Ali’i / Chiefs / Governance | Page 121

September 22, 2016 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Surfing in Britain

“Surf riding after the Hawaiian fashion is extremely simple when performed with pen and ink, but the swimmer who tries it at Waikiki when there is any sort of sea tumbling in from the south is either overwhelmed in the roller …”

“… or parts company with his board to learn the adamantine solidity of beach sand when a would-be rider essays to plow it up with any portion of his anatomy.” (Paducah Daily Sun, AK, August 18, 1898)

Edward, Prince of Wales (Later King Edward VIII) visited Hawai‘i in April 1920 and enjoyed a three-day surf trip with Earl Mountbatten (future Admiral of the Fleet.) He was so thrilled with the experience that he ordered his ship, the HMS Renown, to return for three days so he could surf again.

But it’s not the surfing of British royals in Hawai‘i that is the focus of this summary, this is about Hawaiian royals in Britain, surfing off the British coast.

While Duke Kahanamoku introduced and promoted surfing to the rest of the world (making him the ‘Father of International Surfing,’) the year he was born (1890,) a couple Hawaiian Princes were riding the waves at Bridlington, Yorkshire in Britain.

Brothers David Kawānanakoa (Koa) and Kūhiō, orphaned after their father died in 1880 and mother in 1884, were adopted by King David Kalākaua’s wife, Queen Kapiʻolani, who was their maternal aunt.

Both were sent on Kalākaua’s ‘studies abroad program.’ They travelled with a guardian arriving in London on November 27, 1889. At first, it was thought that David might work for Hawaii Consul Armstrong in London.

There were 13 Hawaiian Consuls throughout England, indicative of the two countries important trade relations. As for Kuhio, “(he) is not sure if he wants to stay or leave. He thinks he’ll leave, (because) it is very cold here.” (Hall)

On September 22, 1890 Prince Kūhiō could not restrain his enthusiasm in his letter to the Hawaiian Consul Armstrong about their experience of surfing at Bridlington:

“We enjoy the seaside very much and are out swimming every day. The weather has been very windy these few days and we like it very much for we like the sea to be rough so that we are able to have surf riding. We enjoy surf riding very much and surprise the people to see us riding on the surf.”

“Even (John) Wrightson (their tutor) is learning surf riding and will be able to ride as well as we can in a few days more. He likes this very much for it is a very good sport.” (Museum of British Surfing)

Their Bridlington surfboards would most likely have been planks purchased from a boat‐builder. There were extensive regional forests plus readily available foreign timber. A local wood expert’s best guess is that the wood was ash, sycamore or lime. (Hall)

This wasn’t the first international surfing experience for the princely brothers. In 1885, the Koa and Kūhiō (and their other brother Edward, who later died in 1887) were schooled at St Matthew’s Hall in San Mateo, California; they were placed under the care of Antoinette Swan, one of the ‘Pioneers’ of Santa Cruz and daughter of Don Francisco de Paula Marin.

When the Swan home became too crowded, the princes boarded at the nearby Wilkins House, located half a block away, on Pacific and Cathcart streets. (Dunn & Stoner)

The three princes are noted in the first account of surfing anywhere in the Americas: “The young Hawaiian princes were in the water, enjoying it hugely and giving interesting exhibitions of surf-board swimming as practiced in their native islands.” (Santa Cruz Daily Surf, July 20, 1885; Divine)

Another Hawaiian royal may also have added to the international surfing experience. It is suggested that when Princess Kaʻiulani, a cousin of Koa and Kūhiō, also surfed in England (in 1892.)

“She may have been the first female surfer in Britain, … a letter in which she wrote that she enjoyed ‘being on the water again’ at Brighton.”

“Kaʻiulani liked swimming and surfing. She was a high-spirited girl, who when she returned to Hawaii, liked to sneak out past midnight to go swimming in the moonlight with girlfriends.” (Hall)

Reportedly, “The tall foreign dignitary stood erect on a thin board with her hair blowing in the wind and rode the chilly waters.” (British Surfing Museum; Boal)

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Brighton Beach-UK-from_the-Pier-LOC-1890

David Kawananakoa (1868-1908) Edward Keliiahonui (1869-1887) and Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole (1871-1922)-PP-97-17-008

Hawaiian Surfers-BridlingtonFreePress

Koa and Kuhio-MuseumOfBritishSurfing

Prince Kuhio letter to the Hawaiian consul Mr Armstrong in London-Sep_22,_1890-1-MuseumOfBritishSurfing

