HISTORY OF THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS – CHAPTER 4

Physical appearance of the Hawaiians – Chiefs – Habits of Common people – Women – Marriage – Affinities of blood – Friendships – Salutation – Cannibalism – Intemperance – Treatment of sick – Lunatics – Aged – Infanticide – Examples of Treatment of women – Taboos of food – General character of the Hawaiians previous to contact with the whites

Having in the preceding chapter sketched an outline of the original political and religious condition of the Hawaiians, it remains to speak more particularly of their social relations, before entering upon their political history.

Between the higher and lower orders there existed a marked difference in stature and appearance. The former were almost invariably tall, stout and well formed, with, as age advanced, a tendency to unwieldy corpulency: the latter were, upon the average, middle sized, falling somewhat short of the European standard. Six feet and upwards were common to the stature of the chiefs of both sexes, with gigantic frames, more capable of exerting great strength than of endurance. It was said of some that they were able, by taking a man by the head and leg, to break his back across their knees. From three to four hundred pounds was not an uncommon weight. The female chiefs, when young, possessed interesting and intelligent features, which, however, soon became lost, as their bulk increased; fortunately for them, in the eyes of their lords, this but heightened their charms.

When these were most matured, they became almost as helpless as the belles of the Celestial empire. The latter tottered from want of feet of sufficient size to support frames of scarcely larger proportions; those of the former, though stout, were equally feeble to sustain the immense bulk above. Their flesh hung in deep folds about them; their walk was a majestic stagger; but their carriage was lofty, and betokened an innate pride of birth and rank.

No aristocracy was ever more distinctly marked by nature. As before remarked, to a superficial observer, they might, with reason, have appeared as a distinct race. The monopoly they enjoyed of the good gifts of Providence, with the greater exercise of their mental faculties, for they did most of the thinking for the people, served, every generation, to increase the distinction between the two classes. The great personal size was doubtless partly inherited, and partly the result of early care. The young chiefs, unless they otherwise desired, were always borne on the shoulders of attendants;* their only exercises were games, sufficient to excite and amuse, without greatly fatiguing; no care or toil was theirs; the abundance of the land and sea was at their disposal; and, from the quantity they daily consumed, particularly of that most nutritious diet, poi, it is not surprising they gave such material evidences of their training. After a surfeit a common case menials were always ready to do that for the system, which, otherwise, active exercise only could have effected. Servants were especially trained to lomi-lomi a luxurious kneading or shampooing, and stretching and cracking the joints, exceedingly pleasant withal, and operating as a gentle and refreshing exercise. The fatter the chiefs, the more they required this operation.

Their common position was reclining upon divans of fine mats, surrounded by a retinue, devoted solely to their physical gratification. Some fanned, brushed away insects and held spittoons; others fed them, lomi-lomied, or dressed their hair or persons. In short, the extremes of activity or laziness, temperance or sensuality, were wholly at their option. Ambition and apathy, superstition and avarice, love and pleasure, by turns controlled them; and war, priestcraft and oppression, varied by occasional acts of good nature, or the ebullitions of innate benevolence, which even such an education could not wholly eradicate, were the lot of their subjects.

Among them a considerable degree of physical beauty existed, though on a less noble scale. A few might be seen who were models of active grace, but their general appearance was that of "hewers of wood and drawers of water." They were supple, hardy and inured to toil; yet, either from the debilitating effects of the climate, or a positive physical inferiority, the result of difference of food and living, incapable of the same endurance as the Caucasian race.

At the present epoch, the general cast of features prevailing among the whole group, is similar to that of all Polynesia, and analogous to the Malay, to which family of the human race they doubtless belong. A considerable variety in color exists, from a light olive to an almost African black; the hair is coarse and equally dissimilar, varying from the straight, long black, or dark brown, to the crispy curl peculiar to the negro. This latter is comparatively rare, though white hair among children is common. A broad, open, vulgarly good humored countenance prevails among the males, and a more pleasing and engaging look with the females, but both bespeak the predominance of animal passions. Many of the latter, when young, are not unattractive. Though farther from the equator, both sexes are some shades darker than the Tahitians, Marquesans, or Ascension islanders; all of whom excel them in personal beauty. As with them, a fullness of the nostril, without the peculiar flatness of the negro, and a general thickness of lips, prominent and broad cheek bones, and narrow, high and retreating foreheads, resembling the Asiatic, predominate. Instances of deformity are not more common than in civilized life. Their teeth are white, firm and regular; but their eyes are generally bloodshot, which once was considered a personal attraction. The hands of the females are soft and well made, with tapering fingers. At maturity, which takes place from ten to twelve years of age, they present slight figures, which however soon disappear and are succeeded by stoutness, which in their eyes is the greater charm.

