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June 18, 2019 by Peter T Young 1 Comment

Aloha Amusement Park

An amusement park for the city of Honolulu was a long contemplated project by a number of prominent citizens, and various sites convenient to the public traffic were considered.

The “official” opening of Aloha Amusement Park on Kalākaua Avenue in Waikīkī was September 14, 1922. (Although the American Legion held a 4th of July carnival there as its first use (even though the park was not completed, they used the partially completed facility for the celebration.)

The three-day 4th of July celebration attracted nearly 25,000 paid admissions to the park; of this number, 16,395 attended on the closing day.

That year’s annual report of the Honolulu Rapid Transit and Land Company noted the opening of the park “resulted in a considerable increase in night travel. This attraction in its present location will no doubt stimulate travel on the cars.” (In part, the siting of the facility was due to the accessibility over the transit line.)

Reportedly, the Advertiser described it as “another laurel to the wreath of Honolulu’s progressiveness.”

The reception was not all good. Apparently, the Outdoor Circle and many residents called it an “atrocious ballyhoo bazaar”. There were complaints of commercialization of Waikīkī.

Likewise, a petition, signed by property owners in the area, said the park was misrepresented when the permit was granted, would lead to immorality. RA Vitousek, attorney, represented the park and its manager, WA Cory.

City Supervisors said they cannot revoke the permit but feel it should be investigated. (Krauss) (The City’s 1922 financial report notes a $50 expense, for “Aloha Amusement Park Investigation”.)

The operator noted the complaints were coming from people who are already operating hotels, bath houses and dancing places – all of which were catering to the rich. He noted that the rest of the people should have a place in the same area. (He had considered and decided against siting the Park in Pālama.)

Aloha Park was adjacent to Fort DeRussy, an American army base and was opened by the Aloha Amusement Company, a group of local investors. They invested $250,000 to build and equip the park with modern rides. They hired Los Angeles resident Cory to manage the park and gave him a stake in the new company.

While Honolulu only had a permanent population of 90,000, it also had a transient population of 30,000 soldiers, sailors and tourists. And its mild climate was perfect for year around operation.

Although its proximity to the army base was helpful, the five-acre site required extensive filling and dredging to make it into an amusement resort. Two acres were set aside as sunken gardens and grass lawns.

Technical director Mark Hanna was in charge of the park’s construction. The park’s entrance was designed after the Palace of Fine Arts arcade at the 1915 San Francisco Exposition.

The park’s rides included the Big Dipper roller coaster designed by Prior and Church of Venice, California, a Noah’s Ark fun house, a 70 foot high Traver Seaplane, a ten-car Dodgem, a carousel built by Arthur Looff, and a miniature railroad.

The dance hall had a floor 120 x 150 feet, with a 20 foot lanai, where refreshments were served, and contained boxes for private parties. Music was provided by the Hawaiian brass band, that played at the band pavilion where a big musical revue was staged nightly.

Electric lights at light brightly lit up the grounds and rides. Free daily entertainment was provided. Oscar V. Babcock performed his thrilling bicycle loop-the-loop during the park’s opening weeks.

Running into financial difficulties, the Park went into bankruptcy in 1924. New investment came in and the park was renamed Waikiki Park. It is believed the park lasted until the 1930 Depression.

The Park played a role in the Massie case in 1931. Five young men who had been charged with rape of Thalia Massie, as she walked home from a Waikiki nightclub, had reportedly been at a dance at the Aloha Amusement Park (and used that as an explanation in their defense.)

Lots of information here from National Amusement Park Historical Association and Bob Krauss’s newspaper notes.

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1925 Entrance to the Waikiki Amusement Park-Ilikai

Aloha Amusement Park-Hnl SB-Sept 14, 1922

Honolulu and Vicinity-Map-1934-(portion-noting-Waikiki_Park)

Honolulu and Vicinity-Map-1934-(portion-noting-Waikiki_Park)-Waikiki_Park-Honolulu-Map-1927

June 18, 2019 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Day 127 – February 26, 1820

February 26, 1820 – no entry. (Thaddeus Journal)

Feb. 26th. We are now in the latitude of society Isles. The thought is peculiarly interesting, after viewing places, shrouded in total moral darkness, that we are now comparatively near one of the most promising Missionary stations on the globe. How desirable would it be, were it consistent, to touch that place, and invite the dear Missionaries to unite with us in commemorating the death-and sufferings of our dear Redeemer. But the Governor of the universe has a perfect right to determine our lot. We are richly furnished with a variety of comforts, and we have the high satisfaction confidently to believe that the Lord hath sent us with blessings of salvation, to a people whose moral character is degraded almost to a level with brute creation. (Samuel & Nancy Ruggles)

Feb. 26. Dear mother, you will probably recollect that before I left … I expressed to you some fear, that I should be troubled with a weak eyes. When we came on board we were obliged to wash in salt water, which I think proved beneficial to them. But notwithstanding they were much better, by constant application to study, they soon became so weak that I sometimes thought I must abandon whatever was trying to them. This was indeed a great trial; for as I had always habituated myself to some useful employment, I could not bear to think that my time should pass unoccupied. My glasses at this time were of but little use; they rather affected, than strengthened my eyes. It was likewise the trial to Mr. W. Neither of us felt reconciled that I should abandon my studies. In this situation we knew not what to do. But Doct. Holman made me some eye-water which soon help them. Since that time, I have scarce had occasion to use my glasses. (Mercy Partridge Whitney Journal)

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June 17, 2019 by Peter T Young 1 Comment

Preparing a Constitution

Collaboration between Ali‘i and the American Protestant missionaries resulted in, among other things, the introduction of Christianity, the creation of the Hawaiian written language, widespread literacy, making Western medicine available, and the evolution of a new and distinctive musical tradition with harmony and choral singing.

