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May 20, 2019 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Day 156 – March 26, 1820

March 26, 1820 – Lord’s Day. – We suppose the present to be the last Sabbath of our passage. Brother Thurston preached on deck a seasonable discourse from Prov. 14, 9. “Fools make a mock at sin.” May the Lord add his blessing. Mr. Cooper, the officer before mentioned, gives some evidence of an important change in his feelings; his external reformation is very apparent, and his conversation agreeable. (Thaddeus Journal)

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May 19, 2019 by Peter T Young 1 Comment

Hawaiian Hotel

Back in the mid-1800s, the growth of steamship travel between Hawai‘i and the West Coast of the United States, Australia and New Zealand caused a large increase in the number of visitors to the islands.

The arrival and departure of Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain,) the Duke of Edinburgh and others included envoys, politicians, merchants and opportunists, created the need of good hotel accommodations to lodge similar visitors.

“There had been earlier talk about the need for a first class hotel in Honolulu, and in 1865 a public meeting had been held and a committee appointed to study the question but no material result emerged.”

“The subject was under discussion again, in the community and in the king’s cabinet, about the beginning of 1870, a suggestion having been made that private parties loan money to assist the government in erecting a hotel.”

“Nothing was done immediately, but some six months later the king said to his ministers, ‘I think favorably of the Govt. building a Hotel.’”

“At a cabinet meeting on December 5, the subject for consideration ‘was the building of a Hotel at the public cost. . . . After much discussion it was resolved – That it was advisable to commence a building for this purpose of stone or other incombustible material, and that the Minister of Interior [Dr. F. W. Hutchison] be charged with the duty of procuring plans …’”

“‘… and it was further resolved that the expense should not exceed say ($50,000) Fifty Thousand Dollars—and further that the necessary funds should be procured by issuing Hotel Bonds—or stock, and the Minister of Finance [Dr. J. Mott Smith] be charged with the duty of procuring funds.’”

“From later minutes of the cabinet council and from other sources, we learn that the whole management of the hotel project soon devolved upon Dr. Smith, as he wished it to be; that he had the active support and co-operation of Minister of Foreign Affairs Harris …”

“… that these two selected the site for the hotel on the corner of Hotel and Richards streets and bought the land, a purchase which was then assumed by the government; that private parties subscribed $42,500, for which they received ‘Hotel Bonds’ paying, in lieu of interest, a due ‘proportion of the rent received from the hotel.” (Kuykendall)

The Hawaiian Hotel was proposed in 1865, but not laid down until 1871. The Hotel was located on the Mauka-Ewa corner of Hotel Street and Richards Street and was formally opened by a ball on February 29, 1872. The hotel was leased to Allen Herbert for a term of years;

The King “took great interest in the building of the Hawaiian Hotel in Honolulu”. The hotel was later called the Royal Hawaiian Hotel; reportedly, King Kalākaua renamed it to give it a regal feel.

Therefore, first “Royal Hawaiian Hotel” was not in Waikīkī;l rather, it was in downtown Honolulu (the later one, in Waikīki, opened over fifty years later, in 1928.)

In 1879, the Royal Hawaiian Hotel was surrounded by dwellings, including several thatched-roof hale, but the hotel expanded over the next twenty years and replaced most of the residences.

Reportedly, Kalākaua kept a suite there; the Paradise of the Pacific noted it was “one of the coolest buildings in the city.” It “was an ornament to the city and filled a real need in the community, for which it became an important social center.”

“Under the capable management of Allen Herbert, the hotel won praise from travelers and from local residents who patronized it. In course of time it passed into private hands.” (Kuykendall)

By 1900, the last dwellings and a doctor’s office were located on the corner of Beretania and Richards Streets. These were all gone by 1914.

In November 1917, the Royal Hawaiian Hotel was purchased by a group of local businessmen and became the official headquarters of the Armed Services YMCA in Hawai‘i.

In 1926, the hotel was demolished and the present building was constructed. The Army and Navy YMCA building was erected on the site of the former Royal Hawaiian Hotel in 1927.

Through the middle of the century, the downtown “Y” was a popular destination for service men from all branches of the military. By the mid-1970s, an increasing number of junior enlisted personnel were married with children.

