General | Page 162 | Images of Old Hawaiʻi

September 28, 2018 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Columbia

“The little ship ‘Columbia’ of Boston, only eighty-three feet long, was the first American vessel to circumnavigate the globe, and a few years later was also the first to visit our Northwest Coast.”

“This last voyage was perhaps the most famous one ever undertaken by an American merchant ship, and its consequences were everlasting. A young American seaman first called attention to the importance of the fur trade of the Northwest.”

“The two vessels sailed from Boston on September 30, 1787 … When the expedition arrived on the northwest coast, … Capt. Robert Gray then took command of the Columbia”. (Niles National Register, November 25, 1837)

“The cargo of hardware, tools, toys, beads, etc, brought from Boston was gradually exchanged during the long winter for furs, which were taken to Canton, the two captains then exchanging commands. The proceeds of the skins were used to purchase tea, which was brought back to Boston.” (Old Shipping Days in Boston, 1918)

“On his return (Gray) called at the different clusters of islands in the South seas, and among the rest at the Sandwich, where, as well as in other places, he met with the most friendly attentions from the natives, go at Owyhee, where their king resided.” (Niles National Register, November 25, 1837)

“The ‘Columbia’ … spent three weeks at the Hawaiian Islands, laying in a store of fruits, yams, potatoes, and hogs. They were kindly received there”. (Porter)

“Such was the confidence placed in captain Gray, both by king and people, that they permitted him to bring away with him to Boston their crown prince (Attoo), fully relying on his promise to return him to them.” (Niles National Register, November 25, 1837)

They secured a cargo of furs from the northwest “and, in pursuance of the owners’ plan, was carried to Canton for sale. … From China the ship, loaded with teas, sailed for home by way of the Cape of Good Hope. In August of 1790 she dropped anchor in Boston harbor, the first American vessel to circumnavigate the earth.” (Howe; The Atlantic Monthly, 1903)

“(The) second voyage, on which she sailed September 28, 1790, was destined to write the good ship’s name on the map of the country.”

“It was nearly two years later when, having taken Attoo back to Hawaii in the humble capacity of cabin boy, and having spent a winter on the coast, Captain Gray, cruising to the southward, saw what he took to be the mouth of amighty river.”

“There were breakers to warn him against entering it. To this forbidding aspect of things we may owe the entry in Vancouver’s journal at the same point …”

“‘Not considering this opening worthy of more attention, I continued our pursuit to the northwest.’ For Captain Gray the breakers were an obstacle only to be overcome.”

“After several efforts he drove the ship through them, and found himself in a noble stream of fresh water. Up this river he sailed some twenty-four miles, and having assured himself that he might continue farther if he chose, returned to the sea.”

“The headlands at the mouth of the river he named, like a true son of Boston, Cape Hancock and Point Adams. He raised the American flag, buried some coins of his young country, and named the river after his vessel, the Columbia.”

“Upon this discovery and the explorations of Lewis and Clark in the next decade, the American government based its successful claim to the Oregon country.”

“Yet for the Boston merchants whose enterprise wrought such momentous results, the second voyage, like the first, was but a small success.”

“In spite of the abundant salutes and cheers which greeted the Columbia when she sailed into Boston harbor in July of 1793, the ship and her inventory were sold at once by auction at a Charlestown wharf.”

“It was hers, however, to open the way to an important commerce.”

“In the years immediately following, a lucrative trade, largely in the hands of Boston merchants, was carried on in direct pursuance of the Columbia’s example, even in the matter of circumnavigation with stops at the Sandwich Islands and China.”

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Columbia_on_river

September 27, 2018 by Peter T Young 1 Comment

Oni Oni

“The pounding of native drums and an old Hawaiian chant, together with soothing tones of an ultra-modern dance orchestra, gave birth to a fascinating dance the natives named ‘Oni-Oni.’” (Hnl Adv, September 27, 1934)

“South America has its rhumba; Spain its tango; Harlem its shuffle – and now Hawaii has its ‘Oni Oni,’ that combines all these features plus the sway of the hula.”

“This fascinating dance to music composed by Harry Owens, director of the Royal Hawaiian orchestra, was presented Thursday evening at the famous beach hotel by Miss Hazel Hale and Clayton Romler.” (Hnl Adr, September 30, 1934)

“Hazle Hale has played on the RKO circuit at Paramount studies, Hollywood, and has been features danseuse with the Belcher Hollywood Bowl ballet. She is a graduate of Belcher’s studio of dancing.”