No regular marriage ceremonies existed, though, on such occasions, it was customary for the bridegroom to cast a piece of cloth on the bride, in the presence of her family. A feast was then furnished by the friends of both parties.

The number of wives depended upon the inclination of the man, and his ability to support them. Though the common men usually lived with one woman, who performed household labors, no binding tie existed; each party consulting their wishes for change, joining or separating, as they agreed or disagreed. As a general thing, there was no such sentiment as chastity; sensual desires were gratified as choice prompted; their only rules being their wishes, modified by jealousy or fear. The very reverse of Christian morality prevailed in this respect, for it was considered a meanness for a man or woman to refuse a solicitation for sensual gratification. Visitors of equal or greater rank than their hosts were accommodated with women, as a necessary exercise of hospitality. But the wives of the chiefs were guarded with great care, to prevent their indulging in too great license.

Some sentiments relative to connubial fidelity prevailed which may be said to have bordered on morality, or rather served in this respect to distinguish them from the mere brute. The idea connected with marriage in their minds is well indicated by the term used to express it "hoao" literally to try one another. After the parties had lived together awhile mutually pleased, it was considered disgraceful to separate, though it was common for those without children to do so; children being considered a strong link, not so much for fidelity as for perpetuity. Wives on the slightest suspicion of their husbands were subject to very cruel treatment, and were often severely injured. Even Kamehameha's queens formed no exception to this system of family discipline, and the highest females of the land bore marks about their persons of the jealous brutality of their lords.

Adultery, without the consent of the husband, was viewed as a crime. Kamehameha, in 1809, strangled Kanihonui, a high chief, for this offence with Kaahumanu, even at the risk of a rebellion; and later still, suspecting one of his priests of a similar practice, he laid a trap for him by which he was exposed. He was immediately executed.

Children were betrothed when quite young, and were then sacredly guarded by their parents from intercourse with others; a practice which being quite common, operated as some restraint on universal licentiousness. Common and frequent prostitution was considered in some degree disreputable, and it was enjoined by the better class of parents on their sons to avoid it.

Family alliances among the chiefs, or, more properly speaking, connections, were of the most intricate and shocking nature. Custom obliged the highest chief to marry the next in rank; consequently, brothers and sisters, full cousins, nieces and uncles, nephews and aunts frequently exercised towards each other the relations of husband and wife. The most complex affinities arose from this unnatural law. This resulted rather from an arbitrary political custom than desire, as incest in general was considered disgraceful. In such cases the parties cohabited but seldom, and frequently the marriage was scarcely more than nominal. The highest female chiefs enjoyed the same connubial privileges as to the selection and number of those of the other sex. Sometimes father and son were husbands of the same wife.

Notwithstanding this general sexual laxity, instances of love and affection were not uncommon. The exchange of names was the strongest proof of friendship; and a partiality thus established entitled the recipients mutually to exercise the utmost freedom of persons or property. If they were chiefs, their dependents acknowledged this ideal relationship, by the same homage and services.

Or, if a chief thus adopted an inferior, his influence in household matters was scarcely less than his patrons. An embrace with the noses touching, was the most affectionate mode of salutation. Some doubt formerly existed whether cannibalism ever prevailed in the group.

The natives themselves manifested a degree of shame, horror and confusion, when questioned upon the subject, that led Cook and his associates, without any direct evidence of the feet, to believe in its existence; but later voyagers disputed this conclusion. The confessions of their own historians, and the general acknowledgment of the common people, have now established it beyond a doubt; though, for some time previous to Cook's visit, it had gradually decreased, until scarcely a vestige, if any, of the horrible custom remained. This humanizing improvement, so little in accordance with their other customs, was a pleasing trait in their national character. It may have been the result of instruction and example derived from the earliest European visitors, or a self-conviction of its own abomination. Be that as it may, a public sentiment of disgust in regard to it prevailed at that period, highly creditable to them as a nation, and distinguished them from their cotemporaries of New Zealand, the Marquesas, and even from the more polished Tahitian.

