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July 14, 2019 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Day 101 – January 31, 1820

January 31, 1820 – This day is also a season of rejoicing. The voice of health contentment and praise, gives the cheerful response to the breeze of prosperity. Peace without and peace within, while we are rapidly borne westward into the waters of the Pacific. Lat. S 58° Lon. W. 68°. The days are long, having about 17 hours sun, and the twilight continues through the short night, keeping along the Southern horizon. At sunsetting the mercury stands at 46 Fahrenheit. Though it is but little past midsummer here, it requires a winter dress to make us comfortably warm. (Thaddeus Journal)

Jan. 31st. This morning finds our family well— the winds taking us fast into the Pacific. Peace without—peace within. Evening. It is some minutes past nine o’clock, but day-light is not so far gone but I write this with so much of it as comes in at the little round glass at the top of the room. Sophia will remember that is all the window I have. It is very pleasant, now so far away, to recollect one dear sister has trod upon the floor which I tread from hour to hour. I love to look up at the names over the door— then think of the hymn to be sung when we came into mind, “Begone unbelief—” (Sybil Bingham)

Jan. 31. We are daily called upon by the providence of god law for the sacrifice of thanksgiving. Notwithstanding we are in this cold and dreary region and at this point which is thought to be the most dangerous sailing on the globe, we can sit down with cheerful hearts to our ordinary, though frugal meals; and arise with gratitude, to the Giver of our mercies. The weather continues cold and unpleasant. But though cold and comforts be the way in which a kind providence shall lead us, I hope we shall cheerfully acquiesce in all His dealings. (Mercy Partridge Whitney Journal)

3[1]. – Owing to westerly winds we are driven farther south than our Capt. wished to go. The weather is so cold that I can hardly keep warm by walking fast with my cloak on. Thermometer stands at 46°. We are on the same meridian of longitude as our friends at home; but our situation is somewhat different. They are pinched with northern blasts we would southern. They are surrounded with comforts of home, we would mercies abroad. And though the waves of the Pacific rage about us we feel that the arm on which we lean is omnipotent. Few families in New England we believe have more real enjoyment than this little band of brethren. Blessed with health & far more of the comforts of life than we ever expected at sea; with high hopes of soon setting our feet on heathen shores & performing the work of our heavenly Father, we are happy. (Samuel Whitney Journal)

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July 13, 2019 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Day 102 – February 1, 1820

February 1, 1820 – Today we pass the meridean of the Foreign Mission school in Cornwall, Conn. U.S.A., sailing westward 7 or 8 knots an hour. During 24 hours we have made nearly 5 degrees. Our respected Capt. B. says there never could be a better chance to get west, from the cape, and that if this wind should continue another day, he should then be desirous to turn more to the north. (Thaddeus Journal)

Feb. 1st. The wind continues in our favor, carrying us fast from the ‘’stormy Cape”. Our course now is due west—one hundred fifty miles the last twenty-four hours. 0, that we may suitably notice our mercies! (Sybil Bingham)

February 1, Lat. 59 South-within 8 days sail of the regions of perpetual ice. Suffer much from the cold, there being no fire in the cabin, nor are we allowed a foot stove as the Magazine is under us; and consequently it would be running some hazard to admit fire into the cabin. The only way I can keep any way comfortable, is, to roll myself up in my blanket and lie in my berth. It is more than 3 months since I have seen a fire-but tomorrow I have the promise of the old cook that I may go into the Caboose, the place where he cooks our victuals.
O let me entreat you to prize a good fireside and other domestic comforts while you remember Him from whom all your blessings flow. (Lucia Ruggles Holman)

Feb 1. – The weather continues cold & unpleasant. The sun rises at ½ past 3, & sets at ½ past 8. Daylight is to be seen to whole 24 hours. The moon at its greatest altitude forms an angle of 15° with the northern whole horizon. (Samuel Whitney Journal)

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July 13, 2019 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Hale Nauā Society

The Hale Nauā (also known as Ualo Malie (Malo)) was a secret royal society established on September 24, 1886 when King Kalākaua obtained a charter for it from the Privy Council.

William D. Alexander writes, that it was formed “not without difficulty, on account of the suspicion that was felt in regard to its character and objects.

