These stunning 19th-century photographs give a glimpse of how Hawaiian natives lived on the islands before they became a US state in 1959.
The 120-year-old images provide a snapshot of life on the tropical islands and include intimate photographs of the native population.
Herbert Smith, a draper from Manchester, who lived in Hawaii in the 1890s took the photographs which have remained in the family.
As well as taking photographs, Smith documented his day-to-day experiences on the islands in a series of letters to his family which also form part of the collection.
He sailed from Liverpool to the nearby island of Honolulu in 1893 and spent a year in Hawaii, the birthplace of former US president Barack Obama.
Mr. Smith’s family has now decided to put the collection, which includes letters documenting his travels, up for auction and it is tipped to sell for £2,500.
In one image you can see surf riders with their boards in Hilo Bay, while another shows an old Hawaiian fisherman with a throw net. Surfing is believed to have been invented in the Polynesian islands in the 18th century.
When journalist Mark Twain visited Hawaii in 1866 he wrote: ‘In one place we came upon a large company of n.a.k.e.d natives, of both s.e.x.e.s and all ages, amusing themselves with the national pastime of surf-bathing.’
The 62-strong photograph album is being sold on March 1.
Surfing is believed to have been invented in the Polynesian islands in the 18th century. Here two young male surfers are in Hilo Bay which is covered in crashing waves perfect for the sport. The bay is still popular with surfers today
Herbert Smith, a draper from Manchester, who lived in Hawaii in the 1890s took the photographs which have remained in the family – here a young family outside a thatched home on one of the islands. One of the women, holding a large hat is breastfeeding, whilst older women, possibly the grandmother is sitting
The 120-year-old images provide a snapshot of life on the tropical islands and include breathtaking images of this bay here which is partially surrounded by palm trees and small shipping huts
Four generations of a Hawaiian family gather outside a traditional thatched home on the islands. The photographs featured in the auction lot were taken in 1893
A group of children eating sugar cane was introduced to the islands in the mid 19th century. The production of sugar cane in plantations became a major part of the Hawaiian economy
A native islander (left) who has been fishing, stands holding his paddle next to his canoe. Right, palm trees next to a property on one of the islands
As well as taking photographs, Smith documented his day-to-day experiences on the islands in a series of letters to his family which also form part of the collection. Here paddle boats arrive at a dock from a steamboat in the background
A plantation worker transports chopped wood across one of the islands (left); a woman wearing a straw hat cuts into a caught turtle (right)
The stunning scenery is on display in many of the photographs with Hawaii famed for its beaches and volcanoes
A current look at Hilo Bay and Coconut Island in Hawaii to contrast against the black and white images taken in 1893
By: dailymail.co.uk
