Peter T Young

August 16, 2019 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Kulanui o Hawaii Nei

Kulanui (Lit., big school) – University, College; Kulanui o Hawaii Nei … University of Hawai‘i.

“An act to establish the College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts of the Territory of Hawai‘i” was passed by the Hawai‘i’s Territorial Legislature and was signed into law by Governor George Carter on March 25th, 1907.

It began as a land-grant college, initiated out of the 1862 US Federal Morrill Act funding for “land grant” colleges. The Morrill Act funded educational institutions by granting federally-controlled land to the states for them to develop or sell to raise funds to establish and endow “land-grant” colleges.

Regular classes began in September 1908 with ten students (five freshmen, five preparatory students) and thirteen faculty members at a temporary Young Street facility in the William Maertens’ house near Thomas Square.

The regents chose the present campus location in lower Mānoa on June 19, 1907. In 1911, the name of the school was changed to the “College of Hawaiʻi.”

In 1912, the college moved to the present Mānoa location (the first permanent building is known today as Hawaiʻi Hall.) The first Commencement was June 3, 1912.

With the addition of the College of Arts and Sciences in 1920, the school became known as the University of Hawaiʻi. The Territorial Normal and Training School (now the College of Education) joined the University in 1931.

The University continued to grow throughout the 1930s. The Oriental Institute, predecessor of the East-West Center, was founded in 1935, bolstering the University’s mounting prominence in Asia-Pacific studies.

UH Mānoa’s School of Law opened in temporary buildings in 1973. The Center for Hawaiian Studies was established in 1977 followed by the School of Architecture in 1980.

The School of Ocean and Earth Sciences and Technology was founded eight years later and in 2005 the John A Burns School of Medicine moved to its present location in Honolulu’s Kakaʻako district.

In the 1950s, after three years of offering UH Extension Division courses at the old Hilo Boarding School, the University of Hawai‘i, Hilo Branch, was approved; the UH Community Colleges system was established in 1964.

Today, the University of Hawai‘i System includes 3 universities (Mānoa, Hilo and West Oʻahu,) 7 community colleges (Kauaʻi, Leeward, Honolulu, Kapiʻolani, Windward, Maui and Hawaiʻi) and community-based learning centers across Hawai‘i.

But this isn’t about that University of Hawai‘i, this is about the first University of Hawai‘i Nei. It was on Maui …

“At the general meeting of the missionaries at Honolulu in June, 1831, the following resolutions were adopted.”

“Resolved, That we consider the education of the natives of these islands generally, and the preparation of some of them in particular for becoming teachers of religion, as holding a place of great importance in our missionary labors.”

“Resolved, That, though we consider the present situation of this people as requiring all our efforts in the way heretofore directed; yet we believe this subject of sufficient importance to demand the exclusive time, attention, and labors of one of our number.”

“Resolved, That, relying on the strength of the Great Head of the Church, we agree to establish a High School, for the purposes above mentioned, and on a plan hereafter to be submitted.”

“Resolved, That the school go into operation as soon as suitable accommodations for the principal and scholars shall be ready; and that we show a plan of the school to the chiefs, and invite them to co-operate with us.”

At that meeting, it was also unanimously resolved to establish a Seminary for raising up teachers and other helpers in the missionary work. The design of the Seminary is more fully expressed in the laws to he as follows:

To aid the mission in accomplishing the great work for which they were sent hither; that is, to introduce and perpetuate the religion of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, with all its accompanying blessings, civil, literary and religious.
As a means of accomplishing this great end, it is the design of the Seminary to disseminate sound knowledge throughout the Islands, embracing general literature and the sciences, and whatever may tend to elevate the whole mass oi! the people from their present ignorance and degradation, and cause them to become a thinking, enlightened and virtuous people.
A more definite object of the Seminary is to train up and qualify good school teachers for their respective duties, to teach them theoretically and practically the best method of communicating instruction to others; together with a knowledge of the arts, usages and habits of civilized life, with all their train of social blessings.
Another object still more definite and of equal or greater importance is to educate as soon as practicable young men of piety and promising talents and fit them to become preachers of the gospel, to be fellow laborers with us in disseminating the pure religion of Jesus among their dying fellow men. (Dibble)

“Mr. Green, Mr. Richards and Mr. Tinker had gained some proficiency in the Hawaiian language, and were teaching the Hawaiians about the good things they should do in leading their lives. They were teaching in the Hawaiian language, and they got together to discuss the making of a school for the islands, where they could quickly instruct the students. These discussions had been going on for some years, as at their assemblies.”