According to its constitution it was founded forty quadrillions of years after the founding of the world, and twenty-four thousand seven hundred and fifty years from Lailai, the first woman.” The bylaws are loosely based on Masonic bylaws. (Forbes)

Alexander writes, “So far as the secret proceedings and objects of the society have transpired, it appears to have been indirectly to serve as a political machine.” At the time the organization was also known as the “Ball and Twine Society”. (Forbes)

According to its constitution, the society was “the revival of Ancient Sciences of Hawaii in combination with the promotion and advancement of Modern Sciences, Art, Literature, and Philanthropy.” (Daws)

It was Kalākaua’s idea, and its membership was limited to men with Hawaiian blood – the King served as president. (Daws)

The original hale nauā scrutinized the genealogical qualifications of those who claimed relationship to the chiefs, as Hawaiian historian David Malo described in a short passage of Moʻolelo Hawaiʻi.

The doings at the house were conducted in the following manner. When the king had entered the house and taken his seat, in the midst of a large assembly of people including many skilled genealogists, two guards were posted outside at the gate of the pa. (The guards were called kaikuono.) (Malo)

If the genealogists who were sitting with the king recognized a suitable relationship to exist between the ancestry of the candidate and that of the king he was approved of. (Malo)

Mary Kawena Pukui and Nathaniel B. Emerson refer to nauā or nauwe as the challenge addressed to those applying for admission.

Malo notes that “Nauā?” was the word of challenge which was addressed to everyone who presented himself for admission to this society; the meaning of which it being a question, Whence are you? What is your ancestry? Genealogists and historians investigated claims back to the tenth generation of ancestry. (Malo)

Kalākaua’s Hale Nauā had much broader objectives than those of the original hale nauā. While seeking to revive many elements of Hawaiian culture that were slipping away, the king also promoted the advancement of modern sciences, art and literature. (HJH)

The members of Kalākaua’s Hale Nauā undertook relatively uncontroversial activities such as wearing feather capes and cloaks of the Aliʻi (chiefs), sponsoring displays of Hawaiian artifacts at international exhibitions in Melbourne and Paris, and promoting the production of fine tapa, woodwork and shellwork. (HJH)

Officers, guards and watchmen supervised the comings and goings of aspirants to assure the smooth functioning of the group. However, the founding members of Kalākaua’s Hale Nauā interpreted the name of the organization in two ways: initially as the “House of Wisdom” and later as the “Temple of Science” during the 1886-1891 period. (HJH)

According to Thrum, Kalākaua, through his “Nauā Society” built the Kamauakapu Heiau in Kapahulu on the slopes on Diamond Head. It measures approximately 11 x 15.8 feet in size and was constructed in 1888.

The new society was criticized widely among the largely haole planter-business-missionary alliance for this “new departure in Hawaiian politics,” Kalākaua continued this policy while also delving deeper into Hawaiian culture. (HJH)

During the 1880s, the population of Hawaiians continued to decline (from more than 44,000 to 34,000) as new immigrants from China, Japan and Portugal relocated to the kingdom.

It was a time of political and social turbulence in the Hawaiian kingdom. From the early 1880s, Kalākaua sought to increase the number of native Hawaiians in government positions, hoping to reverse the domination by foreigners that began a half-century earlier.

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Hawaiian Exhibits from the Hale Naua Society exhibited in Sydney October, 1888

Bowl from_Hale Naua Society (The House of Wisdom), sometime between 1886 and 1891, during the reign of King Kalakaua

July 13, 2019 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Day 103 – February 2, 1820

February 2, 1820 – This morning finds us rejoicing in prosperity. A fair wind from the South West sets our faces directly toward the scene of our anticipated labors. We are now 10° or 12° west of Cape Horn, and feel much as if we were on our way home. Capt. B. says again we could not ask for a better wind. Mercury this evening at sunsetting is 44°, that is 12° above feezing point at the close of a long summer day. (Thaddeus Journal)

Feb. 2nd. We are 25 deg. S. Lat. and 75 W. Long. The air this morning is clear and cold Nights now are short. I am told that in the 60th deg. in the month of Dec. when the days are the longest, the sun rises a quarter before 3, and sets a quarter after 9. Daylight continues all night. Probably we shall never be at a greater distance from you, than at the present time. I think I can in some measure realize what must be your feelings in this inclement season. #. are experiencing the blasts of a northern region, we, of a southern. You enjoy the privileges of home, with innumerable comforts, we are favoured with mercies at sea. And though we feel ourselves “pilgrims and wanderers who have here no abiding place or continuing city,” and far separated from most of our dear friends, we are happy in the society of each other. We feel the cords of love binding our hearts together and uniting them as the heart of one man. Few in our native land can look around on a more interesting and happy family than we daily behold. The society also of one dear and affectionate friend, greatly increases my happiness. I have reason to praise God who has made us acquainted with each other, and united us in so endearing a connexion. He is worthy of my sincere and lasting attachment. It shall be my constant study to make his life pleasant and useful. And should I be a means of lightning his care is or contributing and any measure too is happiness, I shall be doubly compensated. (Mercy Partridge Whitney Journal)