Prince Kuhio letter to the Hawaiian consul Mr Armstrong in London-Sep_22,_1890-2-MuseumOfBritishSurfing

Saltburn-by-the-Sea-UK-noting-sea_bathing-changing-carts-LOC-1890

Brighton_Beach-UK-from_the-Pier-LOC-1890

Brighton Beach-UK-the-Pier-LOC-1890

Bridlington_UK_The_Parade-(Promenade)-LOC-1890

Bridlington_UK_The_Harbor-LOC-1890

Bridlington_UK_Childrens_Corner-LOC-1890

Brighton Beach-UK-LOC-1915

Brighton_Beach-UK-LOC-1915

Brighton Beach-Bathing-UK-LOC-1915

Prince_Edward_Surfing-Waikiki-1920

Prince Edward-and_Duke_Kahanamoku_go_Surfing

September 17, 2016 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Kālaimoku

“(I)n the earliest times all the people were alii … it was only after the lapse of several generations that a division was made into commoners and chiefs” (Malo)

Kamakau noted, in early Hawaiʻi “The parents were masters over their own family group … No man was made chief over another.” Essentially, the extended family was the socio, biological, economic and political unit.

Because each ʻohana (family) was served by a parental haku (master, overseer) and each family was self-sufficient and capable of satisfying its own needs, there was no need for a hierarchal structure.

Kamakau states that there were no chiefs in the earliest period of settlement but that they came “several hundred years afterward … when men became numerous.”

As the population increased and wants and needs increased in variety and complexity (and it became too difficult to satisfy them with finite resources,) the need for chiefly rule became apparent.

The actual number of chiefs was few, but their retainers attached to the courts (advisors, konohiki, priests, warriors, etc) were many.

In addition to the expanded demand to provide food for the courts, commoners were also obliged to make new lines of products for the chiefs – feather cloaks, capes, helmets, images and ornaments.

Once King Kamehameha I gained control of the major Hawaiian Islands, he reestablished the ancestral custom of the ʻaha aliʻi (council of chiefs,) first to provide advice and ensure the proper governance of the islands without reliance on warfare.

The council of chiefs supervised the division and management of land, the management of fisheries, the sandalwood trade and the annual collection of taxes.

Kamehameha also appointed governors for each island, in recognition of the relative autonomy of each island in relation to local affairs and as an accommodation to the federated nature of the governance of the unified Kingdom.

The council provided a constraint on the power of the mōʻī (head of state) and was an early indicator of the democratic direction in which governance of the nation was moving. (MacKenzie)

There were two strong forces, or parties, in the government; one the kahunas, who attended to the idol-worship, the other the kālaimoku, or king’s chief councilor (counselor, prime minister, high official; to perform such office. Lit., manage island, (Ulukau.)) These two were the ones who controlled the government, and led its head, the king, as they thought best. (Malo)

The word kālaimoku related to the civil polity, or government, of the land. The government was supposed to have one body (kino.) As the body of a man is one, provided with a head, with hands, feet and numerous smaller members, so the government has many parts, but one organization. (Malo)

The kālaimoku’s manner of procedure was as follows: He first made secret inquiries of the keepers of the genealogies – poe kuauhau – and informed himself as to the pedigree of all the chiefs.

Because the kālaimoku believed that the king was to be compared to a house. A house indeed stands of itself, but its pa or stockade, is its defense. So it was with the king; the chiefs below him and the common people throughout the whole country were his defense.

Aliʻi nui would carefully consider the advice of his council, and would be hesitant to go against it. Kālaimoku and kahuna kiʻi played different roles in their process of governing.

The kālaimoku advised on the material processes of government: political affairs, war, and taking care of makaʻāinana; the kahuna kiʻi focused on the spiritual and metaphysical and was the aliʻi nui contact t the gods. (Beamer)

If the head of the government declined to follow their advice, the government went to another, on account of the fault of its head, that is the king. The high priest – kahuna o nā kiʻi – controlled the king in matters of religion – haipule- (He was keeper of the king’s conscience.)

The kālaimoku, chief councilor or prime minister, guided him in regulating the affairs of administration, and in all that related to the common people. (Malo)

The principal duties of the kālaimoku’s office were comprised under two heads; to look after the king’s interests and to look after the people’s interests. The one who filled the office of kālaimoku made it his first business to counsel the king in the regulation of these two departments. (Malo)

One thing which the kālaimoku impressed upon the king was to protect the property of the chiefs as well as that of the common people; not to rob them, not to appropriate wantonly the crops of the common people. (Malo)

The kālaimoku’s manner of procedure was as follows: He first made secret inquiries of the keepers of the genealogies – poe kuauhau – and informed himself as to the pedigree of all the chiefs.

