General | Page 243 | Images of Old Hawaiʻi

June 14, 2016 by Peter T Young 1 Comment

Kapiʻolani Maternity Home

“The Hui Hoʻolulu a Ho‘ola Lahui of Kalākaua I was organized at Kawaiahaʻo, Her Royal Highness Princess Kapili Likelike being President. … A large number of members joined the Society on this day, some 51. The amount of money collected was $17.00, the dues being ten cents per month.” (Report of the Executive Committee, February 19, 1874)

“His Majesty Kalākaua designed and established an organization for benevolent work amongst his people; it was called the Ho‘oululahui. The first meeting of the society having been appointed at Kawaiahaʻo Church, there was a good attendance of the first ladies of the city, not only those of Hawaiian families, but also of foreign birth.”

“It was my brother’s intention that the society should have as its head Her Majesty Kapiʻolani, his queen … Like many other enterprises of charity, the original intentions of the founders have been improved upon; and the society is merged in other good works, or its purposes diverted to slightly different ends. The organization is now consolidated in the Maternity Home …” (Liliʻuokalani)

Attending Queen Victoria’s Jubilee celebration, 1887, in London, Kapiʻolani made many visits to hospitals and foundling homes and returned to Hawaiʻi with much enthusiasm and exciting plans for her hospital. She wanted to establish a hospital for underprivileged Hawaiian women to have the best care for mothers and babies.

“The Kapiʻolani Maternity Home, corner of Beretania and Makiki Sts, was opened to the public on Saturday afternoon (June 14, 1890) their Majesties the King and Queen drove up to the home punctually at 3 o’clock”.

“Quite a large number of ladies were out to inspect the Home, the lady board of managers taking particular pains to shew them round. It is to be hoped that this beautiful new home will be largely availed of by Hawaiians.”

“There are five bedrooms, one furnished by Mrs TR Foster, one each by the Widemann and Robinson families, one by Mrs Canavarro and Mrs JI Dowsett, and one by Mrs S Parker, Mrs TW Everett and Mrs EP Low.”

“They all looked cosy and neat. In the dining room are hung pictures of the King and Queen. There is also a matron’s room and a kitchen with range. Mrs. Johnson has been placed in the home as matron.” (Pacific Commercial Advertiser, June 16, 1890)

“The Ho‘oulu and Ho‘ola Lahui Society, that instituted the Home and appointed a Board of Managers for it, has acquired an endowment fund of $8,000, only the interest of which is available for the Home.”

“Her Majesty gives the house free for the first year, which will expire in four and a half months from date. Dr. Trousseau’s generous tender of free professional services was also for the first year.” (Daily Bulletin, January 22, 1891)

It started in the former residence of Princess Kekaulike, then moved into an adjacent building (former home of August Dreier,) a more spacious 2-story structure. Services included child birthing, as well as simple neo-natal and maternal care. If complications arose, physicians from Queen’s would assist.

“The Home was unique in many regards. First, it represented one prong of the Kalākaua’s’ attempt to deal with the declining population of the native Hawaiians in the kingdom.”

“Second, the Home was established and dominated in its early management by women, And third, in comparison to the other crown-based health entities (Queen’s Hospital, Lunalilo Home and Lili‘uokalani Children’s Center,) the Kapiʻolani Home was least endowed by the mechanism of royal philanthropy.” (Kamakahi)

Fundraising was on going … “The charity luau given on Saturday under the direction of Queen Dowager Kapiʻolani, for the benefit of the Kapiʻolani Maternity Home was an unqualified success in every particular.”

“During the day the ice cream booth was also a small mint, as no young man who possessed fifty cents was allowed to depart without first spending it. … The coffee stand was … assisted by a bevy of young ladies. They all did their share towards the substantial result of the day. … The luau reflects great credit on everybody concerned, and should return a handsome sum for the Kapiʻolani Home. (Pacific Commercial Advertiser, March 7, 1892)

Luau fundraising continued as the facility was expanded, “The trustees of the Kapiʻolani Maternity Home have found it necessary to build an additional wing to the main building to meet the pressing demands and it is intended to hold a luau and fair on the grounds of the Home in the early part of the month of October coming for the purpose of raising additional fund to the already existing building fund of $4,500.” The Independent, August 26, 1903)

By the early-1920s, the Home’s sights were set on the creation of a medical facility with physicians on staff. Rather than compete with other medical institutions (Queen’s, Kuakini, Tripler, St Francis, etc,) in general care, it moved its location, again, and from Home to Hospital status, and changed its name to Kapiʻolani Maternity and Gynecological Hospital in 1931. (Kamakahi)

Across town, Albert and Emma Wilcox purchased land and built a hospital; in 1909, the Kauikeōlani Children’s Hospital opened on Kuakini Street and was named in Emma’s honor. (The deaths of five of her siblings at early ages greatly influenced Emma’s concern for the welfare of all native Hawaiians.)

