Tag Archives: Kalakaua

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Ahuula and priceless treasures gone up in smoke, 1901.

THE AHUULA WAS DESTROYED BY FIRE

This was the Belonged to Keaumoku.

S. L. Peleiholani claims $500 in damages
for this Feather Cloak.

Before the fire inspection Commissioner, seen was the relationship of S. L. Peleiholani to Kamehameha I, the conqueror of the nation [Ka Naʻi Aupuni], and also seen was the destruction of a very valuable ahuula in the bubonic fire. Peleiholani claimed $500 damages for this ahuula, and he said that he was urged to sell the ahuula for $1,000, which he absolutely refused to do. This is an ahuula that was cared for by his grandparents on down to him, and for this reason, he refused money which kept appearing before him until the cloak was consumed by fire.

Peleioholani added a claim of $2,140.05, and the majority of the assets were inherited from his kupuna. He is the child of Peleiholani and Pukeau. His grandfather was a child of Kalanuilumoku [Kalaniulumoku], a grandchild of Kamehameha I. His grandfather married Kahana, a daughter of Keaumoku, the one to whom belonged this ahuula. This Keaumoku was a high chief, and an minister [kuhina] of Kamehameha I, and he received may greatly valuable gifts from the conqueror of the nation. Peleiholani cared for this ahuula for a long time, and showed it to the many people who came before him to buy this cloak. The sum of money desired to offer him reached a thousand, and some ministers of Kalakaua came before him wanting the ahuula for the King. He refused all of these urging, and said to them that there was no way money could buy this ahuula while he was alive. Some men came from the alii Kalakaua bringing wine and money and put it at his side, intending to get him to drink until drunk when he would agree to giving this ahuula to the alii, however they left without.

There is but one other ahuula like it, and that is the ahuula cared for in the Kamehameha Museum [Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum]. When people ask for the actual monetary value of that ahuula, they say Peleiholani’s claim is right, but the actual truth is that the true value of this ahuula reaches $2,000. Mrs. Mary Ailau was a witness called to testify as to the truth of the claim, and according to her testimony, it was correct; and she went before this man many a time and urged him to sell to her this ahuula for $500 and her request was refused. She felt that the true value of the ahuula reached all the way to two thousand dollars. When she was asked if the ahuula was auctioned off, how much would she offer, Mrs. Ailau answered that she would bid as much as one thousand dollars, and if she had a lot of money, she would bid up to two thousand dollars for this ahuula.

In this claim by Peleiholani, it is seen the great amount of valuable antiquities he was caring for and that was destroyed in the bubonic fires. If these treasures were not burned in the fire, and they were bought off of him, he would have gained a large amount of money. This is an example to we Hawaiians, showing the great value of some antiquities which we are just selling off or discarding. Take care of them and find out their value before throwing them away.

[I am guessing not only were there priceless objects in Peleioholani's collection, but also manuscripts, as he is well known for his writings!]

(Kuokoa, 10/18/1901, p. 6)

PAU KA AHUULA I KE AHI

Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, Buke XXXIX, Helu 16, Aoao 6. Okatoba 18, 1901.

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More on “Aia i Honolulu kuu pohaku”! 1929.

A MELE FOR KAMEHAMEHA V.

O Friends who chase after Ke Alakai o Hawaii, the mele, “Aia i Honolulu kuu pohaku,” is a mele of familiarity [mele hoolauna] composed by Luka Keelikolani when she was coming to here in Honolulu from Hilo to meet with King Kamehameha V.

From what is understood, it is believed that she composed this mele while she was in Hilo before her travelling to Oahu nei.

In this mele are hidden things dealing with the nation in the time of the alii Loka Kapuaiwa Kamakaiouli (Kamehameha V); the contention between the haole and the King, the deceit of the enemies of the King and their attempt to thwart the plans by the King and his court to make Pauahi his wife.

