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February 5, 2019 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

New Club for New Year

“On Tuesday night the Chinese portion of the city was busy preparing for the Chinese New Year and by eight o’clock the streets were all brilliantly illuminated from Nuuanu street to the Chinese Theatre, throughout the business portion of town. Chinese lanterns of every conceivable size and of every degree of display were hung from doorways and balconies.”

“During Tuesday night there were intermittent explosions of firecrackers which caused many a dreamer to turn restlessly in his bed, and when four o’clock of Wednesday arrived a veritable bombardment of small fire-crackers took place throughout Chinatown, and awakened everybody within hearing distance of the neighborhood.”

“During Wednesday morning the ancient Chinese dragon, wonderful in form and notable in history, was carried in procession through the streets, honored with the beating of a multitude of gongs and the firing of innumerable firecrackers, which in bursting scattered green, red, and orange colored bits of paper over the streets.” (Daily Honolulu Press, February 4, 1886)

“The streets in Chinatown were transformed into beautiful vistas of chromatic light, from thousands of lanterns ranged in mathematical lines from above and below the everlasting verandahs. A terrific bombardment of fireworks was sustained against the slumbers of all within earshot of celestial domiciles through the livelong night.”

“A hideous noise like the beating of a thousand coal oil cans by an army of urchins, the firing of combustible crackers and the clamor of a hundred Chinamen on Nu‘uanu street this forenoon announced the coming of the Chinese dragon.”

“The procession stopped in front of the principal Chinese houses, and while batteries of lire crackers were exploding, the dragon would rush forward with mouth open and fangs projecting, as though to destroy imaginary victims, but retreating at the fantastic movement of a magical wand in the hands of a coolie.” (Daily Bulletin, February 11, 1886)

“The new Chinese Club House on King street was the center of attraction during the day and night. In the morning at seven o’clock the Royal Hawaiian Band played numerous airs in front of the building. At half-past ten o’clock Mr. Berger’s boys were relieved by the Reformatory School band.”

“The new Club House was formally opened at eleven o’clock. The following address was read by Mr. C. Alee and was re-spoken in English by Mr. C. Winam:”

“‘Today is our Chinese New Year, a day which it has been our custom from time immemorial to celebrate as we celebrate no other in the year.’”

“‘It is a day to which we look forward with the most pleasing anticipations, and being Election Day for the nation it is also memorable on that account. May the representatives now chosen be men of wisdom to direct aright the councils of this much favored land.’”

“‘It gives us the greatest pleasure to express on behalf of our countrymen the gratification we feel on being honored upon the entry into this our new Society house with the presence of so many of our friends. We trust that the mutual friendly relations that have existed between us in the past may continue in the future and grow stronger as this Society grows in usefulness.’”

“‘In our capacity as President and Vice-President of this Association we, Ching Alee and Goo Kim, feel it to be our duty to make a few remarks in reference to the future object and maintenance of this Society.’”

“‘In compliance with the suggestion of His Excellency, Ching. Chinese Minister at Washington, this Association was formed under the name of ‘Chung Wa Ui Qwun’ – The United Chinese Society – in 1882, and on the 27th day of August, 1884, it was properly organized under charter of incorporation granted by His Excellency Charles T. Gulick, Minister of the Interior of the Hawaiian Kingdom.’”

“‘As we had no place of our own to which to hold our regular meetings during the past four years, the China [Engine] Company No. 5 has been so kind as to lend its hall to us.’”

“‘This Society building is now completed entirely through the voluntary assistance of our Chinese residents in the Hawaiian Kingdom.’”