“They determined that it would be best to build a large school in these islands, and that certain ones of their number would be chosen to teach the students about the right way of living, in both body and spirit. They were taken of the thought that they should build a large school at which they could teach selected people, and prepare them to do this good work throughout the islands. That the students would be the ones to go out and teach other Hawaiians about those things which were good for them.”

“Therefore, they chose the Island of Maui, the site called by the name of auwai o Auwaiawao (the water way-ditch of Auwaiawao), as the place to build the school, and that Andrews would be the teacher there. Andrews began the school. Afterwards each of those who had attended the conference, began to send their students to enter into the school.” (Ka Nonanona, Ianuali 30, 1839; Maly translator)

“Soon after the General Meeting, Mr. Andrews accompanied by his former associate Mr. Richards, commenced the examination of several sites in the neighborhood of Lahaina for the location of the school. They at length fixed upon the present spot, which has since been named by the scholars Lahainaluna or Upper Lahaina.” (Dibble)

On September 5, 1831, classes at the Mission Seminary at Lahainaluna (later known as Lahainaluna) began in thatched huts with 25 Hawaiian young men.

When Lahainaluna Seminary first opened, Lāhainā was the capital of the kingdom of Hawaiʻi, and it was a bustling seaport for the Pacific whaling fleet.

“By the assistance of Messrs. (Sheldon) Dibble, (Ephraim) Clark, (John) Emerson, and others, Lahainaluna has become the ‘University’ of Hawaii nei.” (Missionary Herald)

Lahainaluna Seminary was the first Kulanui of Hawai‘i Nei (University of Hawai‘i).

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The Mission Seminary at Lahainaluna on Maui in the 1830s
P-15 Lahainaluna
Sheldon_Dibble_House_at_Lahainaluna,_engraved_by_Kalama
Rainbow_over_Lahainaluna
lahainaluna-L
Lahainaluna_seminary_workshop,_mechanical_printing_press_and_movable_type_in_type_case_in_background,_ca._1895
Lahainaluna Hale Pa’i (Printing Shop)-LOC-058643pv
Lahainaluna L-lazarohike

August 16, 2019 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Day 069 – December 30, 1819

December 30, 1819 – no entry. (Thaddeus Journal)

Dec. 30th. A generally quiet and uneventful passage during this month. “A general time of health, not one complaining among ship’s company or passengers.” Lat. obsd. 30° 45′ South (James Hunnewell)

Dec. 30th. The grandeur and peculiar beauty of the scene, to-night, about the setting of the sun, were truly indescribable. One could but gaze, with admiration. The sun descended, majestically, into his watery bed, tinging, both sky and water, with the most splendid hues:–not the smallest cloud appeared, while the full moon, ascending, upon the sun’s retiring, proclaimed herself queen of the night. As she advanced, her soft beams shed a lustre over the wide deep, not agitated by a single wave,—all seeming to whisper, is it peace within? His works praise him. Does thy soul praise Him, the great Creator? (Sybil Bingham)

30th. Various kinds of waterfowls have been seen to-day. Brother C. shot at one but did not kill it. We have some variety even at sea. Now and then a new object presents itself, of which we take the liberty to inform our friends. While you look to the South for the sun, we look to the north, while you are shivering with the cold of winter, we are suffering the heat of a torrid sun in a calm at sea; while you consider us tossing here and there upon the mighty deep, we have the pleasure of fancying you pleasantly situated in that goodly land which we have left the fond remembrance of which shall ever afford us pleasure. Mr. Ruggles has just entered our little room and says “Tell our friends, that we are very happy to-day.” When he finds a day of comfortable health we enjoy it extremely well, though it seldom happens. (Samuel & Nancy Ruggles)

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August 15, 2019 by Peter T Young 1 Comment

Camp McKinley

The Spanish-American War was a conflict in 1898 between Spain and the United States, effectively the result of American intervention in the ongoing Cuban War of Independence.

William McKinley was president of the United States, and the causal event was the explosion of the battleship USS Maine in Havana Harbor, Cuba on February 15, 1898.

So, what does that have to do with Hawai‘i?

Well, back then, Spain had interests in the Pacific, particularly in the Guam and Philippines. Although the main issue was Cuban independence, the ten-week war was fought in both the Caribbean and the Pacific.

Likewise, US foreign policy advocated the taking of the Caribbean Islands and the Philippine Islands for bases to protect US commerce.

