Peter T Young

November 11, 2016 by Peter T Young 1 Comment

Veterans Day

World War I – known at the time as “The Great War” – officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France.

However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.

For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.”

An Act (52 Stat. 351; 5 U. S. Code, Sec. 87a) approved May 13, 1938, made the 11th of November in each year a legal holiday—a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as “Armistice Day.”

With the approval of subsequent legislation (Public Law 380) on June 1, 1954, November 11th became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.

Veterans Day continues to be observed on November 11, regardless of what day of the week on which it falls.

Today, Veterans Day, is a celebration to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.

To all who served, Thank You.

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November 10, 2016 by Peter T Young 1 Comment

Lonesome Grave

It all started when Barbara Funamura went to Kauai Veteran’s Cemetery on a Veterans Day to put flowers, and saw that some of the graves did not have any flowers. On Memorial Day the graves were crowded with flowers but not so on Veterans Day.

When she became president of the Kauai United Hongwanji Buddhist Women’s Association over twenty years ago, she made the placing of flowers on every grave a major project for the United BWA.

She was so passionate to have Kauai Veteran’s Cemetery decorated on Veterans Day that she got all five Buddhist Women’s Association Units to adopt this project on an annual basis.

At that time, there were a few Gold Medal Mothers (mothers who have lost a son or daughter in the service of our country) still living on Kauai so the marigold flowers became a symbol to honor those mothers. When there were enough marigold flowers to decorate all the graves, the cemetery was really beautiful.

On November 10 all the Units (now down to three) along with church members, affiliates, relatives and friends congregate at Kauai Veteran’s Cemetery to decorate the graves with all types of flowers. (Lihue Hongwanji)

At the beginning, marigolds were placed only on lonesome graves. Now, every year, flowers of all kinds are placed on all graves at Kauai Veterans’ Cemetery.

But this isn’t all that Barbara Funamura started …

Barbara graduated from Colorado State with a degree in food sciences and nutrition and went on to Ames, Iowa for post-graduate study in institutional management.

“Her first job was as an extension agent at the University of Hawaii. She traveled all over, and when she came home, she was an extension agent until the kids came.”

When she started working after raising the kids, she became the first food supervisor for the Meals on Wheels program before joining Big Save as a supervisor for the Kauai Kitchens.

When Grove Farm opened up the Kukui Grove Center mall, she was a good manager and signed up for the spot where Joni-Hana would emerge.

The other thing Barbara Funamura started began at Joni-Hana at the Kukui Grove Center more than 30-years ago.

Barbara Funamura was the originator of the Spam musubi – Spam and rice are combined in a musubi (rice ball) wrapped in nori (sheets of dried seaweed.)

“The first one was triangular” her husband said – to differentiate it from the musuburrito, a similar rice-and-chorizo musubi.

Eventually the Spam musubi was made using a box, morphing it into its now familiar shape. “Barbara saw it and recognized that it was the way to go,” her husband said.

“The sushi would come out all uniform, and it just happens that it fits two slices of Spam side by side.” (Lots of information here is from The Garden Island and Kauai Hongwanji.) (Barbara Funamura died earlier this year.)

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Lonesome Grave Project-West Kauai Hongwanji

Barbara Funamura

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November 9, 2016 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

First Medical School

“There is and has been a greater need of native doctors than of native lawyers. The Missionaries have educated the native pastors … The native lawyers have educated themselves … but the medical profession, has been like a sealed book …” (Introduction, Anatomia)

“In an early period of the Hawaiian Mission the subject of educating persons for physicians was agitated, but nothing of importance done.” (The Friend, July 1, 1871)

“There was a time when a large proportion of the population applied to the Missionaries for medical aid. The funds of the American Board were largely drawn upon for medicines, and the Missionaries devoted a great deal of time in attendance on the sick …”

“Subsequently the Hawaiian Government undertook to furnish the Missionaries with medicines for the sick; of late years this source of relief has dried up, and even the voluntary practice of the Missionaries has been discountenanced. In places where there are no educated physicians”. (Bushnell)

Dr Gerrit P Judd had published the first medical textbook in 1838, Anatomia, the only medical textbook written in the Hawaiian language. Dr Judd, for a time the only medical missionary in the Islands, wrote the text in 1838 to teach basic anatomy to Hawaiians enrolled at the Mission Seminary (Lahainaluna.)

Working from a standard elementary textbook of the time, Judd provided his students with more than a simple, straight translation. He devised a new vocabulary and explained medical functions and practices in words that would be understood by a Hawaiian.

Judd’s use of Hawaiian terms and descriptions gives us insights into native cultural and healing practices in the early decades of the nineteenth century.

