Olowalu, Hawaii
Encyclopedia
Olowalu is a community on the island of Maui
in the state of Hawaii
. It was the site of an incident in 1790 that had implications on the history of the Hawaiian Islands
.
. The massacre described below, as well as the labor-hungry sandalwood trade, contributed to the site's decline.
set out on a maritime fur trading
mission with two ships: the large Eleanora, and the tender Fair American, a schooner
under command of his son Thomas Humphrey Metcalfe. The Fair American was captured by the Spanish during the Nootka Crisis
and taken to Mexico, but quickly released. The Metcalfes had earlier agreed to rendezvous in the Hawaiian Islands
at Kealakekua Bay
.
The Eleanora had arrived by January 1790, and met chief Kameeiamoku who boarded the ship to welcome them. Something he did must have offended Simon Metcalfe, who had Kameeiamoku flogged. This was to have severe consequences later. The Eleanora then sailed north to the island of Maui
to trade and resupply. One night a small boat was stolen and the night watchman was killed. Captain Metcalfe fired his cannons into the village, and captured a few Hawaiians who told him the boat was taken by people from the village of Olowalu.
He sailed to Olowalu but found that boat had been broken up for its nails. Nails were treasured like gems in ancient Hawaii
, which lacked metal smelting
technology. Metcalfe invited the villagers to meet the ship, indicating he wanted to trade with them. However, he had all the cannons loaded and ready on the side where he directed the canoes to approach. When they opened fire, about one hundred Hawaiians were killed, and many others wounded.
About five or six weeks later the Fair American arrived at the Island of Hawaii where Kameeiamoku was waiting for his revenge at Kaūpūlehu
. The schooner's small crew of five were easily overwhelmed. Four were killed, including Thomas Metcalfe. The lone survivor was Isaac Davis
. When King Kamehameha I
found out about the incident another sailor, John Young
, was captured by Kamehameha's men when he set ashore from the Eleanora to inquire about the Fair American. Kamehameha decided to spare the lives of Davis and Young, who became valued military advisors during his subsequent battles and negotiations with later visitors.
The muskets of the Fair American were salvaged and the schooner refloated. Simon Metcalfe eventually left the island, not realizing that he had indirectly caused his own son's death.
Volunteers work with the Olowalu Cultural Reserve to restore native Hawaiian plants and rebuild the loi (taro patches).
Maui
The island of Maui is the second-largest of the Hawaiian Islands at and is the 17th largest island in the United States. Maui is part of the state of Hawaii and is the largest of Maui County's four islands, bigger than Lānai, Kahoolawe, and Molokai. In 2010, Maui had a population of 144,444,...
in the state of Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
. It was the site of an incident in 1790 that had implications on the history of the Hawaiian Islands
Hawaiian Islands
The Hawaiian Islands are an archipelago of eight major islands, several atolls, numerous smaller islets, and undersea seamounts in the North Pacific Ocean, extending some 1,500 miles from the island of Hawaii in the south to northernmost Kure Atoll...
.
Pu'u Honua
In ancient times, Olowalu was considered a place of refuge, or pu'u honua, by Hawaiians. It sustained a large population, governed by the high cheifess Kalola, daughter of Maui ruler Kekaulike, and grandmother of KeopuolaniKeopuolani
Kalanikauikaalaneo Kai Keōpūolani-Ahu-i-Kekai-Makuahine-a-Kama-Kalani-Kau-i-Kealaneo was a queen consort of Hawaii and the highest ranking wife of King Kamehameha I.-Early life:...
. The massacre described below, as well as the labor-hungry sandalwood trade, contributed to the site's decline.
Massacre
In 1789, Captain Simon MetcalfeSimon Metcalfe
Simon Metcalfe was a British American surveyor and one of the first American maritime fur traders to visit the Pacific Northwest coast...
set out on a maritime fur trading
Maritime Fur Trade
The Maritime Fur Trade was a ship-based fur trade system that focused on acquiring furs of sea otters and other animals from the indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast and natives of Alaska. The furs were mostly sold in China in exchange for tea, silks, porcelain, and other Chinese...
mission with two ships: the large Eleanora, and the tender Fair American, a schooner
Schooner
A schooner is a type of sailing vessel characterized by the use of fore-and-aft sails on two or more masts with the forward mast being no taller than the rear masts....
under command of his son Thomas Humphrey Metcalfe. The Fair American was captured by the Spanish during the Nootka Crisis
Nootka Crisis
The Nootka Crisis was an international incident and political dispute between the Kingdom of Great Britain and the Kingdom of Spain, triggered by a series of events that took place during the summer of 1789 at Nootka Sound...
