Category Archives: Political Commentary

Coverage of the landing of the USS Boston, 1893.

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The American Troops Come Ashore.

Without knowledge of the Government, and regardless of the agreement of the American Minister that the soldiers from the warship would not come ashore, being that the Government was prepared to uphold the peace; the American Minister ordered the soldiers of the Boston to to take control. This is an apparent act of aggression, and if that nation learns of the truth of this act by its official, it will be grounds for him to be condemned.

[This article and the following are coverage of the landing of the U. S. S. Boston 120 years ago today by different newspapers. Just as we see today, back then there was different coverage depending on what you read.]

(Leo o ka Lahui, 1/17/1893, p. 2)

Ua Lele Mai na koa Amerika.

Ka Leo o ka Lahui, Buke II, Helu 624, Aoao 2. Ianuari 17, 1893.

Competing rallies, 1893.

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O HAWAIIAN LAHUI!

Today, there is a rally being called by the Missionaries of the Reformist Party [Poai Hoomaemae] and those who favor them, at Manamana, with the intent to bring harm to the Queen for Her aloha she has for the lahui, in Her proclaiming a new Constitution; by ending Her reign and making this nation a republic. Therefore, patriots, those born of this land, stand strong behind this nation; there shall not be a single true Hawaiian who will participate in this gathering, should they be invited. All of you true Hawaiians, let us stand behind our Sovereign and give our lives for the rights of our Queen and peace over the land. Those citizens who love their alii are called to join together to march straight to the rally fronting the Opera House [Hale Mele Hou] at 2 o’clock in the afternoon. With one heart of aloha and breasts side by side all across the land, you descendants of Kamehameha.

(Leo o ka Lahui, 1/16/1893, p. 2)

E KA LAHUI HAWAII!

Ka Leo o ka Lahui, Buke II, Helu 623, Aoao 2. Ianuari 16, 1893.

People suspected of having leprosy held in jail, 1872.

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The leprosy patients taken to Kalawao!

O Kuokoa Newspaper: Aloha kaua:—

Perhaps some two or three weeks ago, those afflicted with the “Chinese disease” were assembled in the jail here in Lahaina. And it wasn’t just people from Lahaina, but some were also from Lanai: men, women, and children. And on this past Saturday, August 10, they totalled 30; 21 from Lahaina nei and 9 from Lanai; but the gathering is not over. And in the coming weeks, it seems as if the total of all those put in the jail will reach forty or more. And when the Minister of the Interior [Hutchison] arrives from Honolulu, they are examined for those who should go to Kalawao, and the rest are released for another time.

Here are the names of those taken to Molokai aboard the ship Warwick [Wawiki], Captain Keoni Bulu, today, the 20th of Aug. 1872:

From here in Lahaina—Pahuhao, Kaohimaunu, Ekela, Kailiopu, Kalimalepo, Kalala, Kapiioho, Lono, John Europa [? Europe], Puaahiwa, Kiki, Mokumi, Kaailau, Kekahi, Kumano, Manuwai, Aiai, Kekapa, Alapai, and Kaiwi. From Lanai—Isemaela Pali, Nahora opio, Nui, and Kane.

All of these people, they were separated from their companions, and parents left their children, children left their parents, and so too did friends leave friends.

On the day they were taken, the pier of Keawaiki was packed, and the friends of those who were being separated wailed in grief, while some of them were determined to go along with their sick, but that was not possible; and it seemed that there were but five or six who went along for just a while then returned; and there was only one woman who swore that she’d go with her husband and leave her bones in Kalawao.

Kaiwi.

Lahaina, Aug. 22, 1872.

(Kuokoa, 8/31/1872, p. 2)

Na mai pake i laweia ma Kalawao!

Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, Buke XI, Helu 35, Aoao 2. Augate 31, 1872.

A glimpse into the beginnings of Kuokoa Home Rula, 1902.

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NEW EPITHET APPLIED

“MISSIONARY PROTESTANT REPUBLICANS” NOW.

The Organ of the Home Rule Party Draws the Color and the Sectarian Line.

The “Kuokoa Home Rula” contains the following based on the statement that efforts are being made in Congress to amend the electoral qualification in Hawaii.

The Kuokoa Home Rula is the organ of the Home Rule party and is said to be edited by George Markham and Senator Kalauokalani.