Many generations gone by, it was not uncommon for them to indulge, after the close of a battle, in the fierce and bloody delight of roasting their slain enemies, and devouring their flesh like ravenous wild dogs, as the sweetest and most glorifying consummation of revenge. Later still, it was confined to certain robber chieftains, who infested mountain paths, and the recesses of forests, from which they sallied forth - the terror of the less ferocious inhabitants - slaying, plundering, and gorging, like vultures, upon the flesh of their victims. As of the ghouls, and monstrous creations of eastern tales, a superstitious dread of their haunts prevailed, which the marvelous tales spread abroad of their prowess and cruelty, served to increase. The warrior became famous who dared beard these " lions in their dens." If successful, his name, with all the eclat of the knight errant of the days of chivalry, was celebrated in song and dance for many generations.

In the use of awa, a liquor manufactured from the piper methysticum, the chiefs were exceedingly intemperate. Its effects were very pernicious, covering the body with a white scurf, or scaliness, like the scurvy, inflaming the eyes, and causing premature decrepitude, it was also taken as a medicine, and was supposed to be an effectual remedy for corpulence. No other intoxicating liquor was known.

Lunatics were occasionally treated with attention and respect, being supposed to be inspired by some god; but more commonly they shared the fate of the aged and sick, as objects of contempt, ridicule and even cruelty. Heathen charity has little respect for those unable to help themselves; hence the deformed, dependent, foolish and blind, were made the cruel sport of idlers or left to perish. Age and helplessness were frequently cast out from homes which their own hands had reared, and abandoned to die by the road-side, uncared for and unpitied by neighbor or relative. The more merciful children gave the finishing stroke at once, and left their corpses the prey of prowling dogs.

Humanity to the aged and afflicted could not be expected from those whose " tender mercies were cruelty "to their own offspring. Multitudes were yearly destroyed before birth, by means which will not bear record, and which caused permanent injury to the mother. As many, perhaps, were murdered weeks, months and even years after they saw the light. Parents had authority of life and death over their young, accountable to no one. Infanticide was more prevalent among the poorer classes than the rich. Whim, expediency or fear of diminishing their personal charms, to them were adequate motives to doom their young to a barbarous death. The poor destroyed many of their children to avoid the expense or trouble of rearing them. Other classes, from laziness, ill humor, or to gratify a malignant disposition.

When a quarrel arose between the parents, the child was liable to be sacrificed. A case happened on Hawaii, in regard to a boy seven years of age. Both parties became frantic with rage; the father seized the child by the wrists with one hand, and the legs in the other, and with one stroke broke its back across his knee, and threw the mangled corpse at the feet of his wife. The child was his own; no one could have interfered to prevent or punish.

Some spared two or three, but more destroyed all but one. It was sometimes done by strangling, and often by burying the innocent sufferers alive; both parents uniting in trampling the earth over the form of their murdered babe, the floor of their own hut not unfrequently being the grave. Those who indulged in such a fiendish disposition, it is said, destroyed, upon an average, two thirds of their children. For the credit of humanity, it is to be hoped that it was not so prevalent as some recent writers have supposed; or else its increase was latterly great. Numbers of women are to be found, who confess to the murder of from three to six and eight children. Females being considered as less useful than males, were more often destroyed.

Cook, in his account of Kauai, praises their parental affection and kindness. But mere voyagers are liable to err greatly in their estimate of a people whom they see but transiently, and with whom intercourse is embarassed from ignorance of their tongue. More authentic records, and subsequent examinations, have proved infanticide, in all its horrible shades, to have been a common custom. Not perhaps to such an extent as, by itself, to occasion a great decrease of population, though joined with other causes, it produced sad results.

Tenderness to the living was not to be increased by the exercise of so fell a passion. Hawaiian parents had a kind of animal affection for their offspring, which, like any instinct, not governed by reason, was as often injurious as beneficial. The ill effects of this were apparent in their education. There was no regular family discipline; a caress or blow being the only reward or punishment.

It was a common practice to give away children, towards whom a community of feeling, the result of the very promiscuous intercourse of the sexes, must necessarily have existed.

Children could seldom determine their real parents. Dogs and swine were quite as frequently objects of fondness, and often allowed more indulgences and better food than fell to the lot of their biped companions; their mothers' breasts giving suck to the brute in preference to the immortal being.

