Olowalu, Hawaii
| Olowalu | |
|---|---|
| Historic settlement | |
A view of Olowalu
|
|
| Coordinates: 20°48′53″N 156°37′30″W / 20.8147°N 156.625°W | |
| Government | |
| • Body | Maui County Council |
| • Mayor | Alan Arakawa |
| • Hawaii Senate | Rosalyn Baker |
| • Hawaii House of Representatives | Angus McKelvey |
| • U.S. House | Mazie Hirono |
| • U.S. Senate | Brian Schatz |
| Area | |
| • Total | 7.6 km2 (2.94 sq mi) |
| • Land | 7.6 km2 (2.94 sq mi) |
| Population (2010) | |
| • Total | 80 |
| • Density | 10.48/km2 (27.15/sq mi) |
| ZIP Code | 96763 |
| Area code(s) | 808 |
| Olowalu Massacre | |
|---|---|
| Location | Maui |
| Date | 1790 |
|
Attack type
|
Massacre |
| Weapons | Naval artillery |
| Deaths | ~100 killed |
| Perpetrators | Simon Metcalfe |
Olowalu is a community on the west side of the island of Maui in the state of Hawaii. It is located about 4 miles (6.4 km) south of Lahaina on the Honoapiʻilani Highway.
It sustained a large population, governed by the high chiefess Kalola, daughter of Maui ruler Kekaulike, and grandmother of Keopuolani. It was home to a traditional farming community until the arrival of the Europeans, who replaced it with a sugarcane plantation. The massacre in 1790 described below, as well as the labor-hungry sandalwood trade, contributed to the site's decline. A substantial real estate development is under consideration for the area. The area is home to one of Hawaii's most striking reefs.
From ancient times, Olowalu was considered a place of refuge, or puʻu honua, by Hawaiians. Persons pursued for committing an offense against a family group or an ali'i (royal) were untouchable once they stepped inside its borders. Violating sanctuary was punishable by death. For Pacific Island cultures, maintaining a peaceful order was a deep cultural tenet. For people on Maui, Olowalu created an interval of space and time to resolve disputes.
In 1789, Captain Simon Metcalfe set out on a maritime fur trading mission with two ships: the large Eleanora, and the tender Fair American, a schooner under command of his son Thomas Humphrey Metcalfe. The Fair American was captured by the Spanish during the Nootka Crisis and taken to Mexico, but quickly released. The Metcalfes had earlier agreed to rendezvous in the Hawaiian Islands at Kealakekua Bay.
The Eleanora had arrived by January 1790, and met chief Kameʻeiamoku who boarded the ship to welcome them. Something he did must have offended Simon Metcalfe, who had the chief flogged. This was to have severe consequences later. The Eleanora then sailed north to the island of Maui to trade and resupply. One night a small boat was stolen and the night watchman was killed. Captain Metcalfe fired his cannons into the village, and captured a few Hawaiians who told him the boat was taken by people from the village of Olowalu.
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