“‘Our object in forming this association is to exercise a care and supervision over such of the Chinese residents as shall connect themselves with this Society …’”

“‘… to make them acquainted with the laws and ordinances of the Hawaiian Government, particularly with those laws and ordinances which concern in any way our Chinese residents …’”

“‘… to render assistance and advice to such a may stand in need there-of, especially to sick Chinese and those in destitute condition …’”

“‘… to prevent and settle disputes among Chinese if possible, and to prevent, as far as it may be in our power, all unlawful combinations or posting of seditious or otherwise objectionable placards, and to render such aid to the Government as they may request or authorize in matters pertaining to the Chinese residents in this kingdom.’”

“‘All the future funds for maintenance of this Society are to be raised from the Chinese residents. We therefore trust that the purposes of this Society shall be attained, that it will grow in its benevolence and usefulness …’”

“‘… and that its officers shall ever administer its affairs in the spirit in which it was founded, that it may be of advantage not only to ourselves but to the non-Chinese residents of this community, and that through it you may obtain true glimpses of Chinese customs and manners.’”

“‘We now by virtue of the official position delegated to us as President and Vice-President of the United Chinese Society declare this Hall open.’”

“Among those present at the opening exercises were: HRH the princess Lili‘uokalani, His Majesty’s Chamberlain, Col. Judd, the Judges of the Supreme Court, His Majesty’s Ministers, members of the Foreign Diplomatic Corps, and a large number of invited citizens.”

“The new Club House consists of a large store-room on the upper floor which include a large club-room, two anterooms, one pantry and one store-room.”

“The club-room was elegantly furnished and substantial repast was kept ready for all who came. During the day 584 persons attended the reception. Appropriate festivities were kept up in the evening. It is estimated that the Chinese residents of Honolulu have expended not less than $15,000 in the celebration of the Chinese New Year.” (Daily Honolulu Press, February 4, 1886)

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February 4, 2019 by Peter T Young 1 Comment

Four Minute Men

“Men and nations are at their worst or at their best in any great struggle. The spoken word may light the fires of passion and unreason or it may inspire to highest action and noblest sacrifice a nation of freemen.”

“Upon you Four-Minute Men, who are charged with a special duty and enjoy a special privilege in the command of your audiences, will rest, in a considerable degree, the task of arousing and informing the great body of our people …”

“… so that when the record of these days is complete we shall read page for page with the deeds of army and navy the story of the unity, the spirit of sacrifice, the unceasing labors, the high courage of the men and women at home who held unbroken the inner lines.”

“My best wishes and continuing interest are with you in your work as part of the reserve officer corps in a nation thrice armed because through your efforts it knows better the justice of its cause and the value of what it defends.” (Woodrow Wilson, November 9, 1917)

The Four Minute Men, a nation-wide organization of volunteer speakers, was organized June 16, 1917, for the purpose of assisting the various Departments of the Government in the work of national defense during World War I.

They delivered short pro-war speeches, as part of an effort to galvanize public support for the war and suppress dissent. The subject matter was prepared and the speaking was directed from Washington under the authority of the Government. (Four Minute Men, Committee on Public Information, November 25, 1917))

“‘The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth’ – that is the kernel of the messages the Four Minute Men are asked to convey to the American people.”

“The truth about the war, we believe, is such that it need but to be spread clearly in order to convince the public that we must fight on. Those who do not so believe should not attempt to convince others.” (Four Minute Men, Committee on Public Information, 1918)

“Our cause were weak, indeed, if we needed to bolster it up in the approved Prussian fashion by hiding of facts, statements of half truths, exaggerations, and sophistries.”

“Our cause is strong in so far as we can afford to be frank and open, and the speaker who is frank and open ready to concede the contrafacts, willing to admit doubt wherever doubt rightfully exists, and making no claims beyond authentic authoritative knowledge, is powerful, because he. stands on the rock of fairness. His honesty shines through his words.”

“At no time should our audiences be led to feel that Government speakers appear before them to implant thoughts skillfully designed to create some “desired impression.” The public should realize rather that the Government sends its representative to state indisputable facts.”

“To impress others with our honesty we need but to be honest. Then, honesty is the armor, frankness and fairness are the weapons, and the champion of the Right becomes invincible.”

