No worries, there won’t be any hard questions in this edition of trivia (unless someone can answer me why this didn’t go out on Tuesday?!! – argh). Rather I thought I’d share some interesting info I’ve learned about Hawaii. The Hawaiian Islands were originally discovered in 1778 by Captain James Cook. Accidentally by the way too, as he and his crew were on their way to Alaska in search of a Northwest Passage linking the Atlantic & Pacific oceans proving suggesting once again that men seem to be naturally disinclined to get directions when they are lost. 🙃
Landing at Waimea, the Hawaiians thought they were being visited by gods. One can only imagine their curiosity at the British visitors who wore tri-cornered hats, smoked pipes and packed major heat had guns. Hawaiians were familiar with iron but only from nails in driftwood that washed ashore but Cook’s ship contained a remarkable supply of iron of all kinds to the locals. Cook was, by most accounts, a decent fellow, but sailors being sailors…their arrival coinciding with a time of great upheaval and ultimately ended up causing significant problems. Although Cook was initially welcomed, he met with a rather unpleasant death in 1779, being beaten and stabbed in a squabble over a stolen rowboat. Ultimately his remains were returned to the British and Cook was buried at sea in Kealakekua Bay.
Taking a short side trip to the ‘downtown’ section of Kona on Alili Drive to check out the usual tourist traps shops we passed by the old church across the street from the Hulihe’e Palace. Tropical 19th century architecture is quite fascinating as are the plethora of coffee shops at every nook, cranny and turn. Hard to believe there is so much emphasis on the coffee since Hawaii is rather low on the totem pole of coffee producers in the world, not even in the top ten. But most people know that Kona coffee is quite tasty and I for one especially enjoy Kona’s liquid nirvana.
The palace built in 1838 by then Governor Kuakini quickly became the vacation spot for Hawaiian royalty until 1914. Currently it is a museum that houses an impressive collection of Koa furniture. The church was the first Christian church built on the islands. Built of lava rock and crushed coral with Koa hardwood gracing the tall interior. Joints inside were attached with pins made from gnarly ‘ohi’a trees.
Have a terrific Friday; I’ll leave you with one last photo-op from the beach that didn’t get watermarked because I was too lazy tired to go back and hassle with the app (cue gnashing of teeth).
Live, love, bark! <3
On my bucket list to visit there.
Definitely worth seeing.
Thanks for sharing. I especially love that the church was built out of lava rock and crushed coral and that the joints inside were attached with pins made from gnarly ‘ohi’a trees. You have to use the materials at hand, I guess. Are any other structures there made from the same materials?
My son seems to think there’s another church (Living Stone) further down the coast that is and probably a few other structures as well. Guessing the original islanders used all available resources.
Cook did ask for directions but couldn’t understand the answer in Hawai’ian.
“U smel’ike p’oo p’oo”.
How interesting. When our pawrents went there to visit (another island) they learned all kinds of things too. Mom says the trouble is remembering!
Your Pals,
Murphy & Stanley
Yes, because everything is in a foreign language with many o’s & a’s. 😉
I loved your photographs, particularly the ones of the Congregational Church. In 1836 South Australia was just established. Sam looks a bit lost and out of things sitting there on his own. At least I think that’s Sam occupying the centre area of the photograph. He will be so glad to have you back again.
I’m sure he will…after sufficient pouting and paybacks. BOL!
But, of course. As one would expect :o)
Thanks for happy memories of some wonderful trips.
Truly, it was our pleasure! 😉
Had to come see your Hawaii posts! How funny that you’re there now and we just were in Maui. We went to the Big Island last year and loved it! Did you get to see the volcano? Was it active? We lucked out when we were there and it just happened to be really active for 2 weeks around the time we went. (I posted pics last year of the lava and other fab things we saw. http://www.poochsmooches.com/2015/06/see-beautiful-volcanic-edition.html)
SO gorgeous there!
As for having that video cam to check in on…. that would be dangerous for us! I fear we’d be watching it constantly! Bet you are looking forward to reuniting with your boy! Have a great trip!
Kileua has been very active for the past couple years-Mauna Kea is dormant. Night views at the caldera are beyond amazing. Small world, isn’t it? Glad my son lives here so I can come for visits.
The early history of Hawaii sounds fascinating, thanks for sharing!
it’s amazing to build a house with corals… I love such posts about history and I would love to visit that museum… I could Easy park at Sam’s hotel, maybe then we could watch two pups who do special things :o)
Shhhh, I’m hoping he’s ‘over’ that now. [wink]