A Daring Princess in the Heart of a Volcano

All the way up until the 1820s, Hawaii was a heathen nation that worshiped false gods. But, in 1820, seventeen missionaries accompanied a Hawaiian who had converted to Christianity while in England. Soon, some of the Hawaiians were converted because of the preaching and influence of the missionaries. One of the new converts was the most influential of the Hawaiian queens. Her name was Kapiolani.

When she became a Christian, she began encouraging her people to listen to the missionaries’ sermons. But, they were very reluctant. This puzzled her. Why would they not even go to listen? After thinking for a while, she realized why. They believed that the Volcano goddess Pele would be angry with them, and obviously, they did not like the idea of having a big angry volcano on their small island. It was then that she saw that she needed to convince the people that the volcano did not have any power except from the God that the missionaries preached. And there was only one way to do that: defeat it.

When she told the people her intention, they were terrified. They begged and pleaded with her not to go to defy the volcano, but nothing would dissuade her. She knew that she must go to the volcano.

With many of her people watching, she began the journey to the volcano. Some of her people were either brave or curious enough to follow. She took the most direct route over mountaintops and through old lava beds. When she finally reached the volcano, a priestess of the goddess Pele read a supposed message from her. But, it was only incomprehensible jabbering. Kapiolani’s reply was, “You have delivered a message from your god, which none of us can understand. I too have a pala pala [writing], and I will read you a message from my God, which every one will understand.” After opening her Hawaiian Bible, she read a few passages to her people. Near the mouth of the volcano grew ohelo berries. No one was to eat them unless they gave a whole branch full of berries to the volcano, and told the goddess that they were going to eat some, too. The princess Kapiolani walked over to the berries and ate some without giving any to the goddess, or saying anything to the goddess. This finished the end of the skirmishes with the volcano, and now the real battle would begin. This was the ultimate test: she would go into the heart of the volcano!

After climbing down into the crater, she finally reached the rocky floor. Kapiolani was next to the goddess’s supposed dwelling place, an immense pit filled with lava. By now, all the people were terrified. But the princess was not. Undaunted, she picked up lava fragments and hurled them into the lava, while defying the goddess. Surprised, the people watched the unbelievable happen. Or perhaps, not happen. The volcano did not erupt, bubble, or do much of anything. Kapiolani called all the people to come down with her. They were very hesitant still, but they obeyed. Then, down in the heart of the volcano, she led the people in worshiping God. Like Elijah, she had stood alone, defied a false god, and, by having faith in the true God, had been victorious. By the brave princess’s example, we see that no matter the odds, we can never have too much faith in God. 

"Attempt great things for God; expect great things from God." ~William Carey