Dismembering Lahui: A History of the Hawaiian Nation to 1887

by Jonathan Kamakawiwo'ole Osorio

Jonathan Osorio investigates the effects of Western law on the national identity of Native Hawaiians in this impressive political history of the Kingdom of Hawaii from the onset of constitutional government in 1840 to the Bayonet Constitution of 1887, which effectively placed political power in the kingdom in the hands of white businessmen. Making extensive use of legislative texts, contemporary newspapers, and important works by Hawaiian historians and others, Osorio plots the course of events that transformed Hawaii from a traditional subsistence economy to a modern nation, taking into account the many individuals nearly forgotten by history who wrestled with each new political and social change. A final poignant chapter links past events with the struggle for Hawaiian sovereignty today.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Indigenous, Research

320 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2002

Reviews

[Ashley Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely an academic text, so it's dry, but still an excellent resource. Plenty of notes in the back.

[Beth]

"This story is more than a tale of racism, intolerance, and greed, though these are certainly part of the mo`olelo. It is more than just another example of the twisted nature of nineteenth-century colonialism in the Pacific, though, again, this is part of the history. It is more than a revisionist account by another Native historian challenging the typical haole histories that have little understanding of our culture and often a limited understanding of their own. Finally, it is more than a study of men and women who have been largely ignored in previous histories, but whose stories are worth telling.

This is a new mo`olelo, one that has never been told in quite this way before. It is a story of how colonialism worked in Hawai`i not through the naked seizure of lands and governments but through a slow, insinuating invasion of people, ideas, and institutions. It is also a story of how our people fought this colonial insinuation with perplexity and courage. But ultimately, this is a story of violence, in which that colonialism literally and figuratively dismembered the lāhui (the people) from their traditions, their lands, and ultimately their government. The mutilations were not physical only, but also psychological and spiritual. Death came not only through infection and disease, but through racial and legal discourse that crippled the will, confidence, and trust of the Kānaka Maoli as surely as leprosy and smallpox claimed their limbs and lives" (p.3)

[Remy Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read overall and very informative/interesting. It felt like there was an odd lack of criticism for the kings directly related to Kamehaha I -- the author placed blame on advisors and, quite rightfully, haole businessmen and interests, but until Kalakaua undersold the agency of the Mo'i to participate and go along with foreign desires. The account would have felt more holistic had it delved into the decisions and reasoning of the kings rather than presuming beneficial intent, a notion that gets dropped, interestingly, as soon as the regent is arguably a lesser Ali'i.

[Reid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful, incisive and fair history of Hawaii from missionaries to bayonet constitution. An important book.