Images of Old Hawaiʻi

by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Aliʻi Letters Kalama to Cookes (September 1, 1847)

Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site and Archives (Mission Houses) collaborated with Awaiaulu Foundation to digitize, transcribe, translate and annotate over 200-letters written by 33-Chiefs. In this letter, Kalama writes to Mr. and Mrs. Cooke apologizing about a wrong that she has done in the past. Hakaleleponi Kapākūhaili Kalama was Kamehameha III’s wife.

In part, it notes, “I am expressing my thoughts to the two of you about my seeing your invitation in the letter to the king on the 30th of this past August, to go to Loeau’s wedding tomorrow evening, and I was also invited by the letter to go as well. It seems wrong to me that I go, for I have wronged you both and everyone there. Therefore, I am apologizing before the Lord for my wrongdoing towards him. … may you both forgive me for my wrong, as my apologies are sincere.”

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Simon Peter Kalama

Besides the publication of newspapers, pamphlets and books at Lahainaluna Seminary (now Lahainaluna High School,) another important facet of activity off the press was engraving. Simon Peter Kalama was one of the best engravers; he compiled the first map of Hawaiʻi published in Hawaiʻi and executed most of the “views” of the islands’ landscapes.

Working with Dr Gerrit P Judd, Kalama transcribed notes of kahuna lapa‘au that were published in Ka Hae Hawaii in 1858 – 1859 – the best source of information on traditional kahuna lapa‘au (Hawaiian medicine) that exists today. During the Wilkes expedition, on January 16, 1841, Kalama saved Judd from death in the crater of the volcano Kilauea. A few years later, Kalama enjoyed a lucrative career as a surveyor.

by Peter T Young 1 Comment

“Admiral of the Sandwich Islands”

On November 27, 1823, Kamehameha II (Liholiho) was the first Ali‘i to travel to England.  He was accompanied by Kamāmalu, the queen, Boki and his wife, Liliha, Kekūanāoʻa, Manuia, James Young and Kapihe.  (Alexander) Kapihe (Naihekukui) “was very intelligent, had an excellent memory, and spoke English tolerably. He was remarkably skillful in the game of […]

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“Where Rail Meets Sail”

Actually, it’s where the river, railway and roadway intersect; but that’s getting a little ahead of the story. The original inhabitants of the area were variously called The Cawalitz, Cow-a-lidsk, Cowalitsk, Cow-e-lis-kee, Cowelits, Cowlitch, Co-litsick, Kawelitsk, Cowalitsk, Kowlitz, Kowlitz; but the most common name is Cowlitz. At the time of first contact with Europeans and […]

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Kamehameha III (Kauikeaouli)

Kauikeaouli appeared to be stillborn, but was revived.  He was the second son of Kamehameha I.   His birth site is at the head of Keauhou Bay (the Daughters of Hawaiʻi own and maintain the area.) His exact birth date is not known; however, the generally accepted date is August 11, 1813.  Never-the-less, Kauikeaouli was […]