Ali’i / Chiefs / Governance | Page 2

October 11, 2026 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Hawaiian Challenge

“The Meeting at the King’s Boat House (October 19, 1885) – The meeting was called to order (and a) motion was passed that an association be formed to be called “The Hawaiian Rowing and Yachting Association.’”

“The association was to be represented by three delegates each from the Myrtle, Honolulu, and Kapiolani Clubs, and by one delegate each from all other established clubs. A committee of one from each club was appointed to make by-laws and racing rules.” (Daily Honolulu Press, October 20, 1885)

“A special meeting of the Hawaiian Yachting and Rowing Association was held last evening at the Iolani Boat Club House … After routine business had been transacted the following resolution was put and carried;”

“Resolved that the Association do hereby appropriate the sum of $350 for the express purpose of purchasing a silver cup to be sailed for annually up on the 4th of July under the auspices and conditions of the Hawaiian Yachting and Rowing Association by first class yachts of dimensions not to exceed 40 feet over all, said cup to be called the ‘Hawaiian Challenge Cup.’” (Daily Bulletin, June 19, 1889)

“The Challenge Cup, which is a very handsome one of solid silver and old silver finish in the form of a Japanese vase, is lettered on one side with the name of the Association, while the other side has a splendid view of Diamond Head with two yachts running seaward.”

“It is embellished with birds, fishes, seaweed and marine emblems. It is a perpetual challenge cup, and Messrs. Iaukea, Hatch and Cecil Brown, the owners of the Healani, hold it for one year. A pennant is given to the winner each year. The one this year is of a white silk ground with the monogram HRYA in blue letters, surmounted by a crown.” (Daily Bulletin, December 2, 1889)

“The cup is an ornate affair, etched on one side with the title of the trophy and on the other with a view of Diamond Head and racing yachts. On the shoulders cunningly wrought objects typical of the sport are attached. The names of previous winners are engraved on the cup.” (Sunday Advertiser, September 6, 1903)

“The Hawaiian Challenge Cup is an elegant silver trophy valued at $400. It was presented a number of years ago by the Hawaiian Rowing and Yachting Association, now defunct, and was to be raced for not oftener than once every year.” (Sunday Advertiser, September 6, 1903)

“Among boats that have won the cup are the Healani, Helene and Bonnie Dundee, the latter of which held it from 1893 until last year, on which occasion the Eva won.” (Pacific Commercial Advertiser, August 1, 1899)

“The Hawaiian Challenge Cup is open to all yachts over five and not exceeding ten tons measurement, this limitation not applying to yachts which were in Hawaiian waters and entered for the race previous to July 4th, 1899.”

“The course set runs from Waikiki to Pearl Harbor and back, finishing off the Oceanic wharf, making a course of twenty-three miles.”

“The cup was originally donated by the Hawaiian Rowing and Yachting Association, the conditions under which it was sailed being drawn up at a meeting of the Association in the ʻIolani Boat Club hall on June 28, 1889.” (Sunday Advertiser, September 6, 1903)

“An important event in the yachting annals of the islands took place on Saturday afternoon at the boathouse of His Majesty the King. It was the presentation of the silver challenge cup and a handsome pennant won by the yacht Healani on the 4th of July.”

“His Majesty, as president of the Hawaiian Rowing and Yachting Association, and who has always done so much in stimulating yachting and rowing in the islands as asked to make the presentation, and gracefully acceded to the request.”

“An elegant lunch was provided by His Majesty, and on the table, which was nicely decorated with flowers, stood the challenge cup. After ample justice had been done the good things His Majesty rose and said:”

“Representatives of the Hawaiian Yachting and Rowing Association and Gentlemen: At a special meeting of this Association held on the 18th of June last, it was resolved that a sum be appropriated for the express purpose of purchasing a silver cup, to be sailed for annually on the 4th of July, said cup to be called the ‘Hawaiian Challenge Cup.’”

“Subsequently a Pennant was added, and the prize then was the “Hawaiian Challenge Cup and Pennant for 1889.” The first race under the new conditions was sailed on the 4th of July. Five yachts I think started, the race was won by the Healani, being closely followed by the second boat.”

“Gentlemen, you are present on this occasion to witness the presentation of the above prize and pennant to the owners of the winning yacht. Messrs. Iaukea, Hatch, and Brown : As President of, and on behalf of the Hawaiian Yachting and Rowing Association, I take pleasure in handing over to you this handsome souvenir of an enjoyable day’s sport, and a well-contested trophy.”

