A new building being constructed.–We just saw that Kapena Loke’s new building has been started on where his work office now stands, in the famous grounds in the olden days of Mikapalani [William French]. It is being built with two stories, and will be constructed entirely of bricks. When the building is completed, it will add continuously to the beauty of Kaahumanu Street.
(Au Okoa, 3/12/1868, p. 2)
That oldtime kamaaina is no more.–The wholesale liquor store of Kapena Loke [Godfrey Rose] that was known to the old folks by the name of “Hale o Mikapalani,” [House of Mr. William French] was raised and in its place will be built a fine stone structure. The year that the house was built is not clearly known; but an oldtime haole kamaaina said that when he arrived in 1838, it was standing; but that oldtime kamaaina has gone.
(Au OKoa, 4/23/1868, p. 3)
The year 1828 was famous for Kaahumanu going to Hawaii and retrieving Lilinoe on Mauna Kea, who was an ancient woman; a thousand and more years she was left on the mountain of Mauna Kea, according to her sworn statement. It was said that Lilinoe remained with body unspoiled, her hair remained affixed and had not fallen out. And should you want to see her descendants, they can be found by way of Huanuiikalailai; she became a kupuna of the alii, and came forth was Umiokalani, the son of Keawenuiaumi and Hoopiliahoe. But it was stated that Lilinoe was not found by Kaahumanu and that she was hidden away. Liloa, Lonoikamakahiki, Kauhoa, and Lole are the only ones who were found by Kaahumanu at Waipio, and they were brought to Kaawaloa. The alii in Hale o Keawe were from the ancestral chiefs to Kalaniopuu and Kiwalao. Hale o Keawe was filled with the bones of the alii, they were arranged and secured in kaai. They were taken to Kaawaloa and a majority of them were burned in fire. That is a very wicked example in Boti’s mind.
Here is another, Kaikioewa was indebt to Mikapalani [William French], that being the haole trader; the other alii were greatly indebted to him, but in his transactions he was a haole who was beyond reproach. The sandalwood that was thrown away by some haole traders were purchased by Mr. French, and therefore he was also called by the name Hapuku because of he indiscriminately gathered [hapuku] the white sandalwood as well as the very small branches, and he was relied upon by the alii and greatly liked; therefore, the alii were much indebted to him. Kaikioewa was one who was indebted, and because he had no sandalwood to pay his debt, therefore Kaikioewa paid his debt with the land of Kawalo [Kewalo] and Kulaokahua which went to Mr. French. So Mr. French prepared to build wooden structures at Kulaokahua adjacent to Waikiki where the Olohe sank.
(Kuokoa, 6/13/1868, p. 1)
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)
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)
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)
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)
Ke Kumu Hawaii, Buke 4, Pepa 15, Aoao 60. Dekemaba 19, 1938.
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)
Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, Buke XIX, Helu 10, Aoao 4. Maraki 6, 1880.
nupepa 