“As a matter of policy, too, we can not emphasize too strongly that the most conservative statement is the most powerful. Calling the Kaiser a devil, condemning everything done in war by the enemy, indulging generally in tirades, may bring applause from partisans, but it does not make a single convert.”

“Our audiences may be divided into three classes – those favoring the war, those in doubt, and those who are so imbued with pacifism or pro-German sentiments that no appeal to the heart to reason or common sense can draw them to us. It is our problem to reach the second class; with the other two classes we are but indirectly concerned.”

“The doubters want reasons and facts, not vituperation. If the speaker shows blindness to common sense, unwillingness to view facts in perspective, if he browses around to find extremest arguments, the purpose of the speech is lost.”

“But if he drives home the facts, the terrible proven facts, then he leaves no loophole for counterargument, and the case against Germany stands out—unassailable!”

In preparing speakers, the program provided the following ‘Four Minute Hints’:

“Stick to your time allowance. Five minutes means a guess; four minutes makes a promise.”
“Begin with a positive, concrete statement.”
“Tell them something at the start.”
“Use short sentences. The man who can’t make one word do the work of two is no four minute speaker.”
“Avoid fine phrases. You aren’t there to give them an ear full but a mind full.”
“Talk to the back row of your audience; you’ll hit everything closer in.”
“Talk to the simplest intelligence in your audience; you’ll hit everything higher up.”
“Be natural and direct. Sincerity wears no frills.”
“Give your words time. A jumbled sentence is a wasted sentence. You can’t afford waste on a four-minute allowance.”
“Don’t fear to be colloquial. Slang that your hearers understand is better than Latin that they don’t.”
“Don’t figure the importance of your job on a time basis. Four hours of thinking may go into four minutes of speaking.”
“You represent the United States of America. Don’t forget it. And don’t give your audience occasion to forget it.”
“Finish strong and sharp. The butterfly is forgotten as soon as he departs, but you recall the hornet because he ends with a point.”
“Finally, and always – Stick to your pledge and the four-minute limit.” (Four Minute Men, Committee on Public Information, 1918)

The Four-Minute Men idea was born in Chicago and has grown into a national division of war work; Hawaii participated in the Four Minute Men program.

“The success of the Four Minute Men is assured here, and their opportunities for usefulness are not restricted to patriotic speeches in the motion-picture houses of the city. They have a far wider field where their utterances should be valuable.” (Star Bulletin, December 6, 1917)

“The Four-Minute Men in Hawaii plan to furnish on short notice speakers on patriotic subjects for gatherings or meetings of any nature. It is now aiding the local food pledge campaign by four-minute speeches each evening at the Bijou and Liberty theaters. The organization is to become a permanent one.” (Star Bulletin, December 4, 1917)

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February 3, 2019 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Lucy Peabody

Lucy Peabody was the daughter of a prominent island family, Dr and Mrs Parker Peabody, who settled on the island of Maui early in the last century. (Honolulu Star Bulletin, August 10, 1928) She was born January 1, 1840 at Luaehu, Lahaina, Maui.

“Miss Lucy Peabody (was) a Hawaiian of rank revered by us all, and one deeply learned in the lore of her native country.” (Damon) She was from a high ali‘i family and descendants of Isaac Davis, the British seaman, who along with John Young served as an adviser to Kamehameha I, in his attempts to unite the Hawaiian Islands. (NPS)

Davis and Young became great favorites of King Kamehameha, “especially when he had become apprised of the fact that they were experts in the handling of firearms, the use of which was unknown in Hawaii at that period. The day was fast approaching when the fate of two young people would be a matter of great importance.”

Davis “gained the sanction of the sovereign to wed a Hawaiian lady of rank. They had two daughters and a son. The elder daughter became the wife of an Englishman of later arrival, Captain Adams, owner of valuable properties in Honolulu and adjacent districts. Her sister was married into the royal family of Kauai, but unfortunately died without issue.”

