Waiʻoli Mission District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Waioli Mission District
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Church and Mission Hall
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 Location in Kauai
Location in Hawaii
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| Location | Off Route 560, Hanalei, Hawaii |
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| Area | 17 acres (6.9 ha) |
| Built | 1832 |
| Architect | Hart Wood |
| Architectural style | Gothic |
| NRHP reference No. | 73000676 |
| Added to NRHP | October 3, 1973 |
The Waiʻoli Mission District is a special historic place located at Hanalei Bay on the island of Kauaʻi, Hawaii. You can find it along Route 560 on the north shore. This area is important because it was home to some of the very first missionaries who came to Hawaii.
The first permanent missionaries arrived here in 1834. Because of its history, the district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. Today, the main building, known as the Waiʻoli Mission House, is a museum. It is open for people to visit and learn about its past.
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What is the Waiʻoli Mission District?
The name Waiʻoli means "joyful water" or "singing river" in the Hawaiian language. It's a beautiful name for a beautiful place!
In 1824, a ship called Haʻaheo o Hawaiʻi ("Pride of Hawaii") got stuck in the bay. Many people gathered to try and save it. A minister named Reverend Hiram Bingham used this chance to give a sermon, sharing his message with the crowd.
Around 1832, a small hut made of thatch was built here. This was for missionaries from the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. They would visit from other missions in the Hawaiian Islands, like the one in Waimea. Important leaders like island governor Kaikioewa and Queen Dowager Deborah Kapule supported these early efforts.
The First Missionaries and Buildings
The first permanent pastor for Waiʻoli was Reverend William Patterson Alexander and his wife, Mary Ann McKinney Alexander. They arrived in 1834. By then, the first temporary hut needed to be rebuilt. Reverend Alexander also started building a wooden house around 1835 for his family. Their son, Samuel Thomas Alexander, who later became famous, was born in this house.
In 1837, a big storm destroyed the second thatched church. So, they started building a stronger church made of wood, which was finished in 1841. This new church was a large rectangular building, about 35 feet wide and 70 feet long. Reverend Alexander also made his house bigger as his family grew.
Other teachers and pastors came to Waiʻoli over the years. Edward Johnson and his wife Lois Hoyt Johnson arrived in 1837 and started a school. In 1843, George Berkeley Rowell and his wife Malvina Jerusha Chapin Rowell arrived. The Alexanders then moved to Lahainaluna School. Later, in 1847, Abner Wilcox and Lucy Eliza Hart Wilcox came as teachers after the Rowells moved to Waimea. Edward Johnson became the pastor of the church.
Changes and New Buildings
By the late 1840s, the American Board stopped funding the missions. Instead, they created the Hawaiian Evangelical Association. This group tried to raise money by having small farms at each mission site. After a big land division called the Great Māhele, the Wilcox family gained full ownership of the property. The mission school then became the Hanalei Public School.
Sadly, Abner and Lucy Wilcox both passed away in 1869 while visiting family. Their son, Albert Spencer Wilcox, lived in the mission house until 1877.
In 1912, a brand new church building was constructed. This was made possible by donations from Sam, George, and Albert Wilcox, who were sons of the missionary couple and had been born at the mission. The old church building from 1841 was then used as the Mission Hall. The original mission bell was moved to the new church's bell tower.
In 1921, the Wilcox family helped fund architect Hart Wood to restore both the Mission House and the Mission Hall. Later, in 1945, the Waiʻoli church joined with the Anini Church and the Haena Church to form the Huiʻia Church. Huiʻia means "united" in Hawaiian. Today, some of Abner Wilcox's old books can still be seen in his study.
The Waiʻoli Mission District covers about 17 acres. It includes the 1836 mission house, two small houses for caretakers, and a garage. It also has the 1841 Mission Hall and the 1912 Church. The mission house is now a small private museum, preserving the history of this important place.
Gallery
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Waiʻoli Mission Hall (built in 1841)
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Huiʻia Church building (built in 1912)
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Inside the Huiʻia Church sanctuary (1912)
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Beautiful stained glass window in Huiʻia Church (1912)
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Front view of the Waiʻoli Mission house (1836)
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Waiʻoli Mission house with kitchen and mountain view (1836)
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The Waiʻoli Mission office
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Waiʻoli Mission work shed and grounds
