Category Archives: Hawaiians Abroad

Voice from the past, 1924.

Posted on by
1

Prince Lei Lani

(Edwin K. Rose)

One of the Hawaiian singers who is touring all over America, and returned home.

He held a Concert at the Liberty Theater the other night organized by the Hawaiian Protective Association [Ahahui Puuhonua] and the Royal Order of Kamehameha [Ahahui Kamehameha].

There were many Hawaiian songs sung by him which were highly acclaimed by the crowd.

WE ARE SELLING HIS BRAND NEW HAWAIIAN RECORDS, AND WE ARE THE ONLY ONES WHO HAVE THEM.

Put in your orders now.

HAWAII SALES CO., LTD.

Nuuanu mauka near King Street.

Open in the Evenings.

(Kuokoa, 4/10/1926, p. 6)

Prince Lei Lani

Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, Buke LXIII, Helu 15, Aoao 6. Aperila 10, 1924.

More on Hawaiians performing in lands afar, 1912.

Posted on by
Reply

HAWAIIAN YOUTHS SINGING IN AMERICA

There are many Hawaiian youths famous for singing in America that are touring as a band, and they are  bringing the name of tiny Hawaii to the forefront of the whole world; they are greatly admired everywhere they go for their beauty and gentlemanliness, and also for the beauty and excellence of their singing voices; and it is this style of the Hawaiian youths which cause the young fans to chase after them—so unbelievable are the waters of Alekoki.¹

New York, Aug. 12. According to N. K. Bahling, a long-time resident of Honolulu, “The Hawaiian youths are distinguished by their singing; I met up with them living at 209 East 14th Street, they being Mr. and Mrs. David Kalaukoa, Alfred K. Jones, John K. Paaluhi; they are the singing group that went to Europe the other year, to England, Germany and France. While they were there, the people there went “crazy” over hearing the call of the singing kahuli land shells² of Hawaii.

(See page Four)

¹This hearkens back to the opening line from the song “Alekoki” by Lizzie Alohikea, which speaks of the amazing waters of Alekoki, and here is used to describe the craze over the Hawaiian performers: “Aole i piliwi ia, Kahi wai ao Alekoki…”

²Kahuli are the famous land shells of the upland forests which chirp sweetly, often used to describe a melodious singing voice.

(Kuokoa Home Rula, 9/5/1912, p. 2)

NA KEIKI HAWAII HIMENI MA AMERIKA

Kuokoa Home Rula, Buke X, Helu 36, Aoao 2. Sepatemaba 5, 1912.

Boys of the Hawaiian Singing Groups

(From page Two)

There is a choral group in the West side of Canada. John A. C. Peterson, Henry K. Kekona, George Vierra, and Ruth Ola; their gig will open in three weeks.

These are the Hawaiians on the East Coast of America, they are a group of singers; Mr. and Mrs. W. S. Ellis, Mr. and Mrs. J. S. Ellis, J. K. Puni, and Aberahama [Abraham] Manase.

These are the Hawaiian singers in the Midwest, in Chicago: Beni Aiko Jones, Solomon Kaiewe, Beni Waiwaiole, Solomon Kolomoku, and A. K. Tavares. This is the Singing Group, “Ka Paradaiso [Paradise]”.

Here is another singing group of Hawaiians between the Atlantic and the Pacific: Henry N. H. Hart, Charles K. Clark, David N. Manaku.

Here is a new singing group in Eastern Canada: William K. Alohikea and his wife, and Joe [Joseph] Keliiaihue; they were living in New England for a year. In southern America is also a singing group: Mr. and Mrs. Lui Thompson, Mr. and Mrs. Jack Kumalae, John K. Polihale, and they are in Angel [Los Angeles ?], California.

There is one group of Hawaiians in Santa Cruz, California: E. Montgomery, Solomon Moki, and George Kia.

Also, Julia Paka, Tools Paka, Dick Reuter, and Joe [Joseph] Kekuku are coming back; they are in California.