“Hueu, the son, married the high chiefess Kaanapilo of the Waimea line of chiefs, who raised a large family of eight sons and daughters, from which Miss Lucy Peabody (is) descended.”

“So the adventures of these enterprising Englishmen ensued not only in distinction and affluence for themselves, but in highest positions for some of their posterity – notably, one as Queen Emma of revered memory, and another as daughter-in-law of a king.” (Pratt) Peabody’s mother was Elizabeth K Davis, a granddaughter of Isaac Davis. (Kanahele)

“Peabody herself was prominent among the entourage that accompanied Queen Emma on the latter’s well documented sojourn to Kauai in 1871, shortly after the queen inherited the Lāwa‘i ahupua‘a from her uncle, James Kanehoa Young, and his third wife, Kinoni.” (Griffin)

Peabody, “four years Emma’s junior, was a high chiefess who served as one of Emma’s maids-of-honor” (Kanahele) and was the queen’s life companion. (NPS)

Peabody was active in the Hui Hawaii Aloha ‘Āina (Hawaiian Patriotic League). “The object of this association is to preserve and maintain, by all legal and peaceful means and measures, the independent autonomy of the islands of Hawai‘i nei …”

“… and if the preservation of our independence be rendered impossible, our object shall then be to exert all peaceful and legal efforts to secure for the Hawaiian people and citizens the continuance of their civil rights.” (Hawaiian Gazette, March 21, 1893)

“Invited are the Men, the Women, and all the young people of the Hawaiian Patriotic League (Hui Aloha ‘Āina,) and all friends, to go immediately with great enthusiasm and festivity to fill the meeting with numbers of Twenty and more thousand people.”

“(T)he Woman’s Hawaiian Patriotic League and the Hawaiian Patriotic League (sent) out by special messengers to every district in the Hawaiian Islands petitions against annexation for signature by Hawaiian citizens in order that the people’s will may be accurately ascertained as a plebiscite is not at present to be permitted by the Annexation Oligarchy.” (The Independent, September 13, 1897)

Their 556-page petition totaled 21,269-names, 10,378-male and 10,891-female. Of these 16,331 adults were adults and 4,938-minors. (The petition is now stored at the US National Archives.)

Lucy Peabody, resurrected and re-chartered the ‘Ahahui Ka‘ahumanu on June 14, 1905 at Kawaiaha‘o Church. “The ‘Ahahui was originally chartered on August 8, 1864 by Princess Victoria Kamāmalu, Chiefess Lydia Kamaka‘eha Dominis, crowned Queen Lili‘uokalani in 1891, and Chiefess Bernice Pauahi, who later became Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop.”

“The society was named ‘Ka‘ahumanu Society’ after Princess Victoria’s aunt, Ka‘ahumanu, Kūhina Nui of the Hawaiian Kingdom under Kamehameha the Great. … Unfortunately the group disbanded two years later in the fall of 1866 after the unexpected passing of the young Princess Kamāmalu.” (Ka‘ahumanu Society)

“Edgar Henriques and Miss (Lucy) Kalani Davis (Peabody’s niece) were quietly married at the home of Miss Lucy Peabody, Vineyard street, last evening [June 10, 1898], the Rev. Alex. Mackintosh officiating. Only the relatives were present. The newly married couple have gone to Waikiki for their honeymoon.” (Pacific Commercial Advertiser, June 24, 1898)

Lucy Peabody shared the vision with her niece of improving healthcare in North Hawaii. “When Lucy Peabody died (August 9) 1928, she left a 12-acre parcel of land in Waimea – Makahikilu – to … Lucy Henriques. Upon her death in 1932, Lucy Davis Henriques left Makahikilua and $100,000 in her will to fulfill the dream the two cousins had shared during their lifetimes.”

