The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1893-02-14
NOT ROOTED OUT IN HA-
WAII.
Sketch of It's History under Ha-
waiian Kings.
SOME SENSATIONAL FACTS, AND
MORE FORTHCOMING

Some years ago the Rev. Mr.. Bick-
nell started a society which had for
its object the suppression of idolatry,
and the study of the Bible. This
organization comprised some of the
best native Hawaiians. 1t was pre-
sided over by Mr.. Bicknell during his
life, and has done a grand work in
ferreting out idolatry and in leading
the people to forsake heathenism.
The society has a chapel at Kahuu-
kolo, near the Fish Market, where its
meetings were held; and it was here,
at the regular weekly meeting of the
society on Monday evening that the
stormy session occurred, of which an
imperfect account has been published
in the Bulletin.
In order to lay before the public as
full and accurate statement of the
facts as possible, a representative of
the ADVERTISER called on Mr.. Jos.
Emerson and asked him what he
could tell about the matter?
~ have attended quite a number of
the society's meetings said MI.
Emerson, "and have been repeatedly
urged to come. Monday evening L
entered after the meeting had begun,
and was much pleased with the tone
of what l heard. Mr.. Kahuakai pre-
sided.r
ibid you volunteer your remarks
to the meeting ?" asked the reporter.
ooh, no! When they had about
finished, the secretary stated that
friend was present, from whom they
would like to hear. | told them that
their good work was well known to
the Christian people of Honolulu,
who deeply sympathized with their
efforts to suppress heathenish prac-
tees. l thus said that if agreeable
would speak on a subject on which
we might differ. If my remarks were
distasteful would discontinue them:
the subject was the relation of the
monarchy to heathenism."
ibid anyone object to that?'' in
quired the reporter.
"No objection was made. L refer
red at length to the history of the ISL
ands, beginning with kamehameha
l." Mr.. Emerson gave a brief
sketch of his remarks on this head,
referring to the caprice of Liholiho
(Kamehameha II and to the strength
of Queen Kaahumanu, and the priest
Hewahewa, who did so much to free
the Hawaiians from the shackles of
superstition. "Hewahewa, by the
way,m added Mr.. Emerson, "became
a Christian and a member of my
fathers church at Waialua." Com
ing down to the times of Kameha-
meha Y, Mr.. Emerson said to the
company assembled, "you know how
many black pigs he sacrificed when
This heathenism has grown, except
during the reign of the honored Luna
lilo, to the present time"
Chow did the audience take this
speech?n
"Some of them did not like it.
asked them, Do any of you deny that
Kamehameha Y. was an idolater?
There was a general reply of NO.
How about Kalakaua, when he re-
turned from his trip around the
world? Did he not say in Kailua-'
have been around the world, have
seen the Christian nations and OBJ
served that they are turning away
from Jehovah. He represents wan
ing cause. Shall we Hawaiians take
up the worship of god which for
eigners are discarding? The old gods
of Hawaii are good enough for met
When Kalakaua was in Kailua
celebrating some festival, Kau-
namano made speech in the
presence of the King to a large
gathering of people in the old church
where Rev. Mr.. Thurston used to
preach. He said that the victories of
Kamehameha l. were won by the aid
of the Hawaiian gods. L do not
blame you,' he said, for worshipping
Jehovah, but neither do blame you
for worshipping our dear little Ha-
waiian (household) gods Kailua was
full of people at the time from all
parts of the country.
DO you not agree | asked them,
that Kalakaua was an ardent sup
porter of heathenism?' Several voices |
answered yes. Was not the Hale !
Naua Society a monument to his |
efforts to establish heathenism? One |
voice answered yes. Then, my
friends, we are agreed on these mat |
tiers, and these is no controversy be- |
tween u.s.
Did you make any reference to the |
late Queen" asked the ADvER- /
Users representative.
"Yes,n replied Mr.. Emerson. II |
continued TO question them. Has |
Liliuokalani made any stand against |
the heathenism of her predecessors +? |
At this point decided opposition to |
my remarks began to appear / did
not make any assertions but Ques-
toned them merely. Are these re-
ports true that on more than one
occasion Liliuokalani sacrificed q
black pig to Pele? Several in the
audience called out, we don't know
about that; Others said, yes, that's so.
Mr.. Maby informed me of this, and
the second offering, which occurred
during her reign, is testified to by the
guides at the Volcano House. Some
years ago / was informed by credi-
BILE witness that at Waikiki, group,
including members of the Kawaiahao
Church, were much interested in a
performance in the house of Mrs.
Dominis. My informant withdrew
the curtain (l1ihei) and saw within, a
of the hula god Lakal
which they were worshipping. Here
was the testimony of an unimpeach-