Great Heroes and Heroines of Hawaiian Heritage

By: Leilani Basham, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Leilani Basham

The image of Hawaii as a beautiful vacation destination obscures a long and complex history for the islands and their people. For thousands of years, the Hawaiian islands were one of the most remote places in the world. Then, in the late 18th century, the arrival of foreign explorers and settlers began to transform every aspect of life on the islands. Amid these monumental changes, native Hawaiians managed to maintain their history and identity, even as Western visitors strove to repress their culture.

In the six lectures of Great Heroes and Heroines of Hawaiian Heritage, you will meet some of the key figures of Hawaiian history from the 19th and 20th centuries, a tumultuous period in Hawaii’s transformation from a secluded group of independent islands to the 50th US state and a bustling tourist destination. With Leilani Basham of the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa as your guide, you’ll be introduced to the political leaders, scholars, activists, and artists who have been integral to Hawaii’s story and the preservation of Hawaiian culture.

From unification of the islands under the Kamehameha dynasty to American annexation to the Hawaiian Renaissance of the 1970s and beyond, you’ll trace the history of Hawaii through the larger-than-life heroes who helped shape it. As you explore how these men and women fought to unite, preserve, and protect their home and their heritage, you’ll get a fuller picture of Hawaiian history in all its intricate and fascinating dimensions.

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Informative and engaging

Great listen for folks living in or traveling to Hawaii. Inspiring and informative stores of Hawaiian leaders and good narration

This great!

This a great program! The content is rich and engaging and the narration is spectacular.

Hawaiian History

Eye opener and heartbreaking. The misinformation that we were fed growing up in the 70s, our language, hula, lua and traditions banned to erase the Hawaiian Race. Mahalo Ke Akua for protecting those for fought for our people and our way of life. No one should be erased by any religious sect. And the audacity to dumb is Hawaiians down just so those who were politically greedy for land and war. Shame!!!
Learning who I am, Forty Years later and to be PROUD of my heritage is my true Kuleana (Responsibilty) Mahalo to those who fought to protect and who brought back Hula and Oʻlelo (Language) back. i am forever grateful. To My Kumu Nālani Kanakaʻole…Stop complaining about what you lost.. and Learn our Language and our Traditions. 🤙🌺

The blending of individual and national histories

Wish there had been more Hawaiian history, a relationship of the United States with Hawaii and Hawaiians, envy, economic political forces at work throughout

Excellent but egalitarians will find it occasionally jarring

I liked that there are very few examples of words that only scholars can understand. It was almost always clear and easy to follow.

The book is excellent at recounting mistreatment of Hawaiians by outsiders, colonizers, and governments. I learned a lot. I also learned a few words of Hawaiian language.

Fans of methodological individualism may suspect the text or the author’s mentors of mild racism—the importance of race is repeatedly hinted at. If you don’t mind thinking in terms of groups and if you don’t mind an emphasis on race, then this aspect of the book probably won’t bother you.

A fairly short book, this is an ideal introduction to Hawaiian history and Hawaiian activism. You may be eager to learn more!

The reader has a pleasant voice, making the book even more delightful.