For much, much more on Kalai’s mat of protest, see Roger G. Rose’s “Patterns of protest : a Hawaiian mat-weaver’s response to 19th-century taxation and change,” found in Bishop Museum Occasional Papers, Vol. 30 (June 1990). It can be found online by clicking here below:
Patterns of protest : a Hawaiian mat-weaver’s response to 19th-century taxation and change, Roger G. Rose
King Kalakaua, of the Sandwich Islands, has requested an old woman named Kalai, who sent him a mat into which she had woven a petition praying for the removal of taxes on animals, to weave two mats, one with the American and the other with the English coat-of-arms, to be exhibited at our Centennial Exhibition as specimens of Hawaiian handiwork.
[There is mention of this also in the National Republican (Washington, DC) on 6/19/1874.]
(Juniata Sentinel and Republican, 6/24/1874, p. 1)
Juniata Sentinel and Republican, Volume XXVIII, Number 25, Page 1. June 24, 1874.
A Valuable Gift.—His Majesty received on Monday last a choice Niihau mat, presented to him by Mr. George Gay of Niihau. In this mat is wrought in red letters, a petition, praying that the taxes may be removed on all animals, and for other changes in the laws. The petition, which is in Hawaiian, is quite lengthy, and when copied off covered a page and a half of cap paper. It is the handiwork of an old woman named Kalai, who has been occupied 11 months in making it. She commenced it to give to the late Lunalilo, but on hearing of his death and the election of Kalakaua, sent it to the latter. His Majesty has requested her to work tow mats for the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition—one to show the American coat-of-arms and the other the British coat-of-arms, designs of which will be sent to her to copy. Should she execute the order, these will be very attractive specimens of Hawaiian handiwork.
—Some years ago a native brought to us a Niihau mat three fathoms in length and less than one in width, in which was wrought in red letters the Lord’s prayer in Hawaiian. It was beautifully done, and must have cost him many months of labor. We engaged to take it at his price, but before he delivered it, he found a customer who offered him just double what he had valued it at. Such specimens are very rare, and of course valuable. If made by days’ work, it would be valued at hundreds of dollars.
[This mat was put on display at the Bishop Museum just yesterday. Go check it out if you are on Oahu nei.]
(Hawaiian Gazette, 4/29/1874, p. 3)
Hawaiian Gazette, Volume X, Number 17, Page 3. Aprila 29, 1874.
1st. Ua hooko ia ke koii
Ka iini kau a ka manao
Ua lanakila mau Hawaii
Ka Hoku o ka Pakipika.
Hui: No Hawaii no ke aloha
Aina o ka lokomaikai
Lahui malama i ka pono
Me ka laahia o ke Kalaunu.
2nd. Aole kupueu o Kahiki
Nana e hoonioni mai
Ua ewe ua mole ua paa
Eia i ka piko o Wakea.
3rd. Eia Hawaii ua wehi
I ka lei nani o ka Lanakila
Kilakila na pua na mamo
Na ewe kupa o ka aina.
Miss Kekoaohiwaikalani.
Puahaulani Hale.
Honolulu, Mar. 25, 1893.
(Leo o ka Lahui, 4/21/1893, p. 3)
Ka Leo o ka Lahui, Buke II, Helu 689, Aoao 3. Aperila 21, 1893.
From the time I arrived in Honolulu until today, I’ve heard often of matters pertaining to those referred to as the circle of missionaries, and the dimness of their ideas; I’ve observed their actions very carefully.
I saw today in the Advertiser [Avalataisa] about the party being given for Captain Wiltse, and how they will sit at this party for two hours and a half with just wine to drink and nothing to eat.
Giving a banquet for a high ranking Captain without serving Glasses of Champaigne [Kamapeni] during all that time is like acting out Hamlet without the ghost.
This will not become something that is greatly ridiculed, but this goes back to the way of life of the old Missionaries, with their humbling station of evil thoughts.
On the day after this party, I saw that Queen Liliuokalani was sent an invitation under the name Mrs. J. O. Dominis, and this is something quite vile by the Committee who did it; Should the Committee think that are considered adults, then it was improper of them to have sent such an invitation to the Queen.
The first thing taught to schoolchildren in Britain is not to kick a man when he falls down. But this is a woman they are kicking, and that woman is Queen Liliuokalani. This is action that can be called despicable of the meanest form, and should this Committee want to be freed of these words, then they must explain it from their side, or this contemptible act will be carried upon their backs.
Charles G. Nottage.
Hawaiian Hotel [Hotele Hawaii], Feb. 28, 1893.
[Perhaps this was meant to say that there was no wine, and only sparkling water? The article he seems to be talking about is found here on the Chronicling America site. PCA 2/28/1893, p. 2.
There is also reference to a separate party that he was invited to. The Queen is mentioned as “Mrs. J. O. Dominis”. This can be found also at Chronicling America, PCA 2/25/1893, p. 4.]
(Leo o ka Lahui, 3/3/1893, p. 3)
Ka Leo o ka Lahui, Buke II, Helu 654, Aoao 3. Maraki 3, 1893.