The Hale Hoonaauao Hawaii asks the native ones of the land, the old ones familiar with the history of King Kamehameha V, and the experts still living, to read with much pleasure the explanations of this mele as per what was obtained by the Hale Hoonaauao Hawaii from those native born of the land through the assistance of Theodore Kelsey.

The Hale Hoonaauao Hawaii will award a one-year subscription of the newspaper Ke Alakai o Hawaii to the one who sends the best letter with explanations on this mele. Send the letters to the office of Ke Alakai o Hawaii withing two weeks of the completion of the publishing of all that has been compiled.

Here is the mele and the explanations of the experts [loea] whose names are: Paulo Kealaikahiki Kapanookalani from whom we received this mele, Kahapula (Prof. Fred Beckley) who teaches at the University of Hawaii, Kawika Malo Kupihea who studied with the loea J. M. Poepoe for fifteen years. James Anania Iokepa who was born in Honomu, Hawaii, Rev. H. B. Nalimu who was born in Papaaloa, Hawaii in 1835, and J. P. Kuluwaimaka the skilled chanter [olohe oli] in the court of King Kalakaua.

["Aia i Honolulu kuu pohaku" is perhaps the most widely studied mele i have seen, with line-by-line interpretations by experts of the day. It continues on for a number of issues of Alakai o Hawaii.

Does anyone have any details on the organization called Hale Hoonaauao Hawaii, or Hale Hoonaauao o Hawaii?]

(Alakai o Hawaii, 12/5/1929, p. 2)

HE MELE NO KAMEHAMEHA V.

Ke Alakai o Hawaii, Buke 1, Helu 32, Aoao 2. Dekemapa 5, 1929.

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Kaulilua… Mele inoa for Kamehameha IV, 1864.

[Excerpt found under: "A DIRGE FOR KING Alexander Kalanikualiholiho, Maka o Iouli, Kunuiakea o Kukailimoku, KAMEHAMEHA IV!"]

O Kaulilua i ke anu Waialeale e—a!
He maka halalo i ka lehua makanoe,
He lihilihi kuku ia no Aipo,
O ka huluaa ia o Hauailiki,
Ua pehia e ka ua a eha ka nahele,
Maui eha ka pua uwe i ke anu,
I ke kukula lehua wai o Mokiha—na—ea,
Ua hana ia’ku ka pono a ua pololei,
Ua hai ia’ku no ia oe,
O ke ola no ia o kiai loko e—a.
Kiai kaula nana i ka makani—e—a,
Hoolana o ka halulu a ka malua,
Kiei halo i Makaikiolea,
Ka mau ka ea i Kahalauaola,
O ke kula lima ia o Wawae noho,
Me he pukoa hakahaka la i Waahia,
Ka momoku a ka Unulau o Lehua e—a!
A lehulehu ka hale pono ka noho ana,
Loaa kou haawina e ke aloha,
Ke hauna mai nei ka puka o ka hale e—a;

[So many interesting things about this. The first and foremost perhaps is that this appears as part of an unusual kanikau for Alexander Liholiho Kamehameha IV in the form of a conversation between Kamehameha III (K III.) and himself (K IV.). Another is that if you hula, you probably learned this as a mele inoa for Kalakaua and not as one for Kamehameha IV. Does anyone know who it is that is labeled as (M.) in the conversation? Click here for a PDF of the issue with the rest of the piece on page 4.]

(Kuokoa, 1/23/1864, p. 4)

O Kaulilua i ke anu Waialeale e—a!

Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, Buke III, Helu 4, Aoao 4. Ianuari 23, 1864.

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The Kings of Hawaii, 1876.

This is from an issue of “The Friend,” which includes a short biography in English of the ruling monarchs of Hawaii nei, written by S. C. Damon. As for this page of illustrations, they say:

The illustrations accompanying this number of the Friend we could wish were better executed. The plate was made in New York, from the best photographs we could procure in Honolulu. The original of Kamehameha 1st was executed in 1817 by a Russian artist, who accompanied Kotzebue in his voyage, and may be seen by referring to the third volume of his voyage. The original of Kamehameha 2d was executed in England in 1824, in the style of the dress of George 4th’s reign. We thin those of Kamehameha 3d, 4th and 5th are very good, but not quite so good those of Lunalilo or His Majesty Kalakaua.

