Prominent People | Page 152 | Images of Old Hawaiʻi

September 17, 2016 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Kālaimoku

“(I)n the earliest times all the people were alii … it was only after the lapse of several generations that a division was made into commoners and chiefs” (Malo)

Kamakau noted, in early Hawaiʻi “The parents were masters over their own family group … No man was made chief over another.” Essentially, the extended family was the socio, biological, economic and political unit.

Because each ʻohana (family) was served by a parental haku (master, overseer) and each family was self-sufficient and capable of satisfying its own needs, there was no need for a hierarchal structure.

Kamakau states that there were no chiefs in the earliest period of settlement but that they came “several hundred years afterward … when men became numerous.”

As the population increased and wants and needs increased in variety and complexity (and it became too difficult to satisfy them with finite resources,) the need for chiefly rule became apparent.

The actual number of chiefs was few, but their retainers attached to the courts (advisors, konohiki, priests, warriors, etc) were many.

In addition to the expanded demand to provide food for the courts, commoners were also obliged to make new lines of products for the chiefs – feather cloaks, capes, helmets, images and ornaments.

Once King Kamehameha I gained control of the major Hawaiian Islands, he reestablished the ancestral custom of the ʻaha aliʻi (council of chiefs,) first to provide advice and ensure the proper governance of the islands without reliance on warfare.

The council of chiefs supervised the division and management of land, the management of fisheries, the sandalwood trade and the annual collection of taxes.

Kamehameha also appointed governors for each island, in recognition of the relative autonomy of each island in relation to local affairs and as an accommodation to the federated nature of the governance of the unified Kingdom.

The council provided a constraint on the power of the mōʻī (head of state) and was an early indicator of the democratic direction in which governance of the nation was moving. (MacKenzie)

There were two strong forces, or parties, in the government; one the kahunas, who attended to the idol-worship, the other the kālaimoku, or king’s chief councilor (counselor, prime minister, high official; to perform such office. Lit., manage island, (Ulukau.)) These two were the ones who controlled the government, and led its head, the king, as they thought best. (Malo)

The word kālaimoku related to the civil polity, or government, of the land. The government was supposed to have one body (kino.) As the body of a man is one, provided with a head, with hands, feet and numerous smaller members, so the government has many parts, but one organization. (Malo)

The kālaimoku’s manner of procedure was as follows: He first made secret inquiries of the keepers of the genealogies – poe kuauhau – and informed himself as to the pedigree of all the chiefs.

Because the kālaimoku believed that the king was to be compared to a house. A house indeed stands of itself, but its pa or stockade, is its defense. So it was with the king; the chiefs below him and the common people throughout the whole country were his defense.

Aliʻi nui would carefully consider the advice of his council, and would be hesitant to go against it. Kālaimoku and kahuna kiʻi played different roles in their process of governing.

The kālaimoku advised on the material processes of government: political affairs, war, and taking care of makaʻāinana; the kahuna kiʻi focused on the spiritual and metaphysical and was the aliʻi nui contact t the gods. (Beamer)

If the head of the government declined to follow their advice, the government went to another, on account of the fault of its head, that is the king. The high priest – kahuna o nā kiʻi – controlled the king in matters of religion – haipule- (He was keeper of the king’s conscience.)

The kālaimoku, chief councilor or prime minister, guided him in regulating the affairs of administration, and in all that related to the common people. (Malo)

The principal duties of the kālaimoku’s office were comprised under two heads; to look after the king’s interests and to look after the people’s interests. The one who filled the office of kālaimoku made it his first business to counsel the king in the regulation of these two departments. (Malo)

One thing which the kālaimoku impressed upon the king was to protect the property of the chiefs as well as that of the common people; not to rob them, not to appropriate wantonly the crops of the common people. (Malo)

The kālaimoku’s manner of procedure was as follows: He first made secret inquiries of the keepers of the genealogies – poe kuauhau – and informed himself as to the pedigree of all the chiefs.

There were two great reasons why a kālaimoku had superior ability as a counselor to others. In the first place, they were instructed in the traditional wisdom of former kālaimoku, and in the second place their whole lives were spent with kings.

When one king died, they lived with his successor until his death, and so on. Thus they became well acquainted with the methods adopted by different kings, also with those used by the kings of ancient times.

These kālaimoku were a class of people who did not care much for luxury and display, nor for distinction, wealth, or land. They had no desire for great rewards from the king. They were only intent on serving the king by their secret councils.

A notable Kālaimoku was Kalanimōkū was a trusted and loyal advisor to Kamehameha I, Liholiho (Kamehameha II) and Kauikeaouli (Kamehameha III.)

He adopted the name William Pitt, because of his great admiration for the British Prime Minister, William Pitt the Younger. He was frequently addressed as Mr. Pitt or Billy Pitt. (Lots of information here from Malo.)

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William Pitt Kalanimoku (c. 1768–1827) was a military and civil leader of the Kingdom of Hawaii-Pellion

September 14, 2016 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

McKinley Memorial Fund

William McKinley was the 25th President of the United States, serving from March 4, 1897, until his assassination on September 14, 1901. (He was standing in a receiving line at the Buffalo Pan-American Exposition when he was shot; he died eight days later.)

Born in Niles, Ohio, in 1843, McKinley briefly attended Allegheny College, and was teaching in a country school when the Civil War broke out. Enlisting as a private in the Union Army, he was mustered out at the end of the war as a brevet major of volunteers. He studied law, opened an office in Canton, Ohio, and married Ida Saxton, daughter of a local banker.

