Mrs. Mihana Kalaniwahine Ai Passed on.

At 10 o’clock P. M. of the evening of Wednesday, death visited the home of Mrs. E. A. Nawahi at Homelani, and took the life breathe of her youngest sister Mrs. Mihana K. Ai, at nearly 66 years of age. She was born here in Hilo, on the 24th of April in the year 1862 from the loins of Kahaoleaua [Kahaleaua] and Ai-i, her father, one of the first Chinese who arrived in Hilo nei, and he arrived along with Hapai, Akau, Keoni Ina [John Ena], Akina, Keoniko, and Aiko, and these Chinese were the first ones to start Sugar Plantations at Amauulu, Paukaa, Kaupokuea [Kaupakuea], and Kohala.

Their parents had five of them, the first born was Mrs. Aana Kekoa, then next was Mrs. E. A. Nawahi [Emma Aima Nawahi], and Mrs. Alai Akana, and Mrs. Aoe Like who died earlier, and Mrs. Mihana Kalaniwahine Ai their youngest. She married Simeona Kealoha of Honomu in her youth, and after some years of them living in the bond of matrimony, they were separated, and Mrs. Mihana remarried with Mr. Ai who is now living. She was a member of the Haili Church, and she remained in that church until the time when death released her. She was a fine member of the Kaahumanu Society [Hui Kaahumanu] here in Hilo, and she was a good member of the Hale o na Alii.

Her last services were held at the Church of her parents and her Grandparents, and a great crowd gathered of her friends and companions. When the worship was over at the Church, the funerary procession moved on to Homelani Cemetery and she was laid by the side of her daughter who passed on earlier.

She was a mother who was greatly loved by her friends, and some of her close friends came from the other side of the land and shed tears for the friend who they loved dearly. She left her two Sisters on this side of the river, and her kin grieving for her on this side as well.

We join with the Family Sadened for their loved one who left their side.

Ke hele liilii nei,
Na hoa o kakou.
Aohe kaula e paa ai,
E moku ana no.

E hele liilii mau,
A pau loa ae kakou.
Aohe hoa e kanikau,
E make like no.

[Going little by little,
The friends of ours.
There is no cord that binds,
It will be severed.

Always going little by little,
Until we are all gone.
There will be no friend to mourn,
They will all be dead.]

[The five Chinese blossoms of Hilo, Aana, Aima, Alai, Aoe, and Mihana Ai-i.]

(Hoku o Hawaii, 4/3/1928, p. 2)

Ka Hoku o Hawaii, Buke XXI,Helu 43, Aoao 2. Aperila 3, 1928.