Postcolonial Travel Writing of 1850’s Hawai'i: A Reading of O. A. Bushnell’s Ka’a’awa
Postcolonial Travel Writing of 1850’s Hawai'i: A Reading of O. A. Bushnell’s Ka’a’awa

Summary/Abstract: This article reads O. A. Bushnell’s Ka’a’awa as postcolonial travel writing grounded in the historicity of 1850’s Hawai'i. The novel presents the polyvocal perspective of both Nihoa, an Indigenous Hawaiian, and Bristol, a haole (white) outsider. Through this subjective account, the novel problematizes how travel shapes knowledge and cultural memory. Nihoa’s narrative emphasizes Indigenous traditions and sacred spaces, while Bristol’s journey reflects a transformation from colonial prejudice to an understanding of Aloha ‘Āina (love of the land). A recurring theme is the juxtaposition between Hawai'i’s picturesque landscape and the desolation of death and disease, challenging how space is represented. The narrative encourages readers to engage with the cultural and historical complexities of Hawai'i in the 1850s. It also posits the lasting impact of colonialism and the importance of preserving Indigenous voices and knowledge.

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