More on Lady Franklin and ahuula and upcoming events, 1861 / 2015–2016.

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While in Hawaii in 1861, Lady Franklin enjoyed the company often of King Kamehameha IV and Queen Emma. According to newspaper reports, the relationship between them was very cordial. She was given this treasured ahuula in commemoration of this bond.

If you find yourself in San Francisco at the end of this summer until the early part of next year (8/29/2015–2/28/2016), do make your way to the de Young Museum:

Lady Franklin cape

Lady Franklin cape (detail) (#5948). ‘apapane feathers, ‘ō‘ō feathers. Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum, Ethnology Collection, 09670/1909.007

Royal Hawaiian Featherwork: Nā Hulu Ali‘i

August 29, 2015 – February 28, 2016

Explore the distinctive art, culture, and history of Hawai‘i with the first exhibition of Hawaiian featherwork on the U.S. mainland, developed in partnership with the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum, Honolulu. Presented in San Francisco, which is considered to be the gateway to the Pacific, the exhibition will feature approximately 75 rare and stunning examples of the finest featherwork capes and cloaks in existence, as well as royal staffs of feathers (kāhili), feather lei (lei hulu manu), helmets (mahiole), feathered god images (akua hulu manu), and related eighteenth- and nineteenth-century paintings and works on paper. Continue reading →

Lady Jane Franklin in Hawaii nei, 1861.

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[Found under: “NOTES OF THE WEEK.”]

A Memento of Hawaii.—We strolled into Mr. Lafrenz’s cabinet shop a day or two since, to see some specimens of domestic cabinet ware, recently made by him. They consisted of two chests, manufactured by order of Mr. Wyllie, out of our native woods, and are intended as presents from His Excellency to lady Franklin and her niece Miss Cracroft. The larger of the two is made of koa, edged with ebony wood. The lid is tastefully decorated with various kinds of wood, and in the center is a square of black ebony inlaid, in which are bronze and pearl designs, with a small silver-plate, on which is inscribed “Lady Franklin, Honolulu, 1861.” The inside of the chest is lined with sandal-wood, which emits a most fragrant and pleasant odor. The whole is finished with French polish, and as a specimen of art in these islands, and as a memento of her visit here and of the generous donor, will no doubt be highly prized by her ladyship. The second chest, intended for Miss Cracroft, is quite small, but finished in the same style. We give the varieties of wood used: koa, kauwila, kou, koala, sandal-wood and black ebony; all native woods, except the last, which is from Ascension Island. As a specimen of cabinet ware, we have no fear of its being surpassed by the native products of any other country that may undertake to rival it.

(Pacific Commercial Advertiser, 5/16/1861, p. 2)

A Memento of Hawaii.

The Pacific Commercial Advertiser, Volume V, Number 46, Page 2. Mei 16, 1861.

Another Hawaiian son away at war, 1917.

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A LETTER TO HIS PARENTS.

Dear Papa and Mama, much love:–It has been a very long time that I have not written back to you, my Parents. Please forgive your child for his neglect.

There is one thing I will tell you; I have joined the military of the Father Country this past September, and I am in the forces of the Engineers, Co. B, 302nd Engineers, Camp Upton, Yaphank, L. I., N. Y. Therefore, my beloved parents, this is something you should be proud of your child for, for my joining the military of the country which protects us, and for me obtaining a high rank in my division, a sergeant major; and not just that, but the path is wide open for me to advance higher.

As I compose this letter, it is time for us to move out, and I am just waiting for the orders, whether it be to France, or to Italy perhaps, so I will make it short as it is soon time for me to get into action. Give baby a long kiss for me, and give my great aloha to tutu them and Pita Liilii [Little Peter], and to Aunty Kilikina and Uncle Apo, Uncle Koowa, Aunty Kukana and Annie and Henry Williams them; and all of my aloha to you two, my loving parents. Your loving child,

PETER CHARLES CORNEY.

(Kuokoa, 12/28/1917, p. 5)

HE LEKA I KONA MAU MAKUA.

Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, Buke LV, Helu 52, Aoao 5. Dekemaba 28, 1917.

Walking around Honolulu, 1853.

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HONOLULU IN 1853.

Oftentimes it is difficult to picture what places looked like and where they were situated. This paper appearing in Thrum’s Hawaiian Almanac and Annual for 1898 by Warren Goodale and supplemented by Thomas G. Thrum is an interesting read because it show buildings of old Honolulu from lithographs (in the collection of the Hawaiian Historical Society) done by Paul Emmert, and describes locations of the buildings.

[One of yesterday’s posts mentioned Kalakaua boarding a skiff makai of Halemahoe, which appears in this paper as Hale Mahoe. Luckily this volume and most years of Thrum’s Almanac and Annual are available online. For this particular article, click on the image below.]

Paul Emmert Lithograph No. 1

“HONOLULU IN 1853.” Hawaiian Almanac and Annual for 1898, pp 80-104.

Hooulu Lahui warning, 1874.