“Clayton Romler has been featured in a long list of productions. He has appeared at Warner Bros. Theaters, Inc Hollywood, at Paramount Publix … (and) was master of ceremonies and featured dancer at the Cathay hotel roof garden, Shanghai … and toured the Far East in 1933.” Star-Bulletin, September 27, 1934)

“A cosmopolitan crowd applauded the Oni-Oni dance … at the Royal Hawaiian. The dance, high light of the evening at the hotel dinner-dance, was demonstrated … To music which combined the primitive tone of old Hawaii with the modern rhythm of today.” (Hnl Adv, September 30, 1934)

“(Oni Oni) has a bit of foxtrot, a suggestion of waltz, and eccentricity of the Harlem shuffle, the subtleness of the tango and the sway of the hula.” (Hnl Adv, September 27, 1934) Dance steps include (as described in the Advertiser and State Archives:

1st position: The opening position of the ‘Oni Oni’ must be danced to music with a 1 and 2 and 1 and 2 rhythm, allowing for a sudden startling change into the primitive 5-4 times.

Man starts with right foot forward, lady steps back on her left in a hula dip, keeping a 1 and 2, and 1 and 2 count. This step done with a swing to a traveling hula step breaking into a 1,2,3 and 1,2,3 rhythm. Repeat once.

2nd position: With the gentlemen’s left arm up and the lady’s right arm extended, a sway step is first made to gentlemen’s left, still keeping the rhythm of 1, 2, 3 and 1, 2, 3 count, which is repeated once.

The hula-like sway continues with definite steps from left to right. Interpretation of a kiss made with the lady’s right hand and the man’s left, then vice versa, both keeping directly in front of each other. A touch of the syncopated shuffle follows.

3rd position: Change in the dance mood with the man stepping out with the right foot, the lady with the right, and a strut-type of step, followed by a hula sway. Man holds the lady tightly about the waist and lady places her left arm around his neck as he swings her in with a sudden dip.

4th position: Again the sway begins with definite steps from left to right, with the interpretation of a kiss given, followed by a touch of a shuffle. See position 2.

5th position: A decided change in dance mood, with gentleman stepping out with left foot, lady with right and strut type step, with a hula sway following. Then gentleman holds lady tightly around the waist and lady places her left arm around the gntlman’s neck and he swings her with a sudden dip manner.

The lady does a modified quick step 1 and 2, and 1 and 2 rhythm, while the man enters into a primitive 5-4 rhythm, making a decided contrast moving front and back, right foot forward. Followed by a fast turn around the floor with drums beating louder in the primitive rhythm.

6th position: With the man’s left arm and lady’s right arm extended upward, a sway step is made to the man’s left, then to right, still keeping the 1,2,3 and 1,2,3 rhythm to intense drum beats of primitive rhythm. For the finish step, lady moves left to right then with a hula movement traveling backward, followed by the man similarly moving forward. This takes up eight measures working into the exit step of the “Oni Oni.”

Finish steps: The lady moves from left to right, then with a hula movement traveling backward, she is followed by the man similarly traveling forward. The step takes eight bars and works into the exit step, finishing the “Oni Oni!”

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1-Oni Oni, with dancers Hazel Hale and Clayton Ramler at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel-P-4-3-002-Oct 10, 1934

1-Oni Oni, with dancers Hazel Hale and Clayton Ramler at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel-P-4-3-003-Oct 10, 1934

1-Oni Oni, with dancers Hazel Hale and Clayton Ramler at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel-P-4-3-004-Oct 10, 1934

1-Oni Oni, with dancers Hazel Hale and Clayton Ramler at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel-P-4-3-005-Oct 10, 1934

2-Oni Oni, with dancers Hazel Hale and Clayton Ramler at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel-P-4-3-006-Oct 10, 1934

3-Oni Oni, with dancers Hazel Hale and Clayton Ramler at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel-P-4-3-007-Oct 10, 1934

3-Oni Oni, with dancers Hazel Hale and Clayton Ramler at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel-P-4-3-008-Oct 10, 1934

3-Oni Oni, with dancers Hazel Hale and Clayton Ramler at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel-P-4-3-009-Oct 10, 1934

3-Oni Oni, with dancers Hazel Hale and Clayton Ramler at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel-P-4-3-010-Oct 10, 1934

4-Oni Oni, with dancers Hazel Hale and Clayton Ramler at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel-P-4-3-011-Oct 10, 1934

5-Oni Oni, with dancers Hazel Hale and Clayton Ramler at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel-P-4-3-012-Oct 10, 1934

