276 Haili St
Hilo, HI 96720
USA
Baptism of Kalanimoku
Evening presentation:
In 1819 there were no Native Hawaiian Christians in Hawai‘i. By 1831, the ruling chiefs claimed that Hawai‘i had become a Christian nation. How did this come about? The usual answer is that missionaries came and converted Hawai‘i’s people.
This afternoon and evening, Dr. Kapali Lyon (UH-Mānoa) describes a different viewpoint, one that claims it was the chiefs (ali‘i) who had always determined the state religion of their kingdom, and that it was they who determined that Hawai‘i—following the death of Kamehameha—would be a Christian kingdom. Dr. Lyon discusses the roles of both chiefs and missionaries in bringing about the dramatic changes of 1819—1831: a remarkable revolution, but one based on traditional policies of the Hawaiian chiefs.
Admission to these wonderful programs is free to Museum members, and $3.00 for nonmembers. Please support the Museum by becoming a member, and enjoy all Saigo Series programs, all year round, at no charge! Seating is limited; first come, first seated. ON MONDAY EVENINGS ONLY, additional parking is available next door at Hilo Union School, Kapiolani St. entrance; park, then walk through our green gate in the rock wall.
On Monday evenings, doors open at 6:30PM. E komo mai!
