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"Hawaii
- Kailua-Kona Twilight" by Paul McGehee. An early evening view of the
Big Island's historic Mokuaikaua Church and Huliheʻe Palace on the
waterfront at Kailua-Kona. Mokuaikaua Church is the first Christian
church in the Hawaiian islands, dating back to 1820. It was founded by
Asa and Lucy Goodale Thurston, of the first group of Christian
missionaries to arrive from Boston. During the long, 164 day voyage
aboard the brig "Thaddeus" an event of monumental proportions occurred
in the Hawaiian islands...their longtime ruler, King Kamehameha had
died and his son was now ruler. The old Hawaiian Kapu system of
religion had been abolished, and missionaries from the New World
arrived to convert the islanders, with the blessing of their new King.
The people of the waterfront village of Kailua had erected a church
building and were eager to convert and a Christian congregation was
assembled. The small wooden church was built directly across the road
from the spot which was later to become the Hawaiian royal family's
vacation retreat, the Huliheʻe Palace, originally built in 1838 as the
residence of the island's Governor. Both structures still exist today,
the church still has an active congregation, and the Palace is now a
museum. In terms of Hawaiian heritage, this is a truly important and
historic setting. Faithfully reproduced from Paul's original color
pencil drawing as an archival quality print issued in a strictly
limited edition of only 500 pieces each hand-signed by the artist.
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