Tag Archives: Mika Palani

Death of Panio French, 1880.

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Mrs. Panioikawai French.

The one whose name appears at the title of this essay, is that fine woman and old time familiar one amongst us who was always known by Honolulu’s people by the name of Panio. She was the widow of that old haole trader of Hawaii nei, that is Mika Palani. Panio was born in Waikele, Ewa, on the 15th of July 1817. She was married to her husband, Mr. William French (Mika Palani) in the year 1836 at Kailua, Hawaii. Governor Kuakini was the one who married the two; and she lived together with her husband until death separated them. They had three children–and a daughter survives today; she is a mother who is respected along with her husband and their four children–there are twin boys, one who has died, and the other lives in China.

On this past 24th of February, Panio left this bodily life, at the residence of her daughter at Kaakopua, after being confined with a painful sickness for several weeks. While sick, her patient nature was apparent, along with her unwavering faith in the righteousness of the Lord, her Savior and her Salvation; and there she remained until her hour in which she was victorious over her body. There perhaps was a prayer before her death; met with her were some friends, and after words of aloha, she responded: “We are blessed; praised be the name of the Lord.” Those were her very last words. She did not say anymore until the day she left, when she said clearly: “Aloha,” three times and her bodyʻs function was over.

Panio was a familiar and a brethren of Kawaiahao Church. Her constant friends were the fine women who were also kamaaina to the people of Honolulu, and most of them have passed on–Kekai, Hana Pauma, Halaki Adams, Nakapalau, Kaikaina, Malaea Kanamu, Kawao, Kamaile, Nakookoo, Pakohana. They are fine Hawaiian women of the stature referred to as a true Hawaiian. Panio was also a kamaaina in the presence of the alii as well as the haole.

I wrote this down because of my aloha for her and her children and grandchildren. Aloha for that mother and grandmother of devout heart. Her name is more perfumed than the costly perfumes of India. And I write this for all of the brethren of Hawaii. Let us emulate the righteous and not the sinful. Let us follow the footsteps of the good until we overcome.

Paleka.
Kawaiahao, March 1, 1880.

(Kuokoa, 3/6/1880, p. 4)

Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, Buke XIX, Helu 10, Aoao 4. Maraki 6, 1880.
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Mataio Kekuanaoa, William French, the Chinese, and sugar, 1838.

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PERTAINING TO THE SUGAR MILL.

Mataio Kekuanaoa rethatched the sugar mill building at Peleula, and it is complete. So too of the storehouse and the living quarters of the Chinese. This is how sugarcane is dealt with at this facility.

Mataio deals with the buildings, raw cane, firewood, and the horses used to pull loads; Mr. French [Mr. Farani] deals with the Chinese who clean the cane and process the cane and fill the bags; and then it is divided by weight, two thirds for Kekuanaoa and one third for Mr. French. Also, there are some of Kekuanaoa’s Hawaiian men who work with the Chinese, and as for the bags [? ekeeke laulau] for the sugar, that is to be provided by the person to whom the sugar belongs.

Listen, all you farmers, chiefs, and makaainana of Honolulu nei! Should you possess raw cane, bring it to be milled, and you will receive half of the sugar [ko maloo] produced from the raw cane that you bring. Two…

(Kumu Hawaii, 12/19/1838, p. 59)

NO KA WILI KO

Ke Kumu Hawaii, Buke 4, Pepa 15, Aoao 59. Dekemaba 19, 1938.

…sixths of the sugar will go to Mr. French [Mi. Farani] for the labor, and one sixth will go to Kekuanaoa for the building and facilities, and three sixths will go to you to whom belonged the raw cane.

It is good to plant sugarcane in Honolulu now, because it is clear who has the mill and will work it. Do plant, people with land and people with oo, so that no more will you be without the basics of life, and your meager way of life will be over.

(Kumu Hawaii, 12/19/1838, p. 60)

...hapaono o ke ko...

Ke Kumu Hawaii, Buke 4, Pepa 15, Aoao 60. Dekemaba 19, 1938.

 

Lydia Panioikawai French, 1880.

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Mrs. Panioikawai French.

The person whose name appears at the top of this article is that fine woman and old-time kamaaina amongst we the people who always see her in Honolulu going by the name Panio. She is the widow of the old haole trader of Hawaii nei, Mika Palani. Panio was born in Waikele, Ewa, on the 15th of July, 1817. She married her husband, Mr. William French (Mika Palani) in 1836 at Kailua, Hawaii. Governor Kuakini was the one who married them; and it was with this husband who she lived in aloha with until death separated them. The two of them had three children—a daughter that is still living, and a mother that is admired along with her husband and four children—and twin sons, one who has died, and one who is living in China.

On the 24th of February past, Panio left this life, at the home of her daughter in Kaakopua, after being in pain for several weeks. In her sickness, her great patience was made clear, along with her unwavering faith in the goodness of the Lord, her Redeemer, and her Savior; and she was there until the victorious hour upon her body. She perhaps had a prayer before she died; she met with some friends, and after words of aloha, she said: “We are fortunate; blessed be the name of the Lord.” These were her last words. She did not say anything until the day she left, then she said clearly: Aloha, three times, and her body’s work was done.

Panio was a kamaaina and a brethren of Kawaiahao Church. Her regular friends were the fine women who are also well known here in Honolulu, and most of them have already passed on—Kekai, Hana Pauma, Halaki Adams, Nakapalau, Kaikaina, Malaea Kanamu, Kawao, Kamaile, Nakookoo, Pakohana. They were good Hawaiian women, who are amongst those called true Hawaiians. And Panio was a kamaaina amongst the royal court and amongst the haole.

I write this because of my aloha for her and her children and grandchildren. Beloved is the name of this enlightened devout mother and Grandmother. The fragrance of her name is stronger than the treasured perfumes of India. And I write this for all of the brethren of Hawaii. Let us copy the righteous, and not the wicked. Let us follow in the footsteps of the good until we are victorious.

PALEKA.

Kawaiahao, March 1, 1880.

(Kuokoa, 3/6/1880, p. 4)

Mrs. Panioikawai French.

Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, Buke XIX, Helu 10, Aoao 4. Maraki 6, 1880.