5-Oni Oni, with dancers Hazel Hale and Clayton Ramler at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel-P-4-3-013-Oct 10, 1934

5-Oni Oni, with dancers Hazel Hale and Clayton Ramler at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel-P-4-3-014-Oct 10, 1934

5-Oni Oni, with dancers Hazel Hale and Clayton Ramler at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel-P-4-3-015-Oct 10, 1934

5-Oni Oni, with dancers Hazel Hale and Clayton Ramler at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel-P-4-3-018-Oct 10, 1934

6-Oni Oni, with dancers Hazel Hale and Clayton Ramler at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel-P-4-3-017-Oct 10, 1934

6-Oni Oni, with dancers Hazel Hale and Clayton Ramler at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel-P-4-3-018-Oct 10, 1934

6-Oni Oni, with dancers Hazel Hale and Clayton Ramler at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel-P-4-3-019-Oct 10, 1934

Finish-Oni Oni, with dancers Hazel Hale and Clayton Ramler at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel-P-4-3-021-Oct 10, 1934

Finish-Oni Oni, with dancers Hazel Hale and Clayton Ramler at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel-P-4-3-020-Oct 10, 1934

September 26, 2018 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

EO Hall & Son, Ltd

“At the regular meeting of the Prudential Committee, held at the Missionary Rooms, on Tuesday afternoon, May 27, 1834, it was: ‘Resolved that Mr. Edwin O. Hall of the city of New York be appointed an assistant missionary of the Board and designated to the Sandwich Islands, to be employed as a printer in connection with that mission.’”

“‘Resolved that Miss Williams, of the city of New York be appointed an assistant missionary of the Board, with the expectation of her being united in marriage with Mr. Edwin O. Hall, this day appointed to the Sandwich Island mission.’”

“Embarking December 5, 1834, on the ship Hellespont with six other missionaries (Rev. Titus Coan and wife; Henry Dimond and wife. Bookbinder; Miss Lydia Brown. Teacher.; Miss Elizabeth M. Hitchcock. Teacher) comprising the sixth reinforcement (Seventh Company) to the mission, after a voyage of six months, Mr. Hall and his bride reached Honolulu, June 6, 1835.’”

“He at once took charge of the printing office in Honolulu, relieving Mr. Rogers, who was transferred to the branch printing office at the High School at Lahainaluna, Maui. Mrs. Hall’s health failed after a year or two, as she became afflicted with a serious spinal trouble, which prevented her from walking and kept her confined all day on her couch.” (Ballou)

Levi Chamberlain wrote to Rufus Anderson that, “The health of several of the missionaries is in a deranged state … Mrs Hall continues ill and a voyage to the NW Coast is recommended in her case … hoping that the cold of that region will restore (her)”. (Chamberlain)

The Halls arrived in the Oregon Country in 1839. On April 19, 1839, Hiram Bingham, head of the Hawaiʻi mission wrote, “The church & congregation of which I am pastor has recently sent a small but complete printing and binding establishment …”

“… by the hand of Brother Hall, to the Oregon mission, which with other substantial supplies amount to 444,00 doll. The press was a small Hand press presented to this mission but not in use. The expense of the press with one small font of type, was defrayed by about 50 native females …”

“… including Kina‘u or Ka‘ahumanu 2d. This was a very pleasing act of Charity. She gave 10 doll, for herself & 4 for her little daughter Victoria Ka‘ahumanu 3d.” (This is not the same press that Bingham brought on their initial voyage to Hawaiʻi.) Mr. Hall helped set up the press at the Lapwai mission station.

Mrs. Hall suffered from a chronic illness of the spine. To reach various inland destinations she traveled by canoe when possible. She was carried in a hammock from Ft. Walla Walla to Waiilatpu. On November 5, 1839, she gave birth to a daughter. The Halls returned to Hawaii in March 1840. (Whitman Mission)

In 1843, at the time when Admiral Thomas restored the Kingdom, Hall wrote lyrics (sung to the tune of ‘God Save the King’) honoring the Hawaiian Kingdom: Hail! to our rightful king!; We joyful honor bring; This day to thee!; Long live your Majesty!; Long reign this dynasty!; And for posterity; The sceptre be.