Feb. 2d. 100 [103] days out, lat. 58° 25′ South, long. in 75° West (James Hunnewell)

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July 12, 2019 by Peter T Young 1 Comment

La Pietra

Papaʻenaʻena heiau was situated on the side of Lēʻahi, Diamond Head. It was referred to by early writers as “Lēʻahi heiau.”

Papaʻenaʻena was reportedly built by Maui King Kahekili to commemorate his conquest of Oʻahu. This heiau was destroyed in about 1856 and its stones were carted off to Waikīkī for use as rock walls and driveways.

During the Mahele this site was given by the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi to the future King Lunalilo. After the king’s death this site was sold to James Campbell, in 1883. Later, Walter F. Dillingham bought the land from Campbell.

In 1910, Walter Dillingham married Louise Gaylord. Bucking the current trend of wealthy families living in Mānoa, Mr. Dillingham chose to build his new bride a home on a dry and – at the time – remote area on the slopes of Diamond Head.

With the help of famed Chicago architect, David Adler, they built a home similar to the Villa La Pietra they admired in Tuscany while on their honeymoon.

Three elements compose the central structure. One is facing the northward toward the Koʻolau range, one westward to the Waianae range, and one southward to the sea.

All three face inward on a flagged courtyard surrounded by a pillared arcade. In the center of the courtyard is an Italianate fountain, which was used to cool the building when the breeze swept through the structure.

The building is a composite of villa, as noted by Grace Tower Warren, Island Hostess: An Italian Villa in Hawaii, Paradise of the Pacific, Vol. 63:
“Many people have had the idea that La Pietra is a copy of my aunt’s villa in Florence of the same name, the one In which Mr. Dillingham and I were married, but such is not the case”, said Mrs. Dillingham.

“It is a composite of several of the beautiful villas in Florence to which my aunt, Mrs. Acton, took me, The facade facing the Waianae Mountains and the town is copied from the Villa Cambreia, The facade facing the Koolau Mountains is a replica of the de Medici villa in Florence. Our architect was David Adler, and he beautifully combined and coordinated the designs and ideas we loved…”

Mr. Dillingham and Adler did not work together in person. At the time Adler was designing another residence in New York. So Mr. Dillingham sent Mr. Adler detailed measurements and contour maps of the site, and photographs showing the setting in which the villa would stand.

With that, La Pietra – meaning The Gem or The Rock – was born.

The Dillingham home was completed in 1922 and included 5 bedrooms, a swimming pool, a formal dining room, horse stables, servants’ quarters, tennis courts, and a game/pool table room.

Architecturally, the home is described as “An extensive two-story “Italian villa” in an imposing terraced setting overlooking Kapiʻolani Park, Waikiki Bay and Honolulu; an example of the “Mediterranean Revival” period which had some popularity in Honolulu, as on the mainland.”

For the next 40 years, La Pietra was a social center for Honolulu’s wealthy and famous, with visitors to the estate including Franklin D. Roosevelt and Walt Disney.

Upon Mr. Dillingham’s death in 1963, Punahou School gained ownership of La Pietra and used it for faculty housing; the property was eventually sold to the newly formed Hawaii School for Girls in 1969.

With its start at Central Union Church, Hawaii School for Girls then renamed and relocated to La Pietra – Hawaii School for Girls, an independent, college preparatory school for girls, which consisted of nine founding teachers, 210 girls and Head of School, Joseph Pynchon.

Over the years, various enhancements were made to the campus. A six classroom building named in honor of Mrs. Cooke was dedicated in January 1977.

The athletic complex, completed in 1987, was named in honor of Mrs. Anthony in 2008. Bachman Science Center was built in 1997. Most recently, the school renovated its library to create Hawaii’s first all-digital school library.

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La Pietra

Walter_Francis_Dillingham-(WC)