Category Archives: Samoa/Samoan

Hilo’s Kauihealani Mahikoa Brandt, Jack Brandt, and Teitu Kameenui, 1960.

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Hilo’s Huladynamic Kaui Brandt

A pencil sketch from the notebook of associate instructor Teitu Kameenui shows Kaui Brandt doing one of her Polynesian dances

“Hula entrepreneur instructor, troupe leader, featured dancer and vocalist, sometimes disc jockey, plus full-time wife and mother of two healthy children”—gives a fairly accurate thumbnail description of Hilo’s Kauihealani Mahikoa Brandt, better known as “Kaui.”

In partnership with her husband Jack, this vivacious hapa-Hawaiian has upended the Big Island’s hula business, punched and pulled much of it into a shape of her own design and presented malihini and kamaaina with a variety of Polynesian entertainment sparkling with color, excitement, speed and imagination

At 27, with some 14 years as student, amateur and professional performer, producer and instructor, Kaui stands near the top of her profession.

She hastens to point out that she has not reached her ultimate goal, but nevertheless, Kaui commands a position not usually enjoyed by so young a Kumu Hula (hula director). Continue reading →

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Sina in the moon, 1929.

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TAKEN BY THE MOON

There was a great famine spread across the land of Samoa, and Sina was sitting in the sunlight beating her kapa while next to her was her child sleeping as its face was distorted in hunger. When the moon rose above the fruit trees, the thought came upon Sina to ask the moon to give them fruit to eat, saying. Continue reading →

Letter from Iosepa, Utah, 1913.

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Word From Utah.

Iosepa, Toole County, Dec. 19, 1912.

Solomon Hanohano, Editor of the Kuokoa, Aloha oe:—Because we want to know of the news from our birth lands, we decided to subscribe to the Kuokoa. As the new year is arriving, it would be a means for us to see the news of our home and the progress of the political scene or its regression, as well as the victories or discouragements of our fellow makaainana.

This is an important year for the country, being that the great power of the nation has gong to the Democrats; the important question is this: Will the poor citizens of the land really benefit, or will they once again perhaps drift about like during Cleveland’s presidency, but it will be time that tells.

If those who were elected actually carry out what they promised with their lips to the people, then benefits will indeed result, however if it is like what Isaia said: “This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, but their heart is far from me.” Then those words of that old kamaaina of Lahaina will appear: “He says, when oh when will that happen.”¹ Recognized are the wealthy, and ignored are the poor. [Ikeia aku la no na kii maka nunui, nana oleia iho la na wahi kii maka liilii]. Continue reading →

Looking back at looking back at the Kaimiloa, 1902.

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REMINISCENCES OF TIMES PAST.

The Picture above is the Hawaiian Warship, H. M. S. Kaimiloa; on her Deck is King Kalakaua, and some of his attendants behind him.

This picture was taken before they left Hawaii for their trip to Samoa.

(Kuokoa, 11/28/1902, p. 1)

NA HOOMANAO ANA O KE AU I HALA.

Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, Buke XL, Helu 48, Aoao 1. Novemaba 28, 1902.

More on George Glendon and Samoa, 1890.

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SAMOAN NEWS.

George Glendon, formerly of Honolulu, died suddenly at Apia, June 23d, from natural causes. He was one a member of the Hawaiian Legislature and after a school teacher. Embezzlement of school money got him in trouble. He went to Apia about a year ago and advertised as an attorney-at-law, but, owing to the state of the country, did not do much.

A proclamation issued by King Malietoa amongst other things prohibits the game of cricket being played. For a breach of this regulation the penalty has been fixed at a fine of $45 of three months’ imprisonment.

The new United States Consulate General building was used on the 4th of July, when Mr. Sewall gave a grand ball. It is a commodious and substantial structure.

One of the principal managers of the German plantation has been arrested and will be tried for ill-treatment of labor boys. When the case comes up in Court, some most unpleasant disclosures will be made.

A sporting club has been formed, and a three-quarter of a mile course laid out on suitable around.

The U. S. S. Mohican is the only war vessel in port.

A new law, relating to marriages and divorces, has been proclaimed.