There were two great reasons why a kālaimoku had superior ability as a counselor to others. In the first place, they were instructed in the traditional wisdom of former kālaimoku, and in the second place their whole lives were spent with kings.

When one king died, they lived with his successor until his death, and so on. Thus they became well acquainted with the methods adopted by different kings, also with those used by the kings of ancient times.

These kālaimoku were a class of people who did not care much for luxury and display, nor for distinction, wealth, or land. They had no desire for great rewards from the king. They were only intent on serving the king by their secret councils.

A notable Kālaimoku was Kalanimōkū was a trusted and loyal advisor to Kamehameha I, Liholiho (Kamehameha II) and Kauikeaouli (Kamehameha III.)

He adopted the name William Pitt, because of his great admiration for the British Prime Minister, William Pitt the Younger. He was frequently addressed as Mr. Pitt or Billy Pitt. (Lots of information here from Malo.)

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William Pitt Kalanimoku (c. 1768–1827) was a military and civil leader of the Kingdom of Hawaii-Pellion

September 10, 2016 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Early Battles Leading to Unification

I came across a summary (that also had some expanded explanatory notes) on early battles that Kamehameha was involved with – effectively from about 1760 to the mid-1780s. (You can put some time context to these – these were about the time of the American Revolutionary War.)

I liked the formatting and summary nature of the descriptions, including the who, what, where, when and why, and result. These are included here as presented by Harrington (with some editing for formatting purposes.)

Battle #1—Hilo Warriors of Alapaʻinui Defeat Kaʻū Warriors of Kalaniʻōpuʻu Near Hilo
Who: The Kaʻū warriors of Kalaniʻōpuʻu, including his kahu Puna, Kekūhaupiʻo, and Keawemauhili vs. the Hilo warriors of Alapaʻinui and chiefs loyal to Alapaʻinui, including Keawe‘ōpala, Keaweāheulu, and the three sons of Keawepoepoe (Kameʻeiamoku, Kamanawa and Keʻeaumoku.)
Where: Near Hilo, Hawai‘i Island.
Why: Kalaniʻōpuʻu seeks to avenge Alapa‘inui’s poisoning of Keōuanui, the father of Kamehameha, and take Kamehameha from Alapa‘inui’s court in Hilo and bring him to his own court in Kaʻū.
When: Kamehameha is about ten years old.
Result: Kalaniʻōpuʻu’s forces suffer many deaths and are put to flight by the warriors of Alapaʻinui.

Battle #2—Kaʻū Warriors of Kalaniʻōpuʻu Defeat Hilo Warriors of Keawe‘ōpala and Keʻeaumoku Inland of Kawaihae.
Who: The Kaʻū warriors of Kalaniʻōpuʻu vs. the Hilo warriors of Keawe‘ōpala, allied with Keʻeaumoku.
Where: Inland of Kawaihae on Hawai‘i Island, between Keʻei and Hōnaunau.
Why: Kalaniʻōpuʻu seeks revenge for his earlier military defeat by the warrior forces of Alapaʻinui.
When: c.1760. Some years after previous battle; after death of Alapaʻinui.
Result: After a battle lasting several days, Kalaniʻōpuʻu’s forces are victorious. A turning point in this battle is the death of Keawe‘ōpala’s kahuna nui Ka‘akau. Keawe‘ōpala is also killed. Keʻeaumoku flees to Maui, and Kalaniʻōpuʻu rules over all of Hawai‘i Island. Kamehameha returns to Kaʻū to live in the court of his makua kāne mō‘ī Kalaniʻōpuʻu.

Battle #3—Kamehameha and Hawai‘i Island Warriors of Kalaniʻōpuʻu Defeat Maui Warriors of Kahekili at Fortification of Kaʻuiki at Hāna and Nearby Village of Kaupō: The Plunder of Kaupō.
Who: The Hawai‘i Island warriors of Kalaniʻōpuʻu (with Kamehameha) vs. the Maui warriors of Kahekili.
Where: Fortification of Kaʻuiki at Hāna, Maui; nearby village of Kaupō.
Why: To regain control of the Hāna fort.
When: c.1775.
Result: Kalaniʻōpuʻu’s forces are victorious over the Maui warriors and retake the Hāna fort. Kalaniʻōpuʻu orders his warriors to plunder the people of Kaupō and many innocent people are killed.

