December 23, 1819 – no entry. (Thaddeus Journal)
Follow Peter T Young on Facebook
Follow Peter T Young on Google+
Follow Peter T Young on LinkedIn
Follow Peter T Young on Blogger
Honolulu City Lights
The first discoveries of electricity were made back in ancient Greece. Greek philosophers discovered that when amber is rubbed against cloth, lightweight objects will stick to it. This is the basis of static electricity.
The credit for generating electric current on a practical scale goes to the English scientist, Michael Faraday. In 1831, Faraday found the solution that electricity could be produced through magnetism by motion.
Using electricity as a power source, in the period from 1878 to 1880, Thomas Edison and his associates worked on at least three thousand different theories to develop an efficient incandescent lamp. Incandescent lamps make light by using electricity to heat a thin strip of material (called a filament) until it gets hot enough to glow.
Finally, Edison decided to try a carbonized cotton thread filament. When voltage was applied to the completed bulb, it began to radiate a soft orange glow. Just about fifteen hours later, the filament finally burned out; Patent number 223,898 was given to Edison’s electric lamp.
In 1881, the Exposition Universelle (World’s Fair) was held in Paris; it was the first International Exposition of Electricity. The major events associated with the Fair included Thomas Edison’s electric lights, electrical distribution and Alexander Graham Bell’s telephone.
Shortly thereafter, the Brush Electric Light Company established New York City’s first electric company. A small generator powered street lights on lower Broadway.
In an era of gas lamps, King Kalākaua recognized the potential of “electricity,” and helped pioneer its introduction in the Hawaiian kingdom. The King arranged to meet the inventor of the incandescent lamp, Thomas Edison, in New York in 1881, during the course of a world tour.
During the King’s visit to NYC, the New-York Tribune (September 25, 1881) wrote an article about the King: “One of the sights that pleased him most was the Paris Electrical Exhibition. We spent some time there.”
“Kalakaua is going to introduce the electric light in his own kingdom; and he examined the different lamps on that account with the greatest interest. The life in Paris entertained him very much; they turned night into day there.”
“The visit, indeed, was not altogether one of curiosity, nor was the Edison light wholly unfamiliar to his Majesty, who had already observed it in operation in Paris.”
“It has for several years been one of the dreams of his Majesty, in the development of the civilization toward which his people are rapidly struggling to introduce the electric light in Honolulu and light the city with it, in preference to gas.”
“He has, however, patiently awaited the perfection of some one of the many systems before the public and will probably on his return reduce the purpose to practice.” (New York Times, September 26, 1881)
“He seemed particularly interested in the statement that after steam-power had been transformed into electricity and carried to a great distance in that form it could again be converted into motive power by means of an electrical motor …”
“… and sold to customers for the purpose of running elevators or operating hoist-ways. His eyes lighted when he was told that one of the most profitable departments of the business of the company would be the sale of power to manufactories and business firms …”
“… in quantities as small as a single horse power, costing, under circumstances of ordinary use, not more than 8 cents a day.” (New York Times, September 26, 1881)
Five years after Kalākaua and Edison met, Charles Otto Berger, a Honolulu-based insurance executive with mainland connections, organized a demonstration of “electric light” at the king’s residence, ʻIolani Palace, on the night of July 26, 1886.
To commemorate the occasion, a tea party was organized by Her Royal Highness the Princess Liliʻuokalani and Her Royal Highness the Princess Likelike. The Royal Hawaiian Military Band played music and military companies marched in the palace square. An immense crowd gathered to see and enjoy the brightly lit palace that night.
Shortly after this event, David Bowers Smith, a North Carolinian businessman living in Hawaiʻi, persuaded Kalākaua to install an electrical system on the palace grounds. The plant consisted of a small steam engine and a dynamo for incandescent lamps. On November 16, 1886 – Kalākaua’s birthday – ʻIolani Palace became the world’s first royal residence to be lit by electricity.