“On the Tuesday just passed information was received by us which is important news for the Hawaiian people, and which may cause us all to weep. This will result if the task of strangling us, a la pig, is successfully accomplished by the mercenaries of our enemies, who are struggling in their efforts to influence the Congress of United States of America, Hartwell was sent by the rattle-brained Governor Dole and the Missionary Protestant Republican party to oppose us and deprive us of ‘manhood suffrage,’ the right which was given us by the United States of America, our Father Government—the right to vote.

“A bill has been prepared by these parties to be presented to Congress; to the Senate and the House of Representatives; limiting the qualifications of the native Hawaiian in the right of suffrage. The Nation should be ever watchful in the future and should jealously guard and protect this precious right, for it means our existence or our destruction. These are the doing of the Protestant Missionary Republicans, who are so unreasonably embittered and so venomous that we may be poisoned by their touch—like unto the fangs of the death-dealing snake. This is really the work of a venomous snake, with jealousies and animosities emplanted within its breast and which with malice seeks the destruction of we of the Hawaiian Race. Not satisfied with our being buried alive in Kalaupapa and Kalawao, they are now doing all in their power to deprive the Hawaiians, we of the brown skins, of all of our rights.

“Auwe! Auwe! Ka make o ka Lahui e. Here we are; whither are we floating? The graves for our burial are now being dug by the Republicans.

“These people are hunting us down to strangle us as pigs; they are all of the same flock. Therefore they must be remembered at the next election (Then follows a list of senators and representatives of the Republican party.) They must be remembered by the people. You supported them and carried them through at the last campaign, and as a result of your work they turned upon you and spat in your eyes.

“You should not be carried away again by the smoothness of their talk. They are now perpetrating one of the blackest of deeds, worse than the committing of murder, for this reason, that the only life taken is that of the person murdered, but in this case it will be the death of all the race.

“This political party is now making an effort to take away from us our rights to the ballot, and now they have turned to smite those who voted for them at the last election.

“Therefore ye must be sound in the teachings of the race, and must remember those who are downing you, the open hearted Hawaiians, with such injustice and ingratitude.”

In addition it is stated that a representative will be sent to Washington to oppose any such measure, and that petitions against it are being circulated for signatures among the Hawaiians.

[I wonder what the rest of the Kuokoa Home Rula was like in its early days! Hopefully, there are still originals hiding somewhere in the world and they will be unearthed soon!!]

(Hawaiian Star, 2/5/1902, p. 5)

NEW EPITHET APPLIED

The Hawaiian Star, Volume IX, Number 3085, Page 5. February 5, 1902.

And yet another newspaper closes its doors, 1912.

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Last Words of Aloha from the Esteemed Newspaper, Kuokoa Home Rula

BEFORE ITS READERSHIP OF THIS TERRITORY

No More Will You See Its Delicate Body with Its Columns Festooned with Foreign and Domestic News; the Activities of the Coming Legislature will Not be Seen by You.

Today we publish the last issue of this Year, and after 11 years of appearing continuously before its readership, and this Newspaper fighting fearlessly and independently in all manner for the rights of this Lahui through Politics; its ideals led for justice and truth in all things, so that nothing done to harm our People would be hidden, nor corrupt actions seen steering the government; the Newspaper KUOKOA HOME RULA fought the lopsided and unfair laws being made by the lawmakers to the detriment of Hawaii, and you all know, O You Readers from its start, know of its fight, until this day; the Lahui did not in the least listen to its guidance, and therefore, we will not be able to stand again and lead you in the future because you, the Lahui, didn’t heed the advice of this Spokesman for you and for us all; and so we must stop the publication of this newspaper and this will be the last you’ll see of this, the Newspaper Kuokoa Home Rula appearing before you, the Reader, for all times. This is its last Issue, and with the close of this Newspaper with it never to rise again, you all will not see what happens in the upcoming year, this important year in which we believed you were to see and understand the bills of the incoming law makers on February 20, 1913, that being the work of the legislature.This newspaper was continuously published for 11 years, without missing a single Issue, so that the reader cannot criticize us for our ending its publication.

We regret greatly that the intent to end this paper by the Owner of this newspaper didn’t come at a good time for we have Thoughtful Advice for the good of our Lahui and our Political Party from here forth, as we assumed this paper would go forward to fight until the last man; however in the last moments without our previous knowledge, we received the order to inform the Public that the continued publication of this newspaper Kuokoa Home Rula for 1913 was ended. How sad for the Lahui who will have no spokesman. And we offer our Happy New Year to the readers of this newspaper which will be done for all time. Aloha once again to you all.

[Most of the issues from 1902–1907 of Kuokoa Home Rula are sadly not extant. Please look in closets and in boxes under the house, maybe there will be surviving pages!

