Tag Archives: Kamehameha V

by

Keahu Kealiiaukai, an awesome biography, 1941.

Recalling the Days of Kamehameha V.

KEAHU KEALIIAUKAI

Keahu Kealiiaukai is one of the last Hawaiians left who is not proficient in English. He is a Hawaiian famous for his knowledge of plants, and he is 82 years old. He lives in Lahaina, Maui, the capital of Hawaii in days of yore. Kealiiaukai is now living with his daughter, Mrs. Juliette Pali.

When Kealiiaukai was born in Kaupo, Maui, on the road going to the crater of Haleakala, in the year 1859, this was the fifth year of Kamehameha IV’s reign over Hawaii nei. Kealiiaukai was 4 when that monarch died. He does not recall this.

Remembering the King.

However, Kealiiaukai does in fact remember Kamehameha V, or King Kapuaiwa, his given name; and the last of the Kamehamehas. Kapuaiwa went to Lahaina numerous times, where he was welcomed warmly by his makaainana.

In Kealiiaukai’s eighty and two years of life, he witnessed the passing of the monarchs of his homeland, closing with the overturning of the nation under Queen Liliuokalani’s protection, in 1893. Then the establishing of the provisional government and the Republic of Hawaii, and the joining of the Islands to the United States and the formation of this Territory of America, 40 years ago.

A Religious Man

Kealiiaukai is an important man in Lahaina for the kamaaina there. His wife left this world eight years ago, but she did not however leave behind children. Kealiiaukai is still strong and active. He participates often in works of this Father in Heaven. He spent his life being a member of the Faith of the Latter Day.

Perhaps he is the last medicine man living and practicing from before the times when there was licensing of those in that profession. During his time, it is said that Kealiiaukai practiced healing with plants amongst his own people and healed them due to his expertise in the use of plants growing in the forests of Hawaii, for all types of illnesses.

(Hoku o Hawaii, 3/5/1941, p. 1)

Hoomanao Ina La O Kamehameha V

Hoku o Hawaii, Volume XXXV, Number 45, Page 1. Malaki 5, 1941.

by

More on the death of Keanu, 1902.

KEANU DIES ON THE SEA SHORE

Shortly after 8 o’clock yesterday morning the body of Keanu, a high chiefess and reputed daughter of Kamehameha V, was found upon the beach at Waikiki, opposite the premises of the late Queen Dowager Kapiolani, now occupied by Princes David and Cupid. The woman had probably been dead about an hour when discovered, and her death is believed to have been due to apoplexy. She was well when she left the Dowager’s premises early in the morning. She wen across the roadway to the bathing beach, donned a muumuu and entered the water for a swim. Just how soon she was overcome is not known, but it is evident that she was upon the beach when the attack came. The fact which led to the belief of apoplexy was that the face was much discolored. There is nothing pointing to foul play and it is not believed that she was drowned.

A jury was empanelled yesterday morning and the body viewed at the morgue. An inquest was to have been held last night at the police station but was postponed until this afternoon.

Keanu was a woman of imposing appearance and always commanded the attention and respect of Hawaiians wherever she went. She had the manner and dignity of a chiefess of the royal blood and was looked upon by the natives generally as one to whom homage was due. She was a great friend of the late Princess Ruth and in later years was much with the late Queen Dowager. She has been residing on the premises at Pualeilani for several years and was protected by the two Princes, as well as by the Dowager before them. For some time past she had not been right in her mind. Several years ago her husband went away into the mountains and nothing more was heard of him. She leaves several children.

At the breakfast and reception given by Queen Liliuokalani last year Keanu was among those who called and her appearance was much commented on at that time, for, believing herself fully entitled to respect and homage, she swept majestically along amongst the throng as if she were a reigning queen.

(Hawaiian Gazette, 7/1/1902, p. 4)

KEANU DIES ON SEA SHORE

Hawaiian Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Number 50, Page 4. July 1, 1902.

by

Keanu, daughter of Kamehameha V and Keelikolani, passes, 1902.

That Royal Descendant of the Land has Passed.

KEANU DIES ON THE SHORE OF WAIKIKI.

