Prominent People | Page 148 | Images of Old Hawaiʻi

September 9, 2016 by Peter T Young 1 Comment

The Lady and Emma

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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September 6, 2016 by Peter T Young 1 Comment

By Horse, Car & Plane

EH Lewis looked to a variety of ways for folks to see the Islands: horseback, automobile and airplane.

Lewis was a “dashing (polo) player, who was always on the ball.” (Evening Bulletin, August 5, 1909) Early newspaper ads, note Lewis as Proprietor of Stockyards Stables where you can “Get your friends together and enjoy a tally ho ride” in a 6-horse drawn wagon. (Evening Bulletin, August 3, 1904)

“EH Lewis, will open on April 1 a riding school at Athletic Park; 25 stylish saddle horses will be used. Hours from 9 to 11 and 3 to 5, dally. Prices will be $1 per lesson, or twelve lessons for $10. We guarantee to make a good rider of you for $10. Lewis Stables, Tel. 41” (Evening Bulletin, March 24, 1910)

Lewis introduced automobiles to Hawai‘i, “Probably the finest cars on the streets of Honolulu, are the two new Pierce-Arrows which have recently arrived. Both are now installed in the rent service.”

“One … is a beautiful gray, owned by EH Lewis (the other was owned by Henry Hughes.) These two cars show in their every line that they are the last word in automobile construction. (Star-Bulletin, December 6, 1913)

“Tally-ho driving parties, instituted by EH Lewis about a year ago for the special entertainment of tourists are growing in popularity. Within the past few weeks a number of excursions of this character, taking strangers to the many interesting points within a wide radius of the city, have been given.” (Paradise of the Pacific, February 1905)

He took his touring and promotion to the continent, “Mr and Mrs E Lewis of Honolulu recently toured the Yosemite in their big American limousine and on the way and back showed themselves good promotionists by flying a Honolulu pennant and booming the islands as an attractive resort for tourists.” (Star Bulletin, July 31, 1915)

Then, he got into airplanes. Even though Lewis didn’t learn to fly until he was 60, he became an enthusiastic promoter of the industry, owning and flying more than a dozen airplanes. (Star-Bulletin)

“When ‘Bud’ Mars, back in December of 1910, brought an unwieldly biplane called the “Skylark” to Honolulu and managed to get it into the air long enough to make several short exhibition flights from Moanalua Polo Field, the die was cast for Hawai‘i’s interest in and use of aircraft.” (Kennedy; Thrum, 1936)

One regular visitor to every early flight in the islands was businessman Edwin Lewis. He was the primary sponsor of Bud Mars’ first flight at Moanalua Polo Grounds, and he also established the first real airport in Hawaii, called Ala Moana Field.

“Spectacular as these flights were, at the same time island men were going ahead in a quiet manner, laying the foundation for commercial aviation here. Ed Lewis, operating automobile tours on Oahu, early saw the possibilities of airplanes for sightseeing.” (Star-Bulletin)

“Announcing his desire to have permanent airplanes in our islands within sixty days of him stepping once again on Hawaii nei, EH Lewis landed in Honolulu nei on the morning of Friday of this past week with two pilots who will fly the two planes he purchased in America.”

“These men brought by Lewis are experts. The planes did not arrive with Lewis, but according to him, should there be no complications, the planes will arrive in Honolulu within 60 days.”

“The crafts can carry ten passengers at a time, and these will be the planes that fly regularly between Honolulu and Hilo and from Hilo back to Honolulu nei.” (Alakai o Hawai‘i, November 5, 1928)

“Touring the islands by air dates back to 1927, when Edwin Lewis founded Lewis Air Tours. The company lasted only three years, but other tour services proved more successful. Interisland travel really picked up in the 1950s with the introduction of package tours, all-inclusive vacations that often included trips to Oahu’s neighbor islands.” (Smithsonian)

“Lewis’ greatest contribution, however, was the establishment of Lewis Air Tours in the late 1920s. Flying a Standard biplane named Malolo – ‘flying fish’ …”

“… that sported an enclosed cabin for passenger comfort, tourists and locals alike were treated to views of the islands unimaginable just a few years before. (Star-Bulletin)

“For several years he operated ‘Lewis Air Tours’ with a number of small open cockpit planes flying from Ward airport on Ala Moana.” (Kennedy; Thrum, 1936)

However, some were concerned with his flying – repeated entries in minutes of meetings of the Territorial Aeronautical Commission complain of Lewis and his flying. Such as:

“(L)ast Sunday Mr Lewis’s plane was flying over the Aloha tower and the city at a very low altitude. Other complaints have also come to us about Mr Lewis’s activities. It was decided that a letter be addressed to Mr Lewis prohibiting the use of Ward Airport for any but emergency landings.” (Territorial Aeronautical Commission, April 29, 1930)

“(T)he type of flying done by Lewis Tours (mostly sightseeing flights) is very risky not only because of the condition of the field but also because many more landings would be made daily than a transport plane operating for John Rogers Airport.” (Territorial Aeronautical Commission, February 18, 1929)

Reportedly, EH Lewis flew his first solo flight on his 60th birthday, and was said to be the oldest student pilot at the time. (Archives, mid-1930s)

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Lewis, Edward H. of Honolulu flies solo for his 60th birthday. Said to be oldest student pilot in America-PP-75-3-018-mid-1930s

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September 4, 2016 by Peter T Young 2 Comments

Benjamin Franklin Dillingham

Benjamin Franklin (Frank) Dillingham was the son of Benjamin Clark Dillingham, a shipmaster, and Lydia Sears (Hows) Dillingham, born on September 4, 1844 in West Brewster, Massachusetts.

He left school at 14 and shipped on his uncle’s vessel for a voyage around the Horn to San Francisco. During the Civil War, on June 6, 1863, he was nineteen-year-old third mate on the clipper ship Southern Cross bound for New York with a cargo of ‘log wood.’

‘Florida’ was flying the British ensign, though as she steamed closer, she ran up the rebels’ ‘stars and bars.’ A squad of armed Confederate sailors boarded and took Dillingham and the rest of the clipper’s small crew prisoner.

Then, as the new prisoners watched from the deck of their captor, the Southern Cross was set ablaze and sunk. Eventually they were put ashore at Rio de Janeiro and worked their way back to the war-torn United States.

Dillingham headed west, determined to take up residence in San Francisco and find work ashore. An unsuccessful hunt for employment led him back to the sea, and in 1865 he was hired by Captain John Paty as first mate on the bark Whistler, on the San Francisco/Honolulu run.

“A brief sojourn in the city enabled me to realize that I had no training in any other vocation, save that of the sea, and learning that Capt. Paty of the bark Whistler plying between the coast and Honolulu was in need of officers, I applied and obtained the position of first mate without delay.” (Dillingham; Chiddix & Simpson))

Dillingham wrote that he felt at home the first time he came ashore in Honolulu: “After my tempstuous experiences in rounding Cape Horn and the Cape of Good Hope, the trip seemed to me like a pleasure excursion.”

“It felt as if I had anchored in a home port; the cordiality I experienced from all those whom I met removed at once the feeling of being in a foreign land though the streets were filled with several nationalities. The luxuriant foliage, the balmy breezes, the tropical fruits, all afforded such delights that I felt sure I should return.”

He did return, and ultimately stayed after an unfortunate encounter between his horse and a carriage; “The first officer of the bark Whistler, Mr. Dillingham, whose leg was broken last Friday night, by being thrown from a horse, in collision with a carriage, on the valley road …”

“(Dillingham) is now at the American Marine Hospital, where he receives every care and attention, and is in favorable condition for recover.” (Pacific Commercial Advertiser, July 29, 1865) Unfortunately for him, the Whistler left him in Honolulu and sailed away.

He accepted a job as a clerk in a hardware store called H. Dimond & Son for $40 per month. The store was owned by Henry Dimond, formerly a bookbinder in the 7th Missionary Company. In 1850 Dimond had been released from his duties at the Mission and had gone into business with his son.

Dillingham later bought the company with partner Alfred Castle (son of Samuel Northrup Castle, who was in the 8th Company of missionaries and ran the Mission business office;) they called the company Dillingham & Co (it was later known as Pacific Hardware, Co.)

On April 26, 1869, Dillingham married Emma Smith, daughter of 6th Company missionaries Reverend Lowell and Abigail Smith.

But hard times came on Dillingham with the collapse of whaling and the rise of sugar. Large suppliers pulled Dillingham’s credit lines, and his accounts were paid late. Then Dillingham was given the opportunity to buy the James Campbell lands in Ewa.

While he couldn’t raise the money to buy it, Campbell leased the land for 50-years. Dillingham realized that to be successful, he needed reliable transportation.

On September 4, 1888, Frank Dillingham’s 44th birthday, the legislature gave Dillingham an exclusive franchise “for construction and operation on the Island of O‘ahu a steam railroad … for the carriage of passengers and freight.”

Dillingham formed O‘ahu Railway and Land Company (OR&L,) a narrow gauge rail, whose economic being was founded on the belief that O‘ahu would soon host a major sugar industry.