Battle #4—Battle of Kalaeokaʻīlio—The Cape of the Dog: Maui Warriors of Kahekili Defeat Hawai‘i Island Warriors of Kalaniʻōpuʻu at Kaupō.
Who: The Hawai‘i Island warriors of Kalaniʻōpuʻu (including Kamehameha) vs. the Maui warriors of Kahekili.
Where: Kaupō, Maui.
Why: Kahekili is angered by the killing of his people at Kaupō, Maui and seeks revenge against Kalaniʻōpuʻu.
When: c.1775.
Result: Kalaniʻōpuʻu’s forces are outnumbered and flee the battlefield, suffering many deaths. This is the first major battle of the rising warrior Kamehameha, and during the fighting he shows fearlessness and bravery by coming to the rescue of his war instructor Kekūhaupiʻo

Battle #5—Kamehameha and Kekūhaupiʻo Defeat Maui Warriors of Kahekili Near Papawai Point
Who: Kamehameha and Kekūhaupiʻo vs. the Maui warriors of Kahekili.
Where: Near Papawai Point, Maui.
Why: Maui warriors try to prevent Kamehameha and Kekūhaupiʻo from landing their canoe.
When: Same day as #6; time overlaps with Battle #6
Result: Kamehameha and Kekūhaupiʻo are vastly outnumbered yet they defeat the Maui warriors and force them to flee.

Battle #6— Battle of the Sand Dunes—Pi‘ipi‘i and ‘Ālapa Heaped Up at Kakanilua: Maui Warriors of Kahekili and O‘ahu Warriors of Kahahana Defeat Hawai‘i Island Warriors of Kalaniʻōpuʻu’s Chiefly Army of Keawe at Wailuku.
Who: The Hawai‘i Island warriors of Kalaniʻōpuʻu’s Chiefly Army of Keawe (‘Ālapa and Pi‘ipi‘i armies) including Kekūhaupiʻo, Kalanimanoiokaho‘owa, Nae‘ole, ‘Īmakakoloa, Kānekoa, Nu‘uanupā‘ahu, Nanuekaleiōpū, Keaweaheulu, and Keawemauhili as well as Kameʻeiamoku, and Kamanawa. vs. the Maui warriors of Kahekili supported by the O‘ahu warriors of Kahahana.
Where: Inland at Wailuku, Maui.
Why: Kalaniʻōpuʻu seeks to avenge his earlier defeat to Kahekili’s forces at Kaupō, Maui.
Result: All of Kalaniʻōpuʻu’s Chiefly Army of Keawe is slain by the Maui and O‘ahu warriors, except for two messengers who bring the news to Kalaniʻōpuʻu.

Battle #7—Maui Warriors of Kahekili and O‘ahu Warriors of Kahahana Defeat Hawai‘i Island Warriors of Kalaniʻōpuʻu Near Wailuku.
Who: The Hawai‘i Island warriors of Kalaniʻōpuʻu vs. the Maui warriors of Kahekili and the O‘ahu warriors of Kahahana.
Where: Near Wailuku, Maui.
Why: Kalaniʻōpuʻu seeks to avenge the slaughter of his Pi‘ipi‘i and ‘Ālapa warriors at Wailuku.
Result: The Hawai‘i Island warriors are overpowered and flee the battlefield. They are not pursued by the Maui and O‘ahu warriors, who also suffer many losses.

Battle #8—Warriors of Maui Ruler Kahekili Defeat Hawai‘i Island Warriors on Molokai.
Who: Hawai‘i Island warriors of Kalaniʻōpuʻu vs. warriors of the Maui ruler Kahekili.
Where: Kalae, Molokai.
Why: Kalaniʻōpuʻu seeks to avenge the death of his ‘Ālapa and Pi‘ipi‘i armies at Wailuku, Maui.
When: One year after peace accord between Kahekili and Kalaniʻōpuʻu.
Result: Kalaniʻōpuʻu’s warriors are again defeated.

Battle #9—Hawai‘i Island Warriors of Kalaniʻōpuʻu and Kamehameha’s Hunalele and Huelokū Warriors Defeat the Maui and O‘ahu Warriors of Kahekili and Kahahana in Hakalau.
Who: The Hawai‘i Island warriors of Kalaniʻōpuʻu, including Kamehameha’s Hunalele and Huelokū warriors mostly from Kohala and Waimea vs. the Maui and O‘ahu warriors of Kahekili and Kahahana.
Where: Hakalau in the Hilo district of Hawai‘i Island.
Why: Kalaniʻōpuʻu seeks to avenge the slaughter of his Pi‘ipi‘i and ‘Ālapa warriors at Wailuku.
Result: Kalaniʻōpuʻu’s Hawai‘i Island warriors are victorious. Kaihe is killed by Kekūhaupiʻo, and the Maui and O‘ahu warriors flee the battlefield.

