In the early 1800s, a young Hawaiian boy named ‘Opukaha‘ia was living quietly with his family in a village in Ninole, in Ka‘u District, when civil warfare broke out and his family members were killed.
‘Opukaha‘ia (who later used the name Henry) escaped, and so begins the true story of a young man whose life changed the course of Hawaii’s history within two short decades. ‘Opukaha‘ia was among the first Native Hawaiians to become a Christian and is thought to have started Hawaii’s conversion to Christianity.
A unique two-part presentation about ‘Opukaha‘ia’s life will be offered twice next week at the Lyman Museum, from 7-8:30 p.m. Monday (April 23) and 3-4:30 p.m. Tuesday (April 24).
The first part of this remembrance is presented by Deborah Li‘ikapeka Lee, descendant of ‘Opukaha‘ia and member of the family group who traveled to Connecticut to bring na iwi (bones) home to Hawaii Island from the New England town where he died and was buried in 1818.
Lee speaks about the life of her ancestor, his return to the land of his birth and “The Memoirs of Henry Obookiah,” (the way ‘Opukaha‘ia’s last name was spelled at the time he lived in the East), first printed shortly after his death.
Her presentation will be followed by “My Name is ‘Opukaha‘ia,” a short play unfolding in flashback to different times in his young life, ending with his death and return of his remains to Hawaii. The creation of the play by prominent theater artist Moses Goods was commissioned by the Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site and Archives and his performances are presented by permission.
Recently republished in an enhanced edition, copies of “The Memoirs of Henry Obookiah” are available in the Lyman Museum shop.
Next week’s presentation is part of the museum’s Saigo Public Program lecture series. Admission is free to museum members, $3 for nonmembers.
The nationally accredited and Smithsonian-affiliated Lyman Museum is located at 276 Haili St. in Hilo and showcases the natural and cultural history of Hawaii. Hours are 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
For more information, call 935-5021 or visit www.lymanmuseum.org.