Images of Old Hawaiʻi

by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Kalamaʻula

During Kamehameha’s conquest of the Islands, Kalama‘ula, on Molokai, was where Kalola became ill and they could not carry out their original intention of going to Oʻahu to join Kahekili. Kamehameha followed Kalola to Molokai and asked Kalola for Keōpūolani (Kalola’s granddaughter) to be his queen. It was also here that Kamehameha V planted 1,000 coconut trees; it was his favorite area for retreats.

Some suggest the area was named for a stone … and a song was written about the beauty of the area. The US Congress passed the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act to provide lands for Hawaiians; in 1922, Kalamaʻula became the first Hawaiian homestead subdivision in the islands.

by Peter T Young 1 Comment

Ka Huakaʻi o ka Pō

“The first thing you will hear is drums in the distance, then you will smell a foul and musky odor, and you will hear a conch shell being blown, for fair warning to get out of the way, and you will see torches getting brighter and brighter as they get closer. Your best chance is to have an ancestor that recognizes you, they will call out,’Na‘u!’ which means mine.”

“But if you are in the night marchers’ bloodline no one in the procession can harm you. No matter what you build in their path they go straight through it. The night marchers are the vanguard for a sacred chief or chiefess who unusually have a high station in life.” (Kapanui)

by Peter T Young 1 Comment

Kaleleakeʻanae

The battle was the last stand of Kalanikūpule and 9,000-warriors of O‘ahu against Kamehameha and his invading army of 12,000-warriors from Hawai‘i. Kamehameha’s fleet landed at Waikiki where it covered the beaches from Waiʻalae to Waikiki. Kalanikūpule and his chiefs were stationed at strategic points in Nuʻuanu at Kanoneakapueo, Kahapaʻakai, Luakaha, Kawananakoa, Kaukahoku, Kapaʻeli, Kaumuʻohena, and Puʻiwa (where the fighting began.)

Kamehameha’s cannon’s rained fire down on Kalanikūpule’s forces, which disorganized under the assault. From that point on, it was a running fight, a desperate rear-guard action as Oʻahu’s defenders were herded up Nuʻuanu Valley. The name of the Battle of Nuʻuanu is also referred to as Kaleleakeʻanae, which means “the leaping of the mullet fish.” With their backs to the sheer cliff of the Nuʻuanu Pali, many chose to fall to their deaths than submit to Kamehameha.

by Peter T Young 2 Comments

First Days

“On the 31st of March (1820,) a considerable number of the natives came off to our vessel, from the shores of Kohala … to look at the strangers. On the 1st of April, as we were abreast of Kawaihae … The next morning, our brig being in Kawaihae bay, I made my first visit on shore … and called on Kalanimoku …”

“With him, I visited Puukohola, the large heathen temple at that place … This monument of idolatry, I surveyed with mingled emotions of grief, horror, pity, regret … of grief and horror … and of hope, that soon temples to the living God would take the place of these altars of heathen abomination.” “… Kalanimōku, his wives, and two of the widows of Kamehameha, embarked with us and as we together proceeded toward Kailua, the residence of the king … “On the morning of the 4th of April, 163 days from Boston, we came to anchor, abreast of the village of Kailua.” (Hiram Bingham)

by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Hono O Nā Pali

Hono O Nā Pali Natural Area Reserve encompasses almost 3,600 acres on the north coast island of Kauai. The Reserve was designated in 1983 and expanded in 2009 to preserve native natural communities in the Hanalei and Waimea Districts, including the Hanakāpī‘ai, Hanakoa and Waiahuakua ahupua‘a. it’s “one of the best remaining forest ecosystems in Hawai‘i, as well as the rare and endangered plant and animal species it supports.”

“The mountains along the shore, for eight or ten miles, are very bold, some rising abruptly from the ocean, exhibiting the obvious effects of volcanic fires; some, a little back, appear like towering pyramids”. “Except for a very narrow, dangerous foot-path, with yawning abysses on each side, this bluff is impassable.” (The Tourist’s Guide, Whitney, 1895) The trail was originally built around 1860 (portions were rebuilt in the 1930s) to foster transportation and commerce for the residents living in the remote valleys.