With the palace lit, the government began exploring ways to establish its own power plant to light the streets of Honolulu. A decision was made to use the energy of flowing water to drive the turbines of a power plant built in Nu‘uanu Valley.
Accordingly, “a head of from 300 to 330 feet could be obtained at the elevation known as Queen Emma lot in Nu‘uanu Valley (Hānaiakamālama,) this giving about 130 horse power.”
The new dynamo station was located instead “opposite the Wood estate, it having been found that the Queen Emma lot could not be secured.” The contract was awarded to Peter High, ground was broken November 23, 1887 and the government accepted the building on January 21, 1888.
Water was taken in a pipeline running past Kaniakapūpū, then fed a hydroelectric plant in an area known as “Reservoir #1,” near Oʻahu County Club. Power lines were strung on the existing Mutual Telephone Co. poles in the area, down to downtown Honolulu.
On Friday, March 23, 1888, Princess Kaʻiulani, the king’s niece, threw the switch that illuminated the town’s streets for the first time – the first of Honolulu City Lights.
The Minister of the Interior report to the Legislative Assembly in the 1888 noted, “We have at present one twelve-light machine, carrying twelve lights with five miles of wire, and using nine horse power; also one fifty-light machine, carrying forty-six lamps on fifteen miles of wire, using forty-two horse power, making a total of fifty-eight lights now in use in the city.”
A year later, the first of a handful of residences and business had electricity. By 1890, this luxury had been extended to 797 of Honolulu’s homes.
Follow Peter T Young on Facebook
Follow Peter T Young on Google+
Follow Peter T Young on LinkedIn
Follow Peter T Young on Blogger
Nuuanu_Homes-Monsarrat-(portion)-1920-(noting_Government_Electric_Works) 
Iolani Palace, circa 1889 
Queen_Kapiolani_on_the_Iolani_Palace_grounds with Antoinette Swan-(PP-97-14-016) 
Iolani_Palace-early 1880s 
Kalakaua
Day 063 – December 24, 1819
December 24, 1819 – no entry. (Thaddeus Journal)
Dec. 24th. Our way continues prosperous. I have seldom ever enjoyed more uniform peace of mind than for some of the past days. May I give heed that my spiritual course be like our literal course;—while exempt from adverse gales, not experiencing a calm from want of ‘heavenly winds – so blow a prosperous gale of grace.’ (Sybil Bingham)
December 24. We are now in the Torrid Zone – warm days and nights moderated by fresh breezes. Suffer most during the night season, when we are obliged to be in the cabin. I am frequently obliged to get up in the night and go on deck to breathe the fresh air. Tomorrow is Christmas day. Purpose to have public services. Little did I think last Christmas of commemorating the next anniversary of the birth of our Savior upon the broad Atlantic. (Lucia Ruggles Holman)
Saturday, Christmas eve. The subject of this evening’s discourse was chosen from Luke, 2 Chap., 14 Y., “Glory to God in the highest” &c. An appropriate hymn was sung on the occasion, composed by one of the officers on board, Mr. Conant, a young man of liberal education, amiable deportment, and christian morals, an Episcopalian and a firm friend of Missions -the spirit of what is visible in his ode on Christmas, which I shall here copy.
The following hymn was composed by Wm. C. one evening during family prayers in the cabin, and presented by the Author to brother Samuel:
We have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
All hail the bright star that the east once illumined
And blest with its radiance the Shepherds & Seers,
When religion the emblem of Mercy Assumed
And Glory appeared in the Valley of tea.
2d It rose o’er the gloom that enshrouded the earth,
And announced as it burst from the portals of heaven.
That the Savior of sinners Divine in his birth.
The Conqueror of death to the world is now given.
3d On this day from the regions of Glory and love.
As the Type of Salvation and symbol of hope.
Gently down through its beams. see the pure heavenly Dove.
Appear to mankind. who in darkness now grope.
