Post #601581 by Phillip Roberts on Mon, Aug 8, 2011 10:37 PM

Aloha,

On 2011-08-08 10:15, SoccerTiki wrote:

"The average person would assume that Hawaii is dripping with tiki, but sadly, it’s not the case. Thanks to overzealous missionaries, most of the authentic Hawaiian artifacts were destroyed before U.S. servicemen arrived on the islands during WWII and kicked off the polynesian pop movement.

I liked Ken's review, but I did differ with him on one minor point, the role of--"overzealous missionaries" in the downfall.

The Kapu's were overthrown by the Hawaiian Monarchy (itself) in 1819 (see: 'Ai Noa, free eating-the concept of both sexes dining together.) and Kamehameha II (Liholiho - c. 1797–July 14, 1824) himself, ORDERED the Kapus not be enforced, the temples to be overthrown, and the idols burned. Luckily, everybody did not comply, thus the small amount of ki'i preserved today by museums. The few surviving Hawaiian carvings have prolifirated today providing the basis of what we all love...

The first Missionaries arrived in Hawaii some months later in 1820...

Thanks Scott. Can't wait to see you and Laura either! Proud of you buddy. I love your work!