Prominent People | Page 102 | Images of Old Hawaiʻi

October 16, 2018 by Peter T Young 2 Comments

‘I must own to one great disappointment’

“I was destined to grow up away from the house of my parents. Immediately after my birth I was wrapped in the finest soft tapa cloth, and taken to the house of another chief, by whom I was adopted.”

“Konia, my foster-mother, was a granddaughter of Kamehameha I, and was married to Paki, also a high chief; their only daughter, Bernice Pauahi, afterwards Mrs. Charles R. Bishop, was therefore my foster-sister.”

“In speaking of our relationship, I have adopted the term customarily used in the English language, but there was no such modification recognized in my native land. I knew no other father or mother than my foster-parents, no other sister than Bernice.”

“I used to climb up on the knees of Paki, put my arms around his neck, kiss him, and he caressed me as a father would his child; while on the contrary, when I met my own parents, it was with perhaps more of interest, yet always with the demeanor I would have shown to any strangers who noticed me.” (Lili‘uokalani)

“My own father and mother had other children, ten in all, the most of them being adopted into other chiefs’ families; and although I knew that these were my own brothers and sisters, yet we met throughout my younger life as though we had not known our common parentage.”

“This was, and indeed is, in accordance with Hawaiian customs. It is not easy to explain its origin to those alien to our national life, but it seems perfectly natural to us.”

“As intelligible a reason as can be given is that this alliance by adoption cemented the ties of friendship between the chiefs. It spread to the common people, and it has doubtless fostered a community of interest and harmony.”

“The house she lived in, ‘Haleakala,’ “was completed in 1851, and occupied by Paki until 1855, when he died. … It was there that the years of my girlhood were passed, after school-days were over, and the pleasant company we often had in that house will never cease to give interest to the spot.”

It was “one of the most beautiful and central of the mansions in Honolulu. To it came all the high chiefs then living there, also the foreign residents; in fact, all the best society of the city.” (Lili‘uokalani)

“In the course of time Mr. and Mrs. Bishop were induced to take up their abode at ‘Haleakala,’ which, with other property, became hers as an inheritance from Paki.”

“This charming home, which immediately became the centre of all that was best, most cultivated, and refined in Hawaiian social life, has been graphically described by a cousin of Mr. Bishop, Mrs. Allen, who arrived in Honolulu in 1864 from California, on a visit.”

“It may be said that a warm and enduring friendship was formed at that time between the two, which continued unbroken during the lifetime of Mrs. Bishop. Of ‘Haleakala,’ as the house was called, and its picturesque life Mrs. Allen wrote:”

“‘At that time her home was the most beautiful in Honolulu, the house large and pleasant, the grounds full of beautiful trees, shrubs, and vines and so well cared-for. I shall never forget my first night’s rest in the home, and the satisfaction of waking in such pleasant surroundings.’”

“‘At that time there were at each end of the premises large yards with long low buildings on two sides, which were divided into rooms and occupied by numerous families attached to her as their chiefess to whom they looked for counsel in all their affairs—joys and sorrows.’”

“‘I was always interested to see her out under a large tamarind tree surrounded by her people, many of whom had come in from the country to advise with her. She would sit for hours with the utmost patience listening to them .’” (Allen; Krout)

Pauahi died October 16, 1884. “When the will of Mrs. Bernice Pauahi Bishop was read, in which she disposed of her own estate, I did not happen to be present …”

“… but her husband, Hon. Charles R. Bishop, informed me that I had been duly remembered, that his wife had bequeathed to me the lands of Kahala, island of Oahu, Lumahai on Kauai, Kealia in Kona, Hawaii …”

“… besides which he sent to me a pair of diamond wristlets, a diamond pin with crown which had once belonged to the Princess Ruth, and a necklace of pearls beautifully chased and set in tigers’ claws.”

