Father Charles Pouzot: A French Priest in Early Hilo, Hawaii

Father Charles Pouzot: A French Priest in Early Hilo, Hawaii

$16.95

The author, a French resident born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, became fascinated by the life of Father Charles Pouzot, or “Karolo” as the locals called him, the French founder in the 1860’s of St. Joseph church, a familiar landmark in Hilo.

This unexpected connection drew her to research his story, most of it found in the trove of his official correspondence and contemporary photographs kept in his Order’s archives in the Catholic capital, Rome. Poring through sometimes nearly indecipherable letters and meticulously translating them, she has given us additional glimpses into the people and places of old Hilo.

Hawaiian and English were the languages used in the little town, whereas Father Charles only knew French and ecclesiastical Latin. The New England Protestant missionaries had begun their work in earnest and for all intents and purposes held many inhabitants in their sway. But not to be deterred, Father Charles learned the local languages and soon convinced many Hiloans to join his fledgling parish, among them those who enjoyed smoking tobacco, intolerable for the Protestant authorities. By the time Karolo celebrated his Jubilee in 1893, his life-long selfless efforts were acclaimed by all who knew him.

Weight 1 lbs
Dimensions 6 × 9 in
Author

Binding

Published

Page count

The author, a French resident born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, became fascinated by the life of Father Charles Pouzot, or “Karolo” as the locals called him, the French founder in the 1860’s of St. Joseph church, a familiar landmark in Hilo.

This unexpected connection drew her to research his story, most of it found in the trove of his official correspondence and contemporary photographs kept in his Order’s archives in the Catholic capital, Rome. Poring through sometimes nearly indecipherable letters and meticulously translating them, she has given us additional glimpses into the people and places of old Hilo.

Hawaiian and English were the languages used in the little town, whereas Father Charles only knew French and ecclesiastical Latin. The New England Protestant missionaries had begun their work in earnest and for all intents and purposes held many inhabitants in their sway. But not to be deterred, Father Charles learned the local languages and soon convinced many Hiloans to join his fledgling parish, among them those who enjoyed smoking tobacco, intolerable for the Protestant authorities. By the time Karolo celebrated his Jubilee in 1893, his life-long selfless efforts were acclaimed by all who knew him.