“Hon. CP Iaukea, one of the owners of the yacht Healani, in receiving the challenge cup said: Your Majesty and Gentlemen, in receiving this trophy from Your Majesty’s hands, permit me on behalf of the owners of the yacht Healani, to express my great pleasure and satisfaction in now bearing away the palm during the first year of its competition.”

“It must also be highly gratifying to Your Majesty that the Healani, with which Your Majesty has so long been associated, should have successfully competed for the cup. The great interest which Your Majesty has for many years shown in yachting has no doubt animated others to a like appreciation of this healthy and instructive sport, as evidenced by the number of splendid yachts now adorning our bay.”

“In thanking Your Majesty for the honor conferred, permit me to express the hope that Your Majesty may continue to assist lovers of yachting with your gracious patronage. With Your Majesty’s permission I shall ask the gentlemen present to join me in wishing you, our royal President of HYR Association, a very good health.”

“His Majesty’s health was drunk by all standing, after which social conversation, principally on yachting matters, was indulged in for a time.” (Daily Bulletin, December 2, 1889)

“From this time the cup lay fallow for seven years until the advent of the ‘Gladys’ into our waters. A race was then sailed between the ‘Bonnie Dundee’ (now ‘Mary L’), and the Gladys on September 13, 1899, when the Gladys won by 23 minutes or one minute to the mile. Governor Dole sailed the Bonnie Dundee and T. W. Hobron the Gladys.” (Sunday Advertiser, September 6, 1903)

Reportedly, over the years, the prize became known as the ‘Kalākaua Cup.’ There were a few periods of inactivity due to disinterest and extenuating circumstances, as well as the disappearance of the cup itself.

When Castle & Cooke was moving offices, their old vault was opened and the trophy appeared it was filled with silverware belonging to the last winner, Tom Hobron, in the yacht ‘Gladys Mary’ in 1911.

The last winner of the Hawaiian Challenge Trophy was the Star class yacht ‘Roulette,’ skippered by Laurie S Dowsett, the 17-year-old son of HM Dowsett, with his crew Lloyd B. Osborne. This was the summer of 1941. Names of winning yachts and skipper/crew from 1925 through 1941 are inscribed on the trophy. (Waikiki Yacht Club)

The trophy was re-dedicated in 1986 and today is awarded annually to the winner of the Fourth of July Regatta consisting of three separate races. The first race is from Waikiki to Kaneohe, the second is an offshore race in the waters off of Kaneohe Bay, and the third is a race from Kaneohe to Waikiki. (Stowell)

Hawaiian Challenge Cup-Advertiser Sept 6, 1903

October 6, 2026 by Peter T Young 1 Comment

Cow Laws

“Honolulu, a town of dingy habitations, having a population of some five or six thousand, a harbor frequented by a hundred foreign ships a year, besides the vessels owned there, and a dusty plain on the east …”

“… and a well watered and cultivated valley on the north and north-west, and a sprinkling of exotics, restive in its warm temperature, has long been familiar with demonstrations of puerile excitement and folly, even in the full grown-and sometimes among foreign officials.” (Hiram Bingham)

April 25, 1825, Richard Charlton arrived in the Islands to serve as the first British consul. A former sea captain and trader, he was already familiar with the islands of the Pacific and had promoted them in England for their commercial potential (he worked for the East India Company in the Pacific as early as 1821.)

Then, in October 1829, one of Charlton’s cows broke into Kaʻahumanu’s enclosure at Mānoa and began eating her crops. The Queen Regent’s konohiki (land steward) chased the errant cow out of the field and shot it. (Kashay)

“It appears that the cow had been mischievous – often – that in this instance she had been fired upon in the field – had escaped from the enclosure & was pursued and shot in the Common.”

“The consul was greatly enraged – went to the chiefs to complain & desired liberty to punish the man who had shot the cow. This permission he did not gain: but he went in pursuit of the man – found him and having thrown a rope around his neck undertook to bring him along.”

“The consul on horse back & the man on foot; the man not being able to keep up fell & the inhuman monster dragged him it is said some distance along the ground. – Mills cut the rope & thus saved him probably from being killed.” (Levi Chamberlain Journal, October 5, 1829)

“Immediately Mr. Charlton, in conjunction with the other English residents, memorialized the government on the outrage against the cow, pretending that their property and their lives were in jeopardy, and inferring that if natives dared to shoot a cow of a foreigner, they might shoot the foreigners too”.