“Among the most important works now in process of rapid construction, is the Oahu railway to Pearl Harbor, which is already approaching completion, so far as grading is concerned. Eleven miles of this line will have the grading completed in two weeks; and of this length ten miles are already finished.”

“The depot itself will be of imposing size and made as ornamental in appearance as convenience and traffic requirements will allow. … The progress of this important work has been so rapid during the month of July that we give it first place among the works in progress during the past month.” (Pacific Commercial Advertiser, July 27, 1889)

“Mr BF Dillingham, promoter of the Oahu Railway and Land Company, on his birthday a year previous, was accosted by an acquaintance with the remark: ‘Well, Mr. Dillingham, you have got your franchise: when are you going to give us the railway?’”

“Mr. Dillingham replied that on his next birthday, that day one year, he hoped to treat his friends to a railway ride. … with a strong company now at his back, the originator of the enterprise, having taken the contract to build the road, resolutely pushed operations to their present advanced stage.”

“When the appointed day arrived Mr Dillingham was ready to celebrate. His engine had been set up some days. Two third class cars, the best passenger accommodation as yet on the ground, were put together. … With a shrill blast from the whistle and the bell clanging, the engine moved easily off with its load. Three rousing cheers were given by the passengers, and crowds assembled at the starting point responded.” (Daily Bulletin, September 5, 1889)

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.

Thrum’s ‘Hawaiian Annual’ (1900,) noted, “In providing so tempting an inn as an adjunct and special attraction for travel by the Oahu Railway – also of his (Dillingham’s) creation – the old maxim of ‘what is worth doing is worth doing well’ has been well observed, everything About the hotel is first class…”

The weekend getaway from Honolulu to the Haleʻiwa Hotel became hugely popular with the city affluent who enjoyed a retreat in ‘the country.’

In addition, OR&L (using another of its “land” components,) got into land development. It developed Hawai‘i’s first planned suburban development and held a contest, through the newspaper, to name this new city. The winner selected was “Pearl City” (the public also named the main street, Lehua.)

The railway owned 2,200-acres in fee simple in the peninsula. First they laid-out and constructed the improvements, then invited the public on a free ride to see the new residential community. The marketing went so well; ultimately, lots were auctioned off to the highest bidder.

“Mr. Dillingham, besides creating the O‘ahu Railway, a line for which he struggled twenty-seven years against a public prejudice that would not see its financial possibilities, established Olaʻa plantation on the Island of Hawai‘i and McBryde plantation on Kauai.”

“He retained active management of the Oahu Railway & Land Company until 1915, when he relinquished it to George P. Denison.” (Sugar, May 1918) Dillingham died April 7, 1918 (aged 73.) (Information in this post taken, in part, from ‘Next Stop Honolulu.’)

The Dillingham Transportation Building was built in 1929 for Walter F Dillingham of Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, who founded the Hawaiian Dredging Company (later Dillingham Construction) and ran the Oahu Railway and Land Company founded by his father, Benjamin Franklin Dillingham.

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OR&L Station 325 N. King St. Honolulu, late 1940s

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Woodlawn, B. F. Dillingham home at the corner ofBeretania and Punahou streets-(centralunionchurch-org)

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September 3, 2016 by Peter T Young 2 Comments

Lopaka

In 1790, two Western ships, Simon Metcalf (captaining the Eleanora) and his son Thomas Metcalf (captaining the Fair American) were trading in Hawaiian waters.

The Eleanora arrived in the islands first; after a brief confrontation with local chief Kameʻeiamoku in Kohala, she sailed to the neighboring island of Maui to trade along the coast.

Kame‘eiamoku vowed revenge on whatever ship next came his way. By coincidence, the Fair American was the next ship to visit the territory of chief Kameʻeiamoku, who was eager for revenge. Isaac Davis was a crew member of the Fair American.

On March 16, 1790, the Fair American was attacked by Kameʻeiamoku’s warriors at Puako, near Kawaihae, Hawaii. The schooner was manned by only four sailors, plus its relatively inexperienced captain. It was easily captured by the Hawaiians (Davis was spared.)

Unaware of the events and fate of the Fair American, the Eleanora returned from Maui and arrived at the Big Island; Captain Simon Metcalf sent John Young ashore to see the country.

That evening, as Young attempted to return to his ship, Kamehameha’s forces detained him (Kamehameha had placed a kapu on anyone going on the ship.)

Young was captured and Metcalf, unaware, was puzzled why Young did not return. Metcalf waited two days for Young to return, firing guns in hope that the sound would guide Young back and sending a letter to foreigners ashore.