In addition, the missionaries collaborated with the Chiefs on the promulgation of a constitutional government. Reverend William Richards came to Hawai‘i in 1823 as a member of the Second Company of missionaries sent to the Islands by the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions; he was instrumental in transforming Hawaiian governance, through a constitution with individual rights.

It was a time of transition. when the Hawaiian people were faced with the difficult task of adjusting themselves to changing conditions. They turned to their teachers, the American missionaries, for guidance along this intricate path.

The king and chiefs, acknowledging their own inexperience, had sought for a man of probity and some legal training who could act as their advisor in matters dealing with other nations and with foreigners within the Islands. (Judd)

Richards “accepted the invitation of the Chiefs to become their teacher, and entered into engagements with them which were signed on the 3d of July (1838). According to those engagements, (he) was to devote (his) time at (his) discretion to the instruction of the King and chiefs, as far as (he) could and remain at Lahaina, and do the public preaching.”

“(He) was also to accompany the King to O‘ahu if important public business called him there. (He) engaged to act as interpreter and translator in government business of a public nature when called to it, and was to receive for (his) services 600 dollars a year, to be paid in quarterly enstalments of 150 dollars each.”

“As soon as the arrangements were completed, (he) commenced the compilation and translation of a work on political economy, following the general plan of Wayland, but consulting Lay, Newman and others, and translating considerable portions from the 1st mentioned work.”

“(He) also met king & chiefs daily when other public business did not prevent, and as fast as (he) could prepare matter read it to them in the form of lectures. (He) endeavored to make the lectures as familiar as possible, by repeating them, and drawing the chiefs into free conversation on the subject of the Lecture.”

“They uniformly manifested a becoming interest in the school thus conducted, and took an active part in the discussion of the various topics introduced in the Lectures. The Lectures themselves were mere outlines of general principles of political economy, which of course could not have been understood except by full illustration drawn from Hawaiian custom and Hawaiian circumstances.”

“In these illustrations (he) endeavored as much as possible to draw their minds to the defects in the Hawaiian government, and Hawaiian practices, and often contrasted them with the government and practices of enlighted nations.”

“The conversation frequently took so wide a range that there was abundant opportunity to refer to any and to every fault of the present system of government. But when the faults of the present system were pointed out & the chiefs felt them & then pressed me with the question, ‘Pehea la e pono ai,’ (How will it be bettered?)”

“During the year (Richards had) been called on to translate various documents and laws, some of which were transmitted to the USA & some were for promulgation at the Islands.”

“(He had) said scarcely nothing to the king and chiefs respecting the existing evils or defects in the government, except as the subject has come up naturally and almost necessarily while discussing established principles of Political Economy.”

“A system of laws has been written out by (Boaz) Mahune, a graduate of the (Lahainaluna) high school, and he was directed by the King to conform them to the principles of Political Economy which they had learned. Those laws are some what extensive and protect all private property.”

“According to this code, no chief has any authority over any man, any farther than it is given him by specific enactment, and no tax can be levied, other than that which is specified in the printed law …”

“… and no chief can act as a judge in a case where he is personally interested, and no man can be dispossessed of land which he has put under cultivation except for crimes specified in the law.” (Richards Report to the Sandwich Islands Mission, May 1, 1839)

No Ke Kālai‘āina (translation of William Richards’ Book)

Classes in political economy were taught by Mr. Richards for the chiefs; these laid the foundation for the political reforms started soon after. Indeed, it can be said that Mr. Richards exercised a profound, though somewhat intangible, influence on Hawaii’s evolution towards a constitution form of government.

Richards translated portions of Dr Francis Wayland’s ‘Elements of Political Economy’ into Hawaiian and organized discussions with the Chiefs on constitutional governance.

The Chiefs proposed themselves to publish the work which I have compiled, & they are to have the Copy Right & defray the expense of the publication.” (The book was known as No ke Kālai‘āina.)

Richards was instrumental in helping to transform Hawai‘i into a modern constitutional state with a bill of rights (1839) and a constitution (1840).

A project of the Hawaiian Mission Houses bicentennial commemoration involves translating the Hawaiian text into English and research William Richards and process of constitution in Hawaiian language sources.

