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Aliʻiolani House

February 19, 2017 1 Comment

By 1866, the need for a new courthouse government building was apparent. The old courthouse, completed in 1852, accommodated not only the judicial needs of the young nation, but also served as the reception hall for diplomatic ceremonies and official social functions. The legislature appropriated funds towards a new palace and a new government building. Delays ensued. Kamehameha V envisioned a civic center around the palace, and plans were made to purchase the Mililani premises on King Street.

“It is the intention of this Govt to build a new Royal Palace here”. The cornerstone was laid on February 19, 1872. Kamehameha V never saw the completion of the Government Building; nor did they build his new Palace. The Government Building officially opened by the Legislature on April 30, 1874. “‘Ali‘iolani House’ is the name by which the new Government house is to be hereafter known, by command of His Majesty (Kalākaua.)” The building is known as Ali‘iolani Hale; it is the former seat of government of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi and the Republic of Hawaiʻi and now houses the Hawai‘i Supreme Court and Judiciary History Center of Hawai‘i.

The Third Warning Voice

February 10, 2017 No Comments

On the January 20, 1881, King Kalākaua set out upon a tour around the world. After the king’s return he proposed a ten million dollar loan, chiefly for military purposes but (it was) met with no encouragement. He then published a pamphlet entitled ‘A Third Warning Voice,’ in which he urged the establishment of a large standing army. “The gist of the argument is that the Legislature should provide for an army of 521-men and ten staff officers, at a cost of $345,541. The salaries of the staff officers are to amount to $45,680.”

“We have been a warlike race for generations to generations back, and for nearly half a century we have enjoyed the blessings of peace and the imagination of our permanent security … there has been a clash of sentiments caused by divergent interest that the nation is at every moment to political strife, and the loss of its autonomy and independence.” “I will conclude by adding, that it is only in the Military profession and occupation that the life of the nation, of the dying Hawaiian and Aboriginal race can have hope for its continuance, perpetuation and maintenance.” (Robert H Baker)

Kuini Liliha

February 4, 2017 No Comments

Liliha was reared in the traditional cultural system of the day. As a young woman, Liliha witnessed Ka‘ahumanu’s successful assault on the ancient kapu system. She was the wife of Kahalaia, but was soon preempted by his uncle, Boki, the governor of O‘ahu. Boki, Liliha, and Kekūanāo‘a were principal members of the entourage that accompanied Liholiho (King Kamehameha II) and Kamāmalu his Queen) on an 1824 diplomatic tour of the United Kingdom, visiting King George IV.

Liholiho and Kamāmalu contracted measles. King George IV encouraged Boki and Liliha “to take good care of the missionaries for they were sent to teach the nation the word of God and to enlighten them”. (Damon) However, they had serious disagreements with the missionaries and Ka‘ahumanu, their strong supporter. Liliha died on August 24, 1839 in Honolulu.

Charles Coffin Harris

February 3, 2017 No Comments

Charles Coffin Harris was born on June 9, 1822 in New Hampshire. He graduated from Harvard in 1841; be began teaching school, studied law and married his cousin, Harriet M Harris. The ‘gold rush’ took him to California. That, then, brought him to the Islands. “He arrived at the Islands still a young man – during the formation period of our history, and entering our then infant country as a practitioner, and occasionally our Legislature as a representative – he contributed to the growth of the superstructure of jurisprudence which exists to-day in this Kingdom.”

“His first public employment was that of police magistrate of Honolulu in the year 1851. He was elected representative for one of the districts of the Island of Hawaii in 1852.” “He continued to practice law with marked success. In 1862, a law was passed, creating the office of attorney-general of the kingdom, and to which office he was appointed on the 26th of August, 1862 by Kamehameha IV.” After a few years of service he went to Washington, but returned in 1868 and became Minister of Finance, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, then, in 1874 was appointed First Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, and later became Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and Chancellor of the Kingdom.

Ford Hawaiians

February 1, 2017 2 Comments

“Detroit, Michigan … For the first time in the history of this city the general public was given an opportunity last night to dance to the weird, fascinating and charming music of far-off Hawaii, rendered by Hawaiian Quintet at Arcadia auditorium.” “’Ford’s Hawaiians,’ as they are styled, were brought to Detroit last year by Henry Ford after he had heard them in the Hawaiian building at the Panama-Pacific exposition.”

For nine months in 1915, the San Francisco Presidio’s bayfront and much of today’s Marina District was the site of a grand celebration of human spirit and ingenuity – hosted to celebrate the completion of the Panama Canal, as well as help San Francisco by bringing folks to the area as San Francisco was recovering from the 1906 earthquake. “Perhaps no music is more appreciated on these warm summer evenings than that of the Hawaiians.” Henry Ford visited the Exposition, and was so impressed with the band’s music that he hired the quintet to come to Detroit and play at Ford company events.