The Armed Services YMCA responded to the changing needs of the military by opening family centers at Aliamanu Military Reservation, Iroquois Point Housing, Marine Corps Base Hawaii-Kaneohe, Wheeler/Schofield and Tripler Army Medical Center.

The building was rehabilitated in the late-1980s by Hemmeter Corporation, when it was renamed No. 1 Capitol District Building.

This remodeled office complex became the Hemmeter Corporation Building. After completion in 1988, the historic building served as Hemmeter Headquarters for several years.

Hemmeter Design Group earned national awards for the redevelopment of the historic YMCA building in downtown Honolulu.

Today, the Hawai’i State Art Museum (managed by the Hawai’i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts) and several State offices are housed in the historic Spanish-Mission style building.

The Hawai‘i State Art Museum opened in the fall of 2002. The museum is located on the second floor of the No. 1 Capitol District Building. The museum houses three galleries featuring (and serves as the principal venue for) artworks from the Art in Public Places Collection.

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Richards_Street-Hawaiian_Hotel_HSA_1890

Richards_Street-Hawaiian_Hotel-HSA-1890

Richards_Street-Hawaiian_Hotel_HawaiianHistoricalSociety-1890

Royal Hawaiian Hotel-screened_patio-HawaiianHistoricalSociety

Royal Hawaiian Hotel-screened_patio-HSA-1890

Army and Navy YMCA-(vintagehawaii)-1920s

Army_and_Navy_YMCA-1940s

YMCA-1960

2001_02_23 Hemmeter – About Time. Army-Navy YMCA building. The Armed Forces YMCA building. March 1928. Yew Char photo.

Hemmeter Building

May 19, 2019 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Day 157 – March 27, 1820

March 27, 1820 – it is with peculiar emotions of adoring gratitude that we acknowledge the distinguishing goodness of God seasonably interposed for our deliverance this day. While Brother Whitney was assisting in painting the outside of the vessel, which he considered not only as pleasant and profitable, but needful exercise, the rope on which he held by one hand gave way and let him fall from a temporary scaffold into the sea. His weight, and the force of the ship entirely broke his hold from the rope and left him astern calling for help. Capt. B’s orders were promptly executed, and the Brig, tho’ under full sail at the rate of 6 or 7 knots an hour, was “hove to” in less than 5 minutes and stopped sailing. In the meantime Br. W. whose perfect self-possessed skill in swimming enabled him successfully to buffet the waves after one or two had broken over him happily gained a small bench which had been providentially carried on deck a few minutes before, and was thrown overboard to serve him as a temporary buoy. On this he was easily sustained after it had once or twice deceived him by rolling, tho’ his strength was considerably exhausted. Never before did the Mission family know how much they loved him. In 5 minutes more the boat was cleared away and let down, and sent to his relief, which reached him in about 5 minutes at the distance perhaps of 1/6 of a mile. Before the Boat set off, he raised his hat and waved it, lest his anxious wife should be too much distressed, and then composed himself in prayer; while many on board were, in this “soul-trying hour” lifted up to God in fervent petitions that he would spare his life for his appointed work among the gentiles. Not far from 21 minutes after he fell, by the blessing of him who had said, “When thou passest through the waters I will be with thee”, he was safely returned and joyfully received on board and welcomed with many tears, and with thanksgiving to our strong deliverer who saved the sinking Peter, and who was now equally present with his saving help. Assembled this evening and presented our united thank offering to our covenant Father who is our “very present help in trouble”, who can at once deliver those who trust in him, from the waves and from the monsters of the deep, and with equal care “from the floods of ungodly obligation”.
We acknowledge too, our obligation to Capt. B. and others under him, not only for the kind sympathies which they manifested but for the prompt and efficient aid which they extended to our brother in distress. As the best return which we can make, may we be enabled to exhibit equal sympathy, promptitude, and efficiency in seeking their salvation. We hope this interesting providence will do us all good, make us feel more deeply the importance of constant preparation for our unexpected summons, produce in us a more cheerful spirit of laborious diligence in the work which we believe God has designed for our brother and the rest of us to do among the heathen, who without aid must sink in endless perdition. (Thaddeus Journal)

