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The Journal of Ephraim Green (1807-1874)
Mormon Missionary on the Island of Läna‘i -
Päläwai Gathering Place Excerpts (1854-1855)
(http://www.lib.byu.edu/dlib/mmd/ - MSS 227 Vol. 1)
Ephraim Green was appointed to oversee development of the gathering place of Hawaiian Saints at
Päläwai, Läna‘i, and kept a daily log of his activities. As the first white settler on Läna‘i of any
permanence, Green’s notes offer readers some of the earliest and most detailed accounts of the
land, living conditions and nature of the island—covering areas from the mountain lands of Läna‘i
Hale, into the Päläwai Basin and down to the Mänele landing.
In addition to Greens’ own residency, he also referenced various members of the mission (foreign
and native), some of whom also visited or lived upon Läna‘i at some point during his tenure. His
journal entries also describe various activities in which the natives and missionaries engaged on the
island. Green remained on Läna‘i from August 24, 1854 to July 27, 1855. Under his residency, the
Päläwai Basin lands came to be called “The Valley of Ephraim,” and it was Green who laid out and
planned the City of Joseph, with it’s road to the sea at Mänele.
We are deeply indebted to the Library Archives of Brigham Young University
for making the journal available. These materials offer the people of Läna‘i
a rich glimpse into their history.
The narratives that follow below, were transcribed from the original handwritten journals, and they
have been edited to standardize spelling of both English and Hawaiian words.
Missionaries and Hawaiian Saints Cited in Narratives:
Reddick N. Allred Reddin A. Allred Eli Bell
Henry W. Bigler Jonathan T. Napela Albion Burnham
J. T. Caine George Q. Cannon William Cluff
Ephraim Green Francis A. Hammond Mary Jane Hammond
Benjamin F. Johnson Sixtus E. Johnson H.K. Kaleohano
Bro. M. Kanahunahupu Thomas Karren J.W.H. Kauwahi
James Keeler Bro. Keolanui James Lawson
Gustaf Linn Bro. Maiola Ward E. Pack
E. Partridge Joseph Peck Kimo Pelio
Parley P. Pratt Charles C. Rich Joseph Smith
Silas Smith Silas S. Smith George Spiers
Bro. Van Houten S.B. Thurston John Stillman Woodbury
Observations (Cultural Practices and Land Use):
• ‘Auhuhu (Tephrosia purpurea) used by natives while fishing along the Hulopoe-Manele coast.
• Ho‘olua – the strong northeasterly trade winds which blow across Lanai, and which cause
damage.
• Kahalepalaoa served as a landing area.
• Timber cut from mountain.
• Water collected from springs in valleys on mountain.
Läna‘i (1853-1864) – A History of the Mormon Mission at Päläwai
Working Manuscript of the Läna‘i Culture & Heritage Center (November 2009) 4