“Throughout the years, the trust funds, administered by Bishop Trust Company, grew significantly. When probate was completed in the 1960s, funds were appropriated for feasibility studies. Preliminary plans were drawn up for a 120-bed acute-care facility, the Northern Hawaii Hospital, but the timing was not right.”

“The population of the Big Island was not large enough to support a full-service acute-care facility in Waimea. So in 1969, Lucy Henriques Medical Center, Inc (LHMC), was chartered as a non-profit corporation responsible for ensuring outpatient medical care for the communities of North Hawaii – the place and its people that were so loved by Lucy Peabody and Lucy Henriques.”

When North Hawaii Community Hospital (NHCH) opened in 1996, the adjoining Medical Center simultaneously opened a brand new nine-bed renal dialysis unit to complement the new array of inpatient and outpatient services available to the community. In 1999, NHCH and LHMC merged to create the entity we see today. (NHCH)

Click HERE for a performance of ‘Lucy Peabody’ (Portrayed by Karen Kaulana) at Mission Houses Cemetery Pupu Theatre (sorry it is dark.)

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Lucy Peabody headstone

February 2, 2019 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Washington Monument

Plans for a national monument to commemorate George Washington began as early as 1783 when Congress proposed that an equestrian statue of George Washington be erected. Although the Monument was authorized by Congress, little action was taken, even after Major Peter Charles L’Enfant selected its site in his 1791 Federal City plan.

Washington’s 1799 death rekindled public aspiration for an appropriate tribute to him, and John Marshall proposed that a special sepulcher be erected for the General within the Capitol itself. Lack of funds postponed construction.

In an elaborate Fourth of July ceremony in 1848, the cornerstone was laid. The Washington Monument was built between 1848 and 1884 as a tribute to George Washington’s military leadership from 1775-1783 during the American Revolution.

Its construction took place in two major phases, 1848-56, and 1876-84 – a lack of funds, political turmoil, and uncertainty about the survival of the American Union caused the intermittent hiatus.

The outbreak of Civil War of 1861 exacerbated the society’s difficulties with fund-raising efforts. When Lt Col Thomas L Casey resumed work on the project in 1876, he heavily altered the original design for the monument so that it resembled an unadorned Egyptian obelisk with a pointed pyramidion

The US Army Corps of Engineers of the War Department was charged with completing the construction, and the monument was dedicated on February 21, 1885, and officially opened to the public on October 9, 1888.

Weighing 81,120 tons, the Washington Monument stands 555′ 5-1/8″ tall. The walls of the monument range in thickness from 15′ at the base to 18” at the upper shaft.

They are composed primarily of white marble blocks from Maryland with a few from Massachusetts, underlain by Maryland blue gneiss and Maine granite. A slight color change is perceptible at the 150′ level near where construction slowed in 1854. (LOC)

Over 36,000 stones were used to construct the monument. But those are not the only stones in it – over the years almost 200- “commemorative stones” (also referred to as “memorial stones” and “presented stones”), presented by individuals, societies, cities, States, and nations of the world, have been added to the inside walls of the monument. Most of the stones date from 1849 to 1855.

Back in 1911, Hawaii was looking to have its representation in the Washington Monument. At that time, forty states and sixteen cities and a variety of other organizations were represented in the monument with memorial tablets.

“The series of memorial stones begin at the 30-foot elevation and continue up to the 280 foot level. In all there are 170 of these stones all containing tributes to the memory of Washington and many of them notable for their beauty elaborate carving or origin.”

“It is possible that the Sons of the American Revolution and the Hawaiian Historical Society may be enlisted in the proposition. There are many historic places around the Islands many connected with the career of Kamehameha the Great from which a suitable historic stone could be obtained.” (Hawaiian Gazette, March 24, 1911)

Most of the stones date from 1849 to 1855. Sixteen stones date to the twentieth century. The last stone was installed in 2000. There is a stone from every state, and also from fraternal and community organizations, cities and towns, foreign countries, and individuals. Stone types include granite, marble, limestone, sandstone, soapstone, and jade.