4th May religion’s bright star, as we traverse the Ocean,
Illumine our way and its comforts impart,
While our fond ling’ring thoughts we cast back with emotion
To the country that holds the dear friends of our hearts.
5th Jehovah! Assist in the soul-trying hour,
The Mission of peace to a far distant land,
And calm the rude. Main with thy All-saving power,
Be- love, grace & mercy the gifts of thy hand.
6th When at length on the Isles of the Gentiles they tread
We pray the rough waves may smoothe the rough way
By them may the heathen to Jesus be lead,
And receive with fond rapture the Gospel’s bright rays.
7th By them may the Priests, of Idolatry learn,
That their Mori’s [heiau] and Tarboo’s [kapu] and offrings are vain
Let the nation from Idols and Violence turn,
And the joy of salvation perpetual reign.
8th Now swell the loud Anthems of praise to the Lord,
From whom streams of mercy incessantly flow,
Be the Father, the Son, and Spirit adored
By all nations and kind reds and realms here below. (Lucia Ruggles Holman)
Follow Peter T Young on Facebook
Follow Peter T Young on Google+
Follow Peter T Young on LinkedIn
Follow Peter T Young on Blogger
Day 064 – December 25, 1819
December 25, 1819 – Christmas. – This day we pass under the vertical rays of the sun in the Tropic of Capricorn. This day we joyfully commemorate the rising of that SUN which is the Light of the world, far more glorious that the orb of day. We thought it desirable to devote the day to meditation upon that interesting event which was hailed with rapture by the hosts of heaven, and to the recollection and acknowledgement of our obligations to our condescending Savier. In the evening Bro. Bingham preached a sermon on the occasion from Luke 2. 14, in which the birth of the Saviour was considered, 1st, as a manifestation of the “good will toward men,” 2nd, as a means of promoting, “Peace on earth”, and 3rd, as an illustration of the glory of God. Concluding with four reflections, 1st, This event is worthy of the most grateful and joyful commemoration, 2nd, How widely different are the feelings and conduct of infidels and scoffers from those of angels, respecting this birth of a Savior, 3rd. The propagation of the gospel is the most desirable employment this side of heaven; 4th, This event will be an occasion of joy to the thousands of the Sandwich Isles, to the millions of the earth universally, and to the holy kingdom of Jehovah to all eternity.” The hymns sung were, “Angels song”, by Watts (10 of W’s select.”, “Epiphany” and an original humn from Matt. 2.2., composed for the occasion by W.G. Conant, a serious youth of liberal education, mate of the Brig Thaddeus and considerabley interested in the object of our mission.
This day is to us truly a joyful day and we cherish the hope that before another Christmas we shall be enabled to proclaim to the deluded worshipers of Akoah, “Behold we bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people, for unto you is born this day a Saviour which is C. the Lord,” and that on each succeeding anniversary of this event many tongues which have long been employed in chanting vain orisons to dumb Idols, tuned by Divine grace to the song of angels, will with adoring gratitude respond, “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will toward men.” (Thaddeus Journal)
Dec. 25th, 1819, Christmas. Since it has pleased God in tender mercy, so far to recover my health as that I am able to write a little, I will joyfully embrace occasional opportunities, when it is not convenient for my dear Nancy, and note something for the perusal of our beloved friends in America. As the scenes through which we pass are various and as we know that every circumstance will be read with deep interest by our friends they will excuse us if we are not particular as to our manner & style. We will open our hearts fully, and relate occurrences as they happen. -When we experience mercies we will tell our dear Mother, brethren & sisters that they may rejoice and praise God with us: and when we are called to wade through trials and afflictions we will relate them also that they may sympathise with us and pray for us. Our friends may now look upon the map We entered the torrid zone on the 2nd inst. and have been only 23 days in passing through its sultry clime. To-day the sun is vertical. While you are seated by the side of a good fire, enjoying yourselves with a