Category Archives: Alii

Mele Inoa for Kauikeaouli, Kamehameha III. 1862.

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HE INOA NO KAUIKEAOULI.

Auhea wale ana oe, kapua hau o Maleka,
Ke au nei ka manao, Pehea o Niagala,
Kela wai kamahao, wai halulu o ka moano,
Nene i na moku, lohe aku nei Lukini,
Ua ana ia Kuleke, aohe i hopo Ladana,
I ka nui o Asia, hue a ke kaona nui,
Laki ka moana Iniana, ehuehu Enelani,
Ke kowa o Sekotia, aita oe e palau,
No’u o Ainahau, a ka wai o Nolewai,
Pau mai ko’u palena, ilaila a’u la oki,
Lawe u’a linohau, a ai ka manu iluna,
I kilohi iho kuu hana, he nani o Hudesona,
Kaikuono Papine, mea ua ae ia,
Me oe a ke aloha iwini o ke aumoa,
Auhea wale ana oe, e ka uneune puuwai,
E ke kaukini ma-lo, nana i ue laholio,
Hoomaloe i kuu kino, hooueue i ka moe,
Lana koi kahi manao, halanalana i ka leo,
O ua mea ino nei, he hoouluulu ia,
Keehi pono i ko haka, i luhi lai ko kahu,
A ao luau ai, pau ko aumakua pi kai a kaua,
I ka lihi kai o lalo, eia la he manao,
Kai hiki mai ia nei, e kali iki iho oe,
A hala ae Welehu, ka malama ino ke kau,
Hiki ae la ia Nana, pe oi kahi manao,
Olu ka noho na o ka lani me oe a ke aloha,
Iwini o ke aumoe, i mai nei o Piuta,
Ua hala kou palena, aohe koina oonei,
O kou la luu loli, a lae hao au lohe,
Ilaila ka wahine Ia, nana i nai ka moana,
He ukali aina ahi, i ka lae o Kepohoni,
Aia iho o Palema, ke noho la i ka hema,
Nana e kuhikuhi mai, ka lonitu akau,
Ike ia na degere, na kuea o ka honua,
Alo mai Kapena Kuke, ka noe i Nouaiki,
Ikiiki wale hoi au, i ka lohe pepeiao,
E ake ko’u manao, ka ike ia Panama,
I pau kuu kuhihewa, i ke kai o Inia,
Nopia o Iapana, ke hui me Ualana,
Me oe a ke aloha, iwini o ke aumoe.

Ii.

Honolulu, Aperila 14, 1862.

[This is a mele known as a mele inoa for Kamamalu, but here it is submitted by Ioane Ii as a mele inoa for Kauikeaouli.]

(Hoku o ka Pakipika, 5/8/1862, p. 4)

HE INOA NO KAUIKEAOULI.

Ka Hoku o ka Pakipika, Buke I, Helu 33, Aoao 4. Mei 8, 1862.

King Kalakaua’s Arrival in Japan, 1881.

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His Majesty the King of Hawaii arrived here yesterday (Friday) morning at 8 a. m. in the Oceanic. As the steamer moved up to her anchorage, the men-of-war in harbour dressed ship and manned yards, the crews of the Russian and Japanese vessels also cheering heartily as the Oceanic passed them. His Majesty was visited on board by Mr. Hachisuka, ex-Daimiyo of Awa, Admiral Nakamura, Mr. Ishibashi, Secretary of the Foreign Office and others, as well as by the Russian Admiral and Staff. He subsequently embarked in the Emperor’s State barge and proceeded to the Port Admiral’s Office, where he was received by Mr. Daté, Ex-Daimiyo of Uwajima, Mr. Hijikata, Vice Minister of the Household Department, Mr. Sannomiya, Mr. Nagasaki and several Naval and Military officers, Mr. R. Irwin, Consul for Hawaii in Japan, and Mr. Stevens, secretary of the U. S. Legation also waited on his Majesty. From the Port Admiral’s Office His Majesty proceeded in a state carriage to the Summer Palace at Iséyama, which has been paled at his disposal by the Emperor. He was there visited by H. I. H. Prince Fushimi, Mr. Uyeno, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, and many other officials of high rank. To-day (Saturday) he proceeded to Tokiyo by the 12 o’clock train and was met at Shimbashi terminus by four Imperial Princes, who accompanied him first to an audience with His Majesty the Emperor and afterwards to their own houses, whence he ultimately proceeded to the Yenriyokwan, which has been prepared for his reception during the period of his sojourn here. The King’s name is Kalakauwa, which may be translated, “The day of battle.” His Majesty is nearly fifty years old, having been born in 1831. In personal appearance he is about the middle height, thickset, but of really handsome personal appearance. His complexion is not darker than that of an ordinary Japanese. When but a child he was received into the boarding school, kept for many years by Mr. and Mrs. Cook of the American Board’s Mission, for the exclusive reception of all the young chiefs of the highest blood. Here he received a good education, and being at the time he was first sent there one of the youngest received into this family of some dozen or more pupils, he had acquired, at the conclusion of his scholastic career, not only a through knowledge of English, but also an accurate pronunciation of that language. Previous to his election, in 1874, to fill the throne rendered vacant by the death of King William Lunalilo, he served as Post-Master General, and in other Government positions.