Hawaii would have to wait another 25-years before its memorial stone was added to the Washington Monument. The work of installation was begun on January 21, 1936 and completed on February 26, 1936.

It’s a 4-foot by 2-foot and 6-inches thick “Coral sandstone from Waimanalo, Hawaii donated by Grace Brothers, Ltd” with the words “Hawaii” followed by “Ua Mau Ke Ea O Ka Aina I Ka Pono.” It sits at the 360-foot landing of the monument.

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February 1, 2019 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Some Views of American Missionaries

“The internal condition of the Sandwich Islands and their position with regard to Foreign Powers, and especially to Great Britain, are so peculiar that a few words of observation on my part may be required in order to enable you to form a correct judgment …”

“… respecting the proposed policy of HM Govt, and the manner in which they would wish you to regulate your own conduct towards the Govt, of a Country so situated.”

“The Sandwich Islands are scarcely more than nominally governed by a Native Sovereign and native Chiefs. Citizens of the U States are in fact the virtual Rulers and Directors of the Govt.”

“The Constitution and the Laws are framed, and are administered chiefly by Americans; and American Missionaries in like manner direct the affairs of the Church, and keep, as it were, the consciences of the King, the Chiefs, and the native subjects.”

“It is obvious that the King and his native Councillors could of themselves have possessed little capacity for devising a Constitution or code of laws like those of the Sandwich Islands, and can have as little practical ability for administering them.”

“It must be fairly admitted that great credit is due to those American Missionaries who by their pious and unwearied labours first introduced the lights of Christianity and Civilization into those Islands …”

“… nor ought an equal share of credit to be withheld from those who, following up the advantages thus originally conferred by the Missionaries, have brought the Islanders, however imperfectly as yet, under subjection to a regular administrative system.”

“We have no right to entertain jealousy of the influence thus honourably acquired by the Americans amongst that people.”

“The changes effected by the Americans may have been somewhat over-hasty, considering the circumscribed intellectual condition of the people amongst whom they were introduced; but undoubted advantage has accrued to them from those changes.”

“It is certain, however, that the natives are, of themselves, incompetent to administer either their constitution or their laws.” (Earl of Aberdeen, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, to William Miller, British Consul General for the Hawaiian Islands, September 28, 1843)

“The American Missionaries deserve the highest credit for their untiring perseverance in, the work of elevating and reforming the savages of the Hawaiian Islands. It was their effort which laid the foundation of the order and peace which now prevail.”

“They established a polity almost republican in its character, and differing but in few particulars from our own institutions.”

“Naturally, the advisers of the King and Chiefs, they counselled judicious reforms, & did much to lessen & finally abolish the absolute dominion which trod the unfortunate masses under foot.”

“If they sometimes committed errors, it was because they lacked knowledge in political science, and gave too little heed to considerations of worldly policy. Thus it was, that morals were sometimes enforced by severe royal and legislative enactment, and, thus it now is, that trade is fettered by restrictions, which in the general estimation, are regarded as injudicious, and unwise.

“While I see some things to be censured, I find much to praise, and I trust that no consideration will ever prevent me from giving credit where it is justly due.” (David L. Gregg, United States Commissioner to Hawaii, to EW Tracy, (Private), February 3, 1854)

“The American Missionaries have been badly treated by the Cabinet & by the King acting under its influence. His Majesty is conscious of the error, & has to my knowledge, expressed regret for it.” (Gregg to W. L. Marcy (Private), June 5, 1856)

“(T)he results of Missionary teaching & American influence and of themselves, are sufficient to disprove the wholesale allegations of such persons as take it upon themselves to represent that the efforts of our countrymen to carry the lights of civilization to savage lands, have been without avail.” Gregg to Marcy, June 14, 1855) (All from Report of the Historical Commission of the Territory of Hawai‘i, 1925)

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