpūolani, as the mother of Kamehameha's heirs (Liholiho and Kauikeaouli), played a role in ensuring the continuation of the dynasty. Kaʻahumanu, while not his highest-ranking wife, was his favorite and his intellectual match. Kamehameha appointed her as Kūhina nui, a significant role that allowed her to co-rule alongside his son Liholiho, influencing important decisions, including the extension of the ʻAinoa.

  • What is Kekuaokalani's role in the Battle of Kuamoʻo? Kekuaokalani led many warriors from Kamehameha's ranks in the Battle of Kuamoʻo against Liholiho's forces, attempting to restore the traditional religious order (ʻaikapu). He fought alongside his wife, Manono.

• What is Ka Lele Ka ʻAnae and why was it such an important event? Ka Lele Ka ʻAnae refers to the battle that took place on the Nuʻuanu Pali on Oahu in 1795. It was a defining battle where Kamehameha's forces outflanked and defeated the Oahu forces, leading to the deaths of many Oahu warriors who were forced off the cliff. This victory made Kamehameha the undisputed ruler of Oahu.

• Identify the Treaty of 1810 (Who were the parties involved? What was agreed upon? Why was it significant?)

  • Parties involved: Kamehameha (ruler of the unified Hawaiian Islands) and Kaumualiʻi (Moi of Kauai).
  • What was agreed upon: Kaumualiʻi agreed to become a vassal state under Kamehameha's rule. The agreement stipulated that Kamehameha would not directly govern Kauai until Kaumualiʻi passed away.
  • Why was it significant? This agreement, reached in 1810, marked the official unification of the Hawaiian Kingdom under a single rule. However, it's noted that Kamehameha died before Kaumualiʻi, meaning Kamehameha never actually ruled over Kauai.

• What is the ʻAinoa and how does both Kamehameha and Liholiho affect it? The ʻAinoa was a period declared after the death of a ruling chief, characterized by "free eating" with no restrictions on food or who could eat together (men and women, etc.). It was a time of mourning and a precursor to the new ruler reinstating the ʻai kapu (sacred eating/religious laws) and establishing their government.

  • Kamehameha, adhering to tradition, would have expected the ʻAinoa to be followed by the reinstatement of the ʻai kapu by his successor.

  • Liholiho, influenced by Kaʻahumanu and Keōpūolani, and to the delight of missionaries, decided against reinstating the ʻai kapu. He extended the ʻAinoa indefinitely, creating a religious vacuum.

  • How does the triangle chart change at this moment? With the indefinite extension of the ʻAinoa and the non-reinstatement of the ʻai kapu, the traditional triangle chart of Hawaiian society changed dramatically. The religious structure collapsed, meaning there were no longer recognized gods or kahuna (religious advisors) at the apex of the chart. This also elevated the role of the Kūhina nui (like Kaʻahumanu) to be on par with the Moi (Liholiho), and the society became unbalanced without its religious foundation.

Here are the answers regarding the Calvinists and Christianity in Hawaii, based on the transcript:

• Identify: Calvinist missionaries, Hiram Bingham, ABCFM (who, what, when, where, etc.)

  • Calvinist missionaries: These were individuals belonging to a branch of Protestantism. The transcript specifically mentions the "first company of Calvinist missionaries" arriving in Hawaii.

  • Hiram Bingham: He is identified as a leader of the first company of Calvinist missionaries to the islands. The transcript quotes his journal, describing his appalled reaction to the appearance of Native Hawaiians.

  • ABCFM: The transcript mentions "Calvinist missionaries" and "the first company," but it does not explicitly name the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions (ABCFM) or provide details about its formation or specific dates of operation beyond the missionaries' arrival in 1820.

  • How did the Calvinists view Hawaiians & their culture? The Calvinist missionaries held extremely severe attitudes towards Native Hawaiians and their culture. They viewed them as "chattering and almost naked savages" with a "degradation and barbarism" that was appalling. They questioned if Hawaiians could be considered human beings, describing their appearance and behavior as "half man and half beast" and in a state of "deep pagan gloom." They did not view them as equals.

• What was their primary objective in Hawaiʻi? Their primary objective was to convert Hawaiians to Christianity. They saw the Hawaiians' dying numbers from epidemics as a consequence of their paganism and believed conversion to Christianity would lead to salvation.

  • Some developed an ulterior plan for the Kingdom. What was it? The transcript suggests an ulterior plan related to gaining influence in matters of state and governance. By becoming the keepers of the new Christian God, the missionaries, particularly Hiram Bingham, effectively became the new "kahuna" (religious advisors) in Hawaiian society. Since Hawaiian society traditionally did not have a separation of church and state, this gave the missionaries significant sway and access to governmental decisions and power.

• What drew Hawaiian crowds to missionary instruction? Several factors drew Hawaiian crowds to missionary instruction:

  • Disease and Mortality: Hawaiians were dying in large numbers from epidemics. They observed that the foreigners were not dying at the same rate and believed the missionaries' God might offer protection or a solution.
  • Perceived Weakness of Traditional Gods: With the decline of traditional religious practices (ʻaikapu) and the ongoing epidemics, Hawaiians felt their own gods were not protecting them.
  • Opportunity for Change: The period was one of great societal confusion and change. The missionaries offered a new framework and, in contrast to the rougher foreign sailors, presented a more peaceful, albeit strange, presence.