Kanaka sailors were affected by the U. S. Civil War. The Confederate ship 'Shenandoah' attacked Union whaling ships in the north Pacific and captured and burned them. The crews were given their choice of joining the 'Shenandoah' or being marooned. In 1865, about fifty Kanaka crewmen so captured were returned to the Islands by the ship's captain, who reported that he was "rather partial to Hawaiians." Reported in the "Friend" (Honolulu), Sept. 1, 1865 and repeated from a thesis by K. Duncan in "Kanaka," by Koppel.

In 1778, the Hawaiian population was estimated at 300,000. By 1823, disease had reduced the population to 134,750. As one measure to stem the decline, "the Hawaiian government responded by limiting recruitment to the ports of Honolulu (Oahu) and Lahaina (Maui), by requiring the consent of each island's governor, and by demanding individual Hawaiians present their passports. Vessels violating these rules were subject to a fine of four hundred dollars. In a separate measure, the Hawaiian government levied a tax on Kanakas who were leaving families behind to ensure that they were properly supported." Other measures were added at the time of the California Gold Rush. "By 1860, an astonishing twelve percent of Hawaiian males over the age of eighteen had left the Islands." Tom Koppel.