What the people of Hawaii looked like in the 19th century

Who are the Kanaka Maoli — the native inhabitants of the Hawaiian Islands? From isolation to encounter with the cultures of the USA and Europe, their lives and style changed under the influence of aliens. In our article - unique shots of the 1870s-80s, reflecting the fusion of traditions in Hawaii.

The indigenous population of the Hawaiian Islands — Kanaka Maoli (or Hawaiians, as we call them) — are representatives of the Australo-Mongoloid race, possessing a strong physique and skin with a bronze hue.

Until the XVIII century, when James Cook discovered the archipelago to the rest of the world, its inhabitants were isolated. Their main industries were fishing and agriculture. However, after Cook, foreigners began to visit the islands: merchants, industrialists, missionaries from the USA and Europe. They brought with them workers from China, Japan, the Philippines, Germany, Portugal.

Gradually, the population of Hawaii ceased to be homogeneous, and sugar cane cultivation and the supply of whaling vessels joined the traditional crafts. At the same time, not only the lifestyle changed, but also the easily recognizable style of kanaka maoli — skirts and flower necklaces, and girls eventually began to cover their open breasts with dresses of European and American fashion. In our photo collection there are frames from the 1870s—80s, which perfectly show how different cultures were combined in the Pacific archipelago at the end of the century before last.