Posted by Peter Maleko AhChing Leiataua on July 11, 2003 at 23:33:10:
In Reply to: Kamehameha Issues : Samoans & Hawaiians. posted by Teine on July 08, 2003 at 03:04:56:
Posted by Peter Maleko AhChing Leiataua
During periods of initial island discovery & settlement, when Polynesians ( tagata mao'i = pronounced tanata maohi ) initially from SAVAI'I, SAMOA got to the new islands - these islands of volcanic origin were bare - no others were there.
These early Polynesians brought with them animals ( moa, pua'a, & others ) which became new inhabitants on these bare islands. Because these voyages were very long and arduous 100 to 1000 miles - return voyages back to their original islands were infrequent yet possible - attempted by brave souls mostly.
Polynesians, therefore, recreated in their new found lands the names of the islands they came from, hence today there are these places such as the following : Savai'i & Upolu ( SAMOA ), Havai'i & Uporu ( Tahiti ), Hawai'i & Hamoa ( Hawaii - Big Island & Maui ), Samoa ( Samoa ), Hamoa ( Hana, Maui - Hawaii ), Ta'u ( Samoa ), Ka'u ( Big Island Hawai'i ), Upolu ( Samoa), & Upolu ( Big Island Hawai'i ). These were not mere coincidences - this was systematically done by the Voyaging children of Savai'i, SAMOA to re-establish familiarity in these newly discovered lands of which they were to now make their homes.
Samoans left SAMOA ( Savai'i ) settled 1500 BC and journeyed to Marquesas( Nu'uhiva ) 100 AD & Tahiti 300 AD ( and from there ) to HAWAII 500 AD and back into Western Polynesia where AOTEAROA ( New Zealand ) was finally settled in 800 AD. Other island groups were settled too, like the Cook Islands & Rapa nui ( The POLYNESIAN TRIANGLE ).
These Brave Voyagers - who left their island homes due to exiles of war, a voyaging spirit to obtain more lands, or due volcanic eruptions of Savai'i or even due to island overcrowding - for what reason they left and hence their incredible voyages in the vast Pacific Ocean guided by the knowledge of the winds, sea currents and the celestial bodies ( stars, moon, clouds, sun & sky ).
These Polynesians were an ancient race 5000 BC ( Before Birth of Jesus Christ ) or older ( developed in Tonga & SAMOA ). They were isolated from the rest of the continental world, so they were not exposed to many diseases of land origins ( from Europe, Asia nor Africa... etc ).
Polynesians had no immunity to viral & bacterial diseases like Smallpox nor STDs like Syphilis & Gonorrhea ...the flu.( influenza ) .... etc. Upon the arrival of Europeans in Polynesia around 1700s AD, they brought with them diseases that nearly wiped out many Polynesian island populations as in Hawai'i with Smallpox, SAMOA with the Flu epidemic and the Cook islands as well.
This predicament occurred on the other islands as well with Syphilis, Gonorrhea & other diseases, a complete Tragedy. Many Polynesian populations suffered this demise until vaccinations were implemented. Vaccinations thankfully salvaged these dying people of POLYNESIA. Vaccinations were then the innoculation of a small amount of the infective organism to produce an immune response from the body to combat that particular disease upon subsequent reinfection. It was like jumpstarting your immune system to ward off any future diseases from re-exposure. Polynesians were vaccinated for the Flu, Smallpox, tuberculosis & others. They were also given antibiotics ( penicillins ...etc ) for Sexually Transmitted Diseases like Syphilis and Gonorrhea...etc.
With wide use & delivery of Vaccinations & Antibiotics, the Polynesian populations started to stabilize and grow in number again. By this time many foreigners came to Polynesia from Asia, Europe and the Americas to experience the life of simple Paradise that was once the home of these Brave Voyaging Polynesians from Savai'i, SAMOA. Sons of Polynesian Kings and Aliis.
Polynesian Origins & Migrations