“(T)hey therefore begged protection for their lives and property, and Mr. C, in presenting the memorial, urged ‘an immediate answer, that he might send it to his Britannic Majesty’s Secretary of State.’” (Hiram Bingham)

“This day the consul stuck up a notification – or a notification was stuck up requiring or requesting the attendance of all British subjects in the place at the office of his BM Consul. – … a petition was drawn up … signed by sixty two persons … requesting the consul to use his endeavors with the Sandwich island government to get the security of their lives & property as in consequence of recent outrages they could not look upon either as safe.” (Levi Chamberlain Journal, October 5, 1829)

The “cow case” culminated in the “cow laws.”

“The Chiefs in council having made out an answer to the letter of the consul handed to Mr Bingham to be translated, having accomplished it, the document was handed back to Kaʻahumanu in order to get the King’s signature.” (Levi Chamberlain Journal, October 9, 1829)

“They quickly issued the following edict, offering the protection of law, and showing what was forbidden and what required in respect to all, both native and foreign. They had no secretary of state, no prime minister to be intrusted with the reply.”

“Still they drew up several articles with great explicitness, and to the point. No pistols, chains, scourges, or daggers appear, yet, considering the circumstances (embracing the time-serving policy of Boki, and the deep interest the two officials had in the result) …”

“… there is a singular combination of the s’uaviter in modo’ and ‘fortiter in re,’ and while with smooth words it shows the absurdity of the memorialists, it keenly rebukes the violence of two foreigners upon a native who deserved no violence at their hands for defending the plantation. The edict was signed by Kauikeaouli, and printed by the mission for the government.” (Bingham)

The aliʻi nui thus very pointedly asserted their authority to make laws for westerners living in their kingdom.

With the cow laws, the Sandwich Island rulers now specifically stated that English residents would be ‘protected’ by statutes that included provisions against not only adultery and fornication, but also the Englishmen’s common pastimes of gambling and drinking. (Kashay)

The Proclamation of the King of the Sandwich Islands, respecting the Treatment of Foreigners within his Territories, Oʻahu, 7th October, 1829 made by Kauikeaouli was acknowledged by the Chiefs in Council (including Kaʻahumanu, Gov. Boki, Gov. Adams Kuakini, Manuia, Kekuanaoa, Hinau, Aikanaka, Paki, Kinau, John li and James Kahuhu.)

In part, the Proclamation and laws stated, “we assent to the request of the English residents; we grant the protection of the laws; that is the sum of your petition. This, therefore, is my Proclamation, which I make known to you all, people from foreign countries”.

“This is our communication to you all, ye parents from the countries whence originate the winds; have compassion on a nation of little children, very small and young, who are yet in mental darkness; and help us to do right and follow with us, that which will be for the best good of this our country.”

“The laws of my country prohibit murder, theft, adultery, fornication, retailing ardent spirits at houses for selling spirits, amusements on the sabbath day, gambling and betting on the sabbath day, and at all times.”

“If any man shall transgress any of these laws, he is liable to the penalty,—the same for every foreigner and for the people of these islands: whoever shall violate these laws shall be punished.”

“This also I make known:—The law of the Great God of Heaven, that is, the great thing by which we shall promote peace; let all men who remain here obey it.”

October 5, 2026 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Palea and the Pinnace

Captain Cook spent the month of December beating around the eastern and southern sides of Hawaiʻi, and finally anchored in Kealakekua Bay January 17, 1779 – having returned to make repairs to a broken mast. (Alexander)

Cook’s reception this time presented a striking contrast to his last. An ominous quiet everywhere prevailed. No one greeted them. A boat being sent ashore to inquire the cause, returned with the information that the king was away, and had left the bay under a strict taboo. (Jarves)

During the king’s absence the chiefs Palea and Kanaʻina kept order among the people. After Cook’s ships had anchored, the chiefs came on board and informed Cook that Kalaniopuʻu would be back in a few days.

Another prominent man, Koa, was apparently the highest officiating priest of the place (in the absence of the high-priest who accompanied Kalaiopuʻu.) (Alexander)

“Being led into the cabin, he approached Captain Cook with great veneration, and threw over his shoulders a piece of red cloth, which he had brought along with him. Then stepping a few paces back, he made an offering of a small pig which he held in his hand, while he pronounced a discourse that lasted for a considerable time.”

