On October 23, 1819, the Pioneer Company of missionaries from the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions (ABCFM) from the northeast United States, set sail on the Thaddeus for the Hawaiian Islands. Four young Hawaiians joined the Pioneer Company.
Hopu (Thomas Hopu) ‘ Hopoo’
Hopu, “was born about the year 1795, in Owhyhee, one of the Sandwich Islands.”
“Among the American traders who frequently visit the Sandwich Islands, was Captain Brintnall, of New-Haven, (Conn.) who … touched and tarried some time at Owhyhee, one of these Islands.” In 1808, Hopu and Henry ʻŌpūkahaʻia sailed with Captain Brintnall on the ‘Triumph.’
The ship returned to America by the way of China. “After Hopoo had lived for a season in New-Haven, his disposition seemed inclined rove than to study.” After returning from his last voyage, he returned to New-Haven, joined ʻŌpūkahaʻia and resumed his studies, including religious instruction.
On October 23, 1819, the Pioneer Company of American Protestant missionaries set sail on the Thaddeus for the Islands. Hopu was part of the Pioneer Company of missionaries and returned to Hawai‘i with them.
Throughout those early missionary years in Hawaiʻi, Hopu appears here and there preforming his duties; forcibly delivering a sermon, spreading cheer, comforting and aiding to those suffering.
Kanui (William Kanui) ‘Tennooe’
Kanui “was born on the Island of Oʻahu, about the close of the last century. His father belonging to the party of a defeated chief, fled with his son to Waimea, Kauai, while there (1809,) an American merchant vessel … touched for supplies.” Kanui and his brother caught a ride on the ship and ended up in Boston. (The Friend, February 5, 1864)
“Soon after their arrival, they attracted the attention of the friends of foreign missions, and when the mission school was opened … they were received as pupils (Kanui, ʻŌpūkahaʻia, Thomas Hopu, William Kanui, and Prince Humehume (son of Kauaʻi’s King Kaumuali‘i”.)) (The Friend, February 5, 1864)
The boys were taught to read and write, but the only available textbooks were in the English language – there was not yet an appropriate alphabet, nor was there a single printed page in Hawaiian. For 2 ½ years, Kanui was totally immersed in studies. (Warne)
Kanui joined the Pioneer Company – he stayed in Kailua with the Thurstons. In the Kailua mission at Kona Lucy Thurston noted, “In the morning the two Hawaiian youth (Kanui and Hopu) walked away to see the gentry; and having an eye to influence, they put on their best broadcloth suits and ruffled shirts, their conspicuous watch chains, of course, dangling from the fobs of their pants.”
On July 23, 1820, Kanui was the first to return to the “old ways.” Bingham excommunicated Kanui from the church. Kanui later returned to the Islands and the first person he looked up was Hiram Bingham. Kanui was welcomed back.
Kanui died at Queen’s Hospital, January 14, 1864, at the age of about 66 years. “(H)e departed this life leaving the most substantial and gratifying evidence that he was prepared to die. His views were remarkably clear and satisfactory. Christ was his only hope, and Heaven the only desire of his heart.”
Honoli‘i (John Honoli‘i) ‘Honoree’
Honoli‘i arrived in Boston in the fall of 1815. He came over in a ship belonging to Messrs. Ropes & Co merchants of Boston. He was taken on board the ship by the consent of his friends, and replaced a sailor, who died before the ship arrived at Hawai‘i. He was curious and wanted to see the world.
“A place was soon found for him at the Rev. Mr. Vaill’s of Guilford, where he began to learn the first rudiments of the English language. Messrs. Ropes & Co., in whose ship he came to this country, not only cheerfully released him for the purpose of being educated, but very generously gave one hundred dollars towards the expense of his education.”
“He was ignorant of our language. And of every species of learning or religion, when he began to study. In about six months he began to read in a broken manner in the Bible. In the mean time, he also learned to write, which cost him but little time or labour.”
“He is industrious, faithful, and persevering, not only in his studies, but in whatever business he undertakes. He is at present with his comrades, at South Farms, in Litchfield, under the instruction of the Rev A Pettengill, expecting to join the school for heathen youth, as soon as it shall be established.”
Honoli‘i became a valuable Hawaiian language instructor because, having come at a later age, he still had good command of his native tongue. He also won praise for his considerable vigor and intellect and his discreet and stately deportment. (Kelley)
When getting back to the Islands with the Pioneer Company, Honoli‘i, shuttling between his home island of Hawaii and Maui, labored for the Church longest of all his companions. He proved an important assistant at Kailua, Honolulu.
Adjoining the Ka‘ahumanu Church in Wailuku is Honoliʻi Park. It is believed that John Honoliʻ is buried in an unmarked grave in the Kaʻahumanu Church cemetery. (Honoliʻi died in 1838.)
Humehume (George Prince) ‘Tamoree’
Humehume was born on Kauai in about 1797 to King Kaumuali‘i and, apparently, a commoner wife. For the first six years of his life he was known as Humehume. At the time of his birth his father, the young king, is believed to have been about eighteen years of age.
His father, King Kaumuali’i, suggested he be called George (after King George of England) when he went abroad. (Warne) During his short life, this son of King Kaumuali‘i was known by at least five names: Humehume, Kumoree, George Prince, George Prince Tamoree and George Prince Kaumuali‘i.
George was about six years old when he boarded the Hazard that ultimately sailed into Providence, Rhode Island on June 30, 1805 after a year-and-a-half at sea. Over the next few years he made his way to Worcester, Massachusetts.
Tamoree eventually enlisted in the US Navy and was wounded during the War of 1812. Humehume was “discovered” and taken under the wing of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions (ABCFM).
Humehume left the Islands as a young child and spent years around English speakers; he lost the knowledge of speaking Hawaiian. With this interaction with the Hawaiians at the school, He began “learning the Owhyhee language. This friend that lives here with me is a great benefit to me, for he can learn me the Owhyhee language. I can learn him the English language.”
Three years later, Humehume joined the Pioneer Company of American Protestant missionaries. The Company first landed in Kailua-Kona on April 4, 1820. After the Thaddeus departed for Honolulu, Humehume remained in Kailua-Kona and took Betty Davis, the half-Hawaiian daughter of Isaac Davis, as his wife, or his “rib” as he described her. In a short time they rejoined the missionary party in Honolulu.
On May 3, 1820, Humehume returned to Kauai and was reunited with his father after many years apart. Shortly following the death of King Kaumuali‘i (May 26, 1824,) Humehume joined a group of Kauai chiefs in an unsuccessful rebellion.
The closing year and a half of George’s life were spent in Honolulu under the custody of Kalanimōku, prime minster of the kingdom. A victim of influenza, George died on May 3, 1826, six years to the day of his return to Waimea, Kauai.