Great Snow.—Z. P. Kumukula of Waimea, Hawaii wrote about the great amount of snow on Mauna Kea and Hualalai on the 15th of Feb. Two-thirds of the mountain was covered with snow.
(Kuokoa, 3/8/1862, p. 2)
Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, Buke I, Helu 15, Aoao 2. Maraki 8, 1862.
This unfailing topic of general conversation has suffered no diminution of late. Thunder, lighting, rain and hail, and even snow, according to some, have prevailed in quantities and duration beyond the memory of the “oldest inhabitant.” On Friday night, the 14th inst., hail fell in Koolauloa on this island, and we are told, in quantities to be scooped up by the hands, and people crossing the Waianae mountains that night report that snow fell thick on the mountain peaks. On Saturday morning the thermometer in Honolulu stood at 53°, and credible people aver that the saw snow flakes in the air, though they melted by or before touching the ground. Wednesday morning, this week, a thunderstorm passed over this town from the Southwest which, for sharpness of lightning and loudness of thunder, was the severest of many years. The lightning apparently played over the town in every direction, yet, we are happy to say, without any damage, excepting that a Chinaman was knocked down in the street and remained for some time perfectly paralysed before coming to, and a man, hoisting the colors on a flagstaff, felt a blow over the wrist which benumbed the hand for upwards of an hour before it passed off. In the afternoon of the same day the weather cleared up a little, but during the night, between 11½ and 3 o’clock, the thunderstorm raged again in all imaginable fury, accompanied with showers of rain so severe that it seemed almost impossible for any roofing to withstand the force of the fall or the weight of the falling water. The Waikiki plains were at one time almost literally a sheet of water, and partial freshets occurred in several directions, though the main river of the Nuuanu Valley was not filled so as to endanger the bridge leading over it. How many inches, or rather feet, of rain fell that night we have not learned, but the amount must have been enormous.
[This was a very strange year. Hualalai was cloaked in snow as well!]
(Polynesian, 2/22/1862, p. 2)
The Polynesian, Volume XVIII, Number 43, Page 2. February 22, 1862.
In celebration of the 180th anniversary of the printing of the very first newspaper in Hawaii, Ka Lama Hawaii “The Hawaiian Luminary”, written in Hawaiian language and printed at Lahainaluna School, the Maui Historical Society is hosting a panel discussion and special exhibition of our original, 180-year-old copy at the Bailey House Museum on Sunday, August 31st, 2014 from 6 pm to 9 pm. Panelists include noted Maui Hawaiian language/studies professionals, Ki`ope Raymond, Kapolei Ki`ili, and Pulama Collier. Tickets are $15 for the general public, $10 for MHS members and students (must present ID). Newspaper-themed merchandise, craft vendors, and food & drink will be available for purchase. For more information, call 244-3326 or e-mail Info@MauiMuseum.org.
[If you are in and about Lahaina this weekend, this sounds like it could be interesting! Go check it out!!]
Ka Lama Hawaii 180th Anniversary Talk at Bailey House Museum
Big Troupe of Wrestles Arrives on Tenyo Maru—Matches Begin Saturday
Headed by Tachiyama, mightiest wrestler of all Japan, a troupe of 54 of the greatest mat artists of Dai Nippon arrived this morning on the T. K. K. liner Tenyo Maru. They have come to Honolulu for a series of performances, beginning on Saturday night at Athletic park.
Tremendous big fellows, mighty of girth and of limb, are these Japanese wrestlers, and as they lined the deck of the Tenyo Maru this morning they attracted the immediate attention of the thousands of Japanese and others who had assembled at the dock. The picturesque dress of the Nipponese wrestler—silken over-kimono, a sort of under-garment falling below the knees, girdle, and above all the peculiar headdress—make the athletes conspicuous anywhere, and they are still more conspicuous because of their size, far greater than that of the ordinary Japanese.
The wrestlers will be in Hawaii for several weeks. The arrangements for the series of matches at Athletic park are nearly complete. The matches start at 7 o’clock on Saturday night, and a number of local Japanese athletes are anxious to match skill and brawn against the famed champions from the empire.
This morning and informal committee of Japanese went out to the Tenyo Maru to receive the wrestlers. Arthur K. Ozawa, who has been somewhat in charge of the advance arrangements here, and several Japanese newspapermen met the steamer off port. At the dock to receive their comrades were W. Uchiumi and K. Yamanishi, who arrived here on May 22 as advance agents for the troupe. Uchimi is a retired wrestler and will probably act as referee at some of the matches.
The wrestlers will be matched somewhat according to weight and previous records. Tachiyama is billed to appear every night. He has been the undisputed champion of Japan since he won the title in a series of desperate matches with contenders for the crown left by Hitachiyama, an old veteran who was declared to be the greatest of all Japan’s champions.
Tachiyama has amassed a fortune estimated at half a million dollars during his career. He is a big, good-natured man, standing about six feet three inches and weighing in the neighborhood of 315 pounds. He is said to be quick in spite of his enormous size. Many of these wrestlers seem to be mountains of flesh, which is an advantage at the Japanese style of wrestling in short, furious bouts much like two bulls locking horns.
Spectators at Athletic park recently have noticed a high skeleton tower of wood being erected in deep center field and wondered what the structure was for. This is put up to observe and old custom in Japanese wrestling circles. Early in the morning on the day when matches are to take place, a gong is beaten for a half hour to an hour by a herald who announces the matches.
