News of the Districts.

From the friend of the many, M. Mose Manu of Kipahulu, Maui, we received the news of his area. There is not much news, but he was filled with solemnity in his sadness at hearing of the death of Mr. Henry A. Pierce. So too with a majority of our readers, for Mr. Pierce was a familiar haole in Hawaii from the olden days, but he was known by the name Mika Pia. He was a haole trader here in Honolulu when the trade industry was first being established in the old times. Hanuela [James Hunnewell] folks, and Mika Palani [William French] folks are his fellow familiar haole of those days. Kauikeaouli was the King then. After those days, Mika Pia returned back within [?] and the Minister resident from America came. He lived at Puunui. Mr. Paulo Hueu, a familiar one amongst us, lived with him for many years. The old haole from those years of the Hawaiian nation are almost all gone. Just as with the passing of the old time alii and the makaainana of the land, so too with the malihini who came and resided here those days; they are disappearing.

On the 29th of this past month, Kekahu and Kaoiki of Waimea, Oahu, held a banquet. It was a birthday party for their child. It began at seven o’clock in the evening. The large and dignified table was supplied with fish of the sea and livestock of the fields that were baked in the imu until perfect for satisfying the bodies of man. This pen prays that the child for whom the banquet was held will go on and live to very old age.

From the mouth of a friend who traveled to the island of Kauai and returned, we learned of the great drunkenness at Wailua Kai. The worst is on Saturday nights: that is when they fight like wild animals. In the last days of the legislative session of 1884, we heard that the Hon. Palohau left for good all sorts of intoxicants. If this is true, then this Wailua would be the proper place for Palohau to go and reform the alcohol drinking friends of that place, before they are all die.

News from all over the land comes to us frequently pertaining to people turning to the superstitions of the old days, the deeds of pagan times. It is not fitting for people who have become enlightened to return to the dark. Idolatry was left because it is dark, and it is something done by the ignorant. If the lahui is enlightened, they cannot look to the akua makani [spirit gods]; that would be deceitful.

(Kuokoa, 9/12/1885, p. 2)

Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, Buke XXIV, Helu 37, Aoao 2. Sepatemaba 12, 1885.
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Keaomelemele, 2021!

Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, Buke XXIII, Helu 36, Aoao 1. Sepatemaba 6, 1884.

It has been 137 years since the famous Composer of  Stories Moses Manu first published the story of Keaomelemele in Ka Nupepa Kuokoa. The story was translated by Mary Kawena Pukui many years ago and was first published in Hawaiian and English in 2002. It has been out of print for years.

I just heard that Bishop Museum Press has finally received reprints of the book and it is now available for purchase! Click the image below to be taken to the Bishop Museum Press page where you can order a copy today.

keaomelemele