Finally, sensing danger or becoming frustrated, Metcalf departed and set sail for China (abandoning Young,) not knowing that his son had been killed not far away.

A number of muskets, swords, axes, powder and clothing, as well as a brass cannon, were recovered from the Fair American, which Kamehameha kept as part of his arsenal. Kamehameha made Young and Davis his advisors. (Rechtman)

Kamehameha gave the name ‘Lopaka’ to the powerful pū kuniahi (cannon) that was captured from the British ship Fair American.

Later described as “ka puʻuhonua o ko Kamehameha aoao” (the sanctuary of Kamehameha’s side), Lopaka would gain fame at the decisive battles of Kapaniwai on Maui and Paʻauhau on Oʻahu. (Bishop Museum)

The famous cannon, Lopaka, was dragged and set up at a place called Kawelowelo, and from there it was fired into the ‘Iao Valley, and turned to fire at the cliffs where the Maui people were attempting to flee.

The thundering sound of the Lopaka cannon caused absolute terror amongst the Maui warriors, and some of them met their death by the weapons of the foreigners. They were slaughtered below the pali.

While the Lopaka cannon was being fired by John Young, Maui warriors gathered together some men and sprang to seize the Lopaka cannon.

That cannon fell into the hands of Keoua’s men (for a time,) and John Young ran for his life arriving before Isaac Davis at the place now called Honoka‘a.

At this place a very hot battle was fought between the two sides. If John Young had not run, he would have died at the hands of Ka‘ie‘iea, Keoua’s fearless warrior. (Desha) But the damage had been done.

Had they fought face-to-face and hand-to-hand, as the custom was, they would have been equally matched. But the defensive was drawn up in a narrow pass in ʻIao, and the offensive advanced.

Kamehameha’s warriors pursued them and slew the vanquished as they scrambled up the cliffs. The battle was called “Clawed off the cliff” (Kaʻuwaʻupali) and “The damming of the waters.”

During the fight Kalanikupule and other chiefs escaped to Oʻahu; others went over the pass in ʻIao Valley into Olowalu, then they sailed to Molokai. (Kamakau)

Because of their knowledge of European warfare, Young and Davis are said to have trained Kamehameha and his men in the use of muskets and cannons. In addition, both Young and Davis fought alongside Kamehameha in his many battles.

Kamehameha appointed John Young as Governor of Kamehameha’s home island, Hawai‘i Island, and gave him a seat next to himself in the ruling council of chiefs. In 1819, Young was one of the few present at the death of Kamehameha I.

Davis became a respected translator and military advisor for Kamehameha. Davis brought western military knowledge to Hawai‘i and played a big role during Hawaii’s first contacts with the European powers. His skill in gunnery, as well as Lopaka from the Fair American, helped Kamehameha win many battles.

Davis had the King’s “most perfect confidence” and he attended to Kamehameha’s needs on all travels of business or pleasure – and ventured with him during times of war. Davis earned Kamehameha’s “greatest respect and the highest degree of esteem and regard.”

When Captain George Vancouver visited Hawai‘i Island in 1793, he observed that both Young and Davis “are in his (Kamehameha’s) most perfect confidence, attend him in all his excursions of business or pleasure, or expeditions of war or enterprise; and are in the habit of daily experiencing from him the greatest respect, and the highest degree of esteem and regard.”

Reportedly, Lopaka was lashed to a sled and pulled by ropes; in more difficult terrain, it was removed from its carriage and slung from long poles. (The image shows Lopaka, John Young and Isaac Davis at ʻIao, as drawn by Brook Parker.)

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August 29, 2016 by Peter T Young 1 Comment

Henry Perrine Baldwin

Henry Perrine Baldwin, the most successful sugar producer of the Hawaiian Islands (Mid Pacific, February 1912,) was born on August 29, 1842 in Lahaina, Maui.

His father was American missionary Dwight Baldwin (1798–1886), and his mother was Charlotte Fowler Baldwin. (He was named after Matthew LaRue Perrine (1777-1836), a professor at Auburn Theological Seminary, from which his father had graduated shortly before his departure to the Hawaiian Islands.) (Davis)

After receiving his education at Punahou School, HP Baldwin undertook the management of a rice plantation, but the venture was not successful and in 1863 he turned his attention to the cultivation of sugar cane, working first for his brother, Dwight Baldwin, Jr, who was engaged in planting at Lahaina.

Christopher H Lewers founded Waiheʻe sugar plantation on Maui. It the mid-1860s it was managed by Samuel Thomas Alexander. Henry Perrin Baldwin took a ‘Luna’ (foreman) job with Alexander. (HP Baldwin and Alexander grew up together as kids in Lāhainā and became close friends.)

