Images of Old Hawaiʻi

by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Queen’s Hospital Subscribers

Hawaiians called the hospital and dispensary Hale Ma‘i o ka Wahine Ali‘i (literally, sick house of the lady chief,) or Hale Ma‘i for short. Opening day was August 1, 1859; it was founded by Kamehameha IV and Queen Emma. They called it Queen’s Hospital. “(A) number of persons, resident in Honolulu and other parts of the Kingdom have entered into a voluntary contribution, by subscription, for the purpose of creating a fund, for the erection and establishment of a Hospital at Honolulu, for the relief of indigent sick, and disabled people of the Hawaiian Kingdom, as well as of such foreigners, and others, as may desire to avail themselves of the same …”

Some 250 businesses, groups, and individuals had subscribed $13,530; the king and queen headed the list of subscribers with pledges of $500 each. The following are the initial 10-Trustees who were elected: Benjamin Franklin Snow, Samuel Chenery Damon, Samuel Northrup Castle, Charles Reed Bishop, James Walker Austin, Edwin Oscar Hall, John Thomas Waterhouse, William Arnold Aldrich, William Lowthian Green & Heinrich (Henry) Hackfeld.

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.

by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

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.

by Peter T Young 9 Comments

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.