and taken to Mexico, but quickly released. The Metcalfes had earlier agreed to rendezvous in the Hawaiian Islands
Hawaiian Islands
The Hawaiian Islands are an archipelago of eight major islands, several atolls, numerous smaller islets, and undersea seamounts in the North Pacific Ocean, extending some 1,500 miles from the island of Hawaii in the south to northernmost Kure Atoll...
at Kealakekua Bay
Kealakekua Bay
Kealakekua Bay is located on the Kona coast of the island of Hawaii about south of Kailua-Kona.Settled over a thousand years ago, the surrounding area contains many archeological and historical sites such as religious temples, and was listed in the National Register of Historic Places listings on...
.
The Eleanora had arrived by January 1790, and met chief Kameeiamoku who boarded the ship to welcome them. Something he did must have offended Simon Metcalfe, who had Kameeiamoku flogged. This was to have severe consequences later. The Eleanora then sailed north to the island of Maui
Maui
The island of Maui is the second-largest of the Hawaiian Islands at and is the 17th largest island in the United States. Maui is part of the state of Hawaii and is the largest of Maui County's four islands, bigger than Lānai, Kahoolawe, and Molokai. In 2010, Maui had a population of 144,444,...
to trade and resupply. One night a small boat was stolen and the night watchman was killed. Captain Metcalfe fired his cannons into the village, and captured a few Hawaiians who told him the boat was taken by people from the village of Olowalu.
He sailed to Olowalu but found that boat had been broken up for its nails. Nails were treasured like gems in ancient Hawaii
Ancient Hawaii
Ancient Hawaii refers to the period of Hawaiian human history preceding the unification of the Kingdom of Hawaii by Kamehameha the Great in 1810. After being first settled by Polynesian long-distance navigators sometime between AD 300–800, a unique culture developed. Diversified agroforestry and...
, which lacked metal smelting
Smelting
Smelting is a form of extractive metallurgy; its main use is to produce a metal from its ore. This includes iron extraction from iron ore, and copper extraction and other base metals from their ores...
technology. Metcalfe invited the villagers to meet the ship, indicating he wanted to trade with them. However, he had all the cannons loaded and ready on the side where he directed the canoes to approach. When they opened fire, about one hundred Hawaiians were killed, and many others wounded.
About five or six weeks later the Fair American arrived at the Island of Hawaii where Kameeiamoku was waiting for his revenge at Kaūpūlehu
Kaupulehu, Hawaii
Kaūpūlehu is the site of a historic settlement on the west coast of Hawaii island, the largest of the Hawaiian Islands.Devastated by a lava flow, the area is now the home of luxury hotels such as the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai.-Geography:...
. The schooner's small crew of five were easily overwhelmed. Four were killed, including Thomas Metcalfe. The lone survivor was Isaac Davis
Isaac Davis (Hawaii)
Isaac Davis was a Welsh advisor to Kamehameha I and helped form the Kingdom of Hawaii. He arrived in Hawaii in 1790 as the sole survivor of the massacre of the crew of The Fair American. He along with John Young became friends and advisors to Kamehameha...
. When King Kamehameha I
Kamehameha I
Kamehameha I , also known as Kamehameha the Great, conquered the Hawaiian Islands and formally established the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1810. By developing alliances with the major Pacific colonial powers, Kamehameha preserved Hawaii's independence under his rule...
found out about the incident another sailor, John Young
John Young (Hawaii)
John Young was a British subject who became an important military advisor to Kamehameha I during the formation of the Kingdom of Hawaii. He was left behind by Simon Metcalfe, captain of the American ship Eleanora, and along with a Welshmen Isaac Davis became a friend and advisor to Kamehameha...
, was captured by Kamehameha's men when he set ashore from the Eleanora to inquire about the Fair American. Kamehameha decided to spare the lives of Davis and Young, who became valued military advisors during his subsequent battles and negotiations with later visitors.
The muskets of the Fair American were salvaged and the schooner refloated. Simon Metcalfe eventually left the island, not realizing that he had indirectly caused his own son's death.
Today
The community is sparsely inhabited today. Coordinates are 20°48′39"N 156°37′20"W. A 600 acres (2.4 km²) planned community called Olowalu Town was announed in 2005.Volunteers work with the Olowalu Cultural Reserve to restore native Hawaiian plants and rebuild the loi (taro patches).