Chiefess Kapiʻolani

Kapiʻolani was one or the most distinguished of the female chiefs of the Islands.  In 1822, Kapiʻolani and Naihe (her husband) were among the first chiefs to accept Christianity.  Ever since missionaries arrived (1820,) Kapiʻolani has constantly been situated near them, and for nearly two years has listened to the words of eternal life in her own language.

She won the cause of Christianity by openly defying the priests of the fire goddess Pele in 1825.  She clambered down to the great lake of fire - Kilauea - the home of the goddess, and flung into the boiling lava the consecrated ohelo berries which it was sacrilege for a woman to handle.

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