Meanwhile, Hawai’i, had gained strategic importance because of its geographical position in the Pacific. Honolulu served as a stopover point for the forces heading to the Philippines.

On August 12, 1898, the United States ratified the Hawaiʻi treaty of annexation. At the time, there was no assigned garrison here until August 15, 1898, when the 1st New York Volunteer Infantry regiment and the 3rd Battalion, 2nd US Volunteer Engineers landed in Honolulu for garrison duty.

The two commands were initially camped alongside each other as though they were one regiment in the large infield of the one-mile race track at Kapi‘olani Park. The initial camp in the infield at the race track was unnamed.

As more members of the regiment arrived, the camp was moved about three or four hundred yards from the race track to an area called ‘Irwin Tract.’ The Irwin Tract camp was named “Camp McKinley,” in honor of the president.

The site “was near the only ocean-bathing beach on the Island and the reported site of a proposed Sanitarium selected by the resident physicians in the immediate vicinity of the best residential quarter of the Island. In addition it had shade in the park, a drill and parade ground on the racecourse, city water, and was accessible.”

The troops used the bathing facilities at the Sans Souci Resort which was located on the beach at the southeast corner of the park.

Camp Otis was a short-lived camp of Philippine expeditionary troops who arrived on the troop ship ‘Arizona’ on August 27, 1898 and were left in Honolulu when the ship went on to Manila.

The soldiers camped inside the racetrack at Kapi‘olani Park. The camp was later moved east within the racetrack to a point “nearly opposite Camp McKinley.” The camp was named after Major General Elwell S. Otis, US Volunteers, the commanding officer in the Philippines in 1898-99.

Camp Otis was abandoned about November 7, 1898 when the ‘Arizona’ returned and the troops departed for Manila.

Owing to the prevalence of malarial and typhoid fever, they moved the regiment to a camp to Wai‘alae, on the north side of Diamond Head, about three miles from “Camp McKinley.”

They temporarily occupied the Paul Isenberg estate which stretched from Kapahulu Avenue to Kāhala Beach. A letter from one soldier camped there noted, “The tents are pitched on the sandy beach at Waialie (sic)…”

The 2nd Engineers ultimately built barracks and other buildings for the new Camp McKinley just north of Kapi‘olani Park, between Leahi and Kana‘ina avenues (it is now covered by businesses along Kapahulu Avenue and residences in the area.)

Local hospitals were used for the sick soldiers until Independence Park Hospital was established on August 15, 1898. The Red Cross also established a hospital for soldiers in the Child Garden Building on Beretania Street in June, 1898.

The Independence Park Hospital was located in a dance pavilion at Independence Park, southeast of the corner of Sheridan and King Streets.

In October, 1898, concern over conditions at Independence Park Hospital and the large number of sick soldiers required that additional hospital space be obtained. The Independence Park Hospital was closed in January, 1899.

The Nu‘uanu Valley Military Hospital (also known as “Buena Vista Hospital”) was located at the former John Paty home (known as Buena Vista) on the east side of Nu‘uanu Avenue at Wyllie Street. (That site is now covered by the Nu‘uanu-Pali Highway interchange, just north of the Community Church of Honolulu.)

Camp McKinley remained in existence until Fort Shafter was opened in late June, 1907. The garrison was either artillery or coast artillery troops during this period.

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Camp_McKinley_Kapiolani_Park-1898

Camp_McKinley-PP-56-11-007-00001

Camp McKinley-PP-56-11-004-00001

Camp_McKinley_in_Kapiolani_Park-1898

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Camp McKinley was set up in Kapi’olani Park, at the base of Diamond Head-NY_Volunteers-1898

Buena Vista Hospital, Honolulu, late 1898, looking east (US Army Museum)

William_McKinley_by_Courtney_Art_Studio,_1896

August 15, 2019 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Day 070 – December 31, 1819

December 31, 1819 – no entry. (Thaddeus Journal)

Dec. 31st. It was early recommended to us, this week, to give much attention to the review of the sins of the now closing year. For myself, I must say, in many things have I offended, and in all come short. A retrospect fills me with self-abhorrence. I cannot enumerate what exceeds my greatest thought. In the account, sealed up for the last great day, all stands recorded. If it be not cancelled—if no Advocate be found for me in the person of the Judge, how shall I stand? Can future obedience, could it be attained to, atone? Vain hope I The blood of Christ I—there may I apply. (Sybil Bingham)