“But nevertheless I must own to one great disappointment. The estate which had been so dear to us both in my childhood, the house built by my father, Paki, where I had lived as a girl …”

“… which was connected with many happy memories of my early life, from whence I had been married to Governor Dominis, when he took me to Washington Place, I could not help feeling ought to have been left to me.”

“The estate was called Haleakala, or House of the Sun, and the residence received the name of Aikupika; but both these are forgotten now in that of the Arlington Hotel.”

“This wish of my heart was not gratified, and, at the present day strangers stroll through the grounds or lounge on the piazzas of that home once so dear to me.”

“Yet memories of my adopted parents still cling to that homestead, and rise before me not only when I pass its walls, but I recall in a foreign land the days of my youth.” (Lili‘uokalani)

“The place was maintained as a chief’s residence for many years. It can only have been turned to other uses during the past fifteen years; at the outside. Mrs. Bernice Pauahi Bishop left the estate to her husband, who turned the property over to the Kamehameha estates.” (Bishop, Pacific Commercial Advertiser, September 6, 1900)

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October 15, 2018 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

David Malo’s Grave

In 1823, Malo moved to Lāhainā, Maui where he learned to read and write. Malo soon converted to Christianity and was given the baptismal name of David.

On September 5, 1831, classes at the Mission Seminary at Lahainaluna (later known as Lahainaluna (Upper Lāhainā)) began in thatched huts with 25 Hawaiian young men.

Under the leadership of Reverend Lorrin Andrews, the school was established by the American Board of Commissioners of Foreign Missions “to instruct young men of piety and promising talents”. It is the oldest high school west of the Mississippi River.

When Sheldon Dibble arrived to Hawai‘i in 1836, “connected with the Mission Seminary at Lahainaluna, and being called to teach History as one branch of my department of instruction”.

He had found it “quite objectionable that the scholars, whilst they were becoming acquainted with other nations, should remain to a great degree in ignorance of their own.”

Dibble made an “effort to collect the main facts of Hawaiian history,” he “selected ten of the best scholars of the Seminary, and formed them into a class of inquiry.”

Dibble “requested them to go individually and separately to the oldest and most knowing of the chiefs and people, gain all the information that they could on the question given out, commit each his information to writing and be ready to read it on a day and hour appointed.” (Dibble, April 28, 1843) One of the leading students was Malo.

“(David) Malo was the son of Aoao and his wife Heone, and was born at the seaside town of Keauhou, North Kona, Hawaii, not many miles distant from the historic bay of Kealakeakua, where Captain Cook, only a few years before, had come to his death.”

“The exact year of his birth cannot be fixt’d, but it was about 1793, the period of Vancouver’s second visit to the islands. … During his early life Malo was connected with the high chief Kuakini (Governor Adams), who was a brother of Queen Kaahumanu …”

“… and it was during this period specially that he was placed in an environment the most favorable to forming an intimate acquaintance with the history, traditions, legends and myths of old Hawaii, as well as with the meles, pules and olis that belong to the hula and that form so important and prominent a feature in the poesy and unwritten literature of Hawaii.”

“Such good use did Malo make of his opportunities that he came to be universally regarded as the great authority and repository of Hawaiian lore.” (NB Emerson)

Malo was ordained into the Christian ministry and settled down in the seaside village of Kalepolepo on East Maui. (Trinity) His book, Hawaiian antiquities (Moolelo Hawaii – 1898,) addressed the genealogies, traditions and beliefs of the people of Hawai‘i.

In the “Narrative of the United States Exploring Expedition,” Admiral Wilkes (1840,) commenting on books about Hawai‘i, said, “(s)ome of them are by native authors. Of these I cannot pass at least one without naming him.”

“This is David Malo, who is highly esteemed by all who know him, and who lends the missionaries his aid, in mind as well as example, in ameliorating the condition of his people and checking licentiousness.”

“(A)s Malo aged, and perhaps because he spent so much time pondering the old traditions in writing Hawaiian Antiquities or wading through Lahaina’s crowds of seamen on leave, he became increasingly exasperated with the rising tide of haoles as the Hawaiians died and kept on dying.”