In 1978, the Kapiʻolani Hospital and the Kauikeolani Children’s Hospital merged to become Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children. (KMC)

Renovation and expansion began with construction of a new 17-floor parking structure that opened in 2013. A new five-story, 200,000 square-foot building is currently under construction and scheduled for completion in 2016. It will house an expanded Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU).

The new building will also provide new space for the Rehabilitation Services Department and teaching space to train Hawaii’s future health care professionals in obstetrics and gynecology, pediatric and other specialty areas of care. It will include an auditorium and education and conference rooms. (KMC)

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Kapiolani Maternity Home – formerly the home of A Drier – on Makiki and Beretania St-PP-40-7-017

A_Woman_with_a_Baby_at_the_Kapiolani_Maternity_Home-1912

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Kapiolani Maternity Hospital

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Kapiolani Medical Center

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Kapiolani Medical Center

Queen Kapiolani Statue

June 11, 2016 by Peter T Young 3 Comments

La Ho‘o-mana‘o O Kamehameha I

Kamehameha Day was first proclaimed by Kamehameha V as a day to honor his grandfather, Kamehameha I, and was first celebrated on December 11, 1871 (Kamehameha V’s birthday.) It later changed to June 11.

“The celebration of Kamehameha Day on June 11 came about in the following way.”

“On December 11, 1871, the birthday of Kamehameha V who was at that time ruling king, a public celebration was held with horse-riding and other sports.”

“It was agreed to make this celebration an annual event, but because of the uncertain weather in December to change the date to June.”

“Kamehameha V died soon after, and the holiday remained as a ‘Day in Commemoration of Kamehameha I,’ (La Ho‘o-mana‘o o Kamehameha I.)” (Kamakau)

So, while linked to Kamehameha V’s birth date, it boils down to having a celebration when the weather is better (6-months from King Kamehameha V’s birthday.) The date does not have any direct connection to Kamehameha I.

The 1896 legislature of the Republic of Hawaiʻi declared it a national holiday.

“Kamehameha Day was generally observed by the people. Elaborate preparations were made for the celebration of the day, with sumptuous feasts and sports, and every effort was brought to bear in order to insure the success of the occasion.”

“It might well be said that, in the language of the poet, its observance was usually attended with:
‘The boast of heraldry, the pomp of power,
And all that beaut’, all that wealth e’er gave.’”

“The celebration itself was characterized by a cheerful spirit and good-fellowshlp. ‘Aloha,’ the watchword that opened every heart and brightened every soul, was greeted on every side, and hospitality, unalloyed and unbounded, was displayed at every door. There was no distinction in race, color or creed.” (John C Lane, Mayor, 1916)

In 1939, Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes under the Territorial Legislature of Hawai‘i created the King Kamehameha Celebration Commission – that law remains in effect, today.

State law notes: §8-5 King Kamehameha celebration commission … “The commission shall have charge of all arrangements for the celebration each year generally observed throughout Hawai‘i Nei on June 11, to commemorate the memory of the great Polynesian Hawaiian warrior and statesman King Kamehameha I, who united the Hawaiian Islands into the Kingdom of Hawai‘i”. In 1978 the legislature renamed this holiday King Kamehameha I Day.

Almost from its first observance this day was celebrated chiefly by horse races in Kapi‘olani Park; but the races eventually gave way to today’s parades of floats and pāʻū riders.

On February 14, 1883, the Kamehameha statue was unveiled at Aliʻiōlani Hale during the coronation ceremonies for King Kalākaua.

The stance of the statue, with spear in left hand and right outstretched with open palm, showed the “successful warrior inviting the people … to accept the peace and order he had secured.”

At the request of the monument committee, statue designer Thomas R Gould modified the features to make the king seem about 45-years old. The intent was a bronze statue of ‘heroic size’ (about eight-and-a-half-feet tall.)

‘Boston Evening Transcript’ of September 28, 1878, noted “It has been thought fitting that Boston, which first sent Christian teachers and ships of commerce to the Islands, should have the honor of furnishing this commemorative monument.”

While Gould was a Bostonian, he was studying in Italy, where he designed the statue; ultimately, the statue was cast in bronze in Paris.