[For the biographies, find them here: The Friend, February 1, 1876.

Although it is clunky to maneuver, most of this series of news letters is available from the Mission Houses Museum here: The Friend.]

(Friend, 2/1/1876, pp. 9–13)

[Monarchs]

The Friend, New Series, Volume 25, Number 2, Page 13. February 1, 1876.

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Hula and King Kalakaua’s 50th Jubilee, 1886.

THE LUAU FEAST AT THE PALACE GROUNDS.

Nov. 23, 1886.

After 3 o’clock in the afternoon of this Tuesday, the King, the Princes and Princesses, the dignitaries, and the makaainana sat at a long table housed by a pavilion with corrugated iron roofing [lanai pili hao], which could sit an estimated 600 to 900 people at a time. There was much Hawaiian foods supplied, like laulau [puaa hoolua] and roasted pork [puaa kalua kele]; fish wrapped in ti leaves and baked [lawalu] and raw [ai-maka]; baked beef [i'o pipi hoolua] and all types of poi spoken of.

The Governor of the “bays of Piilani”¹ as well as his government officials and Delegates, along with those of the island of Keawe.² These people sat along with their pastor, M. Makalua. They began eating after the prayer was over. The entourage of the King and Queen arrived and sat in their area, and they had their own pastor, J. Waiamau. Therefore, Maui was victorious over their hunger [?? Nolaila, ua eo no ia Maui ma ka houpo lewalewa].

The eating continued perhaps until 5 o’clock. A big problem was the dearth of waiters for the grand feast that was boasted about. Thanks to the small children of Kahehuna [School], there were those to serve the food for the feast.

HAWAIIAN HULA.

From 7 o’clock in the night, Hawaiian hula of five types commenced, that being olapa, kui, uli-uli, pa-ipu, kaka laau, and hula pahu.

When those of Waikiki kai danced their hula kui, the audience complained, and that hula was put to an end without ending properly.

During that joyful night, some youths were seen attempting to get the dancers to kiss their cheeks, and to [?? hoolele na ala] without any sign of shame.

We were deafened by all the improper talk of some of the things seen in that partying crowd that we will not agree to tell the nation.

¹The governor of Maui was John Owen Dominis.

²The governor of Hawaii was Virginia Kapooloku Poomaikelani

(Ko Hawaii Pae Aina, 11/27/1886, p. 4)

KA AHAAINA LUAU MA KA PA ALII.

Ko Hawaii Pae Aina, Buke IX, Helu 48, Aoao 4. Novemaba 27, 1886.

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Here is the amendment to the marriage law passed in 1888.

MOKUNA LXIX.

HE KANAWAI

E hoololi ai i ka Pauku 2 o ka Mokuna LVI o ke Kanawai Hoopai Karaima, a e hoopau loa ai i na Pauku 3, 4 a me 5 o ia Mokuna, me na hoololi a pau i ua Mokuna nei.

E hooholoia e ka Moi a me ka Ahaolelo o ko Hawaii Paeaina.

Pauku 1. E hoololi ia a ma keia ke hoololi ia nei ka Pauku 2 o ka Mokuna LVI o ke Kanawai Hoopai Karaima, a penei e heluhelu ia ai:

“Pauku 2. E ninaninau ia, e hoolohe ia, a e hooholo ia e ka Lunakanawai no ia hihia, a ina he mea hiki e hoopau ia ka noho kue ana o laua; aka, ina aole hiki e hoopau ia ko laua kue ana, e hoopau wale ia no ka hoopii. Ina e hoopau wale ia kekahi hoopii, e hooholo ka Lunakanawai e hookaa ia na koina e like me ka mea ana i manao ai oia ka pono.”

