Letter from Iosepa, Utah, 1913.

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

Letter from Iosepa, Utah, 1913.

A VOICE FROM UTAH.

Iosepa, Toole County. Dec. 19, 1912.

Solomon Hanohano, Editor of the Kuokoa, Aloha oe:—Because I want to know the news of the land of our birth, the desire to get a subscription to the Kuokoa grew. Being the the new year is coming, it would be a means for me 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.

Not because Iosepa lacks newspaper subscribers, but for me to get a personal one.

This is one of the important years regarding the nation, being that the leadership of the power of the nation went to the Democrats; the big question is just this: Will the poor makaainana really benefit, or will they be left unstable once again like during the presidency of Cleveland, but it is only time that will tell.

If those elected could follow through on what their lips pledge to the masses, then we indeed will be blessed, however if it is like what Isaiah said, thusly: “These people come near to me with their mouth, but their hearts are far from me.” [Isaiah 29:13] Then comes those famous words of that old timer of Lahaina: “Saying, when indeed will that happen.” [“I mai hoi, ahea la ka hoi.”] The big-eyed images know that the small-eyed images are not watched. [Ikeia aku la no na kii maka nunui, nana oleia iho la na wahi kii maka liilii ??]

My aloha to the few Hawaiian makaainana left who are squeezed and assimilated [i ka opaia aku ua pili pu ?] until they are totally gone from the beloved face of Hawaii, along with the increase of the other races upon the land. And so too with the various diseases of the different races whose devastation spread to our people who lack immunity. Aloha to our people.

As for our living in this unfamiliar land, this land that true Mormons know as the chosen land, and a land to foster the believers in that one faith, all of the Hawaiians are in good health as well as the Samoans, from the old to the young.

I have faith that Iosepa will become a place where Hawaiians will multiply once again, and that these valleys will become full of true Hawaiians and Samoans, when the children are born, and grow up, and marry and give birth.

Some proof of this belief is the great desire of the president of the Mormons for the youths to marry of their own race so that this land is full of Hawaiians. For according to him, it is here that the people of the islands of the ocean will spread.

The town of Iosepa is growing. The church is building homes for the people without homes, lest they live in disarray as the Hawaiians before, with two or three families in a single dwelling.

The workers are paid a dollar every Saturday. The children are taught in the school here in Iosepa. Two children graduated from the local school of Iosepa, and are attending high school, they are Joseph H. Bird and William Pukahi, both are true Hawaiians.

I have been just chosen as judge, and George K. Hubbell as sheriff of the district. We are both Republicans, which also are the majority of the Hawaiians here.

Perhaps this will do.

Charles J. Broad.

Iosepa, Toole County, Utah.

(Kuokoa, 1/10/1913, p. 6)

HE LEO MAI UTAH MAI.

Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, Buke XLIX, Helu 2, Aoao 6. Ianuari 10, 1913.