Images of Old Hawaiʻi

by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Bishop Bank – Waimea

Charles Reed Bishop became ‘Hawaiʻi’s First Banker’ and formed Bishop & Co Bank in 1858. In 1895, Samuel M Damon bought Bishop & Co; after the turn of the century the bank started opening neighbor island branches, including the Waimea branch on Kauai in 1911.

The Waimea branch at one time served the entire island of Kauai. As the economy of the island developed, however, additional branches on that and other islands were opened. The Bank incorporated as Bank of Bishop & Co. Ltd in 1919. After some mergers, in 1956 it was renamed Bishop National Bank of Hawai‘i; in 1960, First National Bank of Hawai‘i; then, in 1969, First Hawaiian Bank.

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Founder’s Day

Pauahi Pākī was born on December 19, 1831; she was the great-granddaughter of Kamehameha I. Pauahi was hānai (adopted) to her aunt, Kīnaʻu (the eldest daughter of Kamehameha.) Lydia Liliʻu Kamakaʻeha (later Queen Lili‘uokalani) was hānai (adopted) to the Pākīs, who reared her with their birth daughter, Pauahi. The two girls developed a close, loving relationship.

In 1850, at the age of 19, Pauahi married Charles Reed Bishop, a young American businessman. When her cousin, Princess Ruth Keʻelikōlani, died, Keʻelikōlani’s will stated gave all of her land to Pauahi – about 353,000 acres. Bernice Pauahi died childless on October 16, 1884. Through her will she founded Kamehameha Schools. Today, December 19, is Pauahi’s birthday; it is also known as Founder’s Day at Kamehameha Schools.

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How Did The Aliʻi Feel?

My recent post concerning nationality versus race in the “ongoing claims and discussions about restoring the Hawaiian Government that was deposed on January 17, 1893” has, unfortunately, produced some nasty remarks (however, I will note, some were very positive.)

The historical record is clear – from Kamehameha I to Liliʻuokalani, the aliʻi befriended, sought counsel and even married Caucasians and other foreigners. Following contact, Caucasians were actively involved with all of the aliʻi – they served as personal and significant advisors to the aliʻi. Aliʻi sought their advice and put them in places of importance – many of these were missionaries.

by Peter T Young 1 Comment

Haleʻakala

Bernice Pauahi’s father, Paki, had completed the construction of a new residence on King Street (between Fort and Alakea.) (Bishop Street had not been built, yet.) This new home replaced Paki’s prior modest, thatched-roof home he called ʻAikupika (‘Egypt’) that had been on the same piece of property. (ʻAikupika is where Pauahi was born.)

The name Paki gave his new home was probably meant it to be Haleʻakala or the ‘Pink House.’ Liliʻuokalani and John Dominis were married at Haleʻakala; Duke Kahanamoku was later born there. It was later the Arlington Hotel; on January 16, 1893, the home served as the headquarters for the USS Boston’s landing force at the time of the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy.

by Peter T Young 1 Comment

Pauahi

She was born on December 19, 1831, the daughter of Abner Paki and Laura Konia; she was great-granddaughter of King Kamehameha. They Paki and Konia gave her the name Pauahi (‘the fire is out;’) it was the name of Konia’s half-sister. Pauahi was hanai (adopted) to her aunt, Kinaʻu (the eldest daughter of Kamehameha.)

Pauahi “married in her eighteenth year (May 4, 1850 – in the parlor of the Royal School,) She was betrothed to Prince Lot … but when Mr Charles R Bishop pressed his suit, my sister smiled on him, and they were married.” (Liliʻuokalani) Pauahi’s will formed and funded the Kamehameha Schools.