Editor {Lunahooponopono}: Charles K. Notley, Managing Editor {Lunahooponopono Hoohana}: D. Kalauokalani, Sr., Business Manager {Luna Hoohana}: J. Kamainalulu, Publisher: Charles K. Notley, Owner {Ona}: Charles K. Notley]

(Kuokoa Home Rula, 12/26/1912, p. 1)

Ka Leo Aloha Hope loa o ka Hiwahiwa ka Nupepa Kuokoa Home Rula

Kuokoa Home Rula, Buke X, Helu 52, Aoao 1. Dekemaba 26, 1912.

Response to changes happening in the Kingdom, 1888.

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COMMON OPINION¹

PREPARING THE MOVEMENT FOR THE GOOD OF HAWAII.

The opinion printed below this heading comes from letters received from our friends. All criticism for those opinions fall upon those who wrote the letters, and not upon us. (Editor)

O Mr. Editor:—I ask for your patience, being that I am a true Hawaiian.

Whereby two-thirds or more of this lahui are of the opinion to form an appropriate Association for the benefit of the Hawaiians and the foreigners.

Whereby the Cabinet of Ministers in power now stands upon sand, where when the rain beats down and the wind blows, it will fall, and that shall be their fate.

Whereby this Cabinet of Missionary Ministers are in government positions without the confidence of two-thirds or more of the people residing here and some who are observing from elsewhere.

Whereas the circle of Missionaries intends to long hold the power in the workings of the Government, while clearly going against the laws of this land.

And Hawaii intends to look after its own good, without fear of the opposition facing it. Whereas all enlightened Hawaiians know that they have this responsibility.

Therefore, they have no desire for the power of the Governmental offices of their beloved land to be put to waste by this circle, and to have them [the ministers] enter Hawaii into a debt that cannot be repaid.

Along with the other heads that they are appointing; and they are the major power, and they are the King. And the negligent laws they pass have power over this tiny lahui.

Whereas I speak with truth in enlightened manner. Whereas the laws not approved by the King, and not signed by him; they have no power to become law over this lahui.

Therefore, time is near for Hawaii to consider, and to discuss what is right, and of the advancement of its efforts, its land, and the King.

O Editor, I shall constantly fill your paper with delicacies, should this topic above receive your kindness.

With Appreciation

S. W. B. K.——

Manoa, Nov. 6, 1888.

[Anybody have an idea who S. W. B. K. from Manoa is?]

¹”Na Manao Laulaha” is a regular column in Ke Alakai o Hawaii.

(Alakai o Hawaii, 11/10/1888, p. 4)

NA MANAO LAULAHA

Ke Alakai o Hawaii, Buke I, Helu 45, Aoao 4. Novemaba 10, 1888.

On taxation and leprosy patients, 1875.

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The Leprosy Patients are Taxed!

Mr. Editor; Aloha:—

On the 2nd of this December, the Tax Assessor [Luna Auhau] of this island of Molokai came in person to the colony of Kalawao, the place of the castaways who are afflicted with wounds of an incurable sickness, that being leprosy [mai lepera], which is called he Chinese sickness [mai Pake].

Therefore, the Tax Assessor is acting as per his power under the Law; the taxing of animals, all except the body of man. And as such, I am announcing before all of our fellow people, that this is a major thing, because from the beginning of the enforcement of this law upon people afflicted with leprosy and who are set apart as based on the intent of the edict of the Board of Health; this is the first time this sort of thing has come before the patience, as it has almost been ten years that these people have been living as prisoners in the penitentiary of the law.

Through this, I am announcing clearly to all the people living all over outside of the boundaries of the land of the skeletons. This is astonishing that those dead to the law are being taxed. So if leprosy patients are taxable in this way, then those imprisoned in Kawa [the government prison] should be taxed, for they are better off than those living here in the Colony of Kalawao; those people, there is a given time when they will once again receive their Civil rights, but we here (the leprosy patience), we will not have a time when we are relieved, because the law follows after our steps, and takes from us even the tiniest of rights that we have.

This is the Era of King Kalakaua, and the character of the history of his reign is being prepared; so “Recognize your fellow man, and don’t waste your aloha on dogs.” Aloha no. SILOAMA.¹

Kalawao, Dec. 3, 1875

¹Siloama is probably a pen name; it is the Protestant church in Kalawao.

(Kuokoa, 12/11/1875, p. 4)

Ua Auhauia na mai Lepera!

Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, Buke XIV, Helu 50, Aoao 4. Dekemaba 11, 1875.

On Statehood, Republicans, Elepaio, and Voting Rights,1912.

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STATEHOOD AND THE ELEPAIO

It has been many years during which the Republican party has held power in the governing of the Territory of Hawaii, and Hawaii has not at all been made into a state, where we’d be able to vote for our own governor, our chief justices, circuit court judges, Senators, and representatives in our legislature, and other many heads of government. However, the cry of those Republicans in their workplace to make Hawaii a State, does not cease.  It is ten years that Kuhio has been in the Legislature in Washington, and he has not put a bit of effort into making Hawaii a state. The Republicans are like the Elepaio bird who crying goes, “Ono ka ia! Ono ka ia! [I crave fish! I crave fish!]” This bird just cries out, but does not venture to the sea to catch fish. But its cry atop logs is what makes canoes bug ridden [pu-ha]. Ten years of crying “Mokuaina no Hawaii! Mokuaina no Hawaii! Mokuaina no Hawaii! [Statehood for Hawaii! Statehood for Hawaii! Statehood for Hawaii!]” But there has been no statehood at all; one session of the legislature passes by and the next comes, and then passes by, and so forth. But the Elepaio (Republican) continues to cry, “Ono ka ia! (I Mokuaina no Hawaii.) Ono ka ia! (I Mokuaina no Hawaii.) Yet they do nothing so that Hawaii would attain statehood.

(Aloha Aina, 10/26/1912, p. 2)

KA MOKUAINA AME KA ELEPAIO

Ke Aloha Aina, Buke XVII, Helu 43, Aoao 2. Okatoba 26, 1912.

Display of power by the American battleship, 1893.

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THE PARADING

OF THE
American Battleship Soldiers.

In the early morning of this Tuesday, some of the soldiers of all ranks from the warship were sent ashore, perhaps numbering three hundred when combined with the officers. There were two small cannons in this parade, and the soldiers were armed with weapons. The soldiers from the battleship landed at Kinau Wharf [uapo o Kinau], and marched on Fort Street and turned on Beritania where they continued marching until Richards and Beritania; the troops divided: some travelled on Richards Street and some on Beritania Street. They rested for a while, and then proceeded to drill. After drilling, they went back on Beritania Street and turned on Fort, until reaching the wharf.

Everyone was left puzzled by this action of the great number of the troops who came to shore. When we asked the Office of the American Consul directly, we were told that they landed to parade. When we heard this, our confusion was cleared, and so we report to our reader friends. The drilling here is part of their job. Let’s see what happens in the future.

(Leo o ka Lahui, 10/25/1893, p. 3)

PAIKAU HOOKAHAKAHA

Ka Leo o ka Lahui, Buke II, Helu 798, Aoao 3. Okatoba 25, 1893.

Always important to look at sources. 1893 / 2012.

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HAWAII ESCAPES FROM JAPAN.

The raising of the American flag over Hawaii is one of the greatest things done that cannot be repaid. It blocks the nation of Japan from establishing its rule over Hawaii. When the warship Naniwa arrived here, it was clear that if the American flag was not waving over Aliiolani Hale, then the Japanese flag would have been put in its place. And then they would have returned the Queen and the Japanese would have been supplied with weapons and took Hawaii for Japan. It all would have happened if the Boston did not hold them off. But when they saw the American flag raised, they were afraid to do this, for it would be fighting with the United States of America.

Perhaps now Liliuokalani’s attendants are hoping that by the taking down of the American flag, the Japanese will be free to come and return the alii to the throne under the Japanese flag. Should that be the thought of some of them, they are gravely mistaken.

The American troops will save Hawaii from the interference by the other powers. When Japan tries to foment something of that sort, that will be when the soldiers of America will be deployed again. This has been announced to the Commissioner and the captain of the Naniwa. They will not start a war with America without it being proclaimed in advance by the Emperor of Japan. Japan has no desire to war against America because of the dispute over Hawaii. There is nothing to fear.

America will not interfere in the local government of Hawaii nei, however it will guard Hawaii with force against the entering of other national powers into this Archipelago.

[It is always important to look at what newspaper an article comes from. Also, long-running newspapers (and people for that matter) don’t necessarily keep their same ideologies throughout their entire life…]

(Kuokoa, 4/8/1893, p. 2)

UA PAKELE HAWAII MAI IA IAPANA.

Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, Buke XXXII, Helu 14, Aoao 2. Aperila 8, 1893.