Gast and Conrad's book about Francisco de Paula Marin's life in Hawaii contains entries from his journal. Several mention incidents and fears of arson, never ascribing responsibility:
30th Jany [1810]. Fear that all the houses will be burned on account of the marriage of "Querua" [Kaluaikonahale, i.e., Kuakini] with the daughter of the King.
2 January [1818]. This night 3 houses of the Russians were burnt.
24 March [1819]. This night the house of Mr. Prince was burnt.
7th November [1819]. This day all the women ate pork and they burnt all the churches [i.e., heiaus] on the island.
Without assuming that these cases share the same explanations, what factors or concerns in native Hawaiian culture could help to explain all these references to arson?