May 3, 1820 - Ruggles and Whitney take Humehume Home to Kauai
King Kaumuali‘i of Kauai decided to send his son 6-year old son Humehume to America; Humehume ultimately sailed into Providence, Rhode Island on June 30, 1805 after a year-and-a-half at sea. On October 23, 1819, the Pioneer Company of the American Protestant missionaries set sail on the Thaddeus for Hawai‘i. With the missionaries were four Hawaiian students from the Foreign Mission School, Hopu, Kanui, Honoliʻi and Humehume. They arrived in Kailua-Kona on April 4, 1820. After the Thaddeus departed, Humehume remained in Kailua-Kona and took Betty Davis, the half-Hawaiian daughter of Isaac Davis, as his wife, or his "rib" as he described her. In a short time they rejoined the missionary party in Honolulu. Missionaries Ruggles and Whitney take Humehume home to Kauai. On May 2, 1820, the Thaddeus left Honolulu; they arrived at Waimea, Kauai at the next day. When Kaumuali‘i saw his son, “the scene was truly affecting. I know not when I have wept more freely. When they had become a little composed, Tamoree [Kaumuai‘i] spoke and said his heart was so joyful that he could not talk much till to-morrow”. “With an anxious heart and trembling arms the aged father rose to embrace his long lost son. Both were too much affected to speak.” Kapule (Kaumuali‘i’s wife dictated a letter to Nancy Ruggles’ mother in part stating, “I am glad your daughter come here, I shall be her mother now, and she be my daughter. … You very good, send your daughter great way to teach the heathen. I am very glad I can write you a short letter, and tell you that I be good to your daughter. I send you my aloha, and tell you I am Your Friend, Charlotte Tapoolee, Queen of Atooi”
King Kaumuali‘i of Kauai decided to send his son 6-year old son Humehume to America; Humehume ultimately sailed into Providence, Rhode Island on June 30, 1805 after a year-and-a-half at sea. On October 23, 1819, the Pioneer Company of the American Protestant missionaries set sail on the Thaddeus for Hawai‘i. With the missionaries were four Hawaiian students from the Foreign Mission School, Hopu, Kanui, Honoliʻi and Humehume. They arrived in Kailua-Kona on April 4, 1820. After the Thaddeus departed, Humehume remained in Kailua-Kona and took Betty Davis, the half-Hawaiian daughter of Isaac Davis, as his wife, or his "rib" as he described her. In a short time they rejoined the missionary party in Honolulu. Missionaries Ruggles and Whitney take Humehume home to Kauai. On May 2, 1820, the Thaddeus left Honolulu; they arrived at Waimea, Kauai at the next day. When Kaumuali‘i saw his son, “the scene was truly affecting. I know not when I have wept more freely. When they had become a little composed, Tamoree [Kaumuai‘i] spoke and said his heart was so joyful that he could not talk much till to-morrow”. “With an anxious heart and trembling arms the aged father rose to embrace his long lost son. Both were too much affected to speak.” Kapule (Kaumuali‘i’s wife dictated a letter to Nancy Ruggles’ mother in part stating, “I am glad your daughter come here, I shall be her mother now, and she be my daughter. … You very good, send your daughter great way to teach the heathen. I am very glad I can write you a short letter, and tell you that I be good to your daughter. I send you my aloha, and tell you I am Your Friend, Charlotte Tapoolee, Queen of Atooi”