“This ceremony was frequently repeated during our stay at Owhyhee, and appeared to us, from many circumstances, to be a sort of religious adoration. Their idols we found always arrayed ill red cloth in the same manner as was done to Captain Cook, and a small pig was their usual offering to the Eatooas.” (King; Cook’s Journal)

“That same afternoon Captain Cook landed and was received by Koa, Palea, and a number of priests, who conducted him to the Heiau (Hikiʻau,) just north of the Nāpoʻopoʻo village and at the foot of the Pali. Here the grand ceremony of acknowledging Cook as an incarnation of Lono, to be worshiped as such, and his installation, so to say, in the Hawaiian Pantheon took place.” (Fornander)

The next day (Friday) the damaged masts and sails and the astronomical instruments were landed at the former camp, and the friendly priests tabued the place as before.

On Saturday afternoon, matters rapidly went from bad to worse.

Some of Palea’s retainers stole a pair of tongs and a chisel from the armorer of the ‘Discovery,’ leaped into their canoe, and paddled with all haste to the shore. Several muskets were fired after them in vain, and a boat was sent in chase.

Palea, who was on board, offered to recover the stolen articles, and followed in another canoe. The thieves reached the shore first, beached their canoe, and fled inland.

Mr Edgar, the officer of the boat, undertook to seize this canoe, which belonged to Palea, who refused to give it up, protesting his innocence of the theft. A scuffle ensued between them, in which Edgar was worsted, when a sailor knocked Palea down by a heavy blow on the head with an oar.

Upon this the whole crowd of natives looking on immediately attacked the unarmed seamen with stones, and forced them to swim off to a rock at some distance.

Palea, however, soon recovered from the blow, dispersed the mob, called back the sailors, and restored the missing articles as far as he could.

The following night the large cutter of the ‘Discovery’ was stolen by Palea’s people, taken two miles north, and broken up for the sake of the iron in it. (Alexander)

“This was the same Palea who from the first had been the constant, kind, and obliging friend of Captain Cook and all the foreigners, and who, only the day before Cook’s death, had saved the crew of the pinnace of the ‘Resolution’ from being stoned to death by the natives, exasperated Palea himself.”

“The boat had been at the brutal and insolent manner in which Palea had been treated by an officer of the ‘Discovery.’”

“It was during the night after the above fracas, the night of the 13th February, that the cutter of the ‘Discovery’ was stolen from her mooring, as King himself admits…”

“… ‘by Palea’s people, very probably in revenge for the blow that had been given him,’ and not by Palea himself. The boat had been taken to Onouli, a couple of miles higher up the coast, and there broken to pieces.” (Fornander)

Captain Cook commanded Kalaniopuʻu, the king of the island, to make search for the boat, and restore it. The king could not restore it, for the natives had already broken it in pieces to obtain the nails, which were to them the articles of the greatest value.

Captain Cook came on shore with armed men to take the king on board, and to keep him there as security till the boat should be restored. (Dibble)

On February 14, 1779, Cook was killed. (The image shows a drawing of Palea by William Ellis.)

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William_Ellis_–_Palea,_a_sub-chief_under_Kalaniopuu-1779

October 2, 2026 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

ʻĪmaikalani

Although he was blind, his hearing was keen. He also had two “birds” (guards) who give warning when anyone approached. He reigned in the time of ʻUmialīloa; ʻĪmaikalani was the first chief of Kaʻū who is said to have control over parts of Puna.

ʻĪmaikalani was famed for his stroke that never misses. Famous for his strength and skill in warfare, several chiefs were killed by him in battle.

He had a left thrust and a right thrust which were terrible, and if he threw a long spear to the right or to the left hand there was a roaring as of thunder, and flashes as of lightning, and a rumbling sound as of an earthquake; and if be twirled his spear at his back the dust arose in volumes as whirlwinds. (Fornander)

ʻUmialīloa feared ʻĪmaikalani.

Whenever a bird cried, there was a man. ‘Where is his club?’ Imaikalani asked. ‘On the right side.’ ‘A left stroke will get him.’ When the other lashed he missed, but when the blind man lashed, his opponent was struck from head to abdomen. (Kamakau)

ʻUmi ordered Omaokamau to go and fight Imaikalani. When Omaokamau heard this he proceeded to the home of Imaikalani. When Omaokamau was drawing near the home of Imaikalani the birds sounded a note.

