As I passed the churchyard two half-white women emerged from a house near by, and when they saw me they called to some men who were in the house “E ka haole!” which means, “Oh, the white man!” This they repeated two or three times, calling at the same time one of the men by name.
As I walked along towards the picket fence, three men came out of the house, and stepped up towards the gate. When I got opposite to them I saluted them, being greeted by them in return.
I had passed but a few feet when the leader of the men inquired of me where I was going. I told them I thought of returning to Lahaina, on account of the weather. He said that as this was Saturday, I had better stop until Monday with him.
He inquired of me who and what I was, and upon my informing him, his desire to have me stay was increased. I went into the house with him, and, after some little conversation, and an invitation to eat food, which he offered. He proposed that we should go up and see the missionary.
This was what I wanted, and I embraced his proposal gladly.
The missionary’s name was Conde; he was a native of Connecticut, and had been sent out by the American Board of Foreign Missions.
We had a very pleasant conversation, during which he made many inquiries respecting Utah, my object in coming to the islands, and our belief. He said he could not believe anything in modern revelation; but expressed a wish to read some of our works.
I lent him the Voice of Warning, though I had little hope of it having any effect on him, as he had condemned the doctrines before he had heard or read them.
The moment I entered into the house of this native and saw him and his two friends, I felt convinced that I had met the men for whom I had been looking.
The man who owned the house was a judge, and a leading man in that section. His name was Jonatana H. Napela. It was he who visited Salt Lake City in 1866, in company with Elder George Nebeker. His companions’ names were Uaua and Kaleohano. They were all three afterwards baptized and ordained to be Elders, Napela has since died in the faith, and the others are still members of the Church.