bowl of apples a minced pye or a good cup of tea, we are sweltering with the heat of summer trying in vain to find a cool place, with not so much as a cup of water that you would consider drinkable. But we are not destitute of enjoyments; we are far from being unhappy. Notwithstanding I am obliged to rise four or five times in the course of night with seasickness, still, I can eat a hearty breakfast of hash and onions, dine on sea pye, and sup on a pint of water gruel. The latter is a luxury to us all, it being the best way that we can make water palatable. We hope to reach cape Horn in three weeks; we dread that place but if we are carried safe around, we shall feel almost home. Samuel R.— (Samuel & Nancy Ruggles)
Dec. 25th. Christmas. Many things have conspired, to render this day peculiarly interesting. I would remark that on thanksgiving day we crossed the tropic of Cancer, and to-day which we celebrated as the anniversary of our Saviour’s birth we have passed that of Capricorn. You may perhaps wonder why we should observe Christmas; but we feel that a day on which our Saviour came into the world should be recognized with gratitude. It is a day too, (we have reason to believe) when many pious hearts expand with holy emotions to God, that we are bearing the news of that joyful event, to those who are sitting in darkness, and in the region and shadow of death. Brother B. preached this evening from Luke 2, 14. “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace and good will towards men.” (They sang a hymn composed by WG Conant, one of the officers on board, “We have seen his star in the east, and have come to worship him.”) With what seraphic strains did the wise men of old saying “Glory to God in the highest,” when they found the Babe of Bethlehem, though wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. And to us it is a source of much consolation, that we are permitted in the providence of God to carry the joyful news that a Savior is born to a nation perishing in ignorance and wretchedness. And have not you, my dear friends, occasion to rejoice, that the land in which you live is so highly distinguished from many nations of the earth and that you are permitted from sabbath to sabbath to sit under the droppings of the sanctuary” O how great are your obligations to live devoted to him from whom you have received these mercies. Need I tell you how it would rejoice the heart of your absent daughter to hear you were reconciled to God, and devoted lee engaged in promoting the cause of Christ? Surely I need not. While I was with you I felt anxious for your eternal welfare, and love you most tenderly; but never till since separated from you, did I know the strength of that affection which I felt for you. Never, no never while I live, can I cease to love and pray for you. (Mercy Partridge Whitney Journal)
25. – This day we have celebrated the anniversary of the saviors birth. Brother B. preached this evening and an appropriate hymn was sung, composed by one of the officers of the ship. Thanksgiving day we crossed the tropic of cancer, today (Christmas) that of Capricorn. I can hardly realize that my friends are pinched with cold, while we feel the burning rays of the summer sun. The heat in passing through the torrid zone has not been so oppressive as it was in New Haven last summer. While sailing along the coast of South America I often think of its vast population rushing to Hell through Romish superstition and pagan darkness. (Samuel Whitney Journal)
Follow Peter T Young on Facebook
Follow Peter T Young on Google+
Follow Peter T Young on LinkedIn
Follow Peter T Young on Blogger
Mauna ‘Ala
During the reign of Kamehameha IV, there was talk of building a new royal mausoleum (at the time, Hawaiʻi’s ruling chiefs were buried in the crypt enclosure on the ʻIolani Palace grounds, known as Pohukaina, sometimes called ‘the mound’.)
His death on November 30, 1863 was the impetus needed to begin the construction of a new chapel; it was completed in January 1864 and a State funeral was held for Kamehameha IV on February 3, 1864.
Mauna ‘Ala is the resting place for many of Hawai‘i’s royalty. (Mauna ‘Ala means “fragrant mountain.”) On October 19, 1865, the Royal Mausoleum chapel was completed.
RC Wyllie, Hawaiʻi’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, was buried with a State funeral in the Royal Mausoleum on October 29, 1865.
