MY DEAR CHILD HAS GONE.

David Kaonohiokala Peleiholani

Mr. Editor of the Kuokoa, Aloha amongst us:—Please allow me once again some open space of the Pride of the Lahui, for my sad offering placed above, so that all of the family from Hawaii to Niihau will see our lei, David Kaonohi Peleiholani, shortened to D. K. Pele Jr., [left this] life in America.

In the happiness of this life and the enjoyment, one becomes dejected when you had not expected sad news would arrive.

The telegraph of Puuloa informed me, “your son, David Kaonohi Pele, died at the navy hospital in America on the 26th of February, 1921, because he had persistent pneumonia for six weeks. Auwe, my sorrow for you! Auwe what anguish!

I thought of my later days with you, my hiapo, for I saw how you help me while you were in front of me, and so too while you were sending me my monthly stipend. But here there is this crisis of yours going to the navy school, you have gone afar on the road of no return.

I am full of regret for you my travelling companion of Koloa, my child who was not a burden for me and my wife until she passed, leaving me and our children grieving for her, and here he follows in the footsteps of his beloved mama who passed on the 17th of March, 1920; aloha to you my first born!

On the 16th of September, 1920, I placed him to be educated in the naval military school aboard the U. S. S. Wyoming, and always received letters from him making me happy, while he sent along money because of his aloha for me and his one younger sibling and their hanai child, a girl.

Auwe, my pain for you, O my dear lei who went first, my companion of the Maunaloa, as we labored at the ports of Waimea, Port Allen, Koloa, Nawiliwili and Ahukini, when the ship didn’t have enough sailors; aloha to you, I turn to you but you are not there, as I prayed for you everyday; but come to find out you were to leave me.

After your letter to me in December saying that you asked that I be paid $16.00 every month, and also saying that should he die that I would receive his insurance, and those would be the benefits you will get, O Papa. Auwe as I live in darkness as my first born told me in advance of the end; but I did not imagine there would be a sad ending that would come.

From that time I didn’t get any of his letters, until there came the telegraph saying that my dear child left on that road where he would not be seen again.

My first born child was born on the 14th of Oct., 1905, at Kailua, Koolaupoko, Oahu, and passed away on the 26th of February, 1921; and he spent a full 15 years and 4 months breathing in the air of this w0rld of suffering.

Auwe for you, O Kaonohiokala, who I grieve for; and yet you are leaving me, while you are always on my mind both day and night; always coming to speak with me of my desires  of days gone by; aloha to you; no more will I call out to you; I go to comfort you but you are not there, my beloved lei.

You are no more, you are gone on the path of no return, and God has taken what is His, the spirit.

With these thoughts of aloha for my beloved son, David Kaonohi Peleiholani, I conclude here, with aloha for you, the Editor and the boys of your press.

Sincerely,

DAVID K. PELE, SR.

Poipu Home, Koloa, Kauai.

[Many long names were shortened as time went on. This is one of the things that makes historical research and genealogical research a challenge. It would be awesome if there was a public site where name variations could be easily documented and added to.

The death announcement David Kamaka Pele submits for his wife, Sarah Kaniaupio Pele appears in Kuokoa, 5/7/1920, p. 3.]

(Kuokoa, 3/11/1921, p. 3)

Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, Buke LIX, Helu 10, Aoao 3. Maraki 11, 1921.