Great Heroes and Heroines of Hawaiian Heritage

by Leilani Basham, The Great Courses

The image of Hawaii as a beautiful vacation destination obscures a long and complex history for the islands and their people. For thousands of years, the Hawaiian islands were one of the most remote places in the world. Then, in the late 18th century, the arrival of foreign explorers and settlers began to transform every aspect of life on the islands. Amid these monumental changes, native Hawaiians managed to maintain their history and identity, even as Western visitors strove to repress their culture.

In the six lectures of Great Heroes and Heroines of Hawaiian Heritage, you will meet some of the key figures of Hawaiian history from the 19th and 20th centuries, a tumultuous period in Hawaii’s transformation from a secluded group of independent islands to the 50th US state and a bustling tourist destination. With Leilani Basham of the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa as your guide, you’ll be introduced to the political leaders, scholars, activists, and artists who have been integral to Hawaii’s story and the preservation of Hawaiian culture.

From unification of the islands under the Kamehameha dynasty to American annexation to the Hawaiian Renaissance of the 1970s and beyond, you’ll trace the history of Hawaii through the larger-than-life heroes who helped shape it. As you explore how these men and women fought to unite, preserve, and protect their home and their heritage, you’ll get a fuller picture of Hawaiian history in all its intricate and fascinating dimensions.

Genres: History, Audiobook, Nonfiction

Audible Audio

Published May 1, 2025

Reviews

[Steve Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

The reader needs to understand that this is a very brief and able introduction to the early history of Hawaii up until its annexation by the United States, and those notable figures of Hawaiian royalty of the 18th and 19th centuries.

Along with that, though, you’re also going to find this to be an anti-colonialism/pro-Hawaiian sovereignty movement political jeremiad. Professor Basham complaints against the abuses of the American government are quite legitimate, though she moves from the role of an impartial academic to one of an activist for the Hawaiian sovereignty movement.

I’m not unsympathetic to this. Basham writes about how Hawaiian children were forbidden from speaking Hawaiian in the schools, and would be abused for it if they were caught doing so. My wife’s grandmother suffered the same abuse when forced to go to a Catholic school for indigenous Americans, where she was forced to cut her hair and beaten if she spoke Ojibway.

Likewise, having spent my high school years in Hawaii and having gone back every five years or so, I’ve seen the impacts of American commercialism and industry and how it’s ruined Hawaii’s natural beauty and environment. One of the most recent is the pollution of water sources near Pearl Harbor due the Navy’s negligence in maintaining fuel tanks that ended up polluting ground water for those living near the base. I can’t navigate in Honolulu as easily as I once did, as I can’t see landmarks that are now blocked by skyscrapers. Those in the sovereignty movement often lead the resistance to such devastation.

Basham is one of those academics that pricks the American conscience and deflates the puffery that swells our mindless American jingoism.

So, I recommend it.

[Hunter Ross · Rating 2 out of 5]

First chapters are amazing and I learned a lot. Then there is a lot of repetition (the same facts are said, over and over and it is annoying given how very short this lecture series is) and the lecture becomes almost solely about Hawaiian independence from the US (not saying this is not an important topic than call the lecture series what it is-Heroes and Heroines for Hawaiian Independence). There are certainly parallels from Ireland (Britain) and Hawaii (USA) in terms of the trauma inflicted by imperial expansion. My frustration is I was hoping to learn about the heroes and heroines more but this is more a diatribe of why Hawaii should be a sovereign nation rather than outlining the amazing heroes (unless it is related to their independence). I wonder if HI had independence if the 1930's and 40's would have meant Japanese invasion (almost assuredly)? Also, what about China today if they were not part of US? Are they going to fund their military? Do they expect the US to pay for their protection and just stay on the bases? The author makes it very clear it is a sovereign HI or nothing. Again, interesting points but way more political than I was hoping for with zero alternatives to complete break with US as opposed to strengthened rights and recognition and honoring of the HI culture and history. Honestly wouldn't really recommend it and it is super short and mostly political.

[Christine]

It is all too easy for 'mainlanders' to forget that Hawaii was a nation with a very rich history, culture, and government. The history of how this nation became a part of the US is quite sad, though not surprising all things considered. This is a brief, yet insightful, look into some of the culture that individuals are fighting hard to keep alive. I love learning about folk tales, history, and culture of other nations, if you are the same then this is a great book!

[Toni · Rating 3 out of 5]

highlight reel, I wish there was more info but it was very good.

The narrator/author got choked up a couple of times, which surprised me.

[Sarah Renn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Learned so much about Hawaiian culture and the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom. Great lecture.

[Ethan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not all that familiar with Hawaiian history, so I don't know about accuracy. This was enlightening and I plan on doing more research on Hawaiian history due to it.

[Jack ArtTrade · Rating 2 out of 5]

Short lecture and I did learn some interesting facts but also very political. Maybe it's a sign of my burnout from the news cycle.