It was shipped on August 21, 1880, by the bark ‘GF Haendel,’ and was expected about mid-December. On February 22, 1881, came word that the Haendel had gone down November 15, 1880, off the Falkland Islands. All the cargo had been lost.

About the time it was lost, King Kalākaua was on a royal tour of the island of Hawai‘i. He made a speech in front of the Kohala Post Office.

There, the King was reminded the Kamehameha Statue was destined for Honolulu, yet Kohala, the birthplace of Kamehameha, was overlooked as a place for his statue. Kohala residents then raised funds and a replica was ordered.

It turns out, however, that the original statue had been recovered and was in fair condition. The right hand was broken off near the wrist, the spear was broken and the feather cape had a hole in it. It was taken to a shed at Aliʻiolani Hale to be repaired.

Meanwhile, on January 31, 1883, the replica ordered by Kohala arrived. On February 14, 1883, the replica statue was unveiled at Aliʻiolani Hale during the coronation ceremonies for King Kalākaua.

As for the original statue (which had been repaired,) it was dedicated on May 8, 1883 (the anniversary of Kamehameha’s death) and is in Kapaʻau, North Kohala outside Kohala’s community/senior center.

There are now four different statues of similar design of Kamehameha:
• The first replica stands prominently in front of Aliʻiolani Hale in Honolulu
• The original (repaired) casting of the statue is at Kapaʻau, North Kohala
• Another replica is in US Capitol’s visitor center in Washington DC
• Another statue is at the Wailoa River State Recreation Area in Hilo

The customary draping of the Kamehameha Statue with lei dates back to 1901. As far as the parade goes, in 1903, the Territory of Hawaiʻi, Chamber of Commerce and Merchants’ Association created the Hawaiʻi Promotion Committee (forerunner to the Hawaiʻi Visitors and Convention Bureau.) Supported by a legislative appropriation, it was mandated to provide better publicity to encourage tourism to Hawaiʻi.

The early years of the Territorial era saw the creation of a series of public celebrations. Beginning with the Mid-Pacific Carnival in 1904, a series of multiethnic public celebrations and parades were created to attract tourists and showcase Hawaiʻi’s multi-ethnic culture.

The Mid-Pacific Carnival, held in February as a celebration in honor of Washington’s birthday, had spectacular and historic pageants and military parades featured. During the winter season, the Mid-Pacific Carnival was at ʻAʻala Park in downtown Honolulu. Circus acts, sideshows and hula dancers entertained the public.

The carnival had an annual Floral Parade. By the early-1900s, the automobile made its appearance and soon reduced the need and use of horses. Then, a group of women made a society to keep the culture going and Pāʻū clubs were formed.

The Hawaiian Star, February 22, 1906, headlined the “Floral Parade a Great Success.” “It was a great day for Honolulu. The Promotion Committee’s inauguration of what is intended to be an annual event in celebration of Washington’s birthday, could have asked no better day, no greater success …”

“… no more wide spread interest in all classes of the population, no greater enthusiasm among those who participated In the parade, and no more unique, striking, or picturesque a feature to individualize the celebration in Honolulu, and make it separate, and apart from the pageant of other places than the Pa-u riders.”

“The Pa-u riders, of course, were the magnet and center of attraction. This revival of an old custom, picturesque and under the conditions that gave rise to it, strikingly useful, was a happy thought of the Promotion Committee.”

“It appealed to dormant but when aroused, pleasing associations, among the older residents, especially the Hawaiians. It appealed to the love of oddity and the striking costume in the younger generation.” (The Hawaiian Star, February 22, 1906)

In 1916, Mid-Pacific Carnival merged into the Kamehameha Day Parade.

Next time you are at the original or replicas of the Kamehameha Statue, look closely at Kamehameha’s sash; there is an error in the arrangement of the sash. Traditionally, a sash is worn by first draping the sash over the left shoulder to where it falls between the knees.

Then the remaining length is wrapped around the waist and over the front flap of the sash to around the back, fed behind the part over the shoulder, and the remaining hangs down in the back (at knee length.) (San Nicolas) After that, you put the cape on over it all.

“In the statue the cordon passes from the pendent end up behind the portion used as a waist-band, over the left shoulder, outside the cloak, instead of returning down the back to form the belt as it should have done with the end tucked in to tighten the band, it leaves this belt as an independent member and passes down over the cloak to trail on the ground!” (Brigham)

“The final arrangement must be based on esthetic rather than historical grounds. In fact, the decorated end of the sash drags on the ground behind the figure. The other end has had to be supplemented with a fictitious terminal band to be presentable in front.”

