Monthly Archives: August 2015

Keeaumoku’s ahuula, Eheukani, 1903.

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FEATHER GARMENTS

106. A cloak said to have been destroyed in the conflagration caused accidentally in the attempt of the Board of Health to stamp out the bubonic plague in the Chinese quarter of Honolulu. At the time when the claims for losses caused by this great fire were presented to the Commission appointed for the purpose, my assistant, Mr. Allen M. Walcott, obtained from the claimant, Peleioholani, a carpenter by trade, the following particulars: The cloak was called “Eheukani” and was made in the time of Keeaumoku (the father of Kaahumanu) and finished shortly before the battle of Mokuohai (July, 1782) between Kamehameha and Kiwalaó. Keeaumoku’s wife gave it to Peleioholani’s grandmother. Principally mamo* feathers with a small crescent of red iiwi in each upper corner; between the shoulders a round spot of black oo feathers, from which a line of red iiwi led down to a trifle below the middle of the cloak. The cords at the neck were of human hair, an unusual thing. It must be remembered that the design (Fig. 16) as well as the following measurements are from the description given to Mr. Walcott by Peleioholani and are of course only approximate. They are worth recording as differing from any robes described. Length, about 4 feet 9 inches; neck measurment about 2 feet; circumference at bottom about 5 feet 8 inches. It is a matter of tradition that 27,000 birds were captured to furnish the feathers for this cloak. In the left side were seven spear holes that were never patched, and about which were blood stains. Keeaumoku was severely wounded in this battle, and it was rather a fancy with the old chiefs to retain the honorable scars in the ahuula, as in the cloak given by Kamehameha to Vancouver to be taken to England for King George.

*Probably oo, for a genuine mamo ahuula was devoid of any adulteration by other colored feathers. It should be stated that Peleioholani’s claim to be the owner of this cloak was disputed and it was said to have been taken from the palace years ago; but from what I have seen of the observation of natives whose duty it was to care for the royal robes, I do not believe one of them could describe the pattern of the cloaks he or she had seen for years.

[And a note on the note by Brigham. I am not sure the oo instead of mamo feathers comment should be considered true when even the great mamo feather ahuula of Kamehameha Paiea has red iiwi feathers within it…]

(Brigham, William T. Additional Notes on Hawaiian Featherwork. Honolulu: Bishop Museum Press, 1903. pp. 15–16.)

"Eheukani"

Brigham, William T. Additional Notes on Hawaiian Featherwork. Honolulu: Bishop Museum Press, 1903. p. 17.

Peleioholani’s response to the Queen? 1902.

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COMPANION OF A PRINCE

A Hawaiian Chief Who Fought in Africa.

HE TELLS A ROMANTIC TALE

Decapitated Morrocan of High Rank—Was Owner of Famous Feather Cloak.

WITHIN THREE months a stalwart Hawaiian will leave Honolulu and journey to London to attend the reunion of the survivors of one of England’s wars of conquest fought more than thirty years ago. Upon the Hawaiian’s body are the scars inflicted by sword, spear and bullets, received while he was fighting under the flag of St. George in the service of Queen Victoria upon the battlefields of Southern Africa. According to a romantic story which the Hawaiian tells, few amongst the veterans who will gather in the capital of the British nation will have more honorable records for bravery and conspicuous gallantry in the face of a dark-skinned enemy than he, and few will there be whose entire lives are so wrapped in a halo of romance. Linked with this Hawaiian’s life are those of Kings and Queens, Dukes and Admirals, Generals and Captains, and yet today he is an humble resident of the Hawaiian Islands. Continue reading →

Keeaumoku ahuula destroyed in Peleioholani house fire, 1901.

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Couple of years ago, I posted two articles on an insurance claim by Peleioholani after a priceless ahuula was destroyed in the great Chinatown fire of 1900. I just ran across this just now:

ROYAL FAMILY CLAIM

THE FEATHER CLOAK DESTROYED BY FIRE

Liliuokalani Will Testify—Alleged That the Cloak Was Stolen From the King’s Palace.

Queen Liliuokalani will testify before the Fire Claims Commission regarding the royal feather cloak lost in the big fire by Peleioholani.

It is said that the royal family lays claim to the ownership of the destroyed cloak. The costly article is alleged to have belonged to King Kalakaua, and been stolen from Iolani Palace many years ago.

[See: Ancient Relics Were Destroyed & Pau ka Ahuula i ke Ahi]

(Evening Bulletin, 11/2/1901, p. 1)

ROYAL FAMILY CLAIM

Evening Bulletin, Volume XI, Number 1984, Page 1. November 2, 1901.

