Polynesian. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu], Hawaii) 1844-1864, 1853-11-05
CHE ]1olpnesian.
For the Polynesian.
OBITUARY.

MALO, the well known and distinguished
Hawaiian scholar and preacher, aged about
gu years. He was born at Keauhou, in the
district of Kona, Island of Hawaii, was con-
nected in early life with the Chief Kuakini,
(Gov. Adams) and was addicted to the vices
common to native youth. He was a great
favorite when young, with the chiefs, on ac-
count OF his smartness, his acquaintance
with their songs, dances and other amuse-
ments, and hence able to administer largely
to their love of pleasure
Owing to the great activity of his mind,
and his retentive memory, and having asso-
ciated much with Auwai, favorite chief of
Kamehameha l., who excelIed in know
ledge of national affairs, the genealogies of
the chiefs, the tabu system, traditions, &c.,
Malo became very distinguished in all these
branches; in fact he has had the reputation
for years of being the best acquainted with
the old state of things as they existed before
christianity was introduced, of any man lv-
ing He was so regarded by the chiefs and
people generally; in fact, no one could sit
down and converse with him an hour on Ha-
waiian affairs, ancient and modern, without
being impressed with the idea that he was no
ordinary man. Hence he was urged by
several members of the government to write
down all he knew of the ancient history of
his nation, which he did to some extent The
manuscript the writer has seen. 1t will be
for some one competent to the task, to put it
in form, and give all that is valuable in it to
the world. No doubt it contains much that
will interest the philosopher, the historian,
and the christian, and it will be pity, if it
should be lost
Molo oft a,,l,,
christianity on the Island of Maui, under the
instruction of the Rev. VIM. Richards, to
whom he was greatly attached, with whom
the Lords vineyard.
He embraced the Gospel with all the ardor
of his soul, and gave to the study of the BIZ
bic all the powers of most acute and COM
prehensive mind, although entirely without
discipline at the time.
He manifested from the outset a most in
tense love of knowledge, and made some
efforts to learn the English language but
he was too far advanced in years for this
his vocal organs were too stiff and unmanage-
BILE to enable him to utter English sounds
As soon as books were to be had in his own
language, he seized each successive volume
with the avidity of one actuated by a passion
to learn. do not believe there was ever a
Hawaiian book published that David Malo did
not secure, and read. He kept the whole
store of Hawaiian literature in little library
carefully by him, and by constant reading
made himself familiar with it. The native
newspaper also, he not only read, but had
bound fromyear to year, and laid up for future
use.
When the high-school at Lahainaluna was
established in 1881, David at once entered
as pupil, although married man, and not
far from 35 years of age. Like his fellow
students he here Cor several years pursued
the elementary branches of study. His
natural temper was severe, his passions and
prejudices were strong and not being well
subdued in his youth, it is not surprising that
at times he made mis-step, went too far,
Judged too harshly, too mildly, or took an I'M
tenable position But allowing for all i'm
projections, it may be safely said that ne
presented before his nation and the world,
an extraordinary example, OF the wonder
working power of the Gospel, together with
the accompanying appliances of education,
upon the natives of these Islands. His me-
mory will not soon perish among his own
people Those who knew him best, will
longest remember him with respect and graft
tude to God for what he did for him, and
through him for others.
The limits of this brief notice will not adj
init of what is due to him as a member of So
ciety, a man of business, and of industry
and enterprise. One fact may here be no.
ticed. Some l6 or II years ago, much was
said to the natives Oh the Importance of in
dustry, developing the resources of the Is
lands. sc. As usual David entered into the
matter with great zeal, planted cotton IN his
own enclosure, while it was growing pur-
chased loom, wheels, &C., and had the
cotton spun and woven in his own family,
under the direction of those excellent ladies
Mrs Richards and Miss Ogden. The wri-
ter we'll remembers the expression OF con-
scious satisfaction that rested on DavId's
broad Hawaiian face, as he walked about
dressed in a suit of his own domestic manu-
facture. When asked where he got that
strengthening cloth ut was rather coarse)
he would point to the dirt under his feet, say
ing " it came thence" BY his industry he
made good living, and even accumulated
a handsome little property.
Malo loved the gospel, and during the last
wears of his life devoted his whole time to
publishing it to the Islanders. Some three
wears since he received a formal license to
preach. and was settled over church 10 the !
district of Kula, Maui Here he labored
until his death. As preacher he was not
so stirring as some natives, but more origi-
nal, comprehensive, and instructive than IS
common among them. We have listened to
some Of his discourses with inexpressible in-
terest, and profit too.
We do not here pretend to do justice to
the memory of this excellent man
His sslife and times should be written
and well written his writings collected, ar