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The greatest concern that is currently weighing on the minds of Hawaii’s Own is Increasing the Race [Hooulu Lahui]. Some people are starting organizations, while other are reading the future, and yet others are talking as if they are knowledgeable; but it will be an evil thing, or the very last thing when we turn this concern into fornication. We therefore say that in our hands is the survival and the rejuvenation of this lahui. If we set aside wretched lustful desires and things that drag us down, and we turn back upwards holding fast to our children, it will be not long [aole e emo] before our descendants will become plentiful.

(Kuokoa, 11/21/1874, p. 2)

O ka manao nui...

Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, Buke XIII, Helu 47, Aoao 2. Novemaba 21, 1874.

King Kalakaua’s expected treatment in the United States, 1874.

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To King Kalakaua will go the honor of being the first ruling monarch to travel to the Nation of the United States of America since it was established as a nation. He will meet with a very grand reception greater than anyone else who has gone there.

When the battleship Benecia enters the entrance of the Golden Gate with the Hawaiian Flag waving in the wind on it central mast, it will be given a salute from the nation of the United States of America by the guns of the forts of Pine and Alcatraz when it passes before each of them. And should there be no obstructions or accidents, perhaps General Schofield [Sekofila], the Commander of the U. S. Forces in the division of the Pacific will meet and welcome Him in the name of the President, at a Hotel which he deems as fitting for the honor of the Monarch to spend the night. General Schofield appeared amongst us in the early months of Lunalilo reign. The length of their stay in San Francisco is not clear, but from what is known, it will not be for many days. Continue reading →

King Kalakaua leaves for America, 1874.

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The Alii, the King, boarded the battleship Benecia at 10 oʻclock and 30 minutes on the morning of this past Tuesday [11/17/1874] to go to the United States of America. When he reached the wharf, seaside of Halemahoe, it was an awesome sight; the seeing off by his subjects of the King on his travels to foreign lands. The people crowded together to shake his hand, give gifts, kiss his hand, and chant his name songs, but the King did not dawdle. When the skiff came by for him, accompanied by the Prince Regent [Kahu Aupuni] and the attendants, the sailors of the battleships Tenedos, Scout, and Benecia climbed the yard, and as the skiff moved on, the battery of Ainahou and the two British battleships each gave a 21 gun salute,— Continue reading →

Hawaiian Historical Society collection, 1892.

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[Found under: “NU HOU KULOKO.”]

The number of books and documents accumulated in the library of the Hawaiian Historical Society [Ahahui Hoopaa Moolelo Hawaii] is 2,247. Mr. Hoes, the person whose duty it is to organize and care for the books, is most careful.

(Leo o ka Lahui, 12/7/1892, p. 3)

He 2,247...

Ka Leo o ka Lahui, Buke II, Helu 598, Aoao 3. Dekemaba 7, 1892.

Hawaiian Historical Society seeking donations, 1892.

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O YOU WHO HAVE NEWSPAPERS.

The HAWAIIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY [AHAHUI MOOLELO HAWAII] is looking for all the newspapers that were published in the Hawaiian language. Should a reader be in the possession of old newspapers, please donate them or sell them to us perhaps. Send correspondence regarding to this announcement to the secretary of the society. REV. C. M. HYDE. Post Office Box 67, Honolulu.

(Kuokoa, 4/9/1862, p. 3)

E NA MEA NUPEPA.

Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, Buke XXXI, Helu 15, Aoao 3. Aperila 9, 1862.

Hawaiian Historical Society established, 1892.

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THE HAWAIIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

On the evening of Dec. 28th, a few of our citizens met and engaged in an informal interchange of ideas in regard to the importance of forming an Historical Society. Prof. Alexander was chosen temporary chairman, and the Rev. Dr. Hyde secretary. It was then decided that the proper time had come for the organization of such a society, and a committee composed of Prof. Alexander, Rev. Dr. Hyde and Mr. J. S. Emerson was chosen to draft a constitution. An adjourned meeting was held last Monday evening at the Honolulu Library, at which this committee made its report. A large number of our most prominent citizens attended, and much interest was shown in the formal organization of the new society. After the adoption of the constitution the following officers were unanimously elected: President, Hon. C. R. Bishop; Vice-President, Mr. J. S. Emerson; Corresponding Secretary, Hon. W. D. Alexander; Recording Secretary, Rev. Dr. C. M. Hyde: Treasurer, Mr. T. G. Thrum. The constitution states that the object of the society is “the collection, study, and utilization of all materials illustrating the Ethnology, Achæology and History of the Hawaiian Islands.” Active members are to pay an initiation fee of five dollars and an annual fee of one dollar. It is hoped that arrangements will be made by which the society will secure as its permanent quarters, for the accommodation of its prospective library and a place of meeting, the large front room of the Honolulu Library. Immediate efforts are to be made for the formation of a library which shall include all books relating in any way to this Kingdom, and all books, pamphlets and newspapers ever printed on the Hawaiian Islands. Continue reading →