1820: Protestant missionaries begin teaching in Hawai‘i

Queen Ka‘ahumanu, who in 1819 publicly overthrew kapu (taboos governing all aspects of Native Hawaiian life), accepts the arrival of Protestant missionaries from New England who teach Christianity as an alternative system of beliefs. The Reverend Hiram Bingham, a Congregationalist, begins teaching in Honolulu.

Bingham starts what he calls “singing schools” on O‘ahu, in which he teaches Native Hawaiians Protestant hymns. He emphasizes congregational singing in which everyone participates, and he composes songs in the Hawaiian language, borrowing melodies from Protestant hymns.

Theme

Native Rights

Region

Hawai‘i