Don Francisco de Paula Marin (1774–1837), the Spanish adventurer who settled in Hawaii in 1793 or 1794 and became the confidante, adviser, interpreter, physician and bookkeeper to Kamehameha I, visited Kaua‘i at least twice during his more than forty-year residence
Don Francisco de Paula Marin (1774–1837), the Spanish adventurer who settled in Hawaii in 1793 or 1794 and became the confidante, adviser, interpreter, physician and bookkeeper to Kamehameha I, visited Kaua‘i at least twice during his more than forty-year residence in Hawai‘i.
Marin’s first visit occurred on Jan. 30, 1816, while he was in route to California from Honolulu aboard Captain Ebbets’ “Enterprise.”
After “Enterprise” had anchored off Waimea, Kaua‘i, Marin and others went ashore to trade with King Kaumuali‘i, but since a kapu was in effect, they could do no business, and the “Enterprise” soon sailed away.
Don Francisco’s second known Kaua‘i visit took place between March 18th through March 24, 1818. His ship was of Boston, Massachusetts origin, but its name and its captain’s identity is unknown.
The purpose of the ship’s visit was to obtain tribute for Kamehameha from Kaumuali’i, who at that time ruled Kaua‘i as a vassal of Kamehameha.
When Marin’s ship anchored off Waimea on the 18th, a canoe came off to inquire whether it be friend or foe. Then Marin, along with Kamehameha’s emissary, Ka‘aimoku, and others went ashore to see Kaumuali’i and his minister, Kamaholelani.
Not long after, Kaumuali’i informed Ka‘aimoku through Kamaholelani that he was delighted that Kamehameha had sent for sandalwood, and he would be pleased to give it.
Later that day, Kalaiupa, Kahua and Kaihi got drunk ashore before being returned on board, and on the 23rd, the day before the ship departed for California, rum was brought aboard for Minister Kalanimoku at Honolulu.
Marin was also a hotelier, a storekeeper and a horticulturist who introduced many plants to Hawai‘i, including the olive, peach and grape. Hawai‘i’s first pineapples, cotton and mango were grown by him, and he produced Hawai‘i’s first wine.