“If you look closely, the final arrangement is impossible without two sashes: a long one from malo front over the shoulder and down to the ground, and a short, separate belt.” (Later noted by Charlot.)

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Kamehameha-Statue-(HTA)

The original statue of King Kamehameha I, in Kapaʻau

Kamehameha_Statue-1900

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King Kamehameha I statue and Aliiolani Hale building, in downtown Honolulu

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The original statue of King Kamehameha I, in Kapaʻau, North Kohala. Sculptor-Thomas Ridgeway Gould

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Statue of Kamehameha I, located in the Wailoa River recreation area of Hilo

Kamehameha statue on display in the US Capitol Visitors Center, Washington DC

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Mid-Pacific Carnival-auto-1908

Mid-Pacific Carnival-Pau_Riders-1914

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Pau_Princess_of_Kauai-(barryfackler)

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Pau_Princess_of_Molokai-(barryfackler)

Pau_Princess_of_Lanai-(enolarama)

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Pau_Princess_of_Hawaii-(enolarama)

June 10, 2016 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Government Employees Mutual

Closed door (or membership) stores were discount stores that existed in the US since the late-1920s, when some retailers distributed ‘membership’ cards to some of their customers. In some cases, only card holders could shop there; at others, the card holder received lower prices than the noncard holder.

One of the largest was GEM International. GEM (Government Employees Mutual) had units from Boston to Honolulu (and even into Canada, England and Puerto Rico.) (Rotary) (GEM was also referred to as Government Employees Mart.)

The overall operation of the GEM store is that portions of the facility were leased to various merchandising enterprises; the commodities in which they deal were sold to members of the GEM; a percentage of the gross sales was paid for the use of the space occupied by the merchants.

Only members of the GEM were permitted to make purchases in this warehouse store and prices prevailing at the GEM store are substantially below prevailing retail prices elsewhere. (Supreme Court of Colorado)

A GEM membership cost $1 to $2 and was open to active and retired members of any level of government, the military, educational institutions, businesses with government contracts, and non-profit organizations. (Torontoist)

It started in Denver, Colorado; the Women’s Wear Daily June 12, 1956 issue reportedly noted, “New Discount Setup For Government Help Is Opened in Denver.”

“GEM, Government Employees Mutual, Denver’s first large discount house, carrying both hard and soft lines opened here at 5200 Smith Road. Shopping at the new firm will be restricted to city, county, State and Federal employees and military personnel.”

Glenn Kaya is credited with bringing the GEM stores to Hawaiʻi – starting with Kapalama, on Dillingham Boulevard (July 17, 1957) and Ward Avenue (August 1, 1962.) (Ulukau) Following the mainland model, GEM itself did not carry inventory, it leased space to concessionaires operating different ‘departments.’

Later, stores were added at Waipahu, Hilo, Kauai and Kaneʻohe and GEM became the No. 2 retailer in the state (behind Sears.) Shortly before the Waipahu GEM opened in 1970, the membership requirement was eliminated. (Sigall)

“Many of Hawaiʻi’s well-known companies were GEM departments. ABC Stores, Wong’s Drapery, CS Wo, Mid-Pacific Lumber, Kim Chow, Honolulu Sporting Goods and Hauoli were all GEM tenants.” (Kaya; Sigall)

It was creative with promotions, too. “When GEM Stores in the new state of Hawaiʻi hooked Huckleberry Hound, Yogi Bear and Quick Draw McGraw for personal appearances to build store traffic and plug the stores’ third anniversary promotion … KHVH-TV, Honolulu, was used to implement the program.”

“Starting almost two months before the visit, a strong TV spot campaign was initiated to recruit members for the H Hound fan club and plugging Huckleberry for President buttons.”

“When Huck and his pals armed at Honolulu International, about 10,000 of their loyal Hawaiian fans turned out to great them — the largest crowd in the airport’s history.” (Source – The Weekly Magazine Radio and TV Advertisers Use, February 1961)

“The crowd out to greet Huckleberry with campaign manager Yogi Bear and Quick Draw McGraw (who is slated for a high State Department post if Huckleberry Hound wins) exceeded that drawn earlier by President Eisenhower and visiting royalty from Japan and Iran.”