There is a new singing group in San Francisco whose names are: Rob K. Kalauokalani, Pakekena John Loheloa, Solomon Keawe, and John Jones; they are headed for Halet Maywille [?] which is a hundred and fifty miles from San Francisco; this is the group who was greatly appreciated at every hotel they sang at in California.

Mekia [Major] Kealakai and his group is in Los Angeles, and singing in a huge hotel.

We are greatly appreciative of the Hawaiians who go out to bring fame to Hawaii. In the swimming competition of Duke Kahanamoku, when they sang, Hawaii was the best. “Kalakaua Moi o Hawaii [Kalakaua, King of Hawaii]”.

(Kuokoa Home Rula, 9/5/1912, p. 4)

Na Keiki o ka Puali Himeni Hawaii.

Kuokoa Home Rula, Buke X, Helu 36, Aoao 4. Sepatemaba 5, 1912.

Ray Kinney and group from the Lexington Hotel performing in his hometown, Hilo, 1940.

Posted on by
1

ON THE STAGE

Coming To The

MAMO

THEATRE

FEB 21 – 22 – 23

In Person

Ray

KINNEY

LEXINGTON HOTEL

HAWAIIAN ORCHESTRA

DIRECT FROM NEW YORK

WITH

MEYMO [Ululani] HOLT

George Kainapau

TOMMY CASTRO

[Lillian] LEIMOMI WOODD

LEILANI IAEA

[illegible group of names]

Direct From Honolulu

[It seems the Senate Honored the entertainers and workers of the Lexington Hotel’s Hawaiian Room on its 75th anniversary just the other month!

There is also going to be a presentation related to this at the Distinctive Women in Hawaiian History Program on Saturday, September 15, 2012)

Unfortunately, the available digital image is as seen below, the actual  newspaper image should probably be much more clear and legible.]

(Hoku o Hawaii, 2/21/1940, p. 4)

ON THE STAGE

Ka Hoku o Hawaii, Volume XXXIV, Number 43, Page 4. Pepeluali 21, 1940.

George Healii Kahea Beckley awarded military medal, 1919.

Posted on by
1

MEDALS AWARDED, BRINGING HONOR TO HAWAII.

For the past year,  there has been no word to his family, and they did not know whether he was dead or not. However, during the past couple of weeks, a letter arrived written by him from Britain.

Four years ago, George Healii Kahea Beckley left Hawaii for America. in 1914, he departed America aboard the steamship Missourian, full of mules to take to France for the armed forces of Britain.

He got off the ship in France, and entered the battlefield with the British Army; he was shot and returned to Britian.

After he recovered, he joined the war once again on the east side at the Balkans and Salonika; there he again faced injury: he, a friend, and his cousin Hoapili from Hawaii. The three of them were returned to Britain to the Hospital.

Thereafter, he was not heard from again, but last week, his cousin, Leander Beckley,  of the group of car drivers of Fort Street, received a letter from him.

The letter was written on the 22nd of December, saying that he was in Britain, and in good health. He is awaiting his discharge, and then he’ll return home.

[I am not sure about the first reference to “four years ago” and then “1914”… Also, does anyone know who this Hoapili refers to?]

(Aloha Aina, 2/8/1919, p. 2)

LOAA NA MEDALA HOOHANOHANO IA HAWAII.

Ke Aloha Aina, Buke XXXIV, Helu 5, Aoao 2. Feberuari 8, 1919.

Diamond Kekona passes away in Germany, 1922.

Posted on by
1

That Hawaiian Boy Dies in Germany

Diamond Kekona Grew Weary of This Life After One Week of Being Ill.

HIS WIFE WAS AT HIS DEATH BED

It was His Wife Who Announced the Sad News to Honolulu nei on Monday

On Monday, this town received the sad news about the death of Diamond Kekona, the son of D. K. Kekona of this town, in Berlin, Germany, on the 13th of last month, February.

