Amos Starr Cooke (December 1, 1810 – March 20, 1871) was an American Protestant Christian missionary and businessman in the Kingdom of Hawaii. He arrived in Hawaii in 1837 as a member of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions (ABCFM) and played a significant role in both the religious and economic development of the islands.
Early Life and Missionary Work
Born in Danbury, Connecticut, Amos Starr Cooke was educated at the Hartford Grammar School and subsequently worked as a merchant in New York City. He married Juliette Montague in 1836. The couple was inspired by the Second Great Awakening and felt a calling to missionary work. They sailed from Boston on December 2, 1836, on the ship Mary Fraser, as part of the ninth company of missionaries sent by the ABCFM to the Sandwich Islands (Hawaii). They arrived in Honolulu on April 9, 1837.
Upon their arrival, Amos and Juliette Cooke were assigned to teach at the Chiefs' Children's School (later known as the Royal School), which was established in 1839. This institution was created by King Kamehameha III and Queen Kaʻahumanu II specifically to educate the children of the Hawaiian aliʻi (chiefs) who were in the line of succession to the Hawaiian throne. The Cookes served as the primary teachers for over a decade, providing a Western-style education to future monarchs such as Kamehameha IV, Kamehameha V, and Princess Liliʻuokalani (who would become the last reigning monarch of Hawaii). Their role in shaping the education and character of the Hawaiian royalty was highly influential.
Business Career
In 1849, the ABCFM began to reduce its financial support for its missionaries in Hawaii, encouraging them to become self-sufficient. Recognizing the changing economic landscape and the need to support his growing family, Cooke transitioned from full-time missionary work to the burgeoning commercial sector.
In 1851, he co-founded the firm of Castle & Cooke with Samuel Northrup Castle, another former ABCFM missionary who had been the mission's secular agent. Initially, Castle & Cooke acted as a general merchandise store, a shipping agent, and a supplier of goods to the missionary families and local community. The company quickly diversified and grew to become one of Hawaii's "Big Five" corporations, which would dominate the Hawaiian economy for over a century. Under Cooke's leadership, Castle & Cooke invested heavily in:
- Sugar Plantations: They became agents for several prominent sugar plantations, including Ewa Plantation and Waialua Agricultural Company, providing capital, supplies, and marketing services.
- Shipping: As agents for various shipping lines, they facilitated trade between Hawaii and the mainland United States.
- Railroads: Castle & Cooke was instrumental in developing Hawaii's railroad infrastructure to transport sugar from plantations to ports.
Cooke's business acumen helped lay the foundation for modern Hawaiian industries. His transition from spiritual educator to economic pioneer exemplified the evolving role of many early American settlers in Hawaii.
Family and Legacy
Amos Starr Cooke and Juliette Montague Cooke had eight children:
- Joseph Platt Cooke (1838–1861)
- Martha Eliza Cooke (1840–1841)
- Charles Montague Cooke (1844–1909), who would later inherit and expand the family business, and whose wife, Anna Rice Cooke, founded the Honolulu Museum of Art.
- Amos Francis Cooke (1846–1934)
- Catherine Ann Cooke (1848–1934)
- Mary Elizabeth Cooke (1850–1920)
- Harriet Estelle Cooke (1853–1927)
- Clarence Frederick Cooke (1855–1878)
Amos Starr Cooke died in Honolulu, Hawaii, on March 20, 1871, at the age of 60. He is buried in the Oahu Cemetery. His legacy is multifaceted, reflecting his contributions as a dedicated missionary educator who shaped the minds of Hawaiian royalty and as a foundational figure in the economic development of Hawaii through the establishment of Castle & Cooke. The company he co-founded remains a significant entity in Hawaii today.