Battle #10—Battle of Mokuʻōhai—Kamehameha’s Warriors of Kohala, Kona, and Waimea Defeat Hilo, Puna, Kaʻū, and Hāmākua Warriors of Kīwala‘ō and Keawemauhili on Plain of Mokuʻōhai.
Who: Kīwala‘ō’s army led by the twins Keōuakū‘ahu‘ula and Keōuape‘e‘ale and supported by the Hilo warriors of Keawemauhili and the Puna warriors of Ahia, along with warriors of Kaʻū and Hāmākua vs. Kamehameha’s army of warriors mostly from Kohala, Kona, and Waimea. Chiefs allied with Kamehameha and Kekūhaupiʻo are Keʻeaumoku Pāpaʻiaheahe, Keaweaheulu, Keaweokahikona, Kawelookalani, Kala‘imamahū, and Kamehameha’s younger brother Keli‘imaika‘i, as well as Kameʻeiamoku and Kamanawa, the sacred twins of Kekaulike.
Where: Plain of Mokuʻōhai between Hōnaunau and Keʻei.
Why: Aggressive acts by Keōuakū‘ahu‘ula against Kīwala‘ō for denying him land lead to an alliance between Kīwala‘ō and Keōuakū‘ahu‘ula against Kamehameha.
When: 1782
Result: Kīwala‘ō is killed by Keʻeaumoku and Kamehameha’s warriors are victorious. Kamehameha gains control of Kona, Kohala, and part of Hāmākua while Keōuakū‘ahu‘ula rules over Kaʻū and part of Puna, and Keawemauhili rules over Hilo and parts of Hāmākua and Puna.

Battle #11—Battle of the Bitter Rain—Kaua Kaua‘awa: Kamehameha’s Palena, Mahi, Huelokū, and Hunalele Warriors Defeat Hilo, Kaʻū, and Puna Warriors of Keawemauhili and Keōuakū‘ahu‘ula and Maui Warriors of Kahekili from Pū‘āinakō to Pua‘aloa.
Who: Kamehameha’s 20,000 warriors, including his Palena, Mahi, Huelokū, and Hunalele army divisions vs. the warriors of Hilo, Kaʻū, and Puna under the Hilo and Kaʻū rulers Keawemauhili and Keōuakū‘ahu‘ula, later supported by the Maui warriors of Kahekili, who were led by Kahāhāwai.
Where: Begins near Pū‘āinakō and ranges as far as Pā‘ie‘ie and Pua‘aloa in Hilo.
Why: Kaha‘i [Keahia] asks Kamehameha to attack Keōuakū‘ahu‘ula to avenge the death of Kaha‘i’s brother, Kānekoa.
When: c.1783
Result: After three days of fighting, Kamehameha’s forces are winning the battle against the Hilo, Kaʻū, and Puna warriors of Keawemauhili and Keōuakū‘ahu‘ula. Then the Maui warriors of Kahāhāwai arrive and join the battle against Kamehameha’s warriors, who are forced to retreat.

Battle #12—Kamehameha’s Mahi Warriors Led by Kaʻiana Defeat Pōniu and Pukeawe Armies of Keōuakū‘ahu‘ula Above Kainaliu.
Who: Kamehameha’s Mahi army of 2,000 warriors led by Kaʻiana, with reinforcements of 2,000 warriors arriving from South Kona vs. Keōuakū‘ahu‘ula’s Pōniu and Pukeawe armies.
Where: Above Kainaliu.
Why: To prevent Keōuakū‘ahu‘ula from attacking rear of Kamehameha’s forces as Kamehameha’s warriors attack Keawemauhili at Hilo.
Result: The Mahi warriors gain the advantage over Keōuakū‘ahu‘ula’s Pōniu warriors and then Keōuakū‘ahu‘ula directly leads his Pukeawe army to assist in the fight, outnumbering the Mahi army and gaining the advantage. Kamehameha sends reinforcements from South Kona, and Keōuakū‘ahu‘ula warriors are forced to retreat.

