Hewahewa - Ali`i Letters - 1830.07.29 - to Chamberlain, Levi

Hewahewa - Ali`i Letters - 1830.07.29 - to Chamberlain, Levi

19th Century
Hawaii
Missionaries
religion

The letter is a short note written from a Christian Hawaiian, to Levi Chamberlain. Chamberlain was a Christian Missionary teacher and accountant. Chamberlain completed three tours on foot of Oahu. He went to Hawaii with his wife Maria. It details was written by a person named Hewahewa to reaffirm their Christian faith. They ‘testify’ that ‘I walk in fear and awe of God for the wrongs of my heart’. The notes at the bottom of the letter explain that Hewahewa was a converted priest who had aided in overturning the kapu system. It also explains that he was living in Maui at the time. Here we have evidence of communication between the converted priests and the missionaries, which suggests that the support of missionaries remained important even after conversion.

Awaiaulu or Hewahewa – two names are listed, one in the document and one in the description.

Hawaiian Mission Houses Digital Archives

http://hmha.missionhouses.org/items/show/2666

29 July 1930

Hannah Oliver

Hawaiian Evangelical Association Archives, 1853-1947. Hawaiian Mission Children's Society Library at the Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site and Archives

Hawaiian - this is an English translation

Textual - handwritten letter

19th century Hawai'i