The next night, October 30, 1865, the remains of 21 Ali‘i were removed from Pohukaina at ‘Iolani Place and transferred in a torchlight procession at night to Mauna ‘Ala, the new Royal Mausoleum in Nu‘uanu Valley.
“Earth has not seen a more solemn procession what when, in the darkness of the night, the bodies of these chieftains were carried through the streets”. (Hawaiian Gazette, January 14, 1880)
In a speech delivered on the occasion of the laying of the Cornerstone of The Royal Palace (ʻIolani Palace,) Honolulu, in 1879, JH Kapena, Minister of Foreign Relations, said:
“Doubtless the memory is yet green of that never-to-be-forgotten night when the remains of the departed chiefs were removed to the Royal Mausoleum in the valley.”
“Perhaps the world had never witnessed a procession more weird and solemn than that which conveyed the bodies of the chiefs through our streets, accompanied on each side by thousands of people until the mausoleum was reached, the entire scene and procession being lighted by large kukui torches, while the midnight darkness brought in striking relief the coffins on their biers.”
The March 10, 1899 issue of the Hawaiian Gazette noted that Liloa (1500s,) Lonoikamakahiki (late-1500s) and Alapaʻi (1700s) are among the buried at Mauna ʻAla.
In 1866, the remains of John Young, the British seaman who became a close friend and advisor to Kamehameha I, had been moved to Mauna ‘Ala.
Then the first major crypt was built during 1884-1887 by Charles Reed Bishop, husband of Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, to house the remains of the Kamehameha family. Later, he too was buried there and the crypt sealed.
The Kamehameha crypt is the resting place Kamehameha II to V and other members of family – there are a total of 24 Kamehameha’s buried there.
Lunalilo chose to be buried on Kawaiaha‘o Church grounds in his personal crypt and not at the Royal Mausoleum.
A second crypt was built in 1904 to house nine of Queen Emma’s relatives and close associates. This tomb is named for Robert C. Wyllie, a close friend of the Kamehameha family and an important figure in late-19th century Hawaiian politics.
Between 1907 and 1910, a third crypt was built to shelter the Kalākaua family. The Kalākaua crypt holds the buried remains of members of the Kalākaua dynasty – a total of 20 members of the Kalākaua family.
It was Queen Lili‘uokalani’s wish and vision to convert the mausoleum building into a chapel, to be used specifically to celebrate the birthdays of Hawai‘i’s kings and queens and their legacy of aloha, left to the Hawaiian people through the various trusts created by these high chiefs and high chiefesses, to care for their people.
By a joint resolution of Congress on May 31, 1900, the 3.5-acres of land that make up the Mauna ʻAla premises were “withdrawn from sale, lease, or other disposition under the public-land laws of the United States” and the property is to be used as a mausoleum for the royal family of Hawai‘i.
Mauna ‘Ala is managed by DLNR’s State Parks Division; there is a curator agreement for the property. William John Kaihe‘ekai Mai‘oho (Bill) was appointed curator of Mauna ‘Ala in January 1995. His mother was kahu for 28-years prior. This position was handed down through the generations.
I had the good fortune to meet Bill on a couple occasions. Once, at Mauna ‘Ala for a service in the chapel and presenting of ho‘okupu at the Kamehameha crypt; the second was at the awa ceremony for the curator agreement between DLNR and the Royal Order of Kamehameha I at Kaʻawaloa Point at Kealakekua Bay.
Mauna ʻAla is open to the public from 8 am to 4 pm, Monday thru Friday and on Memorial Day.
Follow Peter T Young on Facebook
Follow Peter T Young on Google+
Follow Peter T Young on LinkedIn
Mauna_Ala-(DMYoung) 
The_chapel_at_Mauna_‘Ala,_the_Royal_Mausoleum 
Mauna Ala Entrance 
Chapel_at_Mauna_‘Ala-interior
- « Previous Page
- 1
- …
- 357
- 358
- 359
- 360
- 361
- …
- 659
- Next Page »