Battle #13—Battle of Hāpuʻu: Kamehameha’s Waimea Warriors with Keʻeaumoku Pāpaʻiaheahe Defeat Kahekili’s Maui Warriors Led by Manonoikauakāpekulani from Hālawa Uplands to the Sea.
Who: Kamehameha’s army of 2,000 warriors, mostly from Waimea, and including Keʻeaumoku vs. Kahekili’s Maui warriors led by the aliʻi Manonoikauakāpekulani.
Where: Beginning in the Hālawa uplands and moving to the shore.
Why: An invasion of Kohala by Kahekili’s Maui warriors led by Manonoikauakāpekulani causes Kamehameha to attack these invaders of his homeland.
When: c.1785.
Result: The battle lasts for two days and Kamehameha’s side prevails. Manonoikauakāpekulani is offered as a sacrifice at the heiau of Moʻokini.

Battle #14—Battle of Laupāhoehoe Two: Kīpu‘upu‘u and Malana Warriors of Kamehameha and Kamehameha’s Canoe Fleet Led by Keʻeaumoku Pāpaʻiaheahe Defeat Hilo and Hāmākua Warriors of Keawemauhili at Hāmākua o Kupapaulau and from Maulua to Kealakekua at Hāmākua
Who: Kamehameha’s Kīpu‘upu‘u army (led by Nanuekaleiōpū); Kamehameha’s Malana army (led directly by Kamehameha); and Kamehameha’s canoe fleet (led by Keʻeaumoku) vs. Keawemauhili’s Hilo and Hāmākua warriors led by the Honohina chief Kalino, and other warriors of Keawemauhili led by the chief Kainea of Kapehu.
Where: Two major battles occur.
Battle One: The battle of Kamehameha’s Kīpu‘upu‘u army under Nanuekaleiōpū against Keawemauhili’s Hilo and Hāmākua warriors led by the Honohina chief Kalino begins at Kaholo, at Hāmākua o Kupapaulau.
Battle Two: The battle of Kamehameha’s Malana army begins in Kapehu, where Kekuapāni‘o’s warriors proficient in the use of slings meet Keawemauhili’s warriors led by the Kapehu chief Kainea, and this battle ranges from Maulua to Kealakekua at Hāmākua.
Why: Kamehameha is angered at the killing of his aliʻi watchman Lononuiākea stationed at Laupāhoehoe. These killings are committed by Pīna‘au and Kauwehanehane, two of Keawemauhili’s chiefs, and are considered an act of war by Keawemauhili against Kamehameha, who had previously gained control of Laupāhoehoe in a battle against Kahekili’s warriors.
Result of Battle One: Kamehameha’s Kīpu‘upu‘u warriors led by Nanuekaleiōpū are victorious over Keawemauhili’s warriors of Hilo and Hāmākua after two days and nights of fighting. Keawemauhili’s warriors flee the battlefield with Kamehameha’s warriors in pursuit.
Result of Battle Two: In a separate battle, Kamehameha’s Malana army led by Kamehameha emerges victorious after three days of fierce fighting against Keawemauhili’s warriors under Kainea, who flee the battlefield. The three aliʻi responsible for the earlier deaths of Kamehameha’s men at Laupāhoehoe are killed.

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September 9, 2016 by Peter T Young 1 Comment

The Lady and Emma

Jane Franklin (1791-1875), was born on December 4, 1791, the daughter of John Griffin, a wealthy silk weaver, of London, and Mary, née Guillemard. In 1828, she married (as his second wife) John Franklin, an explorer trying to map out the Northwest Passage.

On April 29, 1829, John was knighted by George IV and the same year awarded the first Gold Medal of the Société de Géographie of France. Franklin was governor of Tasmania for a while before heading out on his next Canadian Arctic expedition. (Franklin had spent three winters in the Arctic without sending word back home; Jane began to get worried.)

In 1848 the search for Franklin and his crew began. In 1849 Jane’s panic began and she dedicated her life and resources to trying to find her missing husband and his crew. Later a journal was found that said that Franklin had died on June 11th, 1847.

While monitoring her husband’s rescue trips and waiting for news she became well-acquainted with the Hawai‘i royal family. En route to the Sandwich Islands Lady Jane and Sophia Cracroft, her niece, went around South America and stopped in California.

In 1861, Robert Crichton Wyllie, Minister of Foreign Affairs, hosted a visit by Lady Jane Franklin, a lively, energetic 69 year old who delighted the 63 year old Wyllie.

He housed her in a spacious apartment at Rosebank. It appears that the confirmed bachelor was rather smitten with Lady Jane. Wyllie was taken with the idea that she should visit Princeville and she quickly agreed.