“In a letter to native friends, he wrote: If a big wave comes in, large and unfamiliar fishes will come from the dark ocean, and when they see the small fishes of the shallows they will eat them up.”

“The white man’s ships have arrived with clever men from the big countries. They know our people are few in number and our country is small, they will devour us.” (Malo; Vowel)

Malo died October 21, 1853. “The death of the well-known native preacher, David Malo, is one of those events which throw sorrow upon the hearts of the friends of the native race.”

“Seeing a white object on the very summit of Mt. Ball (a hill above Lahainaluna School), a day or two since, I inquired what it was.”

“It was David Malo’s tomb. And why was he buried in so strange spot? He wished it. He said this land would fall into the possession of foreigners.”

“Land in Lahaina would be valuable. The graveyards, enriched by the remains of the natives, would be coveted, and the contents of the graves scattered abroad.”

“He wished not his bones to be disturbed. Let him be buried on that summit where no white man will ever build his house.”

“And so his grave has become beacon; and if his spirit ever lingers over it, he can survey, as from lofty watch-tower, his former home, and the scene of many of his labors.” (Sereno Bishop; The Friend, November 16, 1853)

Malo’s grave is on Pu‘u Pa‘upa‘u (sometimes called Mt Ball) – that is the hill above Lahaina with the ‘L’ (standing for Lahainaluna, the school that Malo attended).

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David Malo grave

October 14, 2018 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Gifts from President Andrew Jackson

Captain Finch having chosen to avail himself of Mr. Bingham’s services as interpreter, requested him to take a seat at his side, and then rising, read to the king the following address : —

“King Tamehameha, The President of the United States has confided to my care a written communication for yourself, and such counsellors as you rely upon, accompanying it with various presents for each …”

“… in testimony of the good opinion he entertains of you individually, and to evince his desire for amity and confidence, in all intercourse that may subsist between your people and my countrymen.”

“That the genuineness of the letter may not be questioned, which might have been the case, if the transmission had been entrusted to casual conveyance, and to make it the more honourable to yourself, he has despatched a ship of war for this and other purposes …”

“… and it is enjoined upon me as the commander, to deliver it in person into your keeping, to reiterate the expressions of goodwill which it contains, and to exhibit, by my own deportment, the sincerity of the motives which has actuated him.”

“The friendly and kind reception afforded by your government to one other of our national ships, the Peacock, has been most favourably represented by her commander, and doubtless has conduced greatly to the visit which I now make.”

“The improved state of your people has also been so interestingly described by one of your friends, the Rev Mr. Stewart, now beside me, as to awaken among my countrymen at large, great benevolence of feeling towards you …”

“… and it will be my study, and I trust I shall be warranted on my return among them, to strengthen their prepossessions in your favour, and to confirm the accounts of the good traits of the character of our new acquaintances, the islanders subject to your authority.”

“With your leave, I will now acquit myself of the pleasing duty devolving upon me, by reading and handing the document adverted to, which illustrates the light in which the President wishes to hold your nation; and upon which you will, I hope, ponder often, deliberately, and fully.”

“The presents I also ask permission to distribute amongst those of your faithful friends for whom they are intended, trusting that they will tend to the enlargement of knowledge, invite to social and rational enjoyments, and further secure enduring recollections of the assurances which I give of the disinterested friendship of the President and government of the United States. W. C. B. Finch, October 14th, 1829.”

Mr. Bingham having read a translation of this in the Hawaiian tongue, Captain Finch proceeded in the perusal of the document from the government:

“To Tamehameha III. King of the Sandwich Islands.
“Navy Department of the United States of America, City of Washington, 20th January, A.D. 1829.”

“By the approbation and direction of the President of the United States, I address you this letter, and send it by the hands of Captain William Compton Bolton Finch, an officer in our navy, commanding the ship of war Vincennes.”

