(Angela Enyart)
Hawaii
James A. Michener
The book begins with the actual formation of the Hawaiian Islands. It gives a series of events that could
have happened. From coconuts washing up on shore to the chance appearance of a pregnant insect; all
events in the first chapter are in regards to how the island and its native species evolved.
The setting of the second chapter is Bora Bora. It begins with a nervous “page boy” telling his
superior that the high priest is almost on the island. The royal family and guard make it to the docking
area just in time to greet the high priest. In this civilization sacrifice is a common practice under the new
god Oro. The priest has convened with other leaders on other islands and has called for a sacrifice to be
made on Bora Bora to Oro. When he makes his announcement the first two to be chosen are the “page
boys”, next is the man who lead the rowers because it was said his lips were read and he wasn’t praying
to Oro, and the rest are to be picked from slaves. However the young prince who himself doesn’t believe
in Oro has his suspicions about the priest and his intentions. His wife in fact calls to his attention that at
the height of the sacrifice his brother the king could be called on to be sacrificed like his father before
him. The young prince then meets with his brother to tell him not to attend the sacrifice. His brother
had also taken in to consideration his possible downfall if he attended the ceremony. Eventually the
young prince gathers the others who do not believe in the new god Oro but the old one Tane. His
disbelief of the new god causes suspicion among the high priests.
In chapter three religion is again the focus with a young man named Abner Hale. He is
Massachusetts born with dreams of divinity school. John Whipple his friend (once he makes it to divinity
school) wants Abner to go with him to a lecture by a man named Keoki Kanakoa. However, Abner is
more concerned with finishing a paper for school. Upon meeting Abner in this chapter it seems obvious
he values the opinions of his teachers over that of his peers. For example, at this point in the book Abner
declines his roommate’s offer until one of his professors makes the same suggestion. The speaker is a
Christian from the Hawaii region. After the lecture is over Abner finds that his friend and his professor
were right, the lecture seems to at least interest him. The topic of the lecture was Kanakoa’s conversion
to the Christian faith. Much like the Hawaiian natives in the first chapter as he once worshiped gods of
sacrifice. Kanakoa talks about how the missionaries who converted him instilled a love of lecturing. The
talk of missionary work seems to fascinate Abner. As he finishes divinity school he decides to go over
seas spreading the word of God. Before he is able to leave he must first find a wife. Eventually he
proposes to a woman named Jerusha Bromley who is already in love with a sea captain named Rafer
Hoxworth but for lack of a better option she accepts. While on the island a ship arrives captained by
Rafer Hoxworth (Jerusha Bromley’s love). Upon seeing him a “love triangle” begins in Abner’s head.
Jerusha Bromley dies after a few years due to overworking and illness. Abner has little to no respect for
the native people of the island. This really becomes apparent later in the chapter. In the beginning of
this chapter he made mention of bringing faith and civility to the native Hawaiians. His actions combine
with the level of urgency he puts on saving the natives makes me think that he views them as
“heathens” not good people. In the end he is found on the island alone half crazed.
Chapter four seems to place its focus on displacement and segregation. It basically covers the
importation of cheap Chinese labor to the Hawaiian Islands. Dr. John Whipple at this point has traveled
to an area where there is segregation of the classes. For example when he goes in search of laborers he
makes note of the fact in certain areas women have bound feet and in others they do not. In this era
(Angela Enyart)
Hawaii
James A. Michener
bound feet among Chinese women is a sign of wealth and high social standing. When he meets with a
man who speaks multiple languages of the region Whipple is surprised at how business savvy he is. The
man’s name is Chun Fat. He has an interesting take on the segregation of race which is if you fit the
stereotype they will never see you succeed and in return they will never try to stop you. Later in the
chapter you will see him return as the “high man on the mountain”. When he and Whipple first meet, it
is obvious he doesn’t care for the lower class (Hakka). In fact at their first encounter he recommends
that Whipple not employ them. Chun Fat was an important man because he spoke many languages and
he got most of what he wanted as a result. When Whipple asked about women he was told that only a
Hakka woman would be so low as to be shipped to work. Later in this chapter you learn of Chun Fat’s
success.
Chapters five and six unlike the others mainly take place in Hawaii and talk about the new social
order. Eventually plantation owners catch on to the fact that unlike the Chinese, Japanese people have
no desire to own land and they begin to use them for labor. There are many issues with ambitious
Chinese, sickness (leprosy), and a mounting debt to the United States. Whip is the grandson of Captain
Hoxworth and Noelani. His maternal grandpa is John Whipple and his father is Bromley Hoxworth. Whip
wants to go to sea. He does and is gone for seven years. Due to his exploitation of women, he is known
as “Wild Whip”. His family gives him four thousand acres of land instead of letting him in to the
business. While he sails to America Whip is married. In 1880 they have a son. Eventually Whip and his
wife divorce one another. However, Whip is fascinated with the idea of annexing Hawaii.
In the end, as we know Hawaii became a state. In writing this summary I encountered difficulties
with describing all of its plots and subplots. This story was written in many different eras with many
different characters all tied together by familial, marital, business, or locational ties. From the actual
formation of the islands to the formation of its social structure (not to mention when it became a state).
Hawaii was a well written story and in Michener’s words “It is true to the spirit of Hawaii”. I enjoyed the
book in its entirety, would recommend it, and wholly agree with Michener’s statement.