Hawaiian and Sandwich Islands: History, Culture & Religion
This paper examines the historical account of the Hawaiian and Sandwich Islands, focusing on the Polynesian people who first settled the region approximately 2,000 years ago. It covers the geographic formation of the islands, the rich cultural traditions including hula dance and music, and the deeply rooted religious system centered on the kapu framework and a pantheon of gods and goddesses. The paper also traces the transformative arrival of Captain James Cook in 1778, his mistaken identity as the god Lono, his brief but impactful interactions with the islanders, and his eventual death in 1779. Together, these elements illuminate a vibrant and complex civilization whose traditions continue to resonate today.
- Introduction: Overview of Hawaiian and Sandwich Islands history
- The Polynesian People: Origins, migration, and social order of Polynesians
- Geography of the Hawaiian Islands: Volcanic formation and physical landscape of the islands
- Culture, Dance, and Language: Hula, music, clothing, and development of written language
- Religion and the Kapu System: Gods, goddesses, temples, and sacred kapu practices
- Captain Cook and the Sandwich Islands: Cook's voyages, mistaken identity as Lono, and death
- Conclusion: Legacy of oral tradition and enduring Hawaiian culture
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What makes this paper effective
- Integrates multiple dimensions of Hawaiian history — geography, culture, religion, and exploration — into a coherent narrative rather than treating them as isolated topics.
- Uses specific details such as the names of gods (Lono, Pele, Oromatautua), cultural artifacts (ukulele, ipu, maro'ura), and historical dates to ground the paper in concrete evidence.
- Balances primary cultural context (the kapu system, makahiki celebration) with the external encounter narrative of Captain Cook, showing how indigenous belief systems shaped historical events.
Key academic technique demonstrated
The paper effectively uses contextual framing to explain how cultural and religious beliefs directly influenced political and historical outcomes — most notably, how the Polynesian expectation of Lono's return shaped the reception of Captain Cook and the subsequent transformation of island society. This technique of connecting worldview to event is a hallmark of cultural history writing.
Structure breakdown
The paper opens with a brief introduction establishing the scope, then moves through five thematic sections: the origins and social order of the Polynesian people, the physical geography of the islands, cultural practices including dance and language, the religious pantheon and kapu system, and finally Captain Cook's third voyage and its consequences. A short conclusion ties the oral tradition of storytelling to the living legacy of Hawaiian culture.
Introduction
The history of the Hawaiian and Sandwich Islands during the 18th century is as colorful and unique as the flowers grown in the region. On December 23, 1826, a treaty between the United States of America and the King of the Sandwich Islands was signed at Honolulu and entered into force. The people who inhabited the islands, took their livelihood from the ocean waters, and thrived upon their religion and customs continue to fascinate and mystify people in today's hurried society. This paper discusses the people, region, homes, culture, religion, and images that make up the rich historical account of the Hawaiian and Sandwich Islands.
The Polynesian People
The Polynesians were the first people to live in what is now Hawaii. These people lived off of the sea and sailed the Pacific Ocean in giant canoes. They arrived in the Hawaiian chain from other Pacific islands approximately 2,000 years ago.
In Hawaii, they became expert fishermen, sailors, and craftspeople. They utilized their resources and built dugout canoes to travel from island to island, becoming more daring and unafraid of the demands of the sea. Their migration continued as they traveled westward into the region of the South Pacific known as Polynesia, meaning "many islands" (Goldberg, 1998). They lived off of the riches of the land; sweet potatoes and taro roots were great staples, along with bananas, sugarcane, coconuts, bamboo, and breadfruit.
The people established a social order recognized through a series of kapus, or taboos. This system was very oppressive. Commoners were not allowed to venture too close to the chiefs or even touch their belongings. Women were not allowed to prepare food for the men, and any violation of the kapus might mean death to the offender. The early Hawaiians lived their lives based upon religion and gods that ruled over the common people with the help of the kahunas, or priests.
Geography of the Hawaiian Islands
The Hawaiian Islands were born of fire millions of years ago. Hot molten lava flowed from the earth to create a solid foundation of underwater mountains. The lava continued to flow and dry land eventually formed the islands, which are the largest of all the Pacific island chains. There are now 132 islands, reefs, and shoals in the Hawaiian archipelago. Only eight are considered of major importance: Hawaii, Maui, Kahoolawe, Lanai, Molokai, Oahu, Kauai, and Niihau. Geographers divide the islands into three groups: eight main islands in the southeast, islets of rock in the middle, and coral and sand islands in the northwest.
The total general coastline of the eight main islands is 750 miles long. The shoreline includes bays, islets, and river mouths, with black rocks of lava jutting out of the water along some of the coasts. In many places, tall cliffs rise almost straight up from the water's edge. Most of the islands have white sand beaches, while black sand beaches — formed from molten lava — line several others.
Tropical plants and trees are abundant and thrive in areas of rich soil where heavy rainfall allows them to flourish. Many of these plants are found nowhere else in the world. Sadly, many species are rare and in danger of extinction. There is very little wildlife native to the area, and most of it is extremely rare. The tropical fish, snails, and birds native to the region are of great interest to scientists.
Conclusion
While much of the early history is based upon oral accounts passed down through the generations, fact became meshed with fiction, creating a factional mythology. The Polynesian culture is a rich tapestry of great historical legends. Stories will continue to be passed down from old to young through the traditional manner of storytelling and in the movement of the hula dances. The lives of the Hawaiian people will continue to remain as colorful and exciting as the tropical fish that swim in the surrounding waters of Hawaii and the Sandwich Islands. People today enjoy exploring the traditions, culture, and lands now known as Hawaii.
Works Cited
Campbell, I.C. "Cook, James." World Book Online Reference Center. 2004. World Book, Inc. 15 Apr. 2004.
Goldberg, Jake. Hawaii. New York: Marshall Cavendish, 1998.
Kame'eleihiwa, Lilikala. Hawaiian Mythology. University of Hawaii. 15 Apr. 2004.
Westervelt, William. Hawaiian Historical Legends. 1923. Honolulu: Mutual, 1998.
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