At this note of warning from the birds ʻĪmaikalani said to his men: ‘Say, there is a man.’ The men said: ‘There is nobody.’ ʻĪmaikalani remarked: ‘Watch out.’

While the two men were watching, Omaokamau soon after appeared. The men then said to ʻĪmaikalani: ‘Yes, there is a man, he is coming, and he carries a war club in his hand.’

ʻĪmaikalani said: ‘That is Omaokamau, one of the warriors of ʻUmi; he is well versed in the art of throwing the spear; his main strength is in his right arm, his left is weak; watch him and see when he twirls his war club.’

When Omaokamau came up to the men he stood and twirled his war club. When the two men saw this, they said to ʻĪmaikalani: ‘The man is twirling his club.’ (Kamakau)

When ʻĪmaikalani heard the report of his two men, he stood up and began twirling his club. Omaokamau struck his club to his right, but somehow ʻĪmaikalani warded off the blow by the use of his club and the first blow aimed by Omaokamau missed.

They again twirled their clubs and after a time Omaokamau struck to his left, but again his blow was warded off and he again missed ʻĪmaikalani. After this second miss Omaokamau turned around and returned to Umi.

When he came up to ʻUmi, Omaokamau said ‘The eyes of ʻĪmaikalani are both sightless but his thinking powers are faultless. I fought him for a time, but he warded off my blows so skillfully that I was afraid of him and so I came back.’

While Omaokamau was reporting to ʻUmi, Koi then started off and went as far as the place where the birds were stationed. When he heard the birds give the note of warning, which was also heard by ʻĪmaikalani, ʻĪmaikalani sent his two men to go and see who it was.

When the men came out they saw a man, so they reported to ʻĪmaikalani: ‘It is a large man with dark skin and the hair on his head is curly.’ ʻĪmaikalani replied: ‘That is Koi; he is also very skillful in the use of the war club, but he is strong in the left arm and weak in the right; he is just like Omaokamau.’

When Koi came up to his opponents he began twirling his war club; after attempted strikes, Koi saw that he could not get the best of ʻĪmaikalani and he turned around and returned to ʻUmi – telling him, ‘No warrior can stand before ʻĪmaikalani”.

While Koi was giving his account of the encounter, Piimaiwaa spoke up to Koi: “The bones of a youngster-like you could not be old enough; here are the bones that are well matured.” But, he, too, was unable to best his opponent.

After the lapse of some tens of days, Omaokamau met a man who asked ‘Why is it that ʻĪmaikalani has not been slain by your people?” Omaokamau answered: ‘I don’t know why.’ The man said: ‘He can be slain, it can be done easily. It will not take much of an exertion.’

The man (one of ʻĪmaikalani’s kahili bearers) then told Omaokamau, ‘The birds which sit on the outside are his eyes, and it is by them that he is warned of the approach of any person. On hearing this warning he prepared himself for the conflict.’

‘The men with him are also his eyes; they are the ones who tell him when the enemy is near and this gives him a chance to use his wits and to defend himself. But if the birds and the men are first killed then ʻĪmaikalani can be slain, he will not escape.’

When Omaokamau heard this from the man, he stood up and started off to carry out the advice given him. When he came up to the place where the birds generally sat he crept up cautiously and struck them with his club, killing them. He then turned to ʻĪmaikalani and poked him in the stomach with the point of his club, killing him.

In explaining to ʻUmi how he killed ʻĪmaikalani, Omaokamau said “to kill ʻĪmaikalani, you must first kill the birds and the two watchmen, who are ʻĪmaikalani’s guards and who give him warning of the approach of any person. Kill the birds and the men, then you will be able to kill ʻĪmaikalani. That is how I was able to kill him.” (Fornander) (The image shows Imaikalani, drawn by Brook Parker.)

September 26, 2026 by Peter T Young 1 Comment

Lady in Waiting

Captain Henry Blanchard, master of the brig Thaddeus (that brought the Pioneer Company of missionaries to the Islands in 1820,) married a Molokai chiefess named Koloa. They had a daughter, Harriet, born in 1831.

Harriet married an itinerant English actor, John Townsend, whose dramatic company performed in Honolulu. He gave up acting and invested in a sugar plantation (that went bankrupt.) Then he disappeared, leaving Harriet with their two children Eveline (Kittie) and George.