Right after 8 o’clock in the morning of Monday, June 30, the dead body of Keanu (f.) was found out near the residence of the Princes Kawananakoa and Kalanianaole at Waikiki. On that morning she was seen coming out of the Princes’ place, and went all the way to the ocean. There she put on her muumuu and went into the ocean. From here, that was all that was known of her until her body was found. It is believed that she had a stroke [ma'i huki] while in the water, and while being so afflicted, she could not help herself.

Keanu was a chiefess, the daughter of Kamehameha V and Princess Ruth Keelikolani [Ruta], and it was he who housed her at Pualeilani, Waikiki, and it was there that she lived until this unfortunate accident.

She had a regal stature, and she became an important presence in our chiefly circles. She fearlessly appeared at royal audiences with elegance, and some who had not seen her before thought she was an actual queen.

Some time ago, her husband went into the mountains, and since then nothing was known of him. Keanu lived in sadness, and it was this that made her lose her senses. She left behind children who grieve in their love for her. How pitiful.

[Anyone have more information on Keanu?]

(Kuokoa, 7/4/1902, p. 1)

Hala ia Pua Alii o ka Aina

Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, Buke XL, Helu 27, Aoao 1. Iulai 4, 1902.

by

Beginning of line-by-line commentary of “Aia i Honolulu kuu pohaku,” 1929.

EXPLANATION OF THE FIRST LINE.

1. Aia i Honolulu kuu pohaku

Kapanookalani’s thoughts:—This land Honolulu, it is close to Nanawale, Puna, by the sea. It is a ku, a small land in between large lands.

The stone [pohaku] is Lord [Haku] of the chiefess and in this word, the important idea is chiefess ['lii wahine].

Kahapula’s thoughts:—Honolulu is on Oahu, where King Kamehameha V dwelt and those who opposed him is the Honolulu in this first line of the mele. It was here his enemies schemed and carried out all their defiant acts against him. While they knew the wish of the King to marry the chiefess Pauahi, her teacher, Amos Cooke secretly agreed to  Bishop for him to meet with Pauahi without the knowledge of her parents. That is how Pauahi became Bishop’s, and this is how Bishop and his relative Lee [? William Little Lee] became dignitaries of the land.

Kupihea’s thoughts:—Honolulu is a fish stone called a Kuula, and was brought here to this Honolulu [on Oahu] from the Honolulu of Puna [on Hawaii]. This Kuula was placed in the tiny land of Honolulu where an Alii called Honolulu lived, who was related to the chiefess Peleula, whose younger sister was the beautiful Waikiki. This place is mauka of the old Rawlin’s Estate. There is a bank of coral where Honolulu is; the fishing altar [Kuula] for the fish ponds [loko i'a] is on the Waikiki side of Liliha Street and between Vineyard and King Streets.

The stone is related to chiefs from times immemorial [mai ka po mai]. It is a manifestation made by God.

Iokepa’s thoughts:—Honolulu is a small land and a canoe landing makai of Nanawale, Puna, between two sand dunes, one on the Hilo side and one on the Puna side, called Puu Waawaa. From this Honolulu is called the Honolulu here [on Oahu] which used to be called Kou before, and after it was called Honolulu until this day.

This is the meaning for the word Honolulu:—The wind is very calm [lulu] an the sea is serene; it is very fine and peaceful. Bay [? Hono] of calm sea; Hono that is peaceful.

Kuluwaimaka’s thoughts:—The stone is related to Kamehameha V. Honolulu in Puna is a lowland next to the sea. Its width is perhaps half a mile long between Na Puu o Pele and Waiakahiula on the Hilo side. Honolulu is a place where you pick opihi [ku'i opihi] and pick limu [hana limu]. There is a fine spring [punawai] there and there is a foot path there.

[And to think that this is but the very beginning of Kelsey's detailed account of the explanation of the six loea of the mele "Aia i Honolulu kuu pohaku." This is just the first line! It continues in the following issues!!

One more (huge) reason that Hawaiian-Language Newspapers are priceless!!!]

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

NA MANAO WEHEWEHE MALUNA O KA LAINA EKAHI.