December 31. This is the last day of a year, big with events, to me the most important. This year has witnessed the most trying yet interesting scenes of my life. A new course is marked out for me to pursue: new hopes, new joys, and new sorrows are before me. I often review with pleasure the past scenes of my life, tho this pleasure is mingled with regret that they are never more to be realized, and the places that witnessed them may never more bless my eyes. Yes, I can, I do look forward with the most pleasing anticipations of future enjoyment. Yes, with the eye of faith I can look forward to the day when the sons and daughters of Owhyhee (the devoted subjects of the prince of darkness) shall become the true and humble followers of the Prince of Peace; when the Idols of Moriah shall be given to the moles and bats, and the true God and Jesus Christ shall be the only objects of religious homage. (Lucia Ruggles Holman)

12 Oc. (according to the mariners mode of reckoning time, which is from 12 Oc. at noon). Another year has commenced – and now my dear dear brothers and sisters, I wish you a happy New Year. May the best of Heaven’s blessings be yours, and er’e this year has passed away may your hearts be made glad with the reception of letters fraught with good news from Owhyhee. (Lucia Ruggles Holman)

31st. Rose this morning at 5 and went on deck just as the sun was making his appearance above the eastern horizon, and viewed the firmament without a cloud, and the vast extended ocean without a wave to interrupt the sight. All was calm and serene, though we dread a calm in this region. I stood by the side of the vessel a considerable time contemplating the infinite wisdom and goodness of God manifested in the works of creation and providence; and particularly the mysterious leadings of his hand with respect to myself the year past. Surely the Lord leadeth the blind in a way which they knew not. Neither myself nor any of my friends would have imagined at the commencement of the year, that a few short months would remove me 1,660 miles from them, and that dear home. What may be the results of another year, and how great its changes with me is known only to Him who fitteth immensity and inhabiteth Eternity. O may the grace of God. help me so to remember my days as to apply my heart unto wisdom.
Oh, time, how few thy value weigh,
How few will estimate a day;
Days, Months, and years are rolling on
The soul neglected and undone? (Samuel & Nancy Ruggles)

Dec. 31. This day will bring me to the close of another year. A year, the events of which are recorded in heaven, and on which depend my present and future happiness. It has been a scene of revolutions. Many are the changes through which I have passed, yet none, but what lay me under renewed obligations of devotedness to the cause of Christ. I have left forever my dear friends, and with a select few expect to spend many days in a heathen land, surrounded by savages who were barbarous and uncivilized. But where I assured that this is the path selected for me by my Heavenly Father, I should rejoice in the midst of trials and privations. This consolation, I for the most part enjoy. But at times, when I reflect upon the magnitude of the missionary work and my unfitness for it, I am led to doubt respecting the path tip of duty. In God alone is my hope, to him would I look for grace and strength, to bear me on my way. The year which is now about to close, will ever be reviewed with sensations of pleasure. How little did I think at the close of the last, that at this time I should be imprisoned on this in this little bark, and floating in the midst of the ocean. But God who is infinite and knowledge foreordained it thus, and in his righteous providence, has brought it to pass. Though I had long hoped to engaged in the work of the mission, I felt wholly unworthy of such an honor, and hardly dared hope to be indulged with such a privilege. “O what shall I render to the lord for all his benefits.” (Mercy Partridge Whitney Journal)

31. – I am now brought to the close of another year. A year big with events. A few months since I was enjoying the pleasures of a college life, surrounded by many dear friends, and drinking at the fountain-head of science & literature. At once I see myself breaking these dear connections, engaging in matrimony, leaving my country & embarking for the Isles of the Gentiles. Pause, Oh my soul! ‘imaginations airy wing repress, lock up by senses, led no passions stir’. It is for Christ, that I abandon the pleasures of Christian & civilized society? O God thou knowest. If thy presence & thy spirit go not with me carry me not up hence. (Samuel Whitney Journal)

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August 14, 2019 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Hōlua

Certain pastimes were restricted to the chiefs, the most spectacular being hōlua sledding. A track of rock, layered with earth and made slippery with grass, was made for tobogganing on a narrow sled.

Hōlua sledding was the most dangerous sport practiced in Hawai‘i. The rider lies prone on a sled the width of a ski and slides down a chute made of lava rock.

The sled or papa consisted of two narrow and highly polished runners (three inches apart,) from 7- to 18-feet in length, and from two to three inches deep. The papa hōlua (canoe sled) is a reflection of the double-hulled canoe.