“Traffic was tied up in the air and on the ground, and the (GEM) store had to lock its doors when 25,000 had thronged in, according to Ed Justin, assistant campaign manager”. (Broadcasting, August 8, 1960)

“Glenn Kaya, general manager of GEM, reported that store sales were way up during their Honolulu junket. Results were equally record-breaking on their visits to other islands”. (The Weekly Magazine Radio and TV Advertisers Use, February 1961)

Later, GEM International merged with Parkview Drugs of Kansas City. In 1965, GEM had 34 stores across the country and Parkview had 39 drug stores and other leased departments, including 22 in GEM stores. Control would be vested in Parkview. (Southeast Missourian, December 22, 1965) Kaya was made Parkview-GEM Vice President.

While sales were good, GEM and other discounters were concerned about Hawaiʻi’s Fair Trade Act that had been passed on May 14, 1937. It authorizes minimum price fixing contracts as to the sale or resale of products sold under trademark brand or name. (A manufacturer could state the minimum price a product could sell for.) It noted:

“Wilfully and knowingly advertising, offering for sale or selling any commodity at less than the price stipulated in any contract entered into pursuant to the provisions of this part, whether the person so advertising, offering for sale or selling is or is not a party to such contract, is unfair competition and is actionable at the suit of any person damaged thereby.” (US Court of Appeals 9th Circuit, 1960)

Through efforts of Kaya and others, “The legislature of the State of Hawaiʻi has repealed that state’s Fair Trade Act, effective May 11, 1967. … Hawaiʻi’s resale price maintenance statutes had favored large mainland manufacturers’ brand name products, and that such a statute tended to keep prices up.” (Journal of Marketing, 1967)

Later (January 15, 1974,) the Washington Post noted that the parent Parkview-Gem, Inc., of Kansas City, Mo., was reorganized under a section of the Bankruptcy Act. The nationwide discount chain has incurred losses for several years, and had closed 35 stores during the past year. The Hawaiʻi stores closed in 1993.

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GEM Ward

GEM-Kapalama

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Huckleberry Hound for President

June 9, 2016 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Dillingham Transportation Building

In 1889, after devoting twenty years to the hardware business, Benjamin Franklin (Frank) Dillingham created the O‘ahu Railroad and Land Company (OR&L.) This company was primarily responsible for the development of the 160-mile O‘ahu Railroad.

Through these rail interests, the corporation became involved with the development of the various sugarcane plantations along its route, and later expanded its cane activities to the islands of Kauai, Maui and Hawai‘i with the McBryde, Kihei, Puna and Ola‘a Sugar Companies. (NPS)

Ultimately OR&L sublet land, partnered on several sugar operations and/or hauled cane from Ewa Plantation Company, Honolulu Sugar Company in ‘Aiea, O‘ahu Sugar in Waipahu, Waianae Sugar Company, Waialua Agriculture Company and Kahuku Plantation Company, as well as pineapples for Dole.

By the early-1900s, the expanded railway cut across the island, serving several sugar and pineapple plantations, and the popular Haleʻiwa Hotel. They even included a “Kodak Camera Train” (associated with the Hula Show) for Sunday trips to Hale‘iwa for picture-taking.

When the hotel opened on August 5, 1899, guests were conveyed from the railway terminal over the Anahulu stream to fourteen luxurious suites, each had a bath with hot-and-cold running water. Dillingham died April 7, 1918 (aged 73.)

Built in 1929, in memory of Dillingham by his son Walter Francis Dillingham, the 4-story Dillingham Transportation Building carries the ‘transportation building’ because at that time the Dillingham family was concerned with various types of transportation to and around Hawaii.

Walter founded the Hawaiian Dredging Company (later Dillingham Construction) and ran the O‘ahu Railway and Land Company founded by his father.

The building was designed in an Italian Renaissance Revival by architect Lincoln Rogers of Los Angeles, who also designed the Hawaii State Art Museum (1928.)

“Lincoln Rogers, architect of the building, in choosing a style of architecture generally called ‘Mediterranean’ with Italian Renaissance as the guiding principle, found a motif ideally suited to a semi-tropic city surrounded by sparkling seas and green-clad mountains.” (Honolulu)

The Dillingham Transportation Building is Italian Renaissance concrete and concrete block structure with three connected wings, and is a good example of the Mediterranean revival style applied to a commercial structure.

The first story round arched arcade, upper story quoins and the low pitched, tile, hipped roof, well convey the style. The Mediterranean and Spanish mission revival styles enjoyed tremendous popularity in Hawaii during the twenties.

These styles, the closest European equivalents to tropical design, were considered to be the most appropriate forms for Hawaii’s climate with their arcades providing a sense of airy openness.