It was Mrs. Diamond Kekona, the wife of Kekona, who sent the sad news of the death of her husband to Mekia Kealakai, the leader of the Royal Hawaiian Band [Bana Hawaii], because he was a friend of the young Kekona and his wife when they were all living in London.

A letter was also received by Mr. D. K. Kekona, the father of the young man, confirming the news about the passing of his son.

Diamond Kekona was born on the 6th of October, 1890, so at his death, he was thirty-three years old and some.

Diamond left Honolulu in 1905 for New York, with a group of singers and musicians. He spent many years in America in this occupation.

During the great war of the world, Diamond Kekona was in England, and he enlisted in the service under Britain, going off to war in France and Belgium. He married a British woman and had two children, however the two of them died.

At the end of the war, Mr. and Mrs. Kekona lived in Belgium, and just last year they went to Berlin, Germany, where they met up with Joe Puni, William Kanui, and Joseph Nihali [?]; but according to the letter of Mrs. Kekona, he did not get along with Joe Puni, and they did not talk.

Mr. Kekona was not sick for long before he died, it was just a week; and in the letter his wife wrote to Mr. D. K. Kekona, she told him of her intent to return the body of her husband to London to bury, in her homeland, close to her home.

With the passing of this Hawaiian youth in foreign lands, he left behind, grieving for him: his young British wife; his grandmother, Mrs. Makalohi, who is 91; his father, Mr. D. K. Kekona, working in the sheriff department and a pastor of the Christian Science Church [Hoomana Naauao]; two younger brothers named Hugo and August Kekona; and their sister, Mrs. Lonohira [Mrs. George Lonohiwa]; and a big family.

(Kuokoa, 3/22/1922, p. 1)

Make Ia Keiki Hawaii Maloko o Kelemania

Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, Buke LXI, Helu 12, Aoao 1. Maraki 22, 1922.

Maybe that wasn’t the final word on Diamond Kekona, 1922.

Posted on by
Reply

THE YOUNG KEKONA AND JAZZ BAND IN BERLIN.

Diamond Kekona, the Hawaiian singer is in Germany today, that according to what Diamond Kekona wrote to Dick Kekona, his father, who is in the local police department.

Diamond Kekona is one of the Hawaiian boys famous for his singing, in Scala Casano [?], Germany now, and is getting paid 3,000 Marks (German dollars) per week, which is a very low wage for him, but he hopes he will receive more when it is changed.

There was much enthusiasm in France and England about Hawaiian music and the people there went crazy over Hawaiian music, and after he was out of work for a few weeks, he went to Germany under a contract with a Jazz band, and he is the only Hawaiian in the band; the other four are all haole. He only sings. Here below is a portion of his letter written to his father explaining:

“I’ve met many Germans who have been to Honolulu before. We are headed for Baden in the summer. I am now seeing the huge cities of Europe.”

[I went back earlier into the year to see if i might find a death announcement for Diamond Kekona, because we have received kind word from Sabine, a dear reader in Germany, that she’d attempt looking for Diamond Kekona’s grave, and this is what I found first from early in 1922.]

(Kuokoa, 1/27/1922, p. 1)

O KEKONA OPIO AME KA JAZZ BAND MALOKO O BERELINA.

Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, Buke LXI, Helu 4, Aoao 1. Ianuari 27, 1922.

Final word on Diamond Kekona… 1922.

Posted on by
5

A LETTER FROM FOREIGN LANDS.

Mr. Dick Kekona, much aloha between us:—Here is what I have to tell you, I met up with your letter on this past 8th, and I understand your feelings full of aloha.

Here I am, living in Berlin [Belina], and we are working at Luna Park [a well-known huge amusement park of the day] today until the end of winter [summer?] and going into September. We are working at Luna Park for four months. Great is Almighty God’s aloha for the Hawaiians  who wander about the world.

Here is another new thing I must tell you, about the grave of Diamond [Kaimana] Kekona, I will take care of it and watch over it, and I will purchase a gravestone for Kaimana Kekona, my beloved younger brother.