He inoa nou e Kalani Kawika
No ka pua i mohala i Makanoni,
Nau i hoolana me ka wiwo ole
Ka manao haaheo i ka puuwai
Hoouna ia oe maka mikiona
I wahaolelo no ka Lahui
Haulani aku oe a oia loa
Na kai ehuheu o ka Moana
Na kilihune ua o ka Hooilo
Hau iniki ili a o Kaleponi
Ka makani hui koni o ka Akau
O ka noe halii ma ka Hikina;
Mea ole wale no i ka uilani
Ka uwila hoohana a o Hawaii
E ake no a hookoia
Na kikoni wela a ka puuwai
I ka hapai mai a ke aloha
O ka ewe hanau o ka Aina
Aia ka palena o Wakinekona
Kapikala kaulana a o Nu Ioka
Ike i ka nani a o Amerika
I ka uluwehi o ka Hale Keokeo
Ilaila olu pono kahi manao
Lana malie iho me he wai ala
Launa oluolu me ke aloha
Me ka manao lana o ka lanakila
Ninau mai e ka Pelekikena
Pehea Hawaii Nui o Keawe
Oia mau no o ke onaona
Ka pua nani o ka Pakipika
E popohe ana ia me ka nohea
E hooheno ia ai e ka malihini
Ina no oe a e ike ana
I ka lihilihi ula o ka Lehua
Aole e nele kou awihi
I ka ui kaulana o ke Ao nei
A oia no hoi Ko’u manao
A i alo mai nei o ke Kai loa
Eia ka Elele o ke Kuini
Puuwai Hao Kila Makeneki
Ua ino na hana a ke Koae
Kahi manu aea pili pohaku
E ake ana no a hoopunana
Malalo o ka malu lau laau
I malumalu ai kana punua
I manao ai e hoolaukoa
A piha i ka hulu owala mai
Kapapa hewa ana ma ke kuono
I ka ono i ka hua Ohelopapa
O ke kihapai o Elenale
Hookaha i ka nani o ka Aina
Ke Gula hu wala a o Hawaii
Pehea la ia i kou manao
Me nei oe la noonoo mai
E wiki oiai ka manawa pono
Aia Enelani ua enaena
Kulou ke poo o ka Aeko
I ka ea ana mai puua ka waha
Ua hewa na hua a ke Koae
Aohe moneka nana e kala
Ua pono kou manao e Kalani
E hoi no oe me ka hanohano
Lawe ae no oe a kiekie
He loaa mai na kupuna mai
Me oe ke aloha o ke Kahikolu
E ka Iwakiani o Hawaii
A he lei Mokihana onaona Oe
I pilia me ka Lauae o Makana
E o e Kalani pua laha ole
O Kawananakoa kou inoa.
Miss. Kekoaohiwaikalani
Puahaulani Hale
Honolulu, March 1, 1893.
(Leo o ka Lahui, 3/7/1893, p. 3)
Ka Leo o ka Lahui, Buke II, Helu 656, Aoao 3. Maraki 7, 1893.
Ex-Queen Liliuokalani’s Commissioner Arrives at the National Capital.
Washington, Feb. 18.—Paul Neuman, the envoy of Queen Liliuokalani to the United States, accompanied by Prince David, of the royal family, and two servants, reached the city late last night, and took apartments at the Richmond. To-day Mr. Neuman held a conference with acting Secretary of State Wharton, with whom he had a long talk concerning the object of his visit. Mr. Wharton could, of course, do nothing, and Mr. Neuman expressed himself as satisfied that his only chance for successfully representing the claims of the ex-Queen lay through the medium of Congress. Prince David said: “We do not intend to make a struggle against annexation. If the United States government sees fit to annex Hawaii we shall make no complaints.”
[I am not sure if this statement was ever published in any Hawaii newspaper.]
(Indianapolis Journal, 2/19/1893, p. 4)
The Indianapolis Journal, Page 4. February 19, 1893.
WEDNESDAY
UNCLES SAM
TO HAWAII:
HOLD ON A MINUTE UNTIL YOU ARE PROPERLY DRESSED
(Morning Call, 2/19/1893, p. 1)
The Morning Call, Volume LXXIII, Number 81, Page 1. February 19, 1893.
Special to The Morning Call.
London, Feb. 18.—The Princess Kaiulani sends the following address to the American people:
“Four years ago, at the request of Thurston, the Hawaiian Cabinet Minister, I was sent away to England to be educated privately and fitted for the position which, by the constitution of Hawaii, I was to inherit.
“All these years I have patiently and in exile striven to fit myself for my return this year to my country.
“I am now told that Thurston is in Washington asking you to take away my flag and my throne. No one tells me even this officially. Have I done anything wrong that this wrong should be done me and my people?
“I am coming to Washington to plead for my throne, my nation and my flag. Will not the great American people hear me?
“Kaiulani.”
Washington, Feb. 18.—While the annexation commissioners were paying their respects to Secretary Elkins at the War Department this morning their diplomatic antagonist, Paul Neumann, the ex-Queen’s representative, was in another part of the building in consultation with acting Secretary Wharton of the State Department, with whom he had a long talk concerning the object of his visit. Wharton, of course, could do nothing, and Neumann expressed himself as satisfied. His chance for successfully representing the claims of the ex-Queen lay through the medium of Congress.
Prince David said: “We do not intend to make a struggle against annexation. If the United States Government sees fit to annex Hawaii we shall make no complaint.”
[Although the same quote was printed in newspapers across America, what each newspaper did with the title varies. Also, what they put next to the article should be looked at as well. The Morning Call was printed in San Francisco.
The quote by David Kawananakoa at the bottom is interesting.]
(Morning Call, 2/19/1893, p. 1)
The Morning Call, Volume LXXIII, Number 81, Page 1. February 19, 1893.
It pleases the Chief, the King, to appoint Her Highness Kekaulike as Governor for the island of Hawaii, in the place left behind by Her Highness, the Princess Likelike.
(Kuokoa, 9/18/1880, p. 2)
Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, Buke XIX, Helu 38, Aoao 2. Sepatemaba 18, 1880.
nupepa 