Click HERE to view/download Background on Preparing a Constitution

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Elements of Political Economy-Wayland

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June 17, 2019 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Day 128 – February 27, 1820

February 27, 1820 – Lords Day. – This morning our little church solemnly renewed their covenant with God and with one another.
At 12, Brother Thurston preached, on deck from Ps. At 4 P.M., after a sermon from Br. B. from Matth. 25: 26, 27, 28, on the significancy, the nature, and the tendency of that holy ordinance, the church was allowed to sit down at the Lord’s table, and to commemorate his dying love in the communion of his body and blood. It was a favored season. The day was truly interesting and happy. Seldom if ever have we been invited to this supper under circumstances more truly interesting and affecting. We chose the cabin where our little church of 17 members were like the family of Christ at the institutuion of the supper, furnished with comfortable seats around a large semicircular table, on which the elements and covenant vessels were placed and easily passed round, while the light propitious breeze bearing us gradually onward with the unsearchable riches of Christ, the peaceful sea, and the very gentle motion of the vessel could scarcely be considered as the least inconvenience. We have reason to believe that he who thus kindly ordered every circumstance was graciously present at his table and grantng us answers to the prayers of sister churches in America, and also to our unworthy petitions. A lecture on self-examination preparatory to the celebration of the supper had been given Friday evening preceeding from I Cor. 11:28, and it is believed that every member made special efforts to be in readiness and we hope it will promote our growth in piety, cement our union and increase our strength and our preparation for our work which seems now ready to employ our hands. Our next communion may be in the midst of the worshipers of Akooah. May they soon be prepared for a worthy participation. (Thaddeus Journal)

Feb. 27th. We feel as if we might, in our present situation, consider ourselves neighbors to our brethren, the dear Missionaries and converts at Otaheit, being in the same lat. with them and only what we term a little space of water between us in long. We did greatly desire that if it were the will of GOD, we might, in our journey, pass by them and be thus helped on our way.
But it has not been thus. Since passing the Cape we have been sent on in one swift, direct course towards the scene of our anticipated labors. The manner in which we passed those dreaded tempestuous regions and have since proceeded, is considered very unusual. Prom day to night, and night to day, we speed our way as an eagle through the air. We hope GOD has a work for us to do there soon. But, known to himself alone, is his eternal, wise and holy plan. If we are hastening to suffer, my soul would say, his glorious will be done. 0, to be daily encreasing in inward preparation for toil, suffering and defeat, or, for toil, suffering and victory, as shall seem to Him good 1 But faith would take hold of GOD’s blessed promises, believing victory shall yet be shouted, tho the sound reach not our ears on earth.
Every view, my dear sisters, taken of the picture before us, to human perception, darkens as we look. As we approach nearer, we are more particular in our enquires of the Capt. and Officers who have repeatedly visited the Islands. They state to us facts. Every conversation with them makes nature tremble, but (I hope) faith to grasp a firmer hold of her Anchor, Confidence in the lord GOD of Hosts. If He be as a wall of fire round about us, we may go undauntedly into the heart of the Enemy’s camp. The cause is his, and tho we, a little feeble band, go forth as Jesse’s youngest son from the sheepfold, with only sling and stone, still the cause shall prevail. And if He give us grace to go in David’s spirit, feeling that “the battle is the Lord’s,” and desiring that the earth may know that there is a GOD in Zion, I believe He will let our eyes, as He let David’s eyes behold Philistia’a champion fall, behold Owhyhee’s Idols totter till they fall to rise no more. (Sybil Bingham)

Sabbath 27th. Lat. 15. This has been a day replete with the mercies of the choicest kind. In the morning we convened in the cabin to hear and renewedly assent to our covenant with God and each other. At 12 public service, on deck. Brother T. preached from Ps. 17.15. The ships company made an interesting appearance, while they listened to the word of life.
At 4 in the afternoon this little church met around our family board, to partake of the symbols of the broken body, and flowing blood of a crucified Saviour. Probably this is the first time that this sacred ordinance was ever administered on the bosom of the Pacific; if not on any ocean. Many circumstances combined to render the scene peculiarly interesting, and in some respects, I think the most so t that I ever experienced. Here in the midst of the vast ocean, this ‘ little band of Christian Soldiers, who, a few months since, were for – the most part entire strangers, but now most tenderly allied to each other. (Nancy Ruggles)

Feb. 27th. This has been a precious, interesting one to us. Though surrounded by an ocean of water and floating on its surface, God has permitted us to enjoy a feast of love. He has kindly spread for us his table here on the great deep. This day we have enjoyed the first communion season since we left our native land. It is probably the first time this ordinance was ever administered on the bosom of the Pacific & perhaps on the ocean. Brother B preached from Mat, 26, 26, 27, 28. “Jesus took bread & blessed it & broke it & gave it to the disciples & said, Take eat: this is my body. And he took the cup & gave thanks & gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it, for this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. He remarked that this was a season peculiarly interesting to him, it being the first time we had enjoyed a communion by ourselves, & the first in which he had been called to administer. (Mercy Partridge Whitney Journal)

27. – This has been an interesting sabbath. At 9 in the morning we met in the cabin & formally renewed our covenant. At 12 brother T preached on deck; in the afternoon brother B in the cabin. After sermon the Lords supper was administered. (Samuel Whitney Journal)

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