Judd was one of the very few Western doctors in Hawai‘i that was interested in learning about Hawaiian medical practices and remedies. He hired Native Hawaiian assistants and apprentices. (Mission Houses)

Anatomia is a valuable addition to the growing collection of translations on native health and will be greatly appreciated by linguists, historians and students of Hawaiian language and culture. (Mission Houses)

Then, the legislative session of 1868 brought forth An Act to Establish a Hawaiian Board of Health; the preamble noted, “the outer districts of this Kingdom are greatly in want of physicians … it is thought advisable to establish a system of licensing Hawaiian practitioners of medicine ….” (Bushnell)

In 1871, the Hawaiian Evangelical Association admitted “there is a pressing necessity for educating a sufficient number of native pupils to meet the wants of the people and to check the serious and rapidly growing evil … the question arises how and by whom it is to be done.”

They concluded, “It should be conducted in the Hawaiian language, by one or more medical men who understand the language, and are acquainted with the prejudices and superstitions of the people.”

“Pupils when educated should be distributed all over the islands, at least two in every election district, licensed to practice and authorized to charge for their services according to a schedule to be provided for their guidance. They should be under a constant supervision.” (Bushnell)

“The last Legislature of this kingdom (1870) appropriated a sum of money ($4,000) to be expended in educating young men for this purpose. The Vice President of the Hawaiian Board, Dr GP Judd, was appointed to take charge of the instruction of these young men.”

Judd, a medical missionary, had originally come to the islands to serve as the missionary physician, intending to treat native Hawaiians for the growing number of diseases introduced by foreigners.

He immersed himself in the Hawaiian community, becoming a fluent speaker of Hawaiian. Judd soon became an adviser to and supporter of King Kamehameha III.

In May 1842, Judd was asked to leave the Mission and accept an appointment as “translator and recorder for the government,” and as a member of the “treasury board,” with instructions to aid Oʻahu’s Governor Kekūanāoʻa in the transaction of business with foreigners.

In 1846, Judd was transferred from the post of minister of the interior to that of minister of finance (which he held until 1853, when by resignation, he terminated his service with the government.)

“On the 9th of November, 1870, he opened a school with ten pupils. This, we think, is a move in the right direction, and by the blessing of God, may be made the means of counteracting some of the evils, which arise from the number of native doctors among the people, and of prolonging the existence of the nation.” (The Friend, July 1, 1871)

The students included, SW Kaneali‘i, Jr, Kauai – Hanalei;) SK Kauai, Jr (Kauai – Waimea;) John W Kalua (Molokai;) Ceo W Kalopapela (Maui – Waihe‘e;) Henry P Ka‘ili (Maui – Makawao;) John Kalama (Hawai‘i Island – Kohala;) Henry Mana (Hawai‘i Island – Kawaihae;) Kona, S Na‘onohi (Hawai‘i Island – Kona;) Daniel P Aumai (Hawai‘i Island – Kāʻu;) and John Kelia (Hawai‘i Island – Puna.)

Their classwork and lectures were supplemented by a practicum in a dispensary (pharmacy/doctor’s office.) Dr. Judd most likely taught this school at his private hospital and dispensary at 31 Punchbowl St and during visits to the Queen’s Hospital.

Conceived and organized in the manner of one-man medical schools of that time in America, with which he and many of his colleagues would have been familiar, Dr Judd’s school was probably just as good as many of them, and no worse than most. (Bushnell)

The school ended on October 2, 1872, when Laura Fish Judd (Dr Judd’s wife) died. He recommended to the Board of Health that all 10 students be certified and licensed medical physicians. The licenses were issued on October 14, 1872. (Mission Houses)

Judd participated in a pivotal role in Medicine, Finance, Law, Sovereignty, Land Tenure and Governance in the Islands. Gerrit P Judd died in Honolulu on July 12, 1873.

“He was a man of energy, courage and sincerity of purpose. He was an able physician, and he developed great aptitude for the administration of public affairs. The benefit of his talents was freely and liberally given to a people who he knew needed and deserved assistance.” (Hawaiian Mission Centennial Book)

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November 8, 2016 by Peter T Young 1 Comment

Hawai‘i: The State That Doesn’t Vote

‘The State that Doesn’t Vote’ … so said the headline in a 2012 article on CNN … Of the 50-States and the District of Columbia, Hawai‘i ranks 51 (last) in voter turn-out rate.

“(F)ewer than half of eligible Hawai‘i residents voted. Compare that with the No. 1 civic-minded state, Minnesota, where 78% cast ballots.” (CNN)

A cynic might say, “Well, it’s better than it was over 150-years ago. Back then, nobody voted.” (But, back then, citizens weren’t allowed to vote.)