“Captain Finch also bears to you, from the President, certain small tokens of regard for yourself, and the chiefs who are near to you, and is commanded to express to you, in his name, the anxious desire which he feels for your prosperity and advancement in the arts of civilized life, and for the cultivation of harmony and good-will between your nation and the people of the United States.”

“He has heard, with interest and admiration, of the rapid progress which has been made by your people in acquiring a knowledge of letters and of the true religion – the religion of the Christian’s Bible.”

“These are the best, and the only means, by which the prosperity and happiness of nations can be advanced and continued; and the President, and all men every where who wish well to yourself and your people, earnestly hope that you will continue to cultivate them, and to protect and encourage those by whom they are brought to you.”

“The President also anxiously hopes, that peace, and kindness, and justice, will prevail between your people and those citizens of the United States who visit your islands, and that the regulations of your government will be such as to enforce them upon all.”

“Our citizens who violate your laws, or interfere with your regulations, violate at the same time their duty to their own government and country, and merit censure and punishment. We have heard with pain, that this has sometimes been the case, and we have sought to know and to punish those who are guilty.”

“Captain Finch is commanded diligently to inquire into the conduct of our citizens whom he may find at the islands, and, as far as he has the authority, to ensure proper conduct and deportment from them.”

“The President hopes, however, that there are very few who so act as to deserve censure or punishment, and, for all others, he solicits the kindness and protection of your government, that their interests may be promoted, and every facility given to them in the transaction of their business.”

“Among others, he bespeaks your favour to those who have taken up their residence with you, to promote the cause of religion and learning in your islands.”

“He does not doubt that their motives are pure, and their objects most friendly to the happiness of your people, and that they will so con duct themselves as to merit the protecting kindness of your government.

“One of their number, the Rev. C. S. Stewart, who resided for some time with you, has received the favour of his government in an appointment to an office of religion in our navy, and will visit you in company with Captain Finch.”

“The President salutes you with respect, and wishes you peace, happiness, and prosperity. Saml. L. Southard, Secretary to the Navy.”

“This also was immediately made intelligible to the king and chiefs, by a translation in the native language, read by Mr. Bingham.”

“Both documents were listened to with intense interest. I never before saw Kaahumanu more excited. She seemed scarce able to command her feelings, and, before Mr. Southard’s letter was finished, her eyes were filled with tears.”

“‘Maitai—maitai no!’ ‘Good—good indeed!’ uttered with the quick tone in which he usually speaks when pleased, was the hasty comment of the king, while the females re-echoed the approbation, ‘Maitai no—maitai no!’”

“The servants having charge of the presents were now called, and these placed before the king. A pair of globes, celestial and terrestrial, and a large map of the United States, for himself …”

“… a silver vase, inscribed with the arms of the United States, and her name, for the regent; two silver goblets, with inscriptions of a similar character, for the princess; and two large maps of the world, one for Governor Boki, and the other for Governor Adams.” (Stewart)

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October 9, 2018 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

The Mansion

“(I)n 1893, a placard was discovered hanging on one of the now padlocked gates of the property, the warning consisting of a skull and cross-bones, across which, written in red ink, were the words …”

“’Gold and Silver Cannot Stop Lead.’”

“This, added to the chagrin of being thwarted politically, resulted in the departure on the next Oceanic liner to leave for San Francisco of the whole Spreckels family.” (Advertiser, December 27, 1893) He vowed “not to return until Lili‘uokalani was seated upon the throne”. (Advertiser, April 3, 1904)

“Claus Spreckels, the Sugar King,… was for many years, intimately connected with the political and industrial history of Hawaii.”

“He was … connected in many important ways with the commercial and industrial life of the Islands, and he had, during the thirty-two years since he first extended his interest to the Mid-Pacific, rendered great services to the leading industry of this Territory.” (Hawaiian Gazette, December 29, 1908)

The career of the “sugar king” of California, Hawaiʻi and the American West consisted of building and breaking monopolies in sugar, transport, gas, electricity, real estate, newspapers, banks and breweries.