[This is an article appearing in one of Japan’s English-language newspapers of the time, The Japan Weekly Mail, which started in 1879.]

(Japan Weekly Mail, 3/5/1881, p. 1)

His Majesty the King of Hawaii arrived...

The Japan Weekly Mail, Volume V, Number 9, Page 1. March 5, 1881.

More on Hawaiian Independence Day and Aloha Aina, 1843.

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THE ANT [KA NONANONA].

“Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise.” Proverbs [Solomona]

Book 2. HONOLULU, OAHU, JANUARY 17, 1843. Paper 17.

Here are some letters from Haalilio; people will surely be happy to hear from him and Mr. Richards that their travels are going well.

Weletabu [Vera Cruz ?], Mexico, Nov. 2, 1842.

Dr. G. P. Judd,

My dear friend, much aloha to you and your entire household. Here am I, your friend, with feeling aloha for you. The two of us [Haalilio and Richards] arrived here on the 29th of October, and we are awaiting a ship to ride. Hear me, I am doing fine, I have no illness; my health is fine now. However, I do not know how it will be when we get to the cold lands; perhaps it will be alright, and perhaps not. Hear me, we have travelled about this expansive land with peacefully, we were not troubled, we were cared for well by the Lord, until arriving here. But our bodies are spent after the long road. The days were extremely hot and extremely cold; we got drenched by the rain and snow, we passed through mountains, and rivers, and the wilds here in Mexico; we swam the water of rivers running by the face of the mountains, during the day and the night. In the cold and the heat, we endured hunger, riding on the backs of mules all day long. But I was certain that Jesus was with us in this friendless land. And that he blesses us. He takes care of the two of us, and our bodies are not troubled or hurt. He supplies us with all of our needs. He has welcomed us always amongst good friends; and there, we were given comfort and help on our path.

Listen to this, I’ve seen the towns of these lands; they are countless, and I have seen Mexico the great Town of the president [alii]. I’ve also seen the silver mines, and how they work silver; we’ve been to the legislature of the alii and his residence. Those places are grand to see. And today I am with health, giving my aloha to you and your wife and the children; give your [my?] aloha to all the friends there, and to Hana folks and to your people and to my household, and to the land and to the chiefs.

Aloha between us, Let us live through the Lord; until we meet in joy once more.

Timoteo Haalilio.

Mexico, Weletabu [Vera Cruz ?], Nov. 8, 1842.

O D. [G.] P. Judd,

Much Aloha to you; we received your letter on this day, the 8th of Nov., 1842. And we’ve understand all that was within. I have much aloha for you, and for all of you. How sad for all the alii, and how sad for Kapihi! We have been blessed this day in seeing your letter. There is much aloha for us all and our homeland. We are travelling aboard the American warships, Falmouth [Falamaka], to New Orleans [Nuolina]. A steam-powered American warship arrived, a huge vessel, 247 feet long and 2,400 tons. As I watch her sail by steam, it is a fantastic sight; she is so swift, with no comparison; this is the first time I’ve seen a steamer, and I am totally captivated by it.

Much aloha for you; here we are safe, steadfast in our duties we swore to.

Aloha to you.  T. Haalilio.

The two of them are headed to Washington aboard the steamer, a warship named Missouri, and perhaps they will land in Washington in 9 days.

[Does anyone know if Weletabu in Mexico is Vera Cruz, or if it is somewhere else?

Also, who is the Hana and the Kapihi mentioned here?]

(Nonanona, 1/17/1843, p. 81)

Eia mai kekahi mau palapala no Haalilio mai...

Ka Nonanona, Buke 2, Pepa 17, Aoao 81. Ianuari 17, 1843.

And yet another on Liliu and the Red Cross, 1917.