Levi Haalelea dies, 1864.

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Another Chief Dead.—The Honorable Levi Haalelea died at his residence “Holani” in Honolulu, on the 3d inst., of aneurism, aged 42 years. He was born at Lahaina in 1822, and was the son of Haalou, Governor of Molokai, under Kalaimoku. His mother was Kipa. By his marriage about 1848 to Kekauonohi, a daughter of Kamehameha I, he became a Noble, and until his death held a seat in the House of Nobles. His only brother was Haalilio, the well-known and accomplished commissioner who accompanied Mr. Richards to Europe. Some two or three years since, Haalelea married Amoe, daughter of a Chinese merchant of Hilo, who survives him. He leaves no issue, his only child, Kamalalehua, being dead. The deceased leaves a large estate comprising valuable lands all over the islands, acquired mostly by marriage with Kekauonohi. Haalelea was favorably known among foreigners as a man of character and worth, and very gentlemanly in all his intercourse with them. He was an honor to the Alii family, which has now become reduced to a mere handful in number. His funeral, we learn, will not take place for some three or four weeks.

(Pacific Commercial Advertiser, 10/8/1864, p. 2)

Another Chief Dead.

The Pacific Commercial Advertiser, Volume IX, Number 14, Page 2. October 8, 1864.

Enoch Wood Perry Jr. arrives, 1864.

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An Artist.—Among the passengers by the Comet last week, was Mr. E. W. Perry, Jr., a portrait and landscape painter. A specimen of his work can be seen in the bookstore—being a portrait of Rev. Mr. Corwin. A glance at the picture is sufficient to satisfy any one that it is a perfect copy of the original, and that the person who executed it, has the skill of a true artist. Mr. Perry visits our islands to take views and paintings af our principal landscape scenery, and starts for Kilauea on Monday next in the steamer, via Kealakekua and Kau, intending to sketch the crater, Hilo and other scenery of that island worthy of being copied. We commend him to the attention of our friends wherever he may visit. While travelling through California, Mr. Perry was in company with Messrs. Williams and Bierstadt. The former will arrive here shortly. The latter having sold his fine painting of Yosemite Falls and Valley to a New York publishing house for $15,000, has gone East on business connected with the same. It was the intention of the three artists to visit our group in company. Messrs. Perry and Williams will undoubtedly succeed in taking some views that will be very valuable. Now while they are here, let us suggest that the Government secure their services to paint correct full-size portraits of the late King and His Majesty the present King, as also, perhaps, Queen Emma and Gov. Kekuanaoa, to be preserved as national property to adorn the Palace. It is so seldom genuine artists visit the islands that this opportunity should not be lost.

[Perry is the artist who painted the famous portrait of Ka Haku o Hawaii with his dog. He also seems to have painted a portrait of Levi Haalelea!

I am not sure who the Williams mentioned in the article is, but the other painter is most likely Albert Bierstadt.]

(Pacific Commercial Advertiser, 10/1/1864, p. 2)

An Artist.

The Pacific Commercial Advertiser, Volume IX, Number 14, Page 2. October 1, 1864.

Portrait of Levi Haalelea, 1864.

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[Found under: “NA MEA HOU O HAWAII NEI.”]

Portrait of Haalelea.—The haole which we spoke of the other week has painted a Portrait of Levi Haalelea who has passed, and it is now in the photography studio of Chase (Keiki). It remains victorious, and has not lessened at all, as if he is still living, it is just missing his voice coming forth.

[Here is the article mentioning the artist’s name. And here is another found in the Pacific Commercial Advertiser with more data.

Does anyone know the whereabouts of this painting by famous painter Enoch Wood Perry Jr.? I would appreciate it if you all might repost this article wherever you think an answer could be found!]

(Kuokoa, 12/24/1864, p. 2)

Ke Kii o Haalelea

Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, Buke III, Helu 52, Aoao 2. Dekemaba 24, 1864.

Queen Liliuokalani’s gift to the leprosy patients, 1891.

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GIFT OF ALOHA TO THE LEPROSY PATIENTS AT KALIHI.

We each all are going without a companion at our side, and no child before us or at our back, it is just our lone bodies going naked to the Colony of Kalawao, and there is no way out of it for us for there is the law of our beloved land upon our shoulders.