His first business venture was beer brewing, founding the Albany Brewery, together with his brother Peter Spreckels and Claus Mangels, among others; it was the first large-scale producer of beer in San Francisco.

He sold his beer operation in 1863 and switched to sugar, starting the Bay Sugar Refining Company. After selling that, he constructed the California Sugar Refinery in 1867 to process sugar, introducing the European process of packaging granulated sugar and sugar cubes (so customers could more easily divide the portions.)

In 1878, through his friendship with King Kalākaua, Claus Spreckels secured a lease of 40,000-acres of land on Maui and by 1882 he acquired the fee simple title to the Wailuku ahupuaʻa. He then founded the Hawaiian Commercial Company, which quickly became the largest and best-equipped sugar plantation in the islands.

Needing transportation to move his Hawaiʻi sugar for refining on the continent, his sons formed JD Spreckels & Bros. shipping line in 1879, which was incorporated as the Oceanic Steamship Company in 1881. (It became a subsidiary of Matson in 1926.)

It was the first line to offer regular service between Honolulu and San Francisco, and his sons managed to reduce travel time immensely. While the sailing ship Claus Spreckels made a record run of less than ten days in 1879, by 1883 the new steam vessel Mariposa needed less than six days.

Claus Spreckels was a controversial figure. For friends, he was a man “with a fine presence, an open, pleasant countenance and a cheerful word for everybody.” Others, however, characterized him as impatient, implacable and ruthless, driven by “Dutch obstinacy.” (Spiekermann)

Hawaiʻi served as only one of the venues for the Spreckels holdings. During the 1880s and early 1890s, he bought and built up several blocks of office buildings in San Francisco.

Back in the Islands, “Claus Spreckels was advocating the restoration of the monarchy, after the formation of the Provisional Government in 1893. He was a warm Royalist, and some one suggested in a joking manner that it would help the cause if Spreckels was put out of the way.”

“The sugar magnate heard the story and became alarmed at the threat. His alarm was intensified a few days later when, coming out of the gate of his Punahou street residence, he found a warning signal staring him in the face.” (Advertiser, April 3, 1904)

“In leaving Honolulu as he did, Mr Spreckels demonstrated his own faith in the belief that the condition he named for his return might be some day met with, by simply closing up his beautiful mansion on Punahou street and refusing to either sell or lease it.”

“The house has been opened since that time, however, once on the occasion of a visit here of his son, John D Spreckels, and later, a few years ago, when the Sugar King and his wife returned to pay a visit to Honolulu.”

“The mansion, erected on a tract of Punahou property purchased from O‘ahu College (Punahou,) was for many years the finest private residence in the city, being the only second to that of the King’s palace.”

“For years, until the hundreds of palms and other trees set out by the owner grew so as to practically hide the residence, the white three-story house of the Sugar King was one of the things pointed out to, tourists as a Honolulu landmark.” (Advertiser, December 27, 1893)

This wasn’t Spreckels’ only mansion, “Claus Spreckels has just bought a large block pf property on the swell part of Van Ness avenue and intends to build a magnificent mansion there (in San Francisco.)”

“Every one who knows Mr. Spreckels knows that he has long been casting his eye on Van Ness avenue with a view to buying a fine place of residence property.”

“It has taken him a long time to make up his mind, but he has made it up now, and as a result frontage on the owns the largest avenue of any property owner from Market to Union, and where ex-Alcalde Burr has blocked the march of progress.”

“When Mr. Spreckels does a thing he does it – and that’s what has happened in this case. He has gone in for residence property on Van Ness avenue, and has gone in for it heavily.” (Hawaii Holomua, January 11, 1894)

“One of the most valuable holdings, apart from the Claus Spreckels building, at Third and Market streets, is the family mansion at Van Ness avenue and Clay street.”