Let’s look back …

“(I)n the earliest times all the people were ali‘i … it was only after the lapse of several generations that a division was made into commoners and chiefs.” (Malo) In early Hawaiʻi “The parents were masters over their own family group … No man was made chief over another.” (Kamakau) Essentially, the extended family was the socio, biological, economic and political unit.

As the population increased and needs and wants increased in variety and complexity (and it became too difficult to satisfy them with finite resources,) the need for chiefly rule became apparent. As chiefdoms developed, the simple pecking order of titles and status likely evolved into a more complex and stratified structure.

The kapu system was the common structure, the rule of order, and religious and political code. This social and political structure gave leaders absolute rule and authority. Island rulers, Aliʻi or Mōʻī, typically ascended to power through warfare and familial succession.

When Kamehameha died on May 8, 1819, the crown was passed to his son, Liholiho, who would rule as Kamehameha II. Kaʻahumanu recruited Liholiho’s mother, Keōpūolani, to join her in convincing Liholiho to break the kapu system which had been the rigid code of Hawaiians for centuries.

This changed the course of the civilization and ended the kapu system, effectively weakened belief in the power of the gods and the inevitability of divine punishment for those who opposed them. In addition to the abolition of the old ways, Kaʻahumanu created the office of Kuhina Nui (similar to premier, prime minister or regent) and would rule as an equal with Liholiho – this started the shift from absolute rule to shared rule.

While Liholiho’s brother Kauikeaouli (Kamehameha III) ruled as monarch (with shared authority with the Kuhina Nui,) he, too, took bold steps in changing the structure of governance. Kamehameha III initiated and implemented Hawaiʻi’s first constitution (1840) (one of five constitutions governing the Islands – and then, later, governance as part of the US.)

Of his own free will he granted the Constitution of 1840, as a boon to his country and people, establishing his Government upon a declared plan. (Rex v. Booth – Hanifin)

That constitution introduced the innovation of representatives chosen by the people (rather than as previously solely selected by the Aliʻi.) This gave the common people a share in the government’s actual political power for the first time.

One important aspect of this constitution was the establishment of the House of Representatives as part of the legislative body, allowing the people a voice in government.

A subsequent law (1842) detailed the election process, “In accordance with the requirements of the constitution, certain persons will be chosen to sit in council with the Nobles. … Whosoever pleases … may write to His Majesty mentioning the names of the two persons of wisdom whom he chooses to sit in council with the Nobles.”

“In these ballot letters there may be a great number of signatures to the same letter. The names of all who vote will be counted, and the persons having a majority will be the ones who are chosen.” However, more than ten years passed before a formal election was held.

On July 30, 1850, a new election law provided for annual elections; under this act, a voter had to be a male subject (either native or naturalized) or resident, at least 20-years of age, who had lived at least one year in Hawai‘i, and was not insane or an unpardoned felon.

When Hawai‘i held its first modern election, on January 6, 1851, approximately 13.9% of the population of Honolulu went to the polls. The 1862 election was a high-water mark, with a turnout of 20.9%. Four years later only 1.6% cast ballots.

Another peak was reached in 1887, with 16.7%. Participation rates dropped precipitously during the following decade, and by 1897 less than one percent of the population was voting. The 1862 level was not reached again until after World War II. (Schmitt)

In 1959, when Hawai‘i first became a state, Islands voters were at the top of the nation with 84% for Primary Elections and 93% for the General.

However in looking at the trends, voter participation rates haven’t really improved over the century and a half from Hawai‘i’s first election; Hawai‘i has the lowest voter turnout rate in the nation. (CNN)

To put this into perspective, the best state had well over 75%, while the nation’s average was just 61%. This has been a recurring problem as every year the percentage of voters who participate in elections drops. Hawai‘i has dropped to half of its 1959 participation rate (41.5% in Primary and 52.3% in General in 2014.) (Nishida)

A graphic representation of DBEDT’s data, shows that even with a growing number of eligible voters (861,000 to 1,111,000) and growing registered voter numbers (464,000 to 707,000,) over the past 20+ years, typically only about 400,000 people in Hawai‘i vote.

For two centuries, the trend in Hawaiʻi has been toward expanding the numbers of people who have a say in all parts of their government: from Kamehameha I’s near-absolute monarchy to a hereditary oligarchy, to an oligarchy open to men with money, to American republic. (Hanifin)

Today’s eligibility and registration process is pretty simple, and many can and should vote. However, as noted by CNN, Hawai‘i is the state that doesn’t vote.

