I read a book several years ago – it’s historical fiction, set in Hawaii during the mid-1700s (I think). The main character is from the British navy, and winds up stranded on the islands. He decides he’d really rather stay there than go back to the navy, and the rest of the book is about him trying to integrate himself into the local culture, and fighting alongside the Hawaiians.
It’s aimed at teenagers or so, and I think it was published in the 50s or early 60s. I realize this isn’t very much to go on, but any guesses would be much appreciated.
Does it bear any relationship to this about the Sandwich Islands?
In 1790, a 46 year old British sailor from Liverpool, England, named John Young, became stranded on Hawai‘i Island. He had been serving as a boatswain aboard the Elenora, the first American ship to visit Hawai‘i, when, through a series of events, he was prevented from returning to his ship.
I immediately thought of James Michener’s Hawaii, published in 1959. Ihaven’t read it but you said guesses are welcome. Not sure it would be in the “historical fiction” category because Michener’s books contain a great many historical facts (including real people). I just read a synopsis on Amazon and it doesn’t sound like yours. It’s not an easy read, and his books are quite lengthy but fascinating for the history and detail; I read his Chesapeake and loved it. I don’t think teens would want to tackle it.
What kept them from being found? Something about the trade winds, shipping routes, something else? Just seems odd that such a large group of islands would escape Western discovery when places like Easter Island and Pitcairn Island had already been found (tho, admittedly, not too soon before). Or was there just a lot of Pacific island discovery by Westerners in the 18th century overall? And don’t anybody answer “The Pacific is huge.” I KNOW it’s huge.
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