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Present day Mokuaikaua Church in Kailua, Kona

Hilo (mission) settlement at the time of Lord Byron's visit in 1825.  Hilo Iron Works was later built on this site near the mouth of the Wailoa River.

In 1859, the Hilo mission station (later known as Haili Church) dedicated its fifth church building --  constructed of wood to withstand frequent earthquakes.

History of the Sandwich Islands Mission

by Rufus Anderson, D.D., LL.D.

Excerpts from

 CHAPTER 9
THE RULERS CHRISTIANIZED
1824 - 1828

DEDICATION OF A NEW CHURCH

The religion of the gospel was taking root in Kailua, the place where it was first proclaimed.  The return of Mr. and Mrs. Thurston, in company with the king, has been mentioned.  Kailua then contained about three thousand inhabitants, and within thirty miles were not less than thirty thousand clustered in villages. 

The governor, Kuakini, spoke the English language intelligibly, had tea and coffee served daily at this table, and was gaining in civilized habits.  He had imported a framed dwelling-house from America; and had erected a church, sixty feet by thirty, within the ruins of a heathen temple where human victims were formerly offered. 

At its dedication in the last month of the year, Mr. Thurston read a portion of Solomon's prayer at the dedication of the temple, translated into the Hawaiian language, after which the people sang the Jubilee Hymn, "Pupuhi i ka pu oukou," -- "Blow ye the trumpet."  The sermon was from Haggai 1: 7, 8:  "Thus saith the Lord of hosts, consider your ways.  Go up to the mountains and bring wood, and build the house, saith the Lord."  Nothing could be more appropriate, for all the timbers for the church had been brought some distance from the mountains.

In this church the usual attendance was from six hundred to a thousand persons, who listened with a good degree of seriousness.  Kapiolani (of whom more in the sequel), with Naihe her husband, and their train, came repeatedly from Kaawaloa, a distance of sixteen miles. 

Kamalou, also, an aged chief residing at the same place, came with his train; and once he remained a week, that he might receive daily instruction.  "He expressed much satisfaction," says Mr. Thurston, "in the truths which he heard, and longed to become acquainted with the whole Word of God.  The last time he saw us, he appeared much animated.  Everything he uttered, the very expression of his countenance, conveyed feelings that would warm the bosom of angels.  The morning of his return he called on the governor, and, on being requested, readily engaged in prayer with him and his family. 

"After walking to the beach with his people, and before stepping into his canoe, he kneeled down and offered up a short prayer to God for protection on his way home.  'A great minister,' says the governor, as he stood reflecting on the prayers and conversation of this man; and seeing him sail away, he added, 'a great missionary.' 

"At his place, he forbids his people working or bathing on the Sabbath, and regularly assembles them twice to pray and converse with them on religious subjects.  This has been his practice for many months past.  Of late he has extended his exertions, crossing the bay, and there meeting the people and conducting religious services.  He has received but little instruction from the missionaries, yet there are few natives on the Islands who have more correct views on religious subjects.  He seems to have been searching for truth as for hid treasure.  I once heard him pray in his family, and I was much surprised at the simplicity, fervency, and apparent sincerity which were manifested, as well as with the correctness of religious sentiment which the prayer contained."

HILO AND PUNA

The gospel was introduced into Hilo and Puna, on the opposite side of Hawaii, embracing eighty miles of seacoast, early in 1824.  Messrs. Ruggles and Goodrich were the pioneer missionaries.  Touching at Lahaina, they had a striking view of Mauna Kea, one of the two summits of the great island, at the distance of one hundred and twenty miles.  They were accompanied by Dr. and Mrs. Blatchley, for a temporary stay; by Messrs. Ellis and Chamberlain, on a missionary excursion; and by Mr. and Mrs. Ely, going to occupy Kaawaloa, in the neighborhood of Kailua.

Voyages from island to island in those days were often very trying.  This company was nine days and nights on board the small, crowded, uncomfortable vessel, whose deck would probably have been swept had the trade winds risen with a strength that is often experienced.  Some of the missionary passengers preferred spending the whole time on deck, to occupying berths below.

On their arrival, they found none to welcome them among the natives, but obtained shelter in a large thatched canoe-house, which the Oahu chiefs had appropriated to their use.

FIRST EXPERIENCE IN HILO

Next day was the Sabbath, and Mr. Ellis preached to a large number of people, in another similar building, which the forethought of Kaahumanu had secured for them. 

The service was interrupted by the entrance of a large pet hog, with huge tusks, belonging to Kaahumanu, and bearing her name.  The animal had the privilege of tabu, and the natives, not daring to resist its entrance, made a boisterous retreat; and it was not until the keeper had succeeded in quieting the brute that the congregation resumed their places, and the preacher was able to proceed.

This being the windward side of the island, the rains were frequent and abundant.  Of course the arable lands all had a luxuriant growth, and the country being mountainous, the landscape was beautiful and grand, as seen from the bay of Waiakea.  Yet that region was not then a favorite resort. Not a civilized man, except the missionaries, resided on that side of the mountains.

Schools were commenced, and native teachers brought from other islands.  In two months a house was erected for the families by order of Kalanimoku, and a church finished in the frail Hawaiian style.  This was the ninth church erected on the Islands, in the first four years of the mission.  A few years more, and Hilo became the most interesting of all the Christian districts.

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