As for our life here, it is very good, and our health is fine as well. I pray every day for the day we will meet again.

Here is another thought I have for you, my father in the land of my birth; if you might please look for my actual family who are in Kailua, Koolaupoko, Oahu: Julia Kapahu, my mother; David Nahale, my older brother; and Mele, my sister. Give my great aloha to all of them, and tell them to write me here in Berlin.

I thank you, O Papa, for your kindness to me.

Perhaps this is enough here. Give my aloha a nui loa to the family, and to yourself as well.

Sincerely, living here,

JOSEPH K. NAHALE,

17 Liesenstrasse, Berlin, N. 39 Germany.

c/o C. Sundermann.

[I wonder what happened to Diamond. He must have been only in his early 30s? Maybe he grave is still findable in Berlin?]

(Kuokoa, 6/22/1922, p. 8)

HE LETA MAI NA AINA E MAI.

Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, Buke LXI, Helu 25, Aoao 8. Iune 22, 1922.

A Touching letter from Diamond Kekona, in far away Britain, to his father in Hawaii, 1916.

Posted on by
Reply

LETTER FROM BRITAIN

Dear Papa:–Here are some words for you; my wife and I are healthy, and we are believing that you and the family are doing likewise. My dear wife is completely cured of her sickness, after I put great efforts into finding a cure–partly as a result of the doctors and partly because of the Lord Jesus Christ–as I prayed all the time to the Lord to give health to my wife, as you instructed me earlier.

She was sick for 12 weeks from the time she gave birth, and because of God’s love she regained her health. I take her walking around every day for 2 hours, and she is beginning to eat and regain her weight.

Father, I have joined the armed forces, as I told you earlier. The doctor gave his permission, and I received my papers, to the regiment #30, of married men, under the command of Lord Derby. I wear the symbol of my regiment on my left arm, just as other soldiers do in the army of Britain. I will receive my orders in June or July to proceed to the battlefield without delay for the honor of the Hawaiian people and for the flag of the homeland of my beloved wife.

We will send you a picture on the next boat, and when I receive my uniform, I will send you a picture, and that will be my last picture for who knows how long, but I find my relief in God. Tell August Kekona, don’t come to this land; there are no jobs, no money, there is lack in daily needs; tell him to go to America because it is a land where you can make it, where you can make money and get other things to make you happy. I say this because I was there for many years. Tell him my advice. I am thinking this is enough writing for the time being. Papa, give my love to Kuku Makalohi and uncle, Mrs. Lonohiwa, Bro. August and Hugo Kekona, and the rest of my love, to you my Papa. You son,

DIAMOND KEKONA,
87 Blackwell St., Kidderminster, England.

Aloha Papa:–Here are some thoughts to you, those being these: I am doing well, I am over my sickness, because of the tireless efforts of my loving Daimana for me.

Papa, tell August Kekona, don’t leave Hawaii. If he listens to my advice, he will be happy; he should live in Honolulu with you. There is no work for men here; women work, and take care of their husbands. Women are more than half of the workforce here in Britain now. Also, the pay here is very low. Papa, you are probably puzzled that my Daimana has joined the 30th regiment of married men, under the command of Lord Derby. I believe that this war is one of the worst; I am very afraid. There will be many more casualties of the men joining this war–both from the Allied side and the German side, before the war is over.

Daimana and I sent our picture to you, but my picture isn’t so good because I have just recovered from my sickness. I will go again later to take a picture and send it to you. I look at my picture and it is as if I am a totally different girl. I think I will end here. I wish you and everyone there the best in this new year. Papa, don’t forget to give my aloha to Mrs. Lawe Lonohiwa (I will write her when I have some time). Give my love to August Kekona. Your daughter,

AMY KEKONA.
78 Blackwell St., Kidderminister, England.

(Kuokoa, 2/18/1916, p. 2)

LETA MAI PELEKANE MAI.

Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, Buke LIV, Helu 7, Aoao 2. Feberuari 18, 1916.