These red silk kerchiefs which you see on our necks, and your sums of money in our hands this day, it is a memorial for us during the days of our lives in this dejected world, until the dust of that unfamiliar land is spread upon our bodies, and this decaying body returns to the earth, and the spirit returns to God.

Therefore, may your majesty take our great thanks for you. And that is when the Queen replied:

I take your thanks with me, and you will go and you will see my children, those are your seniors living upon that great flat lands, and perhaps we will all be there, but we do not know.

This was the touching statement, and the close to the conversation with the Queen.

Here are the names of the patients taken and their place of residence.

Miss Helina Kaiwaokalani Maikai, Miss Kaehuokalani, Miss M. Kalama [? Miss M. Kalaina], they are from Honolulu; Napoliona Keawe (m), from Manoa, Oahu; Miss Mapo (f), Kahaku (m), from Waialua, Oahu; Ah Ping from Hanalei, Kauai; Henry Keku, Akoi, from Wailuku; Alualu (f), Ulunui (f) from Waikapu; Maraea Kaluna from Olowalu; Liwai Haalelea from Kukuihaele, Hawaii.

These are the patients left at the receiving station of Kalihi:

W. K. Makakoa, G. K. Kepoikai, from Waiehu, Maui; Josiah Kaina from Lihue, Kauai; William Kalani Kalua from Puako, Waimea, Hawaii.

These are the patients who have not been examined by the Doctors:

Keopuhiwa from Hana; Keoahu (f), and Huliwaa (f), and Lutiana Keliikaapuni (f), from Kaupo, Maui; and Joe, a Portuguese boy from Honolulu.

On the 17th of July, Mrs. Kaikioewa Ulukou gave gifts once again to the patients at Kalihi.

Aloha one and all.

WILLIE KALIKOKALANI.

Kalihi Hospital, July 20, 1891.

[Might anyone know how/if Liwai Haalelea and Levi Haalelea (d. 1864) are related?]

(Leo o ka Lahui, 7/29/1891, p. 2)

HE MAKANA ALOHA I NA MA'I LEPERA MA KALIHI.

Ka Leo o ka Lahui, Buke II, Helu 247, Aoao 2. Iulai 29, 1891.

Levi Haalelea’s genealogy, 1931.

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THE GENEALOGY OF LEVI HAALELEA

I am Z. P. Kalokuokamaile living in Honolulu and the County of Honolulu in the Territory of Hawaii, and this is the 83rd year of my life; and in my [sentence stops here]¹

Those who are inflicted with suffering are the ones who made known and clear to me the genealogy of Levi Haalelea (m) who died earlier, all the way to his granddaughter who is living until now, that being Mrs. Mary Kealiiwahamana Shipman (f) and her own younger sister, Mrs. Maraea Nihoa Kahikinaokala Lo (f), as is made clear below:

Keaweopala (m) with Haki (f), born was Ahumaikealake’a (f), Kauwa (f), Keholo (m).

Kauwa (f) [with] Eia (m), [born was] Kapau (f), Naea (m), I (f), Charles Kanaina (m).

Ahumakealake’a (f) with Haaleleaina (m), born was Kipa (f).

Keholo (m) with Piipii (f), born was H. Kipa (f).

Keholo (m) with Kamakaiwa (f), born was Namu’o (f), Kahuakaiola (m).

Namu’o (f) with Keliikanakaole (m), born was Levi Haalelea (m).

Levi Haalelea (m) with Nihoa (f), born was Keliiilihuneoleleiohokuohaalelea (f).

Keliiilihuneoleleiohokuohaalele (f) with Keaomakani (m), born was Mrs. Mary Kealiiwahamana Shipman (f) and her younger sibling Miss Maraea Nihoa Kahikinaokala Lo (f) who are living today.

This is the extent and all that I know from my kupuna.

And should there be a genealogy published earlier perhaps published from here forth, and should it not be the same as this, I vehemently renounce it that the genealogy is all wrong.

Z. P. KALOKUOKAMAILE

[There were not that many around at that time that would make that kind of statement. This was Z. P. Kalokuokamaile!]

¹This is somewhat reprinted from an article in the previous issue of the same newspaper, and in that article, it reads “…and this is the 83rd year of my life; and I swear to the truth of what I know and clearly understand about the genealogy of Levi Haalelea (m) who died earlier…”

(Alakai o Hawaii, 10/29/1931, p. 2)

KE KUAUHAU O LEVI HAALELEA

Ke Alakai o Hawaii, Buke 3, Helu 26, Aoao 2. Okatoba 29, 1931.