At 34, McKinley won a seat in Congress. He spent 14 years in the House and in 1891 was elected Governor of Ohio, serving two terms. McKinley became US President in 1897. (White House) Following his assassination, “Steps were at once taken toward raising funds for the erection of a suitable memorial”.

In Ohio, “within a month from the date of its creation the committee was incorporated at Canton under the name The McKinley National Memorial Association.” Auxiliary associations were formed in nearly every State for the purpose of aiding the National body.

“The memorial is to be, in the highest sense, the sincere expression of all the people of the country of their love for President McKinley and of their admiration for the qualities expressed so eminently in his life and deeds.” (New York Tribune, September 14, 1902)

A fund was started in the Islands. “An engraved or lithographed memorial certificate will be furnished to each contributor. It is believed that the project of erecting a local memorial to Mr McKinley …”

“… if carried out by all classes of the Hawaiian population, and participated in by the school children, will tend to develop patriotism and go to strengthen the interest of our people in American Institutions and principles.”

“It is desirable that the names of all donors with their addresses and the amount of their contributions be accurately reported and recorded by the chairman of your committee, who will forward such record of contributions to the Treasurer, Mr. C. M. Cooke, and he will mail the above mentioned certificate to the donor.” (Dole; Hawaiian Star, November 22, 1901)

Ideas ranged as to the appropriate memorial, “The McKinley memorial fund (had) been started in Honolulu with four subscriptions of $1,000 each and half a dozen more aggregating $2,000, a total of $6,060 from ten subscribers. The money is to be used for the purchase of a large playground for children.” (San Francisco Call, March 6, 1902)

“A letter has been received by the executive committee from the Mothers and Teachers Club in reference to the McKinley Memorial. … Accompanying the letter was a petition to the effect that the McKinley Memorial take the form of a large park somewhere in Honolulu, to be known as McKinley Park.”

“Sculptor Rupert Schmidt is desirous of providing Honolulu with a McKinley monument. Other propositions in this line have been received and will be considered.” (Honolulu Republican, November 14, 1901)

“The committee in charge of the McKinley memorial fund In Hawaii has decided in favor of a public park and playground as the best form of memorial.” (San Francisco Call, January 7, 1902)

On Maui, where “few will refuse to contribute something … Naturally the people and the papers of Honolulu desire to see their town embellished with parks, pleasure grounds and public buildings, but the proposition to take advantage of the death of President McKinley to levy on all the Islands for that purpose smacks a little of selfish thrift.”

“However if the idea is to be practical, let it be so, but instead of a play garden in Honolulu, let the funds be devoted to the construction of a lighthouse for Kahului harbor, which would forever stand as a beacon and a memorial of the most practical and useful nature possible.” (Maui News, November 30, 1901)

Back on O‘ahu, “For making an actual beginning … of beautifying Honolulu, herewith something definite, practicable and not excessively costly is presented. It is the improvement of the presently disused public market building, including its transformation into a great assembly pavilion useful …”

“… and even much wanted for many purposes of the people at large the structure as remodeled to be perpetually dedicated to the memory of the martyred President William McKinley, under whose administration Hawai‘i was annexed to the great American Commonwealth.” (Pacific Commercial Advertiser, November 13, 1907) (Included was a memorial entrance arch.)

Rather, “The corner-stone of the new Honolulu High School which is to be the beneficiary of the McKinley Memorial fund and take the name of the McKinley High School was laid yesterday afternoon by the Alumni of the school assisted by a large assembly of friends and pupils of the Institution.”

“A very important incident of the function was the announcement by Judge Dole, who was one of the principal speakers, that the trustees of the McKinley Memorial Fund had voted to devote the memorial funds to the High School. The terms of the gift are contained in the following resolution, which Mr. Dole read:”

“‘Resolved, That the proposal of the Board of Education and the students of the Honolulu High School that the new building of the Honolulu High School be named the McKinley High School be accepted …’”

“‘… and in consideration thereof that a bronze statue of the late President McKinley, costing not more than $9,000 be erected on the grounds of such school and that the balance of the funds in the hands of this committee be assigned to three trustees …’”

“‘… $1,000 of such funds to be expended in books for the school library and the net Income of the balance of such trust funds to be devoted to the increase, and care of the library of such school and the care of the statue.’”(Evening Bulletin, March 6, 1908)

Later, “A very marked improvement has been attained in the architecture of buildings recently erected in Hawai‘i and the school-houses, constructed within the last few years, have kept pace with the movement. This is notably true of the imposing McKinley High School, a building which compares most favorably with any of its kind in the world.”

“The McKinley High School is located on Victoria street, occupying the grounds between Young and Beretania, and facing historical Thomas Square. The foyer entrance is very attractive and through either of two doors the visitor steps directly into the main hall.”

“A part of the McKinley Memorial Fund has been expended for an heroic size statue of President McKinley, which will stand in front of the building, a part in purchasing books for the library and the Trustees have invested the balance of the fund in bonds, the income to be utilized in acquiring additions to the school library from time to time.” (Thrum, 1908)

“The Bulletin extends its congratulations to those who have interested themselves in solving the problem of the memorial and the Territory, whose present and future citizenship will profit by the example of the man and the practical equipment for life’s, work which the community has given in his name.” (Evening Bulletin, March 6, 1908)

In September 1907, the McKinley Memorial in Canton, Ohio was finished; 9-states had contributed material for the memorial, a 50-foot wide, 77-foot tall domed structure. At the top of the dome is a red, white and blue skylight. The skylight has 45-stars in its design representing the 45-states in the Union at the time of his death.

President McKinley and his wife Ida rest in the monument on an altar in the center of the rotunda in a pair of marble sarcophagi. Their young daughters rest in the wall directly behind them. (McKinley Museum)

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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 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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