Eveline Melita Townsend joined Kawaiahaʻo Church, where she sang in the church choir, led by then-Princess (later-Queen) Liliʻuokalani. Liliʻuokalani must have been charmed by her exuberant and fatherless choir member, for Eveline became a protégé of the princess and later an intimate friend. (Krauss)

“(Kittie) professed a great fondness and love for me, and with two other young ladies, Lizzie Kapoli and Sophie Sheldon, had made my home theirs. Bright young girls, with happy hearts, and free from care and trouble, they made that part of my life a most delightful epoch to me.”

“It was then that Mr (Charles Burnett (CB)) Wilson first sought the hand of pretty little Kittie Townsend. Thus we had known Mr Wilson quite well as a young man when he was courting his wife.”

“My husband and myself had warmly favored his suit; and, with his wife, he naturally became a retainer of the household, and from time to time they took up their residence with us.” (Liliʻuokalani)

The Wilsons had a son, Johnny. CB Wilson was appointed Marshal of the Kingdom.

“One evening, shortly after Mr and Mrs Wilson had moved into the bungalow, he presented himself at the Blue Room of the palace, and then first mentioned the idea that a new constitution should be promulgated. … About two days’ after this suggestion I received a call from Mr. Samuel Nowlein, who alluded to the same matter.”

“On the sixteenth day of January. 1895. Deputy Marshal Arthur Brown and Captain Robert Waipa Parker were seen coming up the walk which leads from Beretania Street to my residence.”

“Mrs Wilson told me that they were approaching. I directed her to show them into the parlor, where I soon joined them. Mr. Brown informed me that he had come to serve a warrant for my arrest; he would not permit me to take the paper which he held, nor to examine its contents.”

“(W)e arrived at the gates of ʻIolani Palace, the residence of the Hawaiian sovereigns. We drove up to the front steps, and I remember noticing that troops of soldiers were scattered all over the yard.”

“(I)n conference it was agreed between us … that Mrs Wilson should remain as my attendant; that Mr. Wilson would be the person to inform the government of any request to be made by me, and that any business transactions might be made through him.” (Liliʻuokalani)

“During the imprisonment here of Liliuokalani in 1895 Mrs Wilson was chosen by the ex-Queen as best friend and the relations between them were of the closest and most confidential nature. In the old court days here Mrs. Wilson was prominent both on account of her own position as a lady in waiting and her husband’s official rank.” Hawaiian Gazette, May 24, 1898)

During her imprisonment, Queen Liliʻuokalani was denied any visitors other than one lady in waiting (Mrs. Eveline Wilson.) Johnny would bring newspapers hidden in flowers from the Queen’s garden; reportedly, Liliʻuokalani’s famous song Kuʻu Pua I Paoakalani (written while imprisoned,) was dedicated to him (it speaks of the flowers at her Waikiki home, Paoakalani.)

Paoakalani written by Liliuokalani, performed by Kuuipo Kumukahi:
https://youtu.be/7tcbyAOAwz8

In 1897, Johnny Wilson and fellow Stanford student Louis Whitehouse won the bid to expand and construct a ‘carriage road’ over the Pali. Ground was broken on May 26, 1897 and the road was opened for carriages on January 19, 1898.

(When the current Pali Highway and its tunnels opened (1959,) the original roadway up and over the Pali was closed and is now used by hikers.)

Then, “It was a painful thing for our hearts to hear that the uncompassionate hand of death reached out and took the precious breath of life from the body of Mrs Evalaina Willison (Wilson,) the wife of Mr CB Willison (Wilson,) in the early morning of this Saturday, after she began to waste away of sickness for just a few short days.”

“She was a well-known woman here in town, and elsewhere on the island, and she was the attendant of Queen Liliuokalani while she was on the throne until her overthrow.”

“There were many, many friends who visited to see her for the last time, and then dust returned to dust, for that is where it came from. She leaves behind a husband, child and family who grieve for her from this side of the grave. (Aloha Aina, May 28, 1898)

Later, her son Johnny Wilson got involved with politics and is credited as being the most important Democrat in the first half of 20th-century Hawaiʻi; his name is used with Jack Burns in the party movement. He was in a meeting on April 30, 1900 that organized the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi and served as Honolulu Mayor.

Initially known as the ‘Kalihi Tunnel’ (and often called the Likelike Tunnels,) the Wilson Tunnels are named in honor of John H Wilson. (1998 brought the completion of H-3 (and the Tetsuo Harano Tunnels – named after a longtime state highways administrator.))