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General Election Voter Turnout-1959-2014

US National Turnout 1789-2014

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November 7, 2016 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Craigielea

“Nui ke anu! Nui ka uku!! Nui ka wauwau!!! Nui ka walaau!!!! Nui ka hiamoe ole!!!!
“It was so very cold! There were so many fleas!! There was so much scratching!!! There was so much talking!!!! There was so little sleep!!!!” (Charles E King, 1896; Engledow; Raymond, NPS)

“An undesirable pest has publicized its presence high above the park entrance by leaving its name on two caves which early visitors found convenient for shelter.”

“Big Flea and Little Flea Caves often appear in accounts of early trips, but never without mention of the annoyance that was caused by their permanent occupants.” (NPS)

Then, the first facility at the National Park was built in 1894 near the summit of Haleakala, a rest house at Kalahaku. The building was constructed by the Maui Chamber of Commerce to give tourists a rough shelter from the unpredictable climate. (NPS)

CW Dickey, acting upon the inspiration of his late father, circulated a subscription list on Maui, and secured $850 for the construction of a rest house on the crater rim.

Prior to its construction, visitors were staying in the caves known as “Little Flea” and “Big Flea” caves. The rest house was called “Craigielea” after a place in Scotland, which the builders knew. (Xamanek)

“The long anticipated pleasure of a ‘house warming’ at Craigielea, the new crater house, was realized on Friday night, Nov. 10th, by a jolly party of twenty-four. The clear, mild weather, the beautiful sunset and sunrise, the grand, old crater In all its varied hues, and the ever-changing cloud effects, all combined to make the occasion most enjoyable.”

“Thirteen of the party, Mrs. CW Dickey, Mrs. D. C. Lindsay, Ethel Mossman, Eva Smith, Grace Dickey, Lottie Baldwin, J. J. Hair, George Aiken, Fred. Baldwin, Sam Baldwin, Harry Mossman, Sylvin Crooke and CW Dickey, spent Thursday night at Olinda, getting an early start for the top on Friday morning.”

“The day slipped quickly away, and at five o’clock a cloud of dust far down the mountain slde announced the approach of HP Baldwin, Helen Chamberlain, Lillian Aiken, Mrs. HG Alexander, Nellie Alexander and Worth Aiken, who were soon followed by J. W. Colvill e, Miss Watson and Miss Hammond.”

“About seven o’clock two more cold and hungry travelers, D. C. Lindsay and F. “W. Armstrong, arrived. The night was too beautiful for any one to think of staying in the house, so, wrapping gay colored blankets about their shoulders, the whole party rallied forth to view the grand, old crater of Haleakala by moonlight.” (Pacific Commercial Advertiser, November 19, 1894)

“Here at Craigie Lea, on the brink of this cold furnace, overlooking the sea ten thousand feet below, or turning to gaze into the bottom of the crater two thousand feet beneath us, we ate our luncheon. Although it was deliciously cool, the rarified atmosphere made eating and drinking an indifferent pleasure.” (Overland Monthly, 1903)

“It is constructed of stone, the walls being twenty inches thick, and is covered with an iron roof. The principal entrance is at the west end, with a deep fireplace at the other end.”

“On either side are two pair of casement windows, each pair separated by a narrow stone pier, making the openings too small to serve as an entrance for vagrants. A small door on the mauka side, near the fireplace, furnishes a convenient exit for those occupying that end of the building.”

“The furniture consists of sixteen canvas cots which can be folded and put out of the way, two tables hung by hinges under two of the windows, so as to be let down when not in use, a cupboard with six shelves, and a full set of rough cooking utensils and tin table ware.”

“Near the house is a comfortable shed enclosed by crude stone walls, which can be used as a saddle house and be occupied by servants. Just makai of this shed is a shelter for horses. An oval cistern sir by ten by nine feet deep will provide plenty of water when the winter rains have filled it.”

“The house is securely locked so that no one can obtain access except in the use of a key, twenty of which have been provided, and distributed among the various plantations offices and other places convenient to the public.”

“Any respectable person will have no difficulty in obtaining a key before he climbs the mountain. It is now an easy undertaking to ride from Makawao to the summit, view the sunset and sunrise, and return to civilization on the following day.” (Pacific Commercial Advertiser, November 19, 1894)

This first rest house was completed in two months and served for some three years until a heavy storm unroofed it. Sometime later, Worth O Aiken, Chairman of the Haleakala Rest House Committee for many years, raised another community fund which was used to reroof the building, lay a concrete floor, and equip it with a metal door, window frames and shutters.

With the increasing number of visitors to the crater, the rest house became inadequate and, at the Territorial Civic Convention of 1914, which was held on Maui, a new subscription list was started for a new rest house.

With this money, the new building was constructed and made ready for occupancy by the spring of 1915. It was later demolished in 1957. (NPS)

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