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Red Cross Flag, Gift of Queen, Flies From Hawaii’s Capitol

Governor Presents Emblem On Behalf of Liliuokalani

Governor Pinkham presenting Red Cross flag this morning. Col. Iaukea, the queen’s secretary, is seen holding the flag.

‘LET ALL WHO SEE IT BE REMINDED OF PATRIOTIC DUTY’ SAYS HER MAJESTY

FOR the first time in history a Red Cross flag was raised today over the territorial capitol, former palace of Hawaii. The flag is the gift of Queen Liliuokalani, and it was at her request that it was first displayed from the staff on the executive building.

In an impressive ceremony held at 10 o’clock this morning Governor Pinkham presented the flag on behalf of the Queen to the Allied War Relief Auxiliary and the Red Cross workers of Hawaii.

Mrs. Henry F. Damon, president of the auxiliary, received the flag and hoisted it to the breezes. The ceremony was held on the mauka steps of the capitol, fully 50 women and a number of men gathering for it. A generous clapping of hands greeted the banner as it opened against a clear background of blue sky and in the bright gleam of a morning sun.

After reading the queen’s letter, in which she presented the flag to the Red Cross workers, Governor Pinkham said:

“Women of the Red Cross:

“You are gathered here to receive from Her Majesty Ex-Queen Liliuokalani, her gift of the emblem of Universal Humanity, that you may raise it above your labors in behalf of those your countrymen and their allies, who with devotion to the very limit of suffering and death, offer themselves in this struggle for universal democracy.

“Your work of alleviation of suffering has touched the heart of Her Majesty and those in authority from the President of the United STates to those on her own island home and her friends, who now know of her deep personal interest, for it has been manifested in every way within her power.

“With the words she has personally caused to be recorded, I in her behalf, present you with the banner of the Red Cross, which you are to place high above the capitol, that all may recognize the place of your merciful and patriotic labors, and the deep heartfelt sympathy and practical assistance of Her Majesty, Liliuokalani.”

Col. C. P. Iaukea, secretary of the queen, then handed over the big banner to Mrs. Damon, who received it on behalf of her coworkers.

“It is a great honor to receive this flag on behalf of the Allied War Relief Auxiliary and the Red Cross workers of Hawaii,” said Mrs. Damon. We wish to thank you, Governor Pinkham, for letting it be displayed on the executive building as a symbol of loyalty and service to the cause of America.

“In 1864 fourteen governments and six societies acknowledged the Red Cross flag as an emblem to be used in the care of the sick and wounded, and the flag is now displayed by all nations and societies as token of this. The first Red Cross banner was raised in 1881 at Washington, District of Columbia, and in 1900 by congressional act was given official recognition.”

When Mrs. Damon had finished the flag was placed on the halyards and she raised it so that the breezes caught and unfolded it in the sunlight. After today it will be taken down and kept in the throne room as a token of Queen Liliuokalani’s generous heartedness.

Beginning today the throne room in the capitol building will be kept open on Friday afternoons to give opportunity for service to those women who cannot come for Red Cross work in the mornings.

Mrs. Henry F. Damon of the Allied War Relief Auxiliary said today that this is in the nature of an experiment and will be kept up only if the attendance on Friday afternoons warrants it. There have been a number of requests to keep the rooms open during some afternoons, and Friday has accordingly been selected.

THE QUEEN’S LETTER

Hon. Lucius E. Pinkham,

Governor of Hawaii.

Dear Sir: It affords me much pleasure in handing you a Red Cross flag, with the request that it be presented to the ladies of the Allied War Relief Auxiliary of the Honolulu, Hawaii, Chapter of the American Red Cross, as an expression of my warm and hearty sympathy with the cause of humanity and an abiding faith in the work of the patriotic women of Hawaii.

In presenting this emblem of the Red Cross, may I suggest that it be first displayed over the executive building so that all who may see it may be reminded of their patriotic duty and know that beneath its folds, in the throne room of Iolani palace, sit a group of silent workers giving of their time and untiring effort in the work of alleviation and mercy?

Very sincerely,

(Signed) LILIUOKALANI.

(Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 9/14/1917, p. 3)

Red Cross Flag, Gift of Queen, Flies From Hawaii's Capitol

Honolulu Star-Bulletin, Volume XXV, Number 7932, Page 3. September 14, 1917.

More on Queen Liliuokalani and the Red Cross, 1917.

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Liliuokalani Becomes Red Cross Member As Whistles Signify 8000 Mark Is Reached

Queen Liliuokalani receiving a Red Cross card from Mrs. Gerrit Wilder after her contribution of a $100 check to the fund.