Pauku 2. Ma keia ke hoopau loa ia nei na Pauku 3, 4 a me 5 o ka Mokuna i olelo ia  a me kekahi a me na hoololi o ia Mokuna i olelo ia.

Apono ia i keia la 10 o Sepatemaba, M. H. 1888.

KALAKAUA REX.

Na ka Moi:

L. A. Thurston,

Kuhina Kalaiaina.

(NA KANAWAI O KA MOI KALAKAUA I, Ke Alii o Ko Hawaii Paeaina, i Kau ia e ka Hale Ahaolelo Kau Kanawai, i ke Kau o 1888, p. 171.)

CHAPTER LXIX.

AN ACT

To amend Section 2 of Chapter LVI. of the Penal Code and Repeal Sections 3, 4 and 5 of said Chapter with all Amendments thereto.

Be it Enacted by the Kind and the Legislature of the Hawaiian Kingdom:

Section 1. That Section 2 of Chapter LVI. of the Penal Code be and is hereby amended so as to read as follows:

“Section 2. Said Justice shall examine into, hear and determine the complaint and shall secure if practicable, a reconciliation between the parties; but if no reconciliation can be effected, the complaint shall be dismissed. In case of such dismissal the Justice shall adjudge the costs to be paid as in his opinion justice shall demand.”

Section 2. Sections 3, 4 and 5 of said Chapter and any and all amendments thereof be and are hereby repealed.

Approved this tenth day of September, A. S. 1888.

KALAKAUA REX.

By the King:

L. A. Thurston.

Minister of the Interior.

(Laws of His Majesty Kalakaua, King of the Hawaiian Islands: Passed by the Legislative Assembly at its Session 1888, pp. 157–158.)

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King Kalakaua gifts some 200 kii¹ to the National Academy of Sciences. 1887.

A Gift from the King.

The alii, the King, sent a number of beautiful pictures [kii] and old godly images [akua kii] of Hawaii to the hands of Mr. F. L. Clarke² in San Francisco, a gift from Him to the National Academy of Sciences [? ke kula ao Akeakamai o ia Repubalika]. There were a great many images sent which are well attested to as seen in the old accounts written by the great explorer Captain Cook and the faint recollections of those who have slight knowledge of that era.

The gift of the King was greatly appreciated and it was accepted with much thanks. When Queen Kapiolani arrived in San Francisco, she met with Mr. F. L. Clarke, the representative sent for this gift. There were two hundred or more images, from images that were printed on paper, to wooden idols. It’s been heard that they will go all the way to the city of Paris for the great exposition to be held next year.³

¹”Kii” refers to any image or representation of something, whether it be printed on paper, painted on canvas, carved out of wood, or cast in metal.

²See Clarke’s short history of Hawaii, “Hawaii’s Real Story,” which appeared in The Forum, July 1900, pp. 555–565.

³Exposition Universelle, 1889. See “Catalogue of the Hawaiian Exhibits at the Exposition Universelle, Paris, 1889.” by John A. Hassinger, Department of the Interior.

[Does anyone know of what happens to all of this?]

(Kuokoa, 5/14/1887, p. 2)

He Makana mai ka Moi aku.

Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, Buke XXVI, Helu 20, Aoao 2. Mei 14, 1887.

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King Kalakaua’s Arrival in Japan, 1881.

