Spanish, Japanese and Dutch seafarers probably visited Hawaii between the time, many centuries ago, when Polynesians first settled Hawaii, and 1778, the year Captain James Cook made his discovery of Hawaii, yet it’s doubtful that any of these early haole seafarers remained in Hawaii.
However, the following men, two of whom who settled on Kauai, were undoubtedly the first haoles to have resided in Hawaii:
John Mackey arrived at Kailua, Hawaii, in 1787 aboard the “Imperial Eagle” and remained there following his ship’s departure.
Mackey was still a resident of Kailua in 1791, as was noted by Captain Joseph Ingraham of the brig “Hope.”
But, what became of Mackey thereafter is unknown.
Another first haole was Isaac Ridler, carpenter’s mate of the “Columbia,” who was left ashore at the Big Island in 1788 to collect sandalwood.
Ridler was later observed in 1791 dressed in a malo on board a canoe off Maui by the heretofore mentioned Captain Ingraham.
He returned to New England in 1792.
Still another first haole was Samuel Hitchcock, who in 1788 deserted Captain Colnett’s “Prince of Wales” at Kauai and became a favorite of King Kaeokulani, the father of King Kaumualii.
Then there is S.I. Thomas.
Thomas arrived at Kailua, Hawaii, aboard either the “Columbia” or the “Lady Washington” in 1788 and resided there for some time.
Englishman John Young (c.1742-1835), boatswain of the “Eleanora,” was left behind at Kealakekua Bay in 1790 and lived in Hawaii for the remainder of his life.
Young became an adviser to Kamehameha I and was called Olohana.
Isaac “Aikake” Davis (c.1758-1810), a Welshman, arrived in Hawaii in 1790 and, like Young, advised Kamehameha I.
Davis married Nakai Nalimaalualu and later, Kalukuna, and his descendants lay claim to the ancestral distinction of being the oldest haole family in the Hawaiian Islands.
In 1789, a seaman named Jones of the “Iphigenia,” given the choice of punishment or leaving the ship, went ashore at Kauai, but nothing further is known about him.
Nothing is also known about a different John Young and a James Cox, except that they were residing at Kailua in 1790.