Champion Wrestler of All Japan Here With Comrades
Tachiyama (“Mountain of Swords”), who is the premier mat artist of Japan, will appear nightly at the local matches.
(Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 7/9/1914, p. 9)
Honolulu Star-Bulletin, Volume XXII, Number 6940, Page 9. July 9, 1914.
[This baseball team from Keio University in Japan came to Hawaii a number of times in the early 1900s.]
(Kuokoa, 5/29/1914, p. 5)
Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, Buke LII, Helu 22, Aoao 5. Mei 29, 1914.
O ke anuenue ko’u papale,
Hokuwelowelo ko’u lipine,
Hae ka ilio ma Puuloa,
He alahula ia na Kaahupahau,
Nanea i ka holo a ke kaaahi,
Ua like me ka lio waha uaua,
Ka ihona au a o Kekele,
Ike i ka nani a o Kilohana,
Hele kuu hoa a maeele,
Aole wai e maalili ai,
Iluna au a o Daimana Hila,
Ike i ka nani o ka mahina,
Kukuna o ka la ko’u kamaa,
Olapa hele nei puni ke kaona,
I ka po mahina o Mahealani,
Paia o ka hale haulani ana,
Kelepona au i hai mai,
Hu e ka pele kai a o Hilo,
I alohaia no a o Aala Paka,
Kahi a na iwa e hiolani nei,
Hainaia mai ana ka puana,
Kaula kelepona aha’i meahou.
KAKAAKO BOY.
[This song is also reminiscent of the mele still sung widely today, “Kukuna o ka La.”]
(Kuokoa, 11/11/1921, Mahele Elua, p. 1)
Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, Buke LIX, Helu 45, Mahele Elua, Aoao 1. Novemaba 11, 1921.
It is believed that before the end of August, all of the work of the telephone company will be completed. Currently, there are 1,200 sets mounted in homes and businesses, and it is thought by those in charge, that there are 1,300 more sets to be installed, then all those wanting this new type of telephone will be supplied.
There are lots of this type of devices in the business office of this company, and there is more on the way aboard the steamer Lurline of this coming Wednesday. Supervisor Hummell stated yesterday, everything will be ready in three weeks. So after all of the sets are installed, all the old ones will be taken away. My! So speedy is the work of that Opihi Makaiauli.
[It seems that any box-like device that voice came out of was considered a “pahu olelo,” including, and perhaps more commonly seen when referring to a phonograph.]
(Kuokoa Home Rula, 8/12/1910, p. 3)
Kuokoa Home Rula, Buke VIII, Helu 32, Aoao 3. Augate 12, 1910.
In the afternoon of this past Sunday at perhaps 4 or so, while a group of young children were swimming ocean side of the Moana Hotel, there was a youngster swimming with them by the name of John A. Aguiar, a 12 years old Portuguese child. While this crowd of children were surfing and playing in the ocean, a group of them swam out to a bunch of boards floating in the ocean, and when they reached this heap of boards, the boy was with them, the one amongst them who was tired out from being buffeted and overwhelmed by the waves. After resting and regaining their breath, they all returned back to the shore, and the Aguiar boy amongst them swam all the way to Seaside Hotel; he had not swam very far when he called out for help. His swimming friends thought that this was him joking, so they paid him no attention.
When these children came ashore, one of their fellow children asked about Aguiar, and this is what some of them said. “He was calling for help. Why didn’t you help him?” They said, “It was probably Aguiar’s fooling around.” But because Aguiar’s clothes were found laying out, it was realized that this boy was lost.
This Monday morning, the body of this child was found in the shallows near the Moana Hotel by Duke Kahanamoku, Jr. There were no bruises on his body except for the ears where it was nibbled and nipped at by the small fish of the shore.
In Monday evening, his funeral was performed with sadness, regret, and aloha of the his family and friends.
[Perhaps this is one of the reasons why Duke was so involved in water safety and rescue. And if anyone is motioning or calling for help in the water, don’t assume that they are playing around!]
(Kuokoa Home Rula, 8/12/1910, p. 3)
Kuokoa Home Rula, Buke VIII, Helu 32, Aoao 3. Augate 12, 1910.
If you missed it last year, or even if you have seen it before, go check this out!
Mai Poina, Hawai‘i Pono‘ï Coalition
Last week Monday, it was confirmed that Lanai was purchased by Hawaiian Pineapple Company [Hui Halakahiki Hawaii] for the price of a million dollars.
The two owners of the island, except for a remainder of but a thousand acres, are Frank F. Baldwin and H. A. Baldwin, giving them ownership of about 130 square miles.
Included in this purchase was the land, animals, and the buildings of Lanai Ranch [hui hanai holoholona o Lanai].
The main purpose for buying the island of Lanai was to plant pineapple, but for the time being, the company will explore planting pineapple in Waialua, and within three or four years from now, they will think about planting pineapple on Lanai; but for now, ranching will continue on the island.
Before Lanai becomes a pineapple island, one of the things that the pineapple company must think about first is the building of a proper pier, and at the same time, to do test plantings of pineapple at different places to see how the pineapple grows or does not grow.
(Kuokoa, November 23, 1922, p. 3)
Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, Buke LXI, Helu 47, Aoao 3. Novemaba 23, 1922.
nupepa 