Images of Old Hawaiʻi

by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Kamā‘ule‘ule

Kamā‘ule‘ule was the son of Kekuamanoha, a chief of Maui, and was a younger brother of Kalanimōku (but it was rumored that he was the son of Kahekili.) His nickname, ‘Boki’ or ‘Poki,’ came from a variation on ‘Boss’ (it was also the name of a supernatural dog.) Boki was appointed governor of O‘ahu and confirmed in his post by Kamehameha II. He married Liliha.

Boki agreed to the breaking of the tabus in 1819 and accepted the Protestant missionaries arriving in 1820, although he had been baptized as a Catholic aboard the French vessel of Louis de Freycinet, along with his brother Kalanimōku, the previous year. Boki and Liliha were among the ali‘i who accompanied King Kamehameha II and Queen Kamāmalu to England in 1824. Due to the sudden death of Kamehameha II from the measles, Boki lead the Hawaiian delegation to meet with King George IV.

by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Kidwell’s Mānoa Pineapples

John Kidwell was born January 17, 1849 in the small north Devonshire village of Marwood. At the age of fifteen (in 1864,) he left home to become an apprentice to a second cousin, who was a nurseryman in London. He emigrated to the US in 1872 and became a nurseryman in San Francisco. In 1882, with letters of introduction, Kidwell sailed to Honolulu. At the time, there was great demand for fresh Hawaiian pineapples in San Francisco.

Kidwell started a pineapple farm with locally available plants at Wailele (where Mid-Pacific Institute is situated). The fruit was of poor quality; so he searched for better cultivars, importing 12 ‘Smooth Cayenne’ plants. Kidwell is credited with starting Hawai‘i’s pineapple industry; after his initial planting, others soon realized the potential of growing pineapples in Hawaii and consequently, started their own pineapple plantations. The commercial Hawaiian pineapple canning industry began in 1889 when Kidwell’s business associate, John Emmeluth, a Honolulu hardware merchant and plumber, produced commercial quantities of canned pineapple.

by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

$25,000 Annuity

“‘The people of my country do not want to be annexed to the United States. Nor do the people of the United States wants annexation … There is no provision made in this treaty for me. In the Harrison treaty I was allowed $20,000 a year, but that treaty never went into effect. I have never received one dollar from the United States. … ‘No one looked after my interests in the preparation of this treaty. Yet my people, who form so large a part of the population of the islands, would want justice done me.’” (Lili‘uokalani noted in Los Angeles Herald, June 18, 1897)

“One day while dining with Paul Neuman I said: ‘I think it would be a good thing if the Queen could be pensioned by the Provisional Government; it would make matters harmonious, relieve business, and make matters much simpler.’” “In the meantime he (Blount) had been to the Queen, to Mr. Dole, and had done what he could to prevent the carrying out of the plan.” (Bowen; Morgan Report) “Thus Blount intervened to scuttle negotiations between the Queen and President Dole that were strongly on track toward a mutually agreeable settlement whereby the Queen would give up all claims to the throne in return for an annuity.” (MorganReport)

by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

‘Ōpūkaha‘ia Enters Foreign Mission School

“As Obookiah, at the time of his entrance into the school at Cornwall, had arrived at an age of considerable maturity, it may be proper that a more particular description should now be given of his person and character.” “He was considerably above the ordinary size: but little less than six feet in height, and in his limbs and body proportionably large. His form, which at sixteen was awkward and unshapen, had become erect, graceful, and dignified.”

“His countenance had lost every mark of dulness; and was, in an unusual degree, sprightly, and intelligent. His features were strongly marked. They were expressive of a sound and penetrating mind. He had a piercing eye, a prominent Roman nose, and a projecting chin.” “In his disposition he was amiable and affectionate. His temper was mild. Passion was not easily excited, nor long retained Revenge, or resentment, it if presumed, was never known to be cherished in his heart. He loved his friends, and was grateful for the favours which he received from them.” (All text is from Memoirs of Obookiah)

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Three Events that Prepared the Way

“The fiftieth anniversary of the introduction Christianity into these Islands will be celebrated this year as a jubilee”. (Pacific Commercial Advertiser, June 4, 1870) “(T)he king (Kamehameha V) proclaimed Wednesday, June 15th, a national holiday as it was to be observed in commemoration of ‘the introduction of Christianity into this kingdom, under the auspices and direction of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions.’” (Christian Work, September 1, 1870) As part of the commemoration ceremonies Samuel C Damon spoke, in part, about three events that formed the foundation for the success of the Hawaiian Islands Mission – and the reason for celebration of the Jubilee.

“The conquest of the Islands by Kamehameha I, and the consolidation of the government under one ruler; the visit to the United States of Obookiah (‘Ōpūkaha’ia) and his Hawaiian associates, Thomas Hopu and others; the abolition of idolatry, and the utter renunciation of the old tabu system. … These three events, I deem of vast moment, if a person, would take a clear, calm, and philosophical view of the great event, which we are gathered to commemorate. The Hawaiians were led through a period of forty years’ wanderings, even after their existence was known to the civilized world, before they were permitted to enter the Land of Promise.”