It was “Sung at the great cold water luau (‘temperance picnic’) given by H.H.M. Kamehameha III, in Nu‘uanu to several thousands of natives and all the Foreigners including the officers of 4 ships of war. For which Admiral Thomas thanked the ladies and gent who did him the honor.” (August 3, 1843)

EO Hall left the mission in 1849 and on May 19 of that year was appointed director of the Government Printing Office (GPO); his responsibilities included printing The Polynesian, the GPO printed all of Hawaii’s statutes and other official documents. (He left this position on May 19, 1855.) (LOC)

The business of EO Hall & Son, Limited, was commenced in 1852, under the firm name of EO Hall, at the corner of Fort and King streets, Honolulu. For over a year after starting, the business was under the personal charge of Mr. TL Leyman, a half-brother to EO Hall, who at that time was editing the Polynesian newspaper.

In these early years, most of the customers were natives, and besides hardware the stock consisted of dry goods of all kinds and quite an assortment of groceries.

In 1859, William W Hall entered the employ of the firm as clerk, and became partner with his father in 1865, when the name of the firm was changed to EO Hall & Son.

The firm continued to deal in hardware, agricultural Implements, dry goods, leather, paints and oils, sliver-plated ware, wooden ware, tools of all kinds, kerosene oil, etc., until about the year 1878, when dry goods were dropped, except a few staple articles.

In 1880, Mr E Oscar White, a grandson of EO Hall, became an employee of the firm. In 1883 the business was incorporated, and during that same year Edwin Oscar Hall, the founder of the business, died (September 19, 1883) while on a visit to the US at Falmouth, Maine.

The company later put in stock a complete line of ship chandlery, and this has become one of the principal features of the business. This includes a large assortment of manila rope and iron and steel wire rope of all sizes up to four Inches. (Alexander)

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EO Hall and Son Advertisement

Polynesian-Merchant_Street-Emmert-1854

EO Hall and Son-PP-38-6-014-1894

Downtown and Vicinity-Dakin-Fire Insurance- 03 -Map-1899-portion-EO Hall & Son noted

Restoration Anthem-EO Hall-HHS

September 25, 2018 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Wine Business

It was supposed to be a hobby, a small wine wholesaler representing maybe 5 different wineries.

As it turned out, I formed a wine wholesaling business and ended up representing over 40-wineries, with a focus on small and family-owned operations, mostly Napa Valley-based.

The company was called The Wine Collection; I represented small, hard to get wineries – all with great wine.

I had been “collecting” wine over prior years (that really means, drinking some, but storing more for future consumption – which I am enjoying now, by the way.)

As the passion turned to obsession, I wanted to somehow get into the business. By that time, I had been meeting with winemakers, getting back room tours and seeing (and tasting) the business.

Wholesaling seemed the logical option, since I wasn’t about to give up the real estate consulting business.

I found that folks in the wine business were a different breed – they shared an ‘abundance’ mentality, rather than one based on ‘scarcity.”.

Direct competitors were helping each other. They had a collective positive attitude, recognizing that a successful competitor also meant opportunities of success for themselves.

I liked the way they were thinking. These were people I wanted to be around.

Too often, people think someone else’s success means their own failure.

Life is not a zero-sum game.

Each of us has the opportunity to succeed. We just need the initiative and commitment to try.

Each can win, and it’s even OK if someone is more successful than you – that can even serve as a motivator.

Then, after about 5-years in the business, one day, out of the blue, I received a call from Paradise Beverages; they wanted to buy my business. Surprisingly, I talked with them and eventually sold.

I *loved* the wine business, why would I sell?

The answer came to me a few months later.

I took the opportunity to get into public service, first as Hawaiʻi County Deputy Managing Director, then as Director of Hawai‘i State Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR).

Having the responsibility of the wine business would not have let me do either of these.

It’s interesting how things work out.

The image is my company logo – a bottle and two glasses.

Wine is best when shared.

Good Friends, Good Food, Good Wine … waaay cool.

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Wine Bottle -Two Glasses

September 19, 2018 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Elisha Loomis

“Conceiving it to be my duty to serve the Lord with all my might, and to engage in whatever business that would serve to promote the cause of the Redeemer, I last spring offered myself to the Board of Commissioners. as a printer to go the Sandwich Islands.”

“I proceeded to Brookfield, Mass. where I received the information that the Board had determined on my going in the mission this year. This I did not desire, as I had no female companion.”

“Disappointed in my expectation of finding one at Brookfield, Mass, I resolved to return home, make what preparations I could, and go out single, trusting that providence would, if it should be best, provide a companion.”

“Little did I think then, that God had prepared and help meet for me. A young lady of Utica, had for a considerable time been wishing to engage in a mission. By a remarkable Providence I became acquainted with her. … She had long been wishing to engage in a mission. Had frequently spoken of the Owhyean Mission.”

