BOOKS
The Adventures of Thomas Hopu
The Untold Story of One of Hawaiʻi’s First Literate Leaders, World Traveler, and Diplomats
Before the rise of the Hawaiian monarchy, before the Gospel was known across the islands, there was a young man from North Kohala named Thomas Hopu.
The Adventures of Thomas Hopu tells the extraordinary true story of a Native Hawaiian boy who left his homeland, received one of the first Western educations ever attained by a Hawaiian, and returned to serve his people during a pivotal turning point in their history.
Based on Hopu’s own handwritten memoirs and early missionary records, this deeply researched narrative brings his voice to life. It reveals his role in major diplomatic moments, his firsthand account of island warfare, and his essential work as a translator and teacher during the arrival of the first missionaries to Hawaiʻi in 1820.
Why this story matters:
• Thomas Hopu was one of the first literate Hawaiians and one of the early few to write a personal account of life before the fall of the kapu system
• He helped establish Christian education, cultural diplomacy, and moral reform during Hawaiʻi’s transition into a unified kingdom
• His influence reached the highest levels of aliʻi, including Queen Keōpūolani and King Liholiho
This beautifully illustrated volume preserves a voice that helped shape Hawaiian history, not through conquest or crown, but through courage, learning, and faith.
The Hardcover edition is of much better print quality.
Io ‘Supreme God of Polynesia’
Mo‘olelo Kū‘i‘o’s report explores the historical origins of the "Cult of Io," a movement some evangelical churches now equate with the Judeo-Christian God. The report argues that linking Hawai‘i’s pre-Christian history to Biblical beliefs misrepresents both Hawaiian culture and historical facts.
Before Christian influence, Hawaiians adhered to the ‘Ai Kapu system, which was later abandoned, leading to widespread evangelism and literacy through the Hawaiian Bible (Baibala Hemolele). A modern narrative claims Hawaiians were a lost tribe of Israelites who originally worshiped Io as the Biblical God. The report disputes this, presenting evidence to counter the claim and inviting readers to review the findings.
Preparing the Way: A Pictorial History for the Hawaii Mission Bicentennial 1820 - 2020
Preparing the Way offers a concise pictorial account of the first American Protestant mission to Hawaii through the lives of three Polynesian men: Opukahaia (Henry Obookiah), Hopu (Thomas Hopoo), and Auna. Opukahaia's death in 1818 inspired support for the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions to send a company to Hawaii, departing from Boston in 1819. Their arrival led to the conversion of Hawaiian rulers and the spread of literacy through the Hawaiian Bible. The book marks the bicentennial of the mission's departure in 1819 and arrival in Hawaii in 1820.
The Providential Life & Heritage of Henry Obookiah: Why Did Missionaries Come to Hawai‘i from New England and Tahiti?
The Memoirs of Henry Obookiah inspired the 1819 Sandwich Islands Mission to Hawaii. Opukahaia, a Native Hawaiian who became a Christian in New England, became a Second Great Awakening figure. Christopher L. Cook’s The Providential Life & Heritage of Henry Obookiah expands on this, uncovering new details about his life and faith, including his role in translating the Bible into Hawaiian and influencing key figures in the anti-slavery movement. Cook’s book also challenges the accuracy of James Michener’s fictional portrayal of Hawaiian missionaries in Hawaii.
Morning Star Missionary Ships: Pin Points On Gods Creation: Marshall Islands Missions 1857 - 2007
Congregational minister C. Ronald Wilson spent years in Micronesia collecting historical documents and images about the church founded by American missionaries in the Marshall Islands in 1857. Native Hawaiian missionaries, including leader Hezekiah Aea, also played a key role. In his book Morning Star Missionary Ships: Pin Points on God’s Creation, Wilson details the history of the Morning Star fleet, funded by donations from American and Hawaiian children. For over 100 years, these ships supported the Marshall Islands churches.
The Concert Of Prayer: The Prayer Covering for Hawai’i’s Historic Nineteenth-Century Revivals
Mo’olelo Kū’i’o partner and lead archivist, Chris Cook, has dedicated his efforts to creating a comprehensive yet concise booklet that explores the rich history of concerts of prayer throughout the Hawaiian islands. This enlightening resource not only highlights past gatherings but also serves as a reminder of the power and significance of collective prayer in our communities.
Let this article inspire you to embrace the profound call to prayer for those who are lost in our islands once again. It is a heartfelt invitation to rekindle our commitment to intercession, as God deeply longs to see individuals come to Him and experience His love. Furthermore, it emphasizes the importance of unity within the body of Christ, encouraging us to come together in prayer and worship.