“We passed here twelve delightful days of unbroken repose, free from bustle, interruption, and fatigue – pray don’t imagine that this means in indolence …”

“… the very reverse is the fact – we read, wrote, drew, sewed, while drinking in the perfume of the flowers such as are cherished in conservatories at home, revelling in beauty which could never satiate, because ever changing.” (Miss Sophia Cracroft, 1861; Harrington)

Wyllie arranged for the ladies to be presented to King Kamehameha IV and Queen Emma. The friendship that developed was very beneficial for Lady Jane, who had open access to the palace. (Kauai Historical Society)

They discussed a wide range of topics. Lady Jane and her niece were very involved with social events of the community, attending musicals, teas, receptions, excursions into the country side and dances.

Next, Lady Jane went to California for a brief time then returned to Hawai‘i to visit the royal family when en route to Japan. Again she was the guest of Robert Wyllie at Rosebank. From Hawai‘i she proceeded to Calcutta before making her way home to England.

Although Lady Jane never returned to Hawai‘I, she maintained close contact with Queen Emma and Robert Wyllie through correspondence. In 1864 Lady Jane wintered in Spain but hurried back to England to host a visit from Queen Emma. (Kauai Historical Society)

To win support for an Anglican mission to Hawai‘i, where Lady Jane was concerned that British should replace American influence, she acted as hostess in her London home to Queen Emma. (Woodward)

“(S)he was received with great kindness by the ‘royal family,’ and is now repaying it by having ‘the Queen’ and her retinue to live with her; though our Queen has placed her apartments at Clarges’ Hotel at the Sandwich Island Queen’s disposition.”

“(Queen Emma) is a charming young woman, in spite of the tinge of black – or rather green. Large black, beautiful eyes, a lovely smile, great intelligence, both of face and manner, a musical, true voice, a perfect English accent.” (Jane W Carlyle to Welch)

“The queen is the widow of the late King of the Sandwich Islands, Kamehameha IV., to whom she was married in 1856. Her only child died in the year 1862; and the throne is now filled by her husband’s brother, with the title of Kamehameha V.”

“The Queen Dowager Emma is partly of Hawaiian and partly of European race; her father was one of the native chieftains, and her mother was a granddaughter of John Young, one of the companions of Vancouver.”

“She has come to England on a visit to Lady Franklin, for the purpose of interesting the friends of English Church missions in the welfare of the Christians among her own people, which ought to be no matter of surprise, when it is known that her husband was the Hawaiian king who invited the planting in his dominions of a branch of the English Church …”

“… the king, who himself translated the English Prayer-book into the native language, and wrote the preface to it, which the Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge have published as one of their own tracts.”

“It must not be imagined that, though Queen Emma has come to England on a visit to Lady Franklin, that she is confined alone to the residence of that distinguished lady.”

“She has also been the guest of Mr JF Batemen, of Moor Park, near Farnham, Surrey. The spot is not only one of romantic beauty, but the house itself was formerly the residence of Sir William Temple and Dean Swift.”

“While staying with Lady Franklin, Queen Emma visited the Duke of York‘s Military School at Chelsea. During her visit to Mr. Buteman, she visited all the interesting places round Farnham, including Aldershott Camp”.

“At the time that she was on a visit to the Rev. Mr. Keble, at Hursley, in Hampshir she went to see Winchester, when the bells of the ol cathedral rang peals of welcome during her stay, and on her way through the Close to Archdeacon Utterton’s, she was greeted with a succession of cheers.” (London Journal, September 30, 1865)

On September 9th, Queen Emma and Queen Victoria met. The British Queen noted in her Journal: “After luncheon I received Queen Emma, the widowed Queen of the Sandwich Islands of Hawai‘i. Met her in the Corridor & nothing could be nicer or more dignified than her manner.”

“She was dressed in just the same widow’s weeds as I wear. I took her into the White Drawingroom, where I asked her to sit down next to me on the sofa. She was much moved when I spoke of her great misfortune in losing her husband and only child.”

“She was very discreet and would only remain a few minutes. She presented her lady, [Mrs. Hoapili] whose husband is her Chaplain, both being Hawaiians.” (Queen Victoria; Hackler)

Note, at this time, the three women were widows: Lady Jane Franklin learned of her husband’s death in 1854; Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria died December 14, 1861; and Prince Albert, Kamehameha Iv and Emma’s only son died August 27, 1862 and Kamehameha IV died November 30, 1863.

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Queen_Victoria,_photographed_by_George_Washington_Wilson-WC-1863

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September 7, 2016 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

ʻIolani Palace Lanterns

King Kalākaua was the first ruling Monarch to tour of the world; in doing so, he made good on his motto, and motivation, proclaimed at his accession, ‘Hoʻoulu Lahui!’- (Increase the Nation!)