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

by

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.

by

“Aia i Honolulu kuu pohaku,” name song for Kamehameha V., 1929.

AIA I HONOLULU KUU POHAKU.

1. Aia i Honolulu kuu pohaku

2. O Kealohilani kuu haku ia

3. Ua holo ka wela i na mokupuni

4. Ua puni hei au leo o ka manu

5. O a’u lehua i Mokaulele

6. Hooneenee mai e ka iliahi

7. Hoohanua mai la ka ua iuka

8. Aia ka pono ia Oniula

10. Ua malu ka honua ia Kalani

11. Kuu Haku i ka ehuehu kai olalo

12. I ahona Puna i ke ala o ka hala

13. Paa mai la Olaa i ka ua noe

14. Noho i ka ehuehu kai o Hilo

15. Kahiko Poliahu i ka hau anu

16. He manao paa ko’u a hiki aku

17. Ua lahui ia mai e iala

18. Hea aku no wau o mai oe

19. O Kamakaiouli kou inoa.

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

AIA I HONOLULU KUU POHAKU.
Ke Alakai o Hawaii, Buke 1, Helu 32, Aoao 2. Dekemapa 5, 1929.
by

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.

by

More on Kaheleiki trial: “Something not to be forgotten.” 1863.

Voyage of the Hawaiian Chiefs to San Francisco.

This past Wednesday morning [4/15/1863], the Honorable C. Gordon Hopkins [Hapakini], John Ii [Ioane Ii], Kaisara Kapaakea [Caesar Kapaakea], and J. Koii Unauna, along with the one who is involved in the dispute for whom they went to testify for, namely Harry Kaheleiki, came to shore riding aboard the ship, Yankee; and we are pleased to report the public that they are in good health.

During the trial of Harry Kaheleiki in San Francisco, there were many witnesses strongly against him; however, with the arrival of the alii mentioned above, there was true testimony in favor of the accused, and the error of those who testified against him was clear. The newspapers of San Francisco were filled with thoughts of appreciation for this Nation sending witnesses at much expense to have one of its citizens wrongly charged in a foreign land set free; according to one of the papers, this is a benevolent act not done by the enlightened Nations of the world, and so the Hawaiian Nation has taken the lead in this fine action. This is truly an act of aloha, and it is something not to be forgotten for all times.

The reason it was heard that a Hawaiian was being imprisoned in San Francisco was because of Doctor Gulick [Gulika], the one who was previously living in the islands of Micronesia, and due to weakening health, arrived in California. While he was in San Francisco several months ago, he heard that there was a Hawaiian man being held in one of the Jails there on the charge of murder; he therefore went quickly to meet with the man, and when he got there, he spoke with the aforementioned Kaheleiki, and though this conversation, it was clear in Doctor Gulick’s mind that the accused was innocent. And because Kaheleiki asked him if they could wait until witnesses were sent for from Hawaii for him, there would be many who would testify that he was innocent of the charges against him. So Doctor Gulick immediately went to the office of the Hawaiian Consul, Mr. Hitchcock [Kanikela Hawaii o Mr. Hikikoki], and told him about the circumstances of Kaheleiki and how he was certain that Kaheleiki was innocent of the charges. When the Hawaiian Consul heard of this, he went at once to meet with the accused, and upon seeing his demeanor and what he had to say, he knew for himself that Kaheleiki was innocent. He then went quickly to see the Judge to ask that the trial of Kaheleiki be postponed until he heard from here; for he had witnesses here for him. And that is how time was given to send his witnesses, and that is how he was freed. And when he sent for witnesses here, along with a letter from Doctor Gulick, and when His Highness L. Kamehameha heard of this, he along with Sheriff W. C. Parke put great effort into finding appropriate witnesses to testify for Kaheleiki, the one who was falsely charged. We are filled with appreciation for the Royal One, His Highness, and the Sheriff.

We must thank Doctor Gulick, and we are truly thankful for him in the name of all who desire that the innocent who are persecuted be freed, and in the name of all who strive to find ways to free the innocent from the hands of those who oppose them, while they live in foreign lands. God shall free the righteous.