The Dillingham Transportation Building is one of a number of downtown buildings to employ these styles, and is the most imposing of the Mediterranean revival buildings in the area. (NPS)

The structure has a Spanish tile hip roof, and below the eave there is a frescoed decoration. The entrance lobby features Art Deco patterns of variously colored marbles and bricks. (Historic Hawai‘i)

You will note nautical references above the door arches and along the outside walls of the building – noting ships, sailors and twisted rope patterns (even over the elevators.)

The Dillingham Transportation Building shares arcade space with the nearby Pacific Guardian Building, whose street address is ‘through’ the Dillingham lobby. (Star-Bulletin)

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Dillingham Memorial Dedication Plaque-400

Dillingham Transportation Building

Benjamin_Franklin_Dillingham_(1844–1918)

Walter_Francis_Dillingham-(WC)

June 8, 2016 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Shave Ice

“The first Boston ice brought to these islands” arrived September 4, 1850, by way of San Francisco aboard the brig Fortunio. On June 22, 1852, “a few tons of ice were brought to this port from San Francisco by the bark Harriet T. Bartlet” and were partly sold at auction; this was hailed as “the first importation of the kind, in any quantity, to this market.” (Schmitt)

The first full cargo of ice came from Sitka aboard the brig Noble in the latter part of 1853. Locally manufactured ice was put on sale December 2, 1871, but the firm providing it went out of business a month later. Local production of ice was eventually resumed in 1875. (Schmitt)

Lots of things changed with ice and, later, refrigeration; among the nice outcomes was Shave Ice.

It is referred to in different ways, depending on where you are from … in Hilo it’s Ice Shave; lots of folks outside the Islands call it Sno-Balls, SnoCones (or Snow Cones) or even Shaved Ice.

Shave ice exists all over the world today and is known as Gola Gunda in Pakistan, Juski in India, Ice Kachang in Malasia & Singapore where it is served with red beans and other fruits, Raspa, Raspado, or Raspadillo in Mexico and Peru (Raspar means “scrape” in Spanish.) (Stever)

The story of when and where the first Shave Ice showed up is unclear. Shaving or crushing ice, or gathering snow and adding flavor has been popular around the world.

Some suggest it dates back to the Roman Empire (27 BC to AD 395). Snow was hauled from the mountaintops to the city, syrup was added and people had flavored snow.

Initially, hand shavers were used to make shave ice, but by the 1890s many inventors were working on easier ways to make them. In that decade alone, six different patents for electric ice shaving machines were invented.

In about the late-1800s, folks used hand-held wooden planes to shave the ice (or snow) off a block. Samuel Bert of Dallas Texas is credited with inventing a machine to do the work in 1920. He reportedly sold cones and cone machines until his death in 1984.

We can thank the Great Depression for helping to expand the popularity of the shave ice, as ice cream was not readily available or cheap. (SnoBallHut)

By 1934, Ernest Hansen, an inventor from New Orleans, patented the first motorized ice block shaver. His syrup flavored shaved ice became known as “snowballs”.

In the Islands, when Japanese immigrants came to work in the sugar fields, they brought the concept of shave ice with them, using hand-operated steel blades to shave the ice in a method very similar to Ernest Hansen’s.

It was in the Meiji period around the 19th century that kakigori (Japanese shave ice) finally became affordable to the general public. Until then, ice was still expensive as people had to import “Boston Ice” from the US, taking half a year for transporting.

However, when the food entrepreneur Kahe Nakagawa succeeded in delivering ‘Hakodate Ice’ from Hokkaido to Yokohama, the first kakigori shop was opened in the Bashamichi area in Kanagawa in 1872.

And then an icemaker was invented in the middle of the Meiji period and an ice-shaving machine in the early Showa period around the 1930s, eventually making kakigori common food as it is now. (inhamamatsu)

Japanese plantation workers in Hawaiʻi enjoyed it as a refreshing break in the hot, tropical climate. In those days it was only sold on Sundays, the only day off for the plantation workers received.

They would use their machetes to shave flakes from a large block of ice into cups and then pour different fruit juices over the top. (Stradley)

The treat quickly became immensely popular throughout the islands where the tropical temperatures ensured “shaved ice” sold all year.

Hawaiian shave ice is known for the ice’s extremely fine – near powdery – consistency, as well as the unusual flavor combinations used: typically, tropical fruit flavored syrups are used, with many variants including a scoop of vanilla ice cream or Japanese azuki, a red, sweet bean.

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