His Majesty the King of Hawaii arrived here yesterday (Friday) morning at 8 a. m. in the Oceanic. As the steamer moved up to her anchorage, the men-of-war in harbour dressed ship and manned yards, the crews of the Russian and Japanese vessels also cheering heartily as the Oceanic passed them. His Majesty was visited on board by Mr. Hachisuka, ex-Daimiyo of Awa, Admiral Nakamura, Mr. Ishibashi, Secretary of the Foreign Office and others, as well as by the Russian Admiral and Staff. He subsequently embarked in the Emperor’s State barge and proceeded to the Port Admiral’s Office, where he was received by Mr. Daté, Ex-Daimiyo of Uwajima, Mr. Hijikata, Vice Minister of the Household Department, Mr. Sannomiya, Mr. Nagasaki and several Naval and Military officers, Mr. R. Irwin, Consul for Hawaii in Japan, and Mr. Stevens, secretary of the U. S. Legation also waited on his Majesty. From the Port Admiral’s Office His Majesty proceeded in a state carriage to the Summer Palace at Iséyama, which has been paled at his disposal by the Emperor. He was there visited by H. I. H. Prince Fushimi, Mr. Uyeno, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, and many other officials of high rank. To-day (Saturday) he proceeded to Tokiyo by the 12 o’clock train and was met at Shimbashi terminus by four Imperial Princes, who accompanied him first to an audience with His Majesty the Emperor and afterwards to their own houses, whence he ultimately proceeded to the Yenriyokwan, which has been prepared for his reception during the period of his sojourn here. The King’s name is Kalakauwa, which may be translated, “The day of battle.” His Majesty is nearly fifty years old, having been born in 1831. In personal appearance he is about the middle height, thickset, but of really handsome personal appearance. His complexion is not darker than that of an ordinary Japanese. When but a child he was received into the boarding school, kept for many years by Mr. and Mrs. Cook of the American Board’s Mission, for the exclusive reception of all the young chiefs of the highest blood. Here he received a good education, and being at the time he was first sent there one of the youngest received into this family of some dozen or more pupils, he had acquired, at the conclusion of his scholastic career, not only a through knowledge of English, but also an accurate pronunciation of that language. Previous to his election, in 1874, to fill the throne rendered vacant by the death of King William Lunalilo, he served as Post-Master General, and in other Government positions.

[This is an article appearing in one of Japan's English-language newspapers of the time, The Japan Weekly Mail, which started in 1879.]

(Japan Weekly Mail, 3/5/1881, p. 1)

His Majesty the King of Hawaii arrived...

The Japan Weekly Mail, Volume V, Number 9, Page 1. March 5, 1881.

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In response to gas illumination at the opening of Iolani Palace, 1913.

Palace Never Had Gas–First Electric Light

There was no “local gas plant” to illuminate the palace in Kalakaua’s reign. Kerosene was the illuminant there until 1886, when the late D. P. Smith, representing the Houston-Thompson company, installed the first electric lighting plant in Honolulu, especially for the Iolani palace. It was in the legislative session of that year that a noble, who is still living, opposed the palace electric lighting appropriation, saying that the electric light was then “merely a toy” in the States. A local paper put him right with the information that for several years past steamships in Atlantic coast docks had been working cargo all night by the electric ray, and that some cities in the states had for some time been lighted by electricity. It was funnier what the premier said, though, defending the appropriation. “The electric light is a great improvement,” he naively remarked. “All you have to do is to strike a match, and you have your light.”

(Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 1/11/1913, p. 8)

Palace Never Had Gas--First Electric Light

Honolulu Star-Bulletin, Volume XX, Number 6482, Page 8. January 11, 1913.

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More on the Palace mirrors, 1913.

THOSE KALAKAUA MIRRORS.

Editor Honolulu Star-Bulletin,

Sir:—The readers of the daily Advertiser of the 10th inst. were treated to one of the most unmitigated pieces of newspaper rot that I have ever been privileged to read. The crowning feature of the article is in the fact that it is false from the first to the last sentence.

While attending to my work I observed employees of the public works department removing two defective mirrors which needed slight repairing. He asked me if I knew of any other defected mirror frames. We investigated, and finding none, Mr. Cole then left the building. On returning to my work I saw a stranger approaching, who made some inquiries about the building, which I answered to the best of my ability.

This is the true story of the “Curio Seekers” trying to rifle the capitol building.

R. JAY GREENE.

[Here is an interesting response from the "Roland Green" of the previous articles.]

(Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 1/11/1913, p. 4)

THOSE KALAKAUA MIRRORS.

Honolulu Star-Bulletin, Volume XX, Number 6482, Page 4. January 11, 1913.