Editor,

Before anthropologists investigate the ancient past, they might want to consider a little history of recent past.

William Mariner's (Toki Ukamea) "Tonga Islands" (Martin, 1816) account of the Hawaiians who were brought on the Port-au-Prince [can be considered] as suspects to have carved the "Ancient Hawaiian rock art discovered in Tonga" [2] reported in your publication (30 Jan. 2009).

The privateer ship was a British Agent in disguise "to loot Spanish towns or seize cargo, and if the war against Napoleon should come to an end, to do some quiet whaling," says Toki-Ukamea's account. Ironically, the ship was looted by Tongans at Lifooga (Lifuka), Ha'apai, and most of the crew members were massacred.

My old copy of "Tonga Islands" is hard to read, but Toki-Ukamea had mentioned at least more than two "Sandwich Islanders whom the Port-au-Prince had brought along with her from Anahooroo (Honolulu) Bay." Additionally, Chief Finau 'Ulukalala II's greeting party came on board November 29, 1806, bringing their own Hawaiian personality:

"With them came a native of Owhyee (Hawaii), who spoke a little English, which he had formerly learned on board an American ship that had taken him from the Sandwich Islands to Manila, and thence had brought him to the Tonga Islands," according to Toki-Ukamea.


His name was Tooi Tooi (Tui Tui), and he interpreted for 'Ulukalala II. He was fluent in Tongan, and "spoke a little English." He translated the chief's treacherous plans to attack the ship as nothing more than "Friendly Islands" hospitality, christened by Captain Cook 25 years earlier. The Hawaiians on the ship disagreed and tried in vain to convince Capt. Brown that the ship was in danger of an attack.

Tui Tui returned on the morning of the attack (Monday, December 01, 1806) and succeeded in inviting Capt. Brown to come ashore and "view the country." Mr. Brown agreed and followed Tui Tui on shore to his death. Tui Tui returned during the attack with a chief named Vaca-ta-Bola (Vaka Tapola). Thinking he was to be killed, Toki-Ukamea approached them and said "Aroghah!" (Aloha!), begging for mercy. Tui Tui assured him he was safe, unaware that 'Ulukalala II had already ordered him spared.

Imprisoned, and taken onshore he found Capt. Brown's murdered body on the beach at Co-oloo (Koulo). From there he was shipped on a canoe to the island of Foa. He met one of the Hawaiians brought from Honolulu who told him "Finow (Finau 'Ulukalala II), the king of the islands, had sent for him." (Europeans did not understand the Tongan political makeup at the time: 'Ulukalala II was only a "Hau" or military general since the Tu'i Tonga, the emperor, was the real king at the time.)

The king pressed his nose to Toki-Ukamea's forehead as a "sign of friendly salutation," and kept him at His Majesty's side wherever the king traveled. Later he was adopted to be a companion to Prince Moengangongo, the future 'Ulukalala III who was sent to Samoa for education during this time.

It is apparent that the Hawaiians were accepted into the Tongan population and not harmed during the massacre of the ship's crew. Upon returning to complete dismantling the ship on Tuesday, December 9th, the king summoned one of the Hawaiians with a rifle to shoot down a Tongan climbing the ship...’s main mast whom His Majesty deemed "ta'e faka'apa'apa," disrespectful. The Hawaiian immediately brought the Tongan down with a single shot to the king's satisfaction.

I counted at least three Hawaiians identified, and there could have been more. I would think Toki-Ukamea would easily say there were only two or three Hawaiians. Since he did not specify, I am inclined to speculate liberally there were at least four, plus Tui Tui, for a total of five Hawaiians. They blended in with the Ha'apai population and lived in the area of the Island of Foa.

Is it possible that perhaps one or two of them knew enough about Hawaiian rock artwork? If they spent the rest of their lives on Foa, they may have had something to do with the Ancient Hawaiian rock artwork (petroglyphs) recently discovered on the beaches of that island.

As a departing note: Tui Tui grew jealous of Toki Ukamea becoming 'Ulukalala II's adopted son, and tried to have all the Englishmen killed to avoid retaliation by England if they were found. The king refused.

Sione A. Mokofisi