Speaking of Hawaiians serving in the military, does anyone remember Diamond Kekona? 1916.

Posted on by
2

A Son of Hawaii Goes to War for Britain

This picture was sent from Britain giving notice that Diamond Kekona, a Hawaiian, was enlisting in the Military of the homeland of his wife, Britain. He is prepared for when he will be called to service. Those in the picture are Mr. and Mrs. Barker, Mr. and Mrs. Diamond Kekona, and Mr. and Mrs. Smith. One of the women is an older sister of Mrs. Kekona’s. And one of the men is their brother.

[When i was posting to the old Hoolaupai Face Book page, there were many letters sent by Diamond Kekona from England to his father Dick [Richard Kekona] which were posted. If anyone wants to see them reposted here, where they will be easily searchable, i can do that. I will post the first letter i found in the papers right after this as an example.]

(Kuokoa, 3/31/1916, p. 1)

Komo He Keiki Hawaii E Kaua No Pelekane

Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, Buke LIV, Helu 13, Aoao 1. Maraki 31, 1916.

More Hawaiians serving in the military, 1922.

Posted on by
1

A LETTER FROM A SON TO HIS MOTHER.

A Hawaiian boy whose name is John Gilman Kealoha, who is working on the Submarine R—23, as the one who operates the Radio aboard that submarine mentioned, wrote a letter on the 26th of this past August, to his mother, Mrs. Cecilia J. Kealoha of this town, describing how he is living and also the love he has for his parents; and the thoughts in his letter written in English can be seen translated for the benefit of the readers of the Kilohana [“the Foremost,” an epithet for the Kuokoa], below:

U. S. S. R.—23,

New London, Aug. 26, 1922.

My beloved mama:—

I am writing to tell you that I’m currently working aboard the Submarine U. S. S. R.—23 as the one who operates the Radio Telephone. I have submerged 22 times from when I first boarded this vessel. Our captain is good, and so are the 30 people aboard this craft. I am in good health and I hope you two are as well, as well as everybody else living at home. Our submarine will leave here to travel on to Norfolk, Virginia with another submarine, the R—27, and while in Norfolk, the ship will be filled with fuel and food supplies and from there it will travel to Charleston, Key West, and then to New Orleans to gather for when the convention of delegates will meet, and there the submarines will show how they submerge so the people there can see, and the rest of the time will be spent by us at Coco Solo, near the Panama Canal [alawai o Panama], where the submarines will stop.

Mama, in my opinion, it is for the best if younger brother, Kalei, stays with you two at home always; he was paid two months ago; if he is at home, give him a lot of my aloha, and also to the people at home; this way, I know that I will get word by letter from some of them, mainly from Younger brother Herman and sister, and from you two as well.

It has been nearly three years that I’ve been away from home, and it is you mama who I think a lot about, and papa as well; and it is for you two that I always pray at night and day, until we meet once again. I wrote to you before this, but I did not receive a reply to that letter, maybe you sent one, but I didn’t receive it, maybe because you sent it to the wrong address; here is where to write again:

JOHN GILMAN KEALOHA,

U. S. S. R.—23,

New London, Conn.

O Mama, I just put in money into my savings again, at the Navy Savings Bank, [83 Sands Street], Brooklyn, N. Y.; I’m putting away $20 a month, and when my money accumulates, I will send it to the Bank of Hawaii in Honolulu by remittance. I have the number of that Bank book with me.

I have decided to spend my New Year (Nu I-a) at Coco Solo. I end here and wait for your reply.

Give my big aloha to papa and all the family and friends at home.

From your loving child,

JOHNNIE.

[If this is the same person as the “John Kealoha Gilman” whose grave at Punchbowl is recorded here, he was only 16 years old in 1922…]

(Kuokoa, 10/12/1922, p. 7)

HE LEKA NA KEKAHI KEIKI HAWAII I KONA MAKUAHINE.

Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, Buke LXI, Helu 41, Aoao 7. Okatoba 12, 1922.