Celebrating Fifth Anniversary
At 3 in the afternoon yesterday, January 25, 1911 [1912], a banquet was held lavished with Hawaiian delicacies of all sorts, by the Heads and members of the organization, The Sisters’ of Hawaii Ponoi, at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Manuel Reis in Makiki Heights, to celebrate the 5th Anniversary of their existence. Present was our manager, Joseph Kamai Nalulu because of an invitation he received, and he heartily at his fill.
Manager Joseph Kamai Nalulu offers to the Head and Members of the Hui Sisters’ of Hawaii Ponoi, whose names appear bleow, his great unending appreciation and congratulations for the generosity bestowed upon him. And he also gives his prayers that their existence, progress, and good fortune continues for the benefit of your Organization, through the Omnipotent Heavenly Powers, Amen.
OFFICERS OF 1912.
First Honorary President,
—Mrs. Leihulu Keohokalole
Second Honorary President,
—Mrs. E. K. Reis
President—Miss Kamoani
Vice President—Mrs. Malie Auld
Treasurer—Mrs. E. K. Reis
Secretary—Mrs. H. Wm. Aylett
Vice Secretary—Mrs. Punua
Executive Committee
Chairman, Mrs. Geo. Mahe
Mrs. Malie Auld, Miss Kamoani, Mrs. Punua, and Mrs. Kaleikau.
MEMBERS
Mrs. Ema Fern; Miss Hickey, Miss Lizzie Fern; Mrs. Alohikea, Mrs. Luka Norton, Mrs. Rose Kapela, Mrs. Mapu; Mrs. Onuila [Oniula?], Miss Spencer, and Julia Hao
With appreciation,
MRS. H. WILLIAM AYLETT, Jr.
Secretary of the Organization of Sisters of Hawaii Ponoi
[Anyone familiar with this organization?]
(Kuokoa Home Rula, 1/26/1912, p. 4)
Kuokoa Home Rula, Buke X, Helu 4, Aoao 4. Ianuari 26, 1912.
There are many descendants today of the original officers and members.
Mrs. Eugenia Keoho’okalani Reis was a founder of the Daughters and Sons of Hawaiian Warriors-Mamakakaua in 1917. (Perhaps Sisters of Hawai’i Pono’i was a forerunner?)
Manuel Reis, her husband, was Queen Lili’uokalani’s coach driver and an ardent royalist, imprisoned in January 1895 at O’ahu Prison.
See the article: “The Manuel Reis Case”, Hawaiian Journal of History article (Vol. 16, 1982, p. 134): http://evols.library.manoa.hawaii.edu/bitstream/handle/10524/232/JL16142.pdf?sequence=2
My great grand parents are Manuel and Eugenia Reis, Corinne is correct and by the grace of the internet more of us are reuniting as time goes on. To my knowledge not only was she a member of Mamakakaua but also she belonged to the Daughters of Hawaii founded 3 years earlier than the “Sisters”. Prior to this post I was unaware of their existence too. I’ll do some digging and get back to you
That’s cool… Do you guys still have documents, like letters and things from them/to them/about them?
My g-g grandmother was Ema Fern. She was married to Mayor of Honolulu, Joseph James Fern.
My g-g grandmother was Mrs. Emma Fern (Ema). Her husband was the first mayor of Honolulu Joseph James Fern.