(Pacific Commercial Advertiser, 7/28/1890, p. 2)

SAMOAN NEWS.

Pacific Commercial Advertiser, Volume XII, Number 23, Page 2. July 28, 1890.

 

Letters from Samoa, 1889.

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Malietoa Arrives in Samoa!

Three-thousand Go to Meet Him with Gifts!
Important Correspondences!

Apia, Upolu, Samoa.

July 23, 1889.

John S. Kukahiko,

Much aloha between us.

I arrived on the 18th of June and am doing well.

Before I left Honolulu on the 7th of June, I went to your place often, thinking that perhaps we would meet one final time, but you weren’t at your place.

I’ve seen what’s new here and I have gone with Hairama Kaumialii to see the battlegrounds here in Samoa. All of their actions are admirable; they are a fearless people and true warriors. They are a loving and kind people. These are the most comely people I’ve seen throughout the world.

Each morning the King Mataafa attends Catholic Mass nearby where I live. And when he attends mass, he is accompanied by his fearless warriors very prepared, carrying weapons and firearms. They are very cautious [?? lili] in their protection of him; there is no enemy who is able to abduct him, lest he be abused.

The German and British warships are here in the port of Apia, but the Germans cannot try once again wage war and take him captive. Mataafa has fine features, and when he goes to pray, he and his guards are a magnificent sight to see. He is well regarded by the haole and his own people.

On the 22nd of this month, the American Consul and Admiral Kimberly bestowed upon him gifts from the President of the United States for them helping the Americans in Apia in the recent terrible storm. The Counsul and Admiral Kimberly gave speeches, and Mataafa gave a short reply which was printed in the newspaper, “Samoan Times.”

I’ve met fequently with Hairam Kaumialii, but where he lives is twelve miles away from here, in Malie. Continue reading →

Hawaiians deported from Samoa, 1891.

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Hawaiians From Samoa

Aboard the steamship Zealandia which landed this past Saturday, these Hawaiian friends came back from Samoa due to the deportation proclamation by King Malietoa, and their passage was paid for by funds from the Legislature which was set aside. Here are their names: Kimo Kukona and wife, Kawelu and wife, Kaolola, Kaluna, Moanalua, and Kahinu. They said that life in those islands was comfortable, and suitable for the health, but they could not stay long because of King Malietoa’s deportation order. There is much leprosy spreading there.

Hairama Kaumialii and Mose wed Samoan wives. The latter named is a sailor on the Kaimiloa who abandoned ship at Samoa. They both will return under the deportation law. Kauaua, a sailor from the Kaimiloa who fled, assimilated to the Samoan way of life, and is covered in a tattoo. These are the Hawaiians who remained and are preparing to return: Mose, Kaliko, Kauaua, Keoni, A. B. Kaaukuu, Mrs. Maria, Lui, Mrs. Akahi, Luna, Miss Kalua, Mrs. Kaulahao, Kanaauao, Kamaka, Kauaki, Meekue, and Hailama Kaumialii. As for James Keau, he is well off, living in the islands of Tonga, and is far from the authority of this expulsion order by King Malietoa.

[If some of my posts look familiar to some of you, they are being reposted from my old Hoolaupai Facebook page. They cannot be easily found on that page, and that was one of the major reasons for starting this one. Here at least i can do tags and categories, and hopefully that makes them easier to find. Google also does a pretty good job of making them searchable!]

(Kuokoa, 1/17/1891, p. 2)

NA HAWAII MAI SAMOA

Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, Buke XXX, Helu 3, Aoao 2. Ianuari 17, 1891.

More on E. K. Rose, Prince Lei Lani, 1924.

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This is a picture showing Edwin K. Rose known by the name “Prince Lei Lani,” who was made a high chief of the Samoans, before he left Hawaii nei with twenty Samoans for America on a singing and Samoan dancing tour. In the scene on the top picture seen is E. K. Rose holding a war club; and below is a scene showing the preparation of kava before it being drunk.

(Kuokoa, 7/24/1924, p. 2)

He kii keia e hoikeike ana ia Edwin K. Rose...

Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, Buke LXIII, Helu 30, Aoao 2. Iulai 24, 1924.