The Punahou mansion, two stories with cupola, frescoed ceilings and stained glass windows, was later purchased by Jonah Kumalae (businessman, politician and ukulele manufacturer,) who dismantled the three-story structure by sections in order to move it from Punahou Street to Mōʻiliʻili, where it was reassembled on Isenberg Street. (SB)

The St. Louis Alumni Association purchased the Kumalae home in June 1937. It was named Dreier Manor, in honor of philanthropist August Dreier, who founded Oahu Ice & Cold Storage Co. (SB) It then served as the St. Louis Alumni Clubhouse until it accidentally burned in 1954. (Mitchell)

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Claus Spreckels’ mansion on Punahou Street in 1908

Claus_Spreckels

Kumalae-remodeled Spreckels mansion-Kojima-SB-1950

Drier Mansion-former Spreckels-Kumalae (modified)

Former-modified Spreckels mansion Isenberg and King

Chunky’s replaced Drier Mansion-1955

1st Hawaiian Bank at former Kumalae-Drier Mansion site

San Francisco Residence of Claus Spreckels.

October 5, 2018 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

299-Year Lease

“(T)he heirs of Kaahumanu – whoever they may happen to be in the year of our Lord 2125 – will come into the reversion of a very pretty property – if the world stands …” (Saturday Press, October 22, 1881)

Whoa … let’s look back …

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.)

Charlton had been in London during Kamehameha II’s visit in 1824 and secured an introduction to the king and his entourage. By the time he arrived in Hawai‘i in 1825, instructions had already arrived from Kamehameha II …

… that Charlton was to be allowed to build a house, or houses, any place he wished and should be made comfortable. This apparently was due to favors Charlton had done for the royal party. (Hawaiʻi State Archives)

Charlton didn’t play well with others. A report by Thrum noted, “July 13th (1827) – Last evening the English consul, in conversation with Boki told him he would cut Kaahumanu’s head off and all the residents were ready to join in it.”

“Guards were ordered out in all parts of the village. Mr. Charlton may be ready to take up arms against the chief but few, if any, I believe would follow or join with him.” (Thrum)

In spite of that, Charlton did receive land for his home and for Consular offices. The records suggest that the land under the present Washington Place premises were part of a grant from the chiefs to Charlton in 1825-26 to provide a permanent location for a British Consulate. (HABS)

(Charlton later sold that property to Captain John Dominis (December 26, 1840,) who later built Washington Place. … By the way, Beretania Street was so named because of the British Consulate there.)

Charlton claimed this and other lands as his personal property. He also claimed land down by the waterfront. There was no disagreement over a small parcel, Wailele, but the larger adjoining parcel he claimed (Pūlaholaho) had been occupied since 1826 by retainers and heirs of Kaʻahumanu.

The Pūlaholaho/Charlton Square block is bounded by Nu‘uanu, Merchant, Ka‘ahumanu (now the breezeway in the Harbor Court condo building) and Queen Streets, and “comprises a large portion of the most valuable business sites of the city” (Bennett, 1869:36)

In making his claim for Pūlaholaho, Charlton showed a 299-lease dated October 5, 1826 issued to him by Kalanimōku. That claim, made in 1840, however, was made after Kalanimōku and Kaʻahumanu had died.

Following Charlton’s presentation of his claim to rights of the entire land section of Pūlaholaho, Kamehameha III sought a means of providing security for the native residents on the land, and claimed that Pūlaholaho belonged to the crown. (Maly)

In rejecting Charlton’s claim, Kamehameha III cited the fact that Kalanimōku did not have the authority to grant the lease. At the time the lease was made, Kaʻahumanu was Kuhina Nui, and only she and the king could make such grants. The land was Kaʻahumanu’s in the first place, and Kalanimōku certainly could not give it away. (Hawaiʻi State Archives) The dispute dragged on for years.

This, and other grievances purported by Charlton and the British community in Hawai‘i, led to the landing of George Paulet on February 11, 1843 “for the purpose of affording protection to British subjects, as likewise to support the position of Her Britannic Majesty’s representative here”.