27th. Today our dear brother Whitney fell overboard as he was assisting the sailors paint the outside of the Brig. We were sailing at the rate of 6 knots an hour and it was some time before the Boat could be lowered to go after him but he was able to reach a bench which was thrown to him and so was spared his valuable life as we trust for great usefulness in Owhyhee (Hawaii). Thus is the Lord right to help in times of trouble. (Samuel & Nancy Ruggles)

March 27th. A kind and merciful providence, has this day interposed and rescued my dear Husband from a watery grave. This morning he felt in unusual good spirits and said to me, “I shall soon have a downfall,” intimating, that he expected something would turn the current of his feelings. Feeling the need of exercise, & the officers being engaged in painting, he offered to assist them. It was not long before I heard a running on deck – all seemed to be in great confusion. I could not imagine what could be the cause of such commotion; until I heard the cry “Morrison” (one of the sailors) “has falled over board.” I ran upon deck and was soon informed it was Mr. W. But the promise “as thy day is, so shall thy strength be,” was verified to me. I was enabled to compose my feelings & look to God in prayer. I felt willing to leave my dear friend in the hands of my heavenly Father, knowing that he would do what is best. The place itself where he stood was not dangerous, but the rope by which he held gave way, which occasioned his fall. We were sailing 6 miles an hour; but no sooner was it known that he was in the water than the sails were turned and the vessel stopped. This was done almost instantly. One of the officers afterwards remarked to me, “it seemed providential & very remarkable that so much should be accomplished in so short a time.” The boat was immediately let down & rowed for his deliverance. By this time the vessel had drifted a considerable distance from him, he had previously caught hold of a bench which was thrown over for his relief; & God was pleased to spare his life until other means were used to rescue him from danger & death. Here will I again erect my Ebenezer, for hitherto hath the Lord in mercy helped me. He has restored to me, my dear husband when he had sunk in the deep, and the grave seemed ready to swallow him up. O what shall I render to the Lord for his goodness. I hope this dispensation of providence may be sanctified, and prove a means of exciting us to diligence in our Master’s work. May we remember that death will soon terminate our labours and that “what we do we must do quickly.” (Mercy Partridge Whitney Journal)

27. – How mysterious are the ways of providence, & how frail this human dependence! When my mountain stood strong, and I said I shall not be moved, then God hid his face & I was troubled. But I cried unto him and he heard me, his loving kindness was great and he delivered me. – This morning as the officers were painting on the quarter, I thought it would be a good time for me to exercise, believing there would be no danger from the stage which was let down as I had taken the precaution to see that the rope was fast which was to support me. I had not been at work long before the ropes slipped & I fell back into the water the ship that this time was going at the rate of six miles an hour. With emotions not to be described I saw the ship, my friends, the wife of my bosom leaving me behind. But I was not left long to speculate on dissolving ties. Eternity appeared nearer than ever before. The thought of soon standing before my judge was for a moment dreadful. But he who said to the winds & the waves ‘be still’ gave me strength to commit myself into his hands. And there in the midst of the waves I renewed my covenants to spend my spared life in building up his kingdom in the Isles of the sea. Relief was at hand and in the space of 20 to 30 minutes I was again on board. Thus I now stand a monument of God’s mercy, bound by a covenant which I hope, & trust the influence of temptation will never cause me to break. (Samuel Whitney Journal)

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May 18, 2019 by Peter T Young 2 Comments

‘Īao

Some might feel the point of establishing a State Monument at ‘Īao Valley is to call attention to the much-photographed ‘Īao Needle – it was traditionally known as Kūkaemoku (literally ‘broken excreta.’)

The 1,200-foot-tall ‘Īao Needle (“cloud supreme”) is a basaltic core that remained after the valley’s heavy rainfall washed away the weaker stones surrounding it.

Actually, what people see is a bump on a side-ridge on the right-side of ʻIao Valley with a large protrusion that sticks up on top; it looks like a ‘needle’ of rock, but really isn’t (it’s part of the ridge).

Rainfall from Pu‘u Kukui, the summit of West Maui – at nearly 5,800-feet in the back of ‘Īao Valley, has an average annual rainfall of 364-inches per year.

Of course, this natural feature is interesting and important; but here are some other pieces of history that make ‘Īao even more important in the history of Hawai‘i.

First, the distance past.

From the highest peak of Pu‘u Kukui to the shoreline of Kahului Bay, the ahupua‘a (land division) of Wailuku was a favorite place of Ali‘i and a ruling center of Maui. ‘Īao Valley is part of the ahupua‘a.

