Samuel M. Kamakau
| Samuel Mānaiakalani Kamakau | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Born | October 29, 1815 Mokulēia, Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi |
| Died | September 5, 1876 (aged 60) Honolulu, Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi |
| Nationality | Hawaiian |
| Occupation | Historian, Teacher, Writer |
| Spouse(s) | Hainakolo |
| Children | Kukelani Kaʻaʻapookalani |
Samuel Mānaiakalani Kamakau (October 29, 1815 – September 5, 1876) was a Hawaiian historian and scholar. His work appeared in local newspapers and was later compiled into books, becoming an invaluable resource on the Hawaiian people, Hawaiian culture, and Hawaiian language during a time when they were disappearing.
Along with David Malo and John Papa ʻĪʻī, Kamakau is considered one of Hawaii's greatest historians, and his contributions to the preservation of Hawaiian history have been honored throughout the state of Hawaiʻi.
Kamakau was born in Mokulēia, Waialua on the North Shore of the island of Oʻahu. He traveled to the island of Maui and enrolled at Lahainaluna Seminary in 1833, where he became a student of Reverend Sheldon Dibble. Dibble instructed Kamakau and other students to collect and preserve information on the Hawaiian culture, language, and people. To further this goal, Kamakau helped form the first Hawaiian historical society in 1841. According to Kamakau:
A society was started at Lahainaluna according to the desire of the teachers. As the people of Alebione (Albion) had their British history and read about the Saxons and William, so the Hawaiians should read their history...The King said he thought the history of all the islands should be preserved from first to last.
Known as the Royal Hawaiian Historical Society, members included King Kamehameha III, John Young, Timothy Haʻalilio, David Malo, Dwight Baldwin, William Richards, Sheldon Dibble, Kamakau and others. Elected officials included president Kamehameha III, vice-president William Richards, secretary Sheldon Dibble, and treasurer Samuel Kamakau. The society disbanded after the capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii moved from Lahaina on the island of Maui to Honolulu, Oahu in 1845.
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