The two runners were fastened together by a number of short pieces of woods varying in length from two to five inches, laid horizontally across the runners.

“Coasting down slopes… Sliding on specially constructed sleds was practiced only in Hawaii and New Zealand,” wrote historian Kenneth Emory. “The Maori sled, however, was quite different from the Hawaiian… One of the Hawaiian sleds, to be seen in [the] Bishop Museum, is the only complete ancient sled in existence.”

“The narrowness and the convergence of the runners toward the front should be noticed. Coasting on these sleds was a pastime confined to the chiefs and chieftesses.”

The Reverend Hiram Bingham provides a descriptive account of this sport: “In the presence of the multitude, the player takes in both hands, his long, very narrow and light built sled, made for this purpose alone, the curved ends of the runners being upward and forward, as he holds it, to begin the race.”

“Standing erect, at first, a little back from the head of the prepared slippery path, he runs a few rods to it, to acquire the greatest momentum, carrying his sled, then pitches himself, head foremost, down the declivity, dexterously throwing his body, full length, upon his vehicle, as on a surf board.”

“The sled, keeping its rail or grassway, courses with velocity down the steep, and passes off into the plain, bearing its proud, but prone and headlong rider, who scarcely values his neck more than the prize at stake.”

The primary archaeological feature of Keauhou was its monumental Holua Slide, a stone ramp nearly one mile in length that culminated at He‘eia Bay.

In 1913, H.W. Kinney published a visitor’s guide to the island of Hawai‘i, including descriptions of the land at the time, historical accounts of events, and descriptions of sites and practices that might be observed by the visitor.

At Keauhou, he notes, “Mauka of the village is seen the most famous papa hōlua in the Islands, a wide road-like stretch, which was laid with grass steeped in kukui-nut oil so as to allow the prince and his friends to coast down in their sleighs constructed for the purpose.”

The Keauhou hōlua is one of the largest and best-preserved hōlua course. The remains are about 1290 feet long of the original that was over 4000 feet long. When in use, it was covered in dirt and wet grass to make it slippery.

Contestants reached treacherous speeds on their narrow sleds by adding thatching and mats to make the holua slippery. When the waves were large, crowds would gather on a stone platform at He‘eia Bay to watch as hōlua contestants raced against surfers to a shoreline finish.

A portion of the hōlua is visible on Alii Drive, directly mauka (inland) of the golf clubhouse entrance.

Kekahuna, who mapped and studied the Keauhou Hōlua notes, “The starting point is a narrow platform paved level, succeeded by a slightly declined crosswise platform 36-feet long by 29-feet wide, and is followed by a series of steep descents that gave high speed to the holua sleds.”

“Great care seems to have been exercised in the building of this huge relic of the ancients. Practically the whole slide is constructed of fairly large ‘a‘a rocks, filled in with rocks of medium and small-sized ‘a‘a. The base walls on the north and south vary in height according to the contour of the land. The width of the runway varies considerably.”

“The length of the slide, measured through the middle from the present lower end, is 3,682-feet. It may have extended about 3,000-feet farther, as it is said that in ancient days the now missing lower part extended along the point north of Keauhou Bay nearly to the Protestant open chapel by beautiful He`eia Bay.”

“On completion of their slides the chiefs would have their close attendants (kahus) transport them and their surfboards by canoe to a point about a mile offshore and a little to the north, from where they would ride in He‘eia on the great waves of the noted surf of Kaulu.”

Kauikeauoli, born at Keauhou and later to become ruler of the entire island chain (as Kamehameha III,) was reportedly a great athlete and especially enjoyed hōlua sliding.

As Baker, in the 1916 Hawaiian Annual, wrote, “At Keauhou, on a pretty little bay part way between the other bays, is a well-preserved papa holua, a broad, well-built, undulating toboggan-like slide, built before his reign for Kamehameha III to slide down on sleds, with his friends, over the grass-covered slide made slippery with kukui-nut oil.”

“The slide used to pass out behind the chapel on the north arm of the bay. There the prince and his friends would take surf-boards and return by water to the head of the bay.”

“After the prince had started the sport, others might slide as well. Originally, the slide was over a mile long, about three-quarters of a mile still being in good condition. It is fifty feet wide for the entire distance, and across one it is raised ten feet.”

There are other hōlua in the islands. One, on Kaua‘i, has two slides crossing each other on a pu‘u, northwest of Kōloa; another is a well-preserved 400- to 500-foot long hōlua near Kapua, South Kona.

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