For centuries, high chiefs and navigators from across the archipelago were buried in secret, difficult-to-access sites in the valley’s steep walls.

‘Iao Valley became a “hallowed burying place for ancient chiefs” and is the first place mentioned in the historical legends as a place for the secret burials of high chiefs. (Thrum)

Because this was sacred ground, commoners were not permitted to enter the valley, except for the Makahiki festival.

Some suggest the last burial was in 1736, with the burial of King Kekaulike.

Then, in the late-1780s into 1790, Kamehameha conquered the Island of Hawai‘i and was pursuing conquest of Maui and eventually sought conquer the rest of the archipelago.

At that time, Maui’s King Kahekili and his eldest son and heir-apparent, Kalanikūpule, were carrying on war and conquered O‘ahu.

In 1790, Kamehameha travelled to Maui. Hearing this, Kahekili sent Kalanikūpule back to Maui with a number of chiefs (Kahekili remaining on O‘ahu to maintain order of his newly conquered kingdom.)

After a battle in Hana, Kamehameha landed at Kahului and then marched on to Wailuku, where Kalanikūpule waited for him.

The ensuing battle was one of the hardest contested on Hawaiian record. The battle started in Wailuku and then headed up ‘l̄ao Valley – the Maui defenders being continually driven farther up the valley.

Kamehameha’s superiority in the number and use of the newly acquired weapons and canon (called Lopaka) from the ‘Fair American’ (used for the first time in battle, with the assistance from John Young and Isaac Davis) finally won the decisive battle at ‘Īao Valley.

Arguably, the cannon and people who knew how to effectively use it were the pivotal factors in the battle. Had the fighting been in the usual style of hand-to-hand combat, the forces would have likely been equally matched.

The Maui troops were completely annihilated, and it is said that the corpses of the slain were so many as to choke up the waters of the stream of ‘l̄ao – one of the names of the battle was “Kepaniwai” (the damming of the waters.)

Maui Island was conquered and its fighting force was destroyed – Kalanikūpule and some other chiefs escaped over the mountain at the back of the valley and made their way to O‘ahu (to later face Kamehameha, again; the next time at the Battle of Nu‘uanu in 1795.)

After the battle at ‘Iao, Kamehameha received Keōpūolani as his wife. Kamehameha left for Moloka‘i to secure it under his control, before proceeding to O‘ahu.

Then, in 1795, Kamehameha moved on in his conquest of O‘ahu.

Today, ‘Iao Valley State Monument is operated under DLNR’s State Parks system. It is at the end of ‘Iao Valley Road (Highway 32.) Free parking for Hawai‘i residents, $5 per car for others (open 7 am to 7 pm.)

A paved walking trail provides a scenic viewpoint of Kuka’emoku; a short paved loop trail meanders through an ethnobotanical garden adjacent to ‘Iao stream.

“‘lao stands without rival, as the loveliest spot in these tropical isles placed in the midsummer sea, or as Mark Twain has lovingly called it, ‘The loveliest fleet of islands that lie anchored in any Ocean’ …”

“… for seek throughout the four corners of the lands of the Kamehamehas, you will never find a place with such incomparable environment of lofty peaks, giant lehua trees, with blossoms of rosy hues glistening in the glare of the noonday sun, and deep canyons through which the mighty waters run down, as here in lao.” (Field)

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Iao Valley from Wailuku-1900s

Kukaemoku-(mknbr)

Iao-Stream

Iao_Valley_forest_trail

Iao_Stream

Iao_Needle

Iao_Needle and Profile

May 18, 2019 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Day 158 – March 28, 1820

March 28, 1820 – Lat. 19° N., Lon. 150° West. Within two or three days sail of Owhyhee. We have thought it desirable to observe this day as a season of fasting and prayer, that we may be better prepared to enter on our work with proper feelings of heart; with confidence in God; with penitence for our own sins, with gratitude for the blessings of gospel, with compassion for the wretched children of superstition, and with benevolence toward all intelligent beings and with faith in the blood and promises of Christ with reference to the salvation of the heathen. (Thaddeus Journal)

28. – As we expect soon to land on heathen shores our church have thought it best to keep this as a day of fasting and prayer. (Samuel Whitney Journal)

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