Letters
Collection of Letters with Hopu
These documents are real historical writings from the early 1800s that help us learn about the life and work of Thomas Hopu (sometimes spelled Hopoo). Hopu was one of the first young Hawaiians to travel to America, receive an education, and return home as a teacher and Christian leader. Each source gives us a small window into what he saw, felt, and believed during a time of major change in Hawaiʻi.
Below are the sources included in this collection. They are written in older English, but each one tells us something important about Hopu’s life.
1. Letter by Thomas Hopu, May 4, 1821
This handwritten letter describes how the chiefs were becoming interested in learning about God and how the new mission house impressed the king. Hopu writes about his hopes for Hawaiʻi and asks that supporters in America continue helping the mission work.
Source: Hopu Letter, Houghton Library
2. Hopu’s 1823 Letter to Rev. Herman Daggett
In this long letter, Hopu tells his former teacher about the spiritual changes happening in the islands. He shares stories about chiefs who were learning to pray and about the importance of teaching the people.
Source: Hopu Letter, December 1823
3. Letter to Rev. William Ellis
Printed in a book from 1827, this letter shows Hopu describing the love and support the Hawaiian chiefs had for the mission. He writes about how they wanted to follow the teachings of God.
Source: Letter to Ellis
4. Letter Published in the Missionary Herald, 1822
This is a published version of Hopu’s writing when he was a young teacher. He talks about the end of idol worship, the building of the first church building, and his desire to tell his people about Jesus.
Source: Missionary Herald, 1822
5. Mission Journal Mention of Hopu and His Wife (1826)
This journal entry records Hopu and his wife arriving with the missionaries in Honolulu. It shows how he continued serving as a teacher and helper to the mission families.
Source: Missionary Herald Journal, 1826
6. Hopu’s Letter to the Treasurer of the A.B.C.F.M. (1821–1822)
In this letter, Hopu writes about the changes happening in Hawaiʻi now that the old religious system had ended. He talks about his desire to serve God and carry on the work of Henry ʻŌpūkahaʻia.
Source: Missionary Herald Extracts
Letter: Elisabeth Ka’ahumanu
Writter: Kaahumanu, Elisabeth
To: Evarts, Jeremiah
Date: September 11, 1831
Type: Manuscript
Medium: Ink on paper
Credit Line: Digitalized by Google
Publisher: N/A
Description: Elisabeth Kaʻahumanu writes to Mr. Jeremiah Evarts regarding the success of the mission in Hawaiʻi. She includes her religious sentiments to the brethren of the A.B.C.F.M.