“I have now spent several days with her … Tomorrow I leave this village for Canandaigua expecting to return as soon as possible and be joined in marriage with Miss Maria Sartwell. (They wed September 27, 1819.) With her I shall proceed to Boston in time to embark with the mission.” Elisha Loomis to Samuel Worcester of the ABCFM, September 16, 1819)

He and Maria Loomis were in the Pioneer Company of American Protestant missionaries, who left Boston on October 23, 1819 and arrived at Kailua-Kona on April 4, 1820.

Elisha Loomis was born December 11, 1799, son of Nathan and Dorcas Pratt Loomis at Middlesex Township, Ontario County, New York. He was a printer by trade.

“The first printing press at the Hawaiian Islands was imported by the American missionaries, and landed from the brig Thaddeus, at Honolulu, in April, 1820.”

“It was not unlike the first used by Benjamin Franklin, and was set up in a thatched house standing a few fathoms from the old mission frame house, but was not put in operation until the afternoon of January 7, 1822.” (Hunnewell)

“On the 7th of January, 1822, a year and eight months from the time of our receiving the governmental permission to enter the field and teach the people, we commenced printing the language in order to give them letters, libraries, and the living oracles in their own tongue, that the nation might read and understand the wonderful works of God.”

“The opening to them of this source of light never known to their ancestors remote or near, occurred while many thousands of the friends of the heathen were on the monthly concert, unitedly praying that the Gospel might have free course and he glorified.”

“It was like laying a corner stone of an important edifice for the nation.” (Bingham)

“Gov. Cox (Ke‘eaumoku), who seems to take as friendly and lively an interest in our work as any of the windward chiefs, was present, and assisted with his own hands in composing a line or two and in working a few copies of the first lesson of Owhyhee syllables, having the composing stick put into his hands, and being shown when to take and how to place the types, and then to pull the press.” (Mission Journal)

Later, “Liholiho, Kalanimōku, Boki and other chiefs, and numbers of the people, called to see the new engine, the printing-press, to them a great curiosity. Several were easily induced to undertake to learn the art of printing, and in time succeeded. Most of the printing done at the islands has been done by native hands.” (Bingham)

“The first lessons printed were eagerly received by those natives who had learned to read from manuscripts. For many years all the printing on the islands was done by the Hawaiians who had been taught by Mr. Loomis.”

“A few years later, when another printing press had been received, the first machine was taken to Oregon by a successor to Mr. Loomis, Mr. Edwin O. Hall, and was the first printing press seen west of the Rocky Mountains.” (Gulick)

On July 16, 1820, Elisha and Maria Loomis had a son, Levi Sartwell Loomis, the first white child born in the Hawaiian Islands.

Elisha and Maria would spend seven years in Hawai’i as missionaries. With his health failing, on January 6, 1827, they returned to New England but took up a new missionary post out in the Old Northwest – Mackinac Island – among the Ojibwe people. After two years in that missionary field they would return to New York. (Smola)

He recovered sufficiently to continue printing Hawaiian books in New York State, many for the American Bible Society and the American Tract Society. These books were sent to the Sandwich Islands with later missionary companies. (Judd)

Ka‘ahumanu wrote to Loomis, asking him to print and send her portions of the Bible, “Sincere love to you two Mr. & Mrs. Loomis – I have affection for you, my friends on account of your returning to America. To see all our friends there. Herein is my affection towards you. When you arrive in America, think of my love. Do not forget in the least.”

“This is what I desire, when you print; Do you print together the gospel of Matthew with John and Luke and Mark and Adam, and the Acts of the apostles, and the Epistles, and indeed the whole of the word of god. Let none be omitted.”

“There (with the scriptures) are my affections forever. Our thoughts centre in the love of God. I say unto you, give my love to all the chiefs in America. Together with all friends there: for the refreshing breeze now blows here even from the presence of God.” (Letter from Kaahumanu to the Loomis, June 3, 1827)

After Elisha’s death on August 27, 1836, Mrs. Loomis returned west to Ypsilanti, Michigan. She would spend the rest of her days there until she died in 1862. (Smola)

The mission press printed 10,000-copies of Ka Palapala Hemolele (The Holy Scriptures.) It was 2,331-pages long printed front and back.

Mission Press also printed newspaper, hymnals, schoolbooks, broadsides, fliers, laws, and proclamations. The Mission Presses printed over 113,000,000-sheets of paper in 20-years.

A replica Ramage printing press is at Mission Houses in Honolulu (it was built by students at Honolulu Community College in 1966.) Likewise, Hale Pa‘i in Lahainaluna has early Hawaiian printing displays.

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