The cleanliness of the islanders has been much praised, but equally without reason. Frequent bathing kept their persons in tolerable order, but the same filthy clothing was worn while it would hold together. The lodgings of the common orders were shared with the brutes, and their bodies a common receptacle of vermin. All, of every age and sex, herded in common; the same mat beneath them at night, and the same tapa above. If a fly perchance alighted on their food, their delicate stomachs became sick; but the same sensitive organ found delicious morsels in the raw, uncleaned entrails of animals or fish; and the choicest of all, in vermin picked from each others hair.

Oppressive as were the laws to the men, they were far more so upon the women. Their sex was but an additional motive for insult and tyranny.

The right of blood gave to the highest female the power to rule; but she, equally with the humblest dependent, was subject to the iron law of the " taboos." Neither could eat with men; their houses and their labors were distinct; their aliment was separately prepared.

A female child from birth to death was allowed no food that had touched its father's dish. The choicest of animal and vegetable products were reserved for the male child; for the female the poorest; while the use of many kinds, such as pork, turtle, shark, bananas and cocoanut, were altogether interdicted.

Woman was made bitterly to feel her sexual degradation. She was excused from no labors, excepting such as were altogether too arduous for her weaker frame. Thus her lot became even worse than that of her sex generally in the southern groups.

In the preceding pages it has been my endeavor to draw a just outline of the native government, religion, manners and customs, as they existed prior to the discovery of Cook. In some points, but little change has been experienced to the present day, while in others the alteration has been total. To trace the history of the progress from its primary causes; the influences of commerce, and of civilized man in the gradual development of civilization and Christianity among this benighted race; and to present, in a forcible light, the contrast between the past and present, will be the attempt of future chapters.

Modern history affords no more interesting picture than this peaceful and triumphant revolution. Its action has been but partially understood and represented.

Civilization and Christianity have each their interested advocates, who endeavor to build up their favorite systems at mutual expense. Their influence has been generally presented as that of rival institutions; the destruction of one to be the erection of the other. Both views are equally apart from truth.

The Hawaiian character in its general caste, uninfluenced by either of the above causes, may be thus summed up.

From childhood no pure social affections were inculcated. Existence was due rather to accident than design. If spared by a parent's hand, a boy lived to become the victim of a priest, an offering to a blood-loving deity, or to experience a living death from preternatural fears: a slave, not only to his own superstitions, but to the terrors and caprices of his chief. He was not to know freedom either in life or property, but in its stead a pitiless tyranny, reaping where it had not sown. To him existed no social circle to purify by kindly affections; no moral teachings enkindled a love of truth, no revelation cheered his earthly course, or brightened future hopes. Theft, lying, drunkenness, reveling, treachery, revenge, lewdness, infanticide and murder, were familiar to his youth, and too often became the practices of his manhood. Guilt was measured by success or failure. Justice was but retaliation, and the law itself arrayed each man's hand against his brother.

Games and amusements were but means of gambling and sensual excitement. An individual selfishness which sought present gratification, momentary pleasure, or lasting results, regardless of unholy measures or instruments, was the all-predominating passion. The most attractive quality of the Hawaiian, it cannot be called a virtue, was a kind of easy, listless, good nature, never to be depended upon when their interests or passions were aroused. Instances of a better disposition were sometimes displayed, and occasional gleams of humanity, among which may be mentioned friendship, and a hospitality common to all rude nations, where the distinctions of property are but slightly understood, enlivened their dark characters; but these were sufficient only to redeem their title to humanity, and not make us altogether "blush and hide our heads," to own ourselves fellow-men. Individuals there were who rose above this level of degradation; but their lives served to render more prominent the vices of the remainder. La Perouse, though fresh from the Rousseau school of innocence of savage life, thus, perhaps, a little too broadly, expressed his opinion: "The most daring rascals of Europe are less hypocritical than these natives. All their caresses were false. Their physiognomy does not express a single sentiment of truth. The object most to be suspected is he who has just received a present, or who appears to be the most earnest in rendering a thousand little services."

These islanders possessed a callousness to pain, wonderful to the more delicately reared white man. A like insensibility pervaded their moral system.

Those who live in dangerous climates, or among alarming natural phenomena, manifest a surprising indifference to the surrounding dangers, and engage in the pleasures of life with more than ordinary zest. The native, thoughtless of the morrow, careless of results, and habituated to scenes of death, enjoyed his animal pleasures with a heartiness which vigorous health alone could give.

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