It was Mr. Baldwin’s intention – he was then but 21 years of age – to earn enough money to enable him to go to Williams College to take a medical course. (His father was a physician.) His youthful ambition to be a doctor was never realized.

Once launched in the sugar industry he continued in it, an increasingly important figure, for the remainder of his life. Baldwin was particularly successful as an agriculturist, a developer of plantations.

He left to his associates the office and administrative details of his widespread interests but almost to the day of his death continued to take a personal and active interest in the basic level of the sugar industry, the cultivation and production of sugar. (Orr)

In 1869, Baldwin and Alexander became business partners and bought 12-acres in Hāmākuapoko (an eastern Maui ahupuaʻa (land division.)) (They later formed Alexander & Baldwin, one of Hawai‘i’s ‘Big Five’ companies – and the only Big Five still in Hawai‘i.)

“The early years of the partnership of Alexander & Baldwin, represented a continual struggle against heavy odds. Haiku plantation had to have water.”

“Straining their financial resources almost to the breaking point, the young partners succeeded in bringing to completion the Hāmākua-Haiku ditch, the first important irrigation project in the islands.”

“The eventual enormous success of this enterprise made possible the great future of Alexander and Baldwin. Pā‘ia plantation was started and other extensive acreages were added to the partners’ holdings.” (Orr)

“As a pioneer in the construction of big irrigation ditches, Mr. Baldwin laid the foundation for his great fortune. In the latter 70s he caused other planters to gasp by his daring ventures in ditch construction, risking sums of money that were considered very large in those days in enterprises that were believed to be impossible to consummate because of the great gulches and ravines that had to be crossed in the irrigation projects.”

Then tragedy happened … “In 1876, while engaged in adjusting machinery at the sugar mill at the Pā‘ia plantation. Mr. Baldwin almost lost his life by being drawn between the rolls.”

“The engineer fortunately witnessed the accident and reversed the engine, but not before the right arm had been fearfully mangled almost up to the shoulder blade. The amputation was not followed by any serious results, but the handicap was a severe one to so energetic a worker as was Mr. Baldwin all his life.” (Mid Pacific, February 1912)

“When Mr. Alexander removed to Oakland, Calif., in 1883, because of failing health, Mr. Baldwin assumed full direction of their affairs in Hawaii, and for almost thirty years thereafter he was a leading figure in the industrial expansion of the islands.” (Orr)

“A heavy expansion of Alexander and Baldwin came with the acquisition of control of the Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Co. of Puʻunene, Maui, formerly operated by the late Claus Spreckels.”

“Mr. Baldwin took personal charge of this plantation in 1902 and made it one of the most successful and productive estates in Hawaii. Today it ranks as one of the world’s finest and most modern sugar plantations.” (Orr)

“As manager of the Hawaiian Commercial and Sugar Company, Mr. Baldwin had the satisfaction of seeing it become one of the greatest sugar plantations of the world, with other plantations under the control of his company ranking very high according to their size.” (Mid Pacific, February 1912)

“During its early years the firm operated a fleet of sailing vessels between Hawaii and the mainland, carrying sugar to California and returning with merchandise. These ships later were replaced by the steamers of the American-Hawaiian line and still later by the freighters of the Matson Navigation Co.” (Orr)

“It has been said that no man was ever more deserving of success, for he worked hard when manual labor was necessary, rising as early as four o’clock in the morning and working late into the night to make his enterprises what they have since become.”

“The benefactions of Mr. Baldwin were innumerable. His life in every way was an example to the white boy born in Hawaii. He was of the second generation to the islands born and behind him left eight children of the third generation and several of the fourth.”

“Mr. Baldwin married Emily W. Alexander, daughter of Rev. and Mrs. William Patterson Alexander, early missionaries, and a sister of Mr. Baldwin’s partner, S. T. Alexander, at Wailuku, Maui, on April 5, 1870.”

“Eight children were born to them, Harry A Baldwin, Frank F Baldwin, Mrs. Maud (Baldwin) Cooke, Arthur D Baldwin, Dr WD Baldwin, Mrs Charlotte (Baldwin) Rice, Fred Baldwin and AS Baldwin.” (Orr)

“His sons were and are all athletes, mental and physical, worthy successors to their father, and sons of Hawaii that demonstrate that the islands produce men of brain and brawn throughout the succeeding generations.” (Mid Pacific, February 1912)

In January 1909, HP had an operation for appendicitis. Just as the incident with his arm, he recovered quickly and by the summer of 1911 he was healthy enough to make the voyage to California, but sadly, he died a few days after returning on July 8, 1911. (Davis)

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