Images of Old Hawaiʻi

by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Timeline Tuesday … 1830s

Today’s ‘Timeline Tuesday’ takes us through the 1830s – death of Ka‘ahumanu, first successful commercial sugar, first English language newspaper and Declaration of Rights. We look at what was happening in Hawai‘i during this time period and what else was happening around the rest of the world.

A Comparative Timeline illustrates the events with images and short phrases. This helps us to get a better context on what was happening in Hawai‘i versus the rest of the world. I prepared these a few years ago for a planning project. (Ultimately, they never got used for the project, but I thought they might be on interest to others.)

by Peter T Young 1 Comment

Broken Bones

The Chiefs’ Children’s School (The Royal School) was founded in 1839. In this school were educated the Hawai‘i sovereigns who reigned over the Hawaiian people from 1855, namely, Alexander Liholiho (King Kamehameha IV,) Queen Emma, Lot Kamehameha (King Kamehameha V,) King William Lunalilo, King David Kalākaua and Queen Lydia Lili‘uokalani. But all were not always well.

“On Saturday afternoon, when we returned from bathing David fell off his horse and broke his arm”. A month before Kalākaua’s fall, Prince Lot noted the third anniversary that Moses Kekūāiwa also “fell off from his horse and broke his arm”. The Cooke’s also experienced bone breaks; their daughter “Juliette has been so unfortunate as to break her arm”. Another unidentified bone break happened later, “Juliette and our children are enjoying usual health. Our little scholar with a broken leg has nearly recovered. He hobbles about.”

by Peter T Young 1 Comment

Linekona School

In 1865, the board of education adopted a policy of separating school children by sex, and the Town Free School became the Mililani Girls School. (Town Free School was successor of Oʻahu Charity School – the first English-language-focused school.) Most of the boys were sent to the Royal School.

In 1873, the Fort Street School went public, and in 1895 was split to create Kaʻiulani Elementary and the islands’ first public high school – Honolulu High School. The high school moved near Thomas Square and it was renamed President William McKinley High School; the building served that function until the present McKinley High was erected in 1923. At that time, the old school was renamed Linekona (Lincoln) Elementary; it was the main elementary school in Honolulu.

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Paʻaʻaina

Mary Polly Paʻaʻaina was hanai (adopted) by John Papa ʻIʻi and his wife Sarai. In May 1843, Paʻaʻaina was the last girl to enter the Chief’s Childrens’ School; she was 10 years old. She was a pupil there for 7-years where she endeared herself to her teachers and fellow pupils.

Then, she married Mr James Augustus Griswold on December 30, 1851, in Honolulu. Unfortunately, she became ill. “Her sufferings during her last sickness were extreme. She felt conscious of danger, and, as far as human eye could see, prepared herself for her departure.” She died at Honolulu, May 28, 1853. Her only child was a daughter named Mary Paʻaʻaina Griswold.

by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Nā Lani ʻEhā

Nā Lani ʻEhā (The Royal Four; the Heavenly Four) are four siblings who, among other accomplishments, demonstrated extraordinary talent as musicians and composers.  They were born to High Chief Caesar Kapaʻakea and High Chiefess Analeʻa Keohokālole. They were King Kalākaua (1836-1891,) Queen Liliʻuokalani (1838-1917,) Princess Likelike (1851-1887) and Prince Leleiōhoku (1854-1877.) In 1995, the Hawaiian […]