[There are countless stories like this in the Hawaiian-Language Newspapers that should be relearned and retold and retold again, so they are not forgotten!]

(Kuokoa, 4/18/1863, p. 3)

Ka Huakai a na 'Lii Hawaii i Kapalakiko.

Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, Buke II, Helu 16, Aoao 3. Aperila 18, 1863.

by

Near tragedy caused by Kamehameha V’s deer, 1868.

[Found under: "LOCAL NEWS: Maui"]

Life saved from deer.—P. Kawelakawai of Kawela, Molokai wrote to us like this: On the 29th of April, I saw Kaukino, the one who barely survived. Here is the reason; one of the animals of our King, a deer set loose on his ranch, entered the sweet potato patch of at Kalamaula to eat the uala, and this man saw this and went to shoo it off; the animal rushed forward but he saw it coming, and it was but a few feet away and it caught him and thrust its antlers, whereupon he fell down, face thrown back. He was jabbed in the armpit, and the antler pierced through. His wife saw this happen and she brought him back to the houses and the man was very weak. We are relieved at the news following that letter that he has recovered.

[See earlier articles on the deer gifted to Kamehameha V. Deer imported from Japan in 1867. and Deer of Kamehameha V., 1867.]

(Kuokoa, 5/23/1868, p. 3)

Pakele ke ola i ke dia.

Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, Buke VII, Helu 21, Aoao 3. Mei 23, 1868.

by

On Liliuokalani’s composition of “Mele Lahui Hawaii,” 1898.

“In the early years of the reign of Kamehameha V, he brought to my notice the fact that the Hawaiian people had no national air. Each nation, he said, but ours had its expression of patriotism and love of country in its own music; but we were using for the purpose on state occasions the time-honored British anthem, “God save the Queen.” This he desired me to supplant by one of my own composition. In one week’s time I notified the king that I had completed my task. The Princess Victoria had been the leader of the choir of the Kawaiahao church; but upon her death, May 29, 1866, I assumed the leadership. It was in this building and by that choir that I first introduced the “Hawaiian National Anthem.” The king was present for the purpose of criticising my new composition of both words and music, and was liberal in his commendations to me on my success. He admired not only the beauty of the music, but spoke enthusiastically of the appropriate words, so well adapted to the air and to the purpose of which they were written.”

(from Hawaii’s Story by Hawaii’s Queen, pp. 31–32.)

“Ina makahiki kinohi o ka noho moi ana o Kamehameha V., ua hoike mai oia ia’u i ka mea oiaio, aohe himeni lahui o na kanaka Hawaii. O na lahuikanaka, wahi ana, aka, koe kakou, ua hoopuka ae lakou i ko lakou makee a me ke aloha i ka aina ma kona mele ponoi, aka, ia wa e mele ia ana ka himeni o Beritania, “E ola ka Moiwahine i ke Akua,” no na manawa nui. O keia kana i makemake ai e kulai, ma o kekahi mele a’u e haku ponoi ai. Maloko o ka manawa o hookahi pule, ua hoike aku la au i ka moi, ua pau ka’u hana i ka hana ia. O ke Kama’liiwahine Vitoria, ke alakai o ka papa himeni o ka luakini o Kawaiahao, aka, i kona make ana ma ka la 29 o Mei, 1866, ua lilo ae la ia’u ke alakai ana. A maloko o keia hale, a na ia papa himeni i hoopuka mua mai i ke “Mele Lahui o Hawaii.” Ua hoea ae ka moi no ka manao ana e hooponopono i ka’u mele i haku ai, i na huaolelo a me ka leo, a ua haawi mai hoi oia i kona mau hoapono no ka holopono o ka’u mea i hana ai. Aole wale o ka leo kana i mahalo ai, aka, ua hoopuka ae oia i na huaolelo walohia nui o ka hoomaikai no ka pili pono o na huaolelo i ka leo mele.”

(Aloha Aina, 5/14/1898, p. 7)

KA BUKE MOOLELO HAWAII I HAKUIA E KA Moiwahine Liliuokalani...

Ke Aloha Aina, Buke IV, Helu 20, Aoao 7. Mei 14, 1898.