Yesterday, we saw three different articles from three different papers reporting on the same incident. Just as we need to look in all of the available Hawaiian-Language Newspapers to see how an event was covered, we should not neglect the other language papers as well….
Here for instance is an article talking about the same event from one of the English papers.
When Robert Kaleiheana, the blacksmith of Waialua, was attempting this past Sunday to go over the top when he was commemorating the death of the old year and the birth of the new, his right hand flew off, and should he be saved from this unfortunate accident which befell upon him, he will join the Hokake Ipukai club of Waialua [?]. When all of Waialua’s people were in on the celebration of the last hour of that old man that died [the year 1911] by making all the deafening noises that they could. Firecrackers were one of the noise makers that were set off, but to top this noise so that all those above, and below, here, and there of Waialua could hear, Kaleiheana set ablaze some stick of dynamite to make a bigger bang. He held the dynamite for a long time in his right hand, after he set the fuse on fire. When the powder exploded, his right hand was scattered about, it was all shredded until the wrist.
The police were fetched, and the doctor was brought as well. This injury he received was severe, but he will not be in danger, and yet he will be maimed.
(Kuokoa Home Rula, 1/5/1912, p. 1)
Kuokoa Home Rula, Buke X, Helu 1, Aoao 1. Ianuari 5, 1912.
To celebrate the passing of the old year and so too the arrival of the new year, Robert Kaleiheana of Waialua got into an accident when his hand was blown up by dynamite this past Sunday; however his injuries were not terribly severe.
According to the news of that explosion, there were many Waialua people entertaining themselves by setting off fireworks, but what Kaleiheana was setting off was dynamite, and because he held on to the stick of powder in his hand for too long, that was why he got in trouble when the fuse caught on fire until the explosion.
His hand is what was hurt, and the police were informed, and the injured was treated immediately; and from what they say, his injuries were not very severe.
(Kuokoa, 1/5/1912, p. 1)
Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, Buke XLVIII, Helu 1, Aoao 1. Ianuari 5, 1912.
From down in Waialua it was heard that the hand of that Hawaiian named Kaleiheana was severed and flew because of the explosion of the gun powder which he held. Everyone of that land famed for the sea spray was celebrating the new year, and were setting off firecrackers and other noise makers, and because Kaleiheana thought that the firecrackers weren’t powerful enough, he took some dynamite and lit the fuse; while he mistakenly believed that the fuse wasn’t burning, that was when that dynamite exploded and his hand flew. Kaleiheana is under doctor’s care, and it is believed that he will be saved, but he will be disfigured for the rest of his life.
(Aloha Aina, 1/6/1912, p. 2)
Ke Aloha Aina, Buke XVI, Helu 1, Aoao 2. Ianuari 6, 1912.
It is not unusual for different newspapers to cover the same story differently. Most papers were slanted in some way or another. If heads or editors of a paper changed, the coverage could change as well.
The following three articles deal with the same event, but are considerably different in content. This isn’t even a politically charged article, it’s about a fireworks accident…
It is important to consider what paper an article comes from and the circumstances of its publication.
On Thursday, the 5th of this month, snow was seen lying atop the summit of Hualalai; for a long many years, this is the first time snow has been seen again on this mountain; it is something novel for the people of Kona.
(Aloha Aina, 1/7/1912, p. 1)
Ke Aloha Aina, Buke XV, Helu 1, Aoao 1. Ianuari 7, 1911.
Here in Honolulu is Sun Fo, the child of Dr. Sun Yat-sen who is serving as President of the Republic of China. Just as his father was a favorite of the Chinese of this town, so too is he being treated with great affection these days. He is on his way to meet up with his father. This boy was born at Kamaole, Kula, Maui, in 1892, and he graduated from Saint Louis School the past year. He will continue his travels to China aboard the Chiyomaru. This Thursday, he visited with Governor Frear and Queen Liliuokalani.
[It seems many other sources like this one say Sun Fo was not born here in Hawaii… “Sun Yat-sen in Hawai’i: Activities and Supporters”]
(Aloha Aina, 1/6/1912, p. 4)
Ke Aloha Aina, Buke XVI, Helu 1, Aoao 4. Ianuari 6, 1912.
Hanohano ke kuahiwi o Konahuanui,
E kilohi ana i ka nani o ke Koolau,
Ka waiho kahelahela a Kapapa,
I ke kai holuholu o Heeia.
Hui:
He nohea ka awihi ana a ka ipo,
I ka pehia e ka ua Kiowao,
Me ka wai lelehuna o Waipuhia,
Kaomi i ka olu o Kahuailana.
Ilaila hoohihi laua ka manao,
I ka ua kili kilihune o Waolani,
Ia wai hu’i ini-iniki i ka ili,
Hoopulu i ka liko o ka Ahihi.
Hakuia e
G. W. Kawaikau-o-alewa.
210 Liliha St., Honolulu.
…which goes something a little like:
Kahuailanawai Song.
Exalted is the mountain, Konahuanui,
Gazing at the beauty of the Koolau,
The great expanse of Kapapa,
And the rhythmic sea of Heeia.
Chorus:
So alluring is the lover’s wink,
Pelted by the Kiowao rain,
And the spray of Waipuhia,
Held in the comfort of Kahuailana.
There the two of them are entranced,
By the sprinkling rain of Waolani,
The chilling water that stings the skin,
Moistening the buds of the Ahihi.
Composed by
G. W. Kawaikau-o-alewa.
210 Liliha St., Honolulu.
[The composer’s name sounds like a pen name. Anyone know of a way to find out who was living at 210 Liliha St. a hundred years ago…]
Ke Aloha Aina, Buke XVI, Helu 1, Aoao 1. Ianuari 6, 1912.
We are back this year again with more stories taken from the Hawaiian-Language Newspapers of days gone by…
Hope you find them thought provoking, relevant, or at least interesting!
nupepa 