“(T)he King goes but for the good of his people, to make the country richer by getting more capital and people to come this way. … So the King this time takes with him a Commissioner to enquire into and bring other people of brown skins here to re-people these isles.” (Kapena)

The King and others were concerned about the declining Hawaiian population in the Islands. “The King himself would be only so in name if he had no people to rule. The King will not rest until his hope of re-peopling these isles has been fulfilled.” (Kapena)

Leaving January 20, 1881 on the Oceanic and arriving back in the Islands October 29, 1881 (nine months and nine days later,) Kalākaua travelled to the US, Japan, China, Siam, Burma, India, Egypt, Italy, Belgium, Germany, Austria-Hungary, France, Spain, Portugal and the United Kingdom.

Kalākaua wanted to gain recognition for his kingdom and learn how other monarchs ruled. He believed the best way to conclude diplomatic relations with foreign countries was to understand their customs.

In Japan, “On the day following their arrival, the royal party were escorted to the Imperial Theatre, Shintomiza. Twenty-eight carriages were required to take the train of Imperial Princes and Princesses, and high dignitaries, who formed the escort of His Majesty the King.”

“One thousand globe shaped lanterns were displayed in front of and around the theatre; and each one had the Imperial Japanese flag, and the Royal Hawaiian standard painted on them. Every walk, and every tree in the spacious theatre garden was hung with illuminated globes, every corridor and lobby was lined with them …”

“… and the interior of the theatre was in a blaze of light. It was estimated that over 3000 of these brilliant illuminated lanterns decorated the great theatre, and were an especial display, marvellous even to Japanese eyes, in honor of King Kalakaua’s visit.” (King Kalākaua’s Tour Round the World, PC Advertiser, 1881)

“When the King and his suite visited the Enriokwan Mansion, in a grand park, in Tokio, the grounds were illuminated by over 4,000 Japanese globe lanterns; and the King and suite were robed in very rich Japanese court costumes, provided expressly for this occasion.” (King Kalākaua’s Tour Round the World, PC Advertiser, 1881)

Following his trip, “King Kalākaua gave a grand ball at the royal palace Ball (in honor of the Prince and Princess Henri de Bourbon of Austria) …. The palace was beautifully decorated with festoons of Chinese lanterns, so thickly that it appeared to be almost covered with them.” (Daily Alta California, November 2, 1889)

“Every approach to the palace presented a scene of gorgeous resplendence. The illumination of the building and grounds has never been surpassed in style or degree.”

“From basement to battlements on every side the noble pile was profusely hung with rows of colored lanterns, festooned and straight but never departing from artistic symmetry…”

“There was a great crush of people in the throne room and main hall at the height of the reception, yet the procession past the royal dais flowed on in remarkably good order, the return stream of observed ones mingling with the throng of observers round the apartment. The band played throughout the ceremony.”

“Every approach to the palace presented a scene of gorgeous resplendence. The illumination of the building and grounds has never been surpassed in style or degree. From basement to battlements on every side the noble pile was profusely hung with rows of colored lanterns, festooned and straight but never departing from artistic symmetry.”

“These myriad lights were interspersed with the glittering rays from the permanent rose-shaped incandescent lamps on the outer walls, every door and window poured forth a welcoming glow from the electric crystal chandeliers richly bestowed within.”

“The paths in the grounds were lined, the trees and shrubbery decked, with hundreds of colored lanterns closely ranged in right lines and curves, all with such consummate art as to yield an effect of exquisite harmony to every point of vision.” (Daily Bulletin, October 24, 1889)

“The Palace grounds were lit up with torches and the front of the lower veranda was illuminated with lanterns in colors of white, green and red.” (Ball in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Claus Spreckels, August 7, 1885 – Pacific Commercial Advertiser, 8/8/85)

Lili‘uokalani continued the lantern tradition, “O ke kahua oloko o ka pa, ua hookauluwela ia e ua kuikui he mau haneri o na waihooluu like ole i hookuene akamai ia a lilo i mau nanaina maikai.” (The enclosed area within the fence was aglow with many hundreds of lanterns of different colors that were artistically arranged creating a wondrous sight to behold.) (Ball given by Lili‘uokalani – Nupepa Kuokoa, March 1892)

Friends of ʻIolani Palace continue the tradition – ʻIolani Palace and its grounds are often decorated with lanterns harking back to the time of Hawai‘i’s monarchy. (ʻIolani Palace)

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