Following this, King Kamehameha III ceded the Islands and Paulet took control. After five months of British rule, Queen Victoria, on learning the injustice done, immediately sent Rear Admiral Richard Darton Thomas to the islands to restore sovereignty to its rightful rulers.

“On the 25th [July] the King arrived at Honolulu, and on the 26th, H.B. M’s line-of-battle Ship, the Dublin, Rear Admiral Thomas, arrived from Valparaiso…”

“Shortly after the Dublin had anchored, a note was dispatched from the Admiral to the King, requesting an interview, and on the 27th and 28th, long conferences were held, in which the Admiral manifested very kindly and friendly feelings towards the King, and no demands were made that the latter could not cheerfully comply with.”

“The conferences terminated by the expression of desire on the part of the Admiral, that the Hawaiian flag should be restored, and Monday, July 31st, was appointed for the formal and public act of restoration…” (Bennett)

The 31st of July was a great day for the Hawaiians. On the plain of Waikiki, tents were erected for the accommodation of the King and the Admiral and their suites, and the foreigners and their ladies…

On July 31, 1843 the Hawaiian flag was raised. The ceremony was held in area known as Kulaokahuʻa; the site of the ceremony was turned into a park, Thomas Square.

The settlement of this issue and return of rule to Kamehameha III resolved most issues between the kingdom and Great Britain, but the matter of Charlton’s claim to the 299 year leasehold rights at Pūlaholaho remained.

Following Admiral Thomas’ actions Charlton remained on the land, and in 1845, Carlton evicted the native Hawaiian tenants — many of whom had been tied to Ka‘ahumanu’s household — from the land of Pūlaholaho. (Maly)

“Difficulties with England continued for several years, mostly because of the demands of Mr. Charlton and the British consul. The law advisors of the crown of Great Britain decided in favor of the Hawaiian government on every point except the Charlton land claim.”

“In regard to this last they required that Mr. Charlton, having first produced the original deed and shown it to be genuine, should be put in possession of the land by the government.”

“Previously Charlton had leased a small portion of this land for consular offices. The king wrote Charlton that the proper time for presenting the large claim was past. Those who had contracted the business and the witnesses were all dead. Thirteen years had elapsed. Twenty-three persons had built houses and were living on the land.”

“Moreover the king stated only Kaahumanu had the right to lease the crown land. In 1845 Charlton, nevertheless, razed the twenty-three houses on the land, homes of 156 Hawaiians, and took possession.”

“A long “Palace Investigation” convened in October 1845, at which almost without exception the evidence of chiefs and missionaries questioned was that the signatures of Kalanimoku and the witnesses, John Ii and Don Marin, were not genuine.” (Alexander; Maly)

“The British Consul General and British Naval Commanders had made this claim a subject of demand on the Hawaiian Government, and it was one of the principal ones urged by Lord George Paulet at the time of the forced cession of the sovereignty of the Islands in 1843.”

“In 1847, after a long correspondence with the British Consul, and repeated and protracted investigations, the particulars of which with the voluminous correspondence were all printed, the whole matter was submitted to the decision of the Law Officer of the British Government.”

“In so doing the King and his Government testified both the confidence they reposed in the justice of their own case and their reliance upon the fairness of the Queen’s Government.”

“The particulars of the investigation in London were never known here, but no little surprise was felt when the decision was received confirming the claim of Charlton – or rather of his representatives, for he had long since sold out his rights in the land.”

“It was very generally believed here at that time that the claim was a fraudulent one – the late R. C. Wyllie, who was quite familiar with the subject from beginning to end, was outspoken in his opinion”. (Saturday Press, October 22, 1881)

“General Miller, acting consul for Great Britain, had limited the question to the genuineness of the handwriting. But he evidently considered it a mere matter of form. Charlton kept the land.” (Alexander; Maly)

“(It) has come to my knowledge on these island; and in this case the heirs of Kaahumanu – whoever they may happen to be in the year of our Lord 2125 – will come into the reversion of a very pretty property – if the world stands…” (Sheldon; Saturday Press, October 22, 1881)

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