A Picture of the Railroad [Alahao] and Steam Engine [Kaamahu] of the Kohala-Hilo Railway Line.

Horse Race at Hoolulu Park, Hilo—The Turning of the Horses for the Goal—The Horse on the Inside Wins.

The 4th of July in Hilo Hanakahi

The town of Hilo celebrated the Fourth of July for three days, beginning on Thursday (July 2). There truly was great joy in Hilo during those days, and there were many people who came.

In the evening of the said Thursday, the festivities began with a concert put on by the students of Kamehameha School, the government band, and some people of the town, in Haili Church, and it was greatly appreciated.

On the following Friday, that is the day set aside for the lassoing boys. There were twelve events of this meet, and there was good competition. Henry Beckley was the liveliest one at throwing his bull, however, his horse was alarmed at all of the cheering of the people, and began to run. But this was not something that made this youth falter; he removed his handkerchief from his neck and tied his bull with it. The victory for the contest to throw down the steer went to Mani, a Maui boy, and his steer was thrown down and tied in 49 1-2 seconds. For bronc riding, that honor went to Levi Kalako.

The luau went well, held at the residence of the kahu of Haili Church, and the proceeds of this concert came to $500. Appearing at this luau were Queen Liliuokalani, Representative Kalanianaole, Senator Woods, Admiral Beckley, and other distinguished people. When the eating began, the government band played.

The Fourth was greeted with the salute of twenty-one guns, and at nine o’clock, the soldiers marched on the streets, and the government band and the Hilo Band joined in this parade. At the Fish Market Square [Kuea Makeke I’a], speeches were held, and so forth.

At half after ten o’clock, the breaking ground for the Kohala-Hilo Railroad was held, and Philip Peck gave the speech. It was said that the work of this railroad will move forward until what was planned is completed.

At Hoolulu Park was held the festivities of that afternoon. When the races were going on, a ballgame went on with the school boys of Kamehameha, and the victory went to the Hilo club with the score of 12 to 11.

When the races were almost done, Chairman Holmes announced from the area of the race judges that the government band had arrived by the efforts of Admiral Beckley, and the people gave him a cheer.

Later that evening, fireworks were shot off, and the Elks put on a “nigger show [hoikeike nika].”¹ These were the last major events of this Fourth of July.

[This is the same picture of Hoolulu Park found later in the Kuokoa three years later, on 12/7/1906. This kind of recycling of pictures happened back in the day, just as we see it happening today, therefore sometimes it is difficult to date a picture that appears in the newspapers.]

¹This type of entertainment here can be seen spoken of in the Hawaiian newspapers from the mid-1800s to the early 1900s.

(Kuokoa, 7/10/1903, p. 1)

Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, Buke XLI, Helu 28, Aoao 1. Iulai 10, 1903.