Her Majesty Queen Liliuokalani today became a patron member of the American Red Cross.

Seated in her wheel chair on the broad lanai of her home at Washington Place she handed over to Mrs. Gerrit Wilder, chairman of Division No. 1, the hundred dollar check which gave her patron membership in the national organization. Mrs. Wilder in turn placed one of the little Red Cross cards in the venerable lady’s hands and thanked her for the generous gift.

“It is with the deepest appreciation that I accept this gift from you on behalf of the Red Cross,” said Mrs. Wilder. “This is another of your many deeds of kindness and generosity.”

Queen Liliuokalani bowed gently and a sweet smile came over her face. She spoke a word or two in answer, turning to Mrs. Wilder and to Mrs. William Todd and Mrs. E. White Sutton, the other member of the visiting committee.

Curtins P. Iaukea, the queen’s secretary, pointed to the card which she held, telling her that she was now a member of the organization for which it stood. People all over the city are giving to this cause, he said.

Just then another of the whistles that were announcing the swiftly increasing subscriptions began to blow. Col. Iaukea inquired and was told that this was the whistle signifying 8000 had been reached.

“That is 8000 now,” said the secretary. “Eight thousand members this morning.”

“Eight thousand,” said the queen, pronouncing the words slowly and distinctly, and her face lighted.

“And you are the eight thousandth,” Col. Iaukea told her.

Queen Liliuokalani was gowned this morning in black, with a small white shawl over her shoulders. About her neck was a beautiful pink and white lei of flowers, while a crown-shaped comb held her white hair.

(Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 9/29/1917, p. 2)

Liliuokalani Becomes Red Cross Member As Whistles Signify 8000 Mark Is Reached

Honolulu Star-Bulletin, Volume XXV, Number 7945, Page 2. September 29, 1917.

Queen Liliuokalani and the Red Cross, 1917.

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THE WHITE HOUSE

WASHINGTON

U. S. S. MAYFLOWER

12 September, 1917

My dear Mr. Secretary:

Thank you for your letter of September sixth enclosing the letter from Governor Pinkham and the letter from Queen Liliuokalani.

Will you not take early occasion to request Governor Pinkham to express to Queen Liliuokalani my personal appreciation of her generous contributions to the Red Cross?

Cordially and sincerely yours,

[signed] Woodrow Wilson

Hon. Franklin K. Lane,

Secretary of the Interior.

(A letter of appreciation from President Woodrow Wilson to Queen Liliuokalani, for her assistance to the Red Cross.)

[The Queen dies just two months later on November 11th…]

(Kuokoa, 9/28/1917, p. 2)

THE WHITE HOUSE

Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, Buke LV, Helu 39, Aoao 2. Sepatemaba 28, 1917.

Near tragedy caused by Kamehameha V’s deer, 1868.

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[Found under: “LOCAL NEWS: Maui”]

Life saved from deer.—P. Kawelakawai of Kawela, Molokai wrote to us like this: On the 29th of April, I saw Kaukino, the one who barely survived. Here is the reason; one of the animals of our King, a deer set loose on his ranch, entered the sweet potato patch of at Kalamaula to eat the uala, and this man saw this and went to shoo it off; the animal rushed forward but he saw it coming, and it was but a few feet away and it caught him and thrust its antlers, whereupon he fell down, face thrown back. He was jabbed in the armpit, and the antler pierced through. His wife saw this happen and she brought him back to the houses and the man was very weak. We are relieved at the news following that letter that he has recovered.

[See earlier articles on the deer gifted to Kamehameha V. Deer imported from Japan in 1867. and Deer of Kamehameha V., 1867.]

(Kuokoa, 5/23/1868, p. 3)

Pakele ke ola i ke dia.

Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, Buke VII, Helu 21, Aoao 3. Mei 23, 1868.

In response to gas illumination at the opening of Iolani Palace, 1913.

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Palace Never Had Gas–First Electric Light

There was no “local gas plant” to illuminate the palace in Kalakaua’s reign. Kerosene was the illuminant there until 1886, when the late D. P. Smith, representing the Houston-Thompson company, installed the first electric lighting plant in Honolulu, especially for the Iolani palace. It was in the legislative session of that year that a noble, who is still living, opposed the palace electric lighting appropriation, saying that the electric light was then “merely a toy” in the States. A local paper put him right with the information that for several years past steamships in Atlantic coast docks had been working cargo all night by the electric ray, and that some cities in the states had for some time been lighted by electricity. It was funnier what the premier said, though, defending the appropriation. “The electric light is a great improvement,” he naively remarked. “All you have to do is to strike a match, and you have your light.”

(Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 1/11/1913, p. 8)

Palace Never Had Gas--First Electric Light

Honolulu Star-Bulletin, Volume XX, Number 6482, Page 8. January 11, 1913.

More on the Palace mirrors, 1913.

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THOSE KALAKAUA MIRRORS.

Editor Honolulu Star-Bulletin,

Sir:—The readers of the daily Advertiser of the 10th inst. were treated to one of the most unmitigated pieces of newspaper rot that I have ever been privileged to read. The crowning feature of the article is in the fact that it is false from the first to the last sentence.

While attending to my work I observed employees of the public works department removing two defective mirrors which needed slight repairing. He asked me if I knew of any other defected mirror frames. We investigated, and finding none, Mr. Cole then left the building. On returning to my work I saw a stranger approaching, who made some inquiries about the building, which I answered to the best of my ability.

This is the true story of the “Curio Seekers” trying to rifle the capitol building.

R. JAY GREENE.

[Here is an interesting response from the “Roland Green” of the previous articles.]

(Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 1/11/1913, p. 4)

THOSE KALAKAUA MIRRORS.

Honolulu Star-Bulletin, Volume XX, Number 6482, Page 4. January 11, 1913.

Mahalo to Zita Cup Choy for pointing out this related article in the Pacific Commercial Advertiser, 1913.

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CURIO SEEKERS TRY TO RIFLE CAPITOL

King Kalakaua’s Mirrors the Pet Object of Souvenir Hunters—Kamehameha Knocked.

Daring souvenir collectors, willing to run the risk of a term in prison to gratify their desires, made a bold attempt to carry off a number of mirrors and bronze frames from the Capitol Building some time Wednesday night. It is believed that the collectors were frightened while at work and for that reason did not accomplish their purpose.

Roland Green, keeper of the Capitol, yesterday morning discovered the work of the would-be souvenir owners on the first terrace of the Ewa side of the building. They had succeeded in partially breaking two of the mirrors from their fastenings on the wall. A board holding one of the glasses in place was broken in two in tearing it from its lodgment. Green had the glasses and bronze frames removed to the basement of the Capitol where they will be repaired, resilvered and returned to their positions on the Capitol wall.

During the past few years several of these mirrors have been torn from their fastenings and carried away. Though malihinis, sightseeing and treasure hunting on the island, have been accused of the depredations it is said that kamaainas have had knowledge of at least one or two of them.

Kamehameha’s statue has not escaped the destructive onslaughts of the vandals. Several heads of the little bronze images at the base of the statue have been knocked off and carried away by the curio-seekers.

The mirrors, however, seem to have the most attraction. These mirrors are set in elaborate circular bronze frames surmounted by the coat of arms of King Kalakaua, bearing the initials of that monarch supported by two perfectly carved cherubs. It is stated that these frames originally cost $250 each and many were installed around the terraces of each floor of the palace. The idea of putting them in place is said to have originated with the King and were designed for the purpose of aiding in illuminating the palace grounds.

This was in 1883. Gas was then the modern method of illumination in Honolulu as well as on the mainland. Gas fixtures were arranged in front of each of the glasses. When these were lighted the mirrors were intended to cast the reflection to the surrounding grounds. It is said that this innovation cost the monarchy about $20,000.

For a year after the completion of the new palace it is said that King Kalakaua had one of the best illuminated palaces in the world, though practically the full capacity of the local gas plant was required to accomplish this purpose. By that time the good King learned that, after all, his bright mirrors were not the success they should be. Soon afterward the electric lights came and the gas fixtures were removed. Since then the mirrors have not only been sought after by curio hunters but have been the object of much speculation on the part of tourists.

Many of these strangers have figured that the mirrors were installed on the palace walls by the King with a view of aweing visiting native subjects, many of whom, according to fiction, had never gazed into a looking-glass.

It remained for Keeper Green to give the true version of their cause of their installation.

“It is strange how some people look upon this Capitol Building as a curio pile,” said a territorial official yesterday. “The fact that the former palace of the King is being used as the seat of a democratic government seems to appeal to them strongly and but for the vigilance used by the watchman and others the entire building would be carried off by souvenir hunters within a few years.”

[This is most likely the basis of the Hawaiian-Language article in the Kuokoa, 1/17/1913, p. 6.]

(Pacific Commercial Advertiser, 1/10/1913, p. 6)

CURIO SEEKERS TRY TO RIFLE CAPITOL

Pacific Commercial Advertiser, Volume LVII, Number 9494, Page 6. January 10, 1913.