Prominent People | Page 20 | Images of Old Hawaiʻi

November 24, 2024 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Certificate of Hawaiian Birth

Sun Yat-sen, the Founding Father of modern China, the Republic of China (Nationalist China) and the forerunner of democratic revolution in the People’s Republic of China, was born November 12, 1866, to an ordinary farmer’s family in Cuiheng Village, Xiangshan, in the south of the Pearl River Delta of the South China province of Guangdong.

In 1879, then 13 years of age, he journeyed to Hawaiʻi to join his older brother, Sun Mei, a successful rice farmer, rancher and merchant. He entered ʻIolani at age 14. With long hair pulled back in a traditional queue, he was enrolled in 1879 without knowing any English. (ʻIolani)

In Sun Yat-sen’s four years in Hawai’i (1879-1883), he is said to have attended three Christian educational institutions: ʻIolani College, Oʻahu College (Punahou School) and St Louis College.

He came to Hawaiʻi on six different occasions, initially for schooling and to support his brother’s businesses on Maui. Later, his trips were geared to gain support for revolutionizing China and fundraising for that end.

He was known by a lot of names. As a young student, he was called Tai Cheong or Tai Chu. His official name is Sun Wen; when he signed letters and documents in Chinese, he used the name Sun Wen. When he signed letters and documents in English, he used the name Sun Yat-sen. (Lum)

In 1897, when he was in Tokyo, he picked up a Japanese name, Nakayama, from a nameplate on a house he passed. In Chinese, Nakayama is read as Chung-Shan. This is how his name Sun Chung-shan came about. (Lum)

The place of his birth, previously known as Xiāngshān, had been renamed Zhōngshān – Sun Yat-sen was known in Chinese as Sun Zhongshan.

Let’s look a little closer at his birth place – while officially (and factually) Sun was born in China, he was able to later obtain a birth certificate that claimed he was a “native born Hawaiian.”

Sun needed to travel to get backing for his revolutionary plans, as well as raise funds to support it. With the US Chinese Exclusion Act (1882) severely limiting Chinese immigration, Sun had difficulty entering the US and was even detained by US authorities at one point.

To top it off, the Manchu Government first put a prize of $35,000 on his head and later, raised it to $75,000. Realizing his danger, Sun cut off his queue, raised a moustache, dressed himself in foreign style and look passage for Japan, where he preached his doctrine to the Chinese students in the Japanese universities. (In Young, 1911)

Sun’s detention prompted an overseas Chinese to say that if Sun wanted to promote a Chinese revolution on US soil, it would be best if he had US citizenship.

Sun’s friends in San Francisco set in motion plans for him to obtain US citizenship by faking a birth certificate showing that he was born in Honolulu. (Taipei Times)

In 1900, the Hawaiian Organic Act was passed stating that any person that was a citizen of the Republic of Hawaiʻi on or before August 12, 1898 would also become a citizen of the United States.

In various statements and affidavits, Sun and others set the foundation for a claim of his birth in Hawaiʻi. It was a makeshift plan for the good of the revolution. (Taipei Times)

“I was born in Honolulu and went to China came back from Hong Kong to Honolulu in the early part of 1896 or the last part of 1895, I staid at Honolulu for 4 or 5 months and then came on to San Francisco … I came in on Student and Travelers Sect. 6 certificate … as a subject of China.” (Sun Yat-sen April 14, 1904)

“Some time after the annexation of the Hawaiian Islands to the United States, there was a registration taken of all the residents for the purpose of ascertaining the nationality and birth of each resident.”

“I was registered in the Kula district, in the Island of Maui, as a Hawaiian-born Chinese, about March or April in the year 1901. That is the first thing that I did after the annexation of the Islands to show that I still claimed citizenship there … .” (Sun Yat-sen, April 21, 1904)

Supporting Sun’s birth place claims, Wong Kwai signed a sworn statement noting, “He (Sun) was born at Ewa (Waimano) Oahu.” Benjamin Starr Kapu further supported this noting, “Sun Yat-sen, a full Chinese person, who was born at Waimano Oahu … in the year 1870.”

His Punahou teacher, Francis Damon, certified to his good character but did not swear on the issue of birth. (Smyser)

As a “citizen of Hawaiʻi” Sun could travel to the US continent in the early-1900s to rally both support and funds for his revolutionary efforts.

In March 1904, while residing in Kula, Maui, Sun Yat-sen obtained a Certificate of Hawaiian Birth, issued by the Territory of Hawaiʻi, stating that “he was born in the Hawaiian Islands on the 24th day of November, AD 1870.”

Rather than using his own birth date, Sun selected November 24, 1870 to reflect the founding date of the Hsing Chung Hui to establish a connection with his revolutionary activities. (Taipei Times)

(On his third trip in Hawaiʻi (on November 24, 1894) Sun established the Hsing Chung Hui (Revive China Society,) his first revolutionary society. Among its founders were many Christians, one of them being Chung Ku Ai, his fellow student at ʻIolani (and later founder of City Mill.))

Although not born in the Islands, Sun Yat-sen apparently felt at home in Hawaiʻi. “This is my Hawai‘i … here I was brought up and educated, and it was here that I came to know what modern, civilized governments are like and what they mean.” (Sun Yat-sen, 1910)

When the birth certificate was no longer needed, he renounced it.

The revolutionary movement in China grew stronger and stronger. Tung Meng Hui members staged many armed uprisings, culminating in the October 10, 1911 Wuhan (Wuchang) Uprising which succeeded in overthrowing the Manchu dynasty and established the Republic of China.

That date is now celebrated annually as the Republic of China’s national day, also known as the “Double Ten Day”. On December 29, 1911, Sun Yat-sen was elected the interim president. After Sun’s death on March 12, 1925, Chiang Kai-shek became the leader of the Kuomintang (KMT.)

Sun_Yat-sen_Hawaii_Birth_Certificate-Issued_by_the_US_to_allow_Sun's_travel_in_Us

Admit Sun Yat-sen and persons in his party. Avoid Publicity-02-04-1914

Sun Yat-sen-Denial_to_Land-Deportation_Order-04-15-1904-1

Sun Yat-sen-Denial_to_Land-Deportation_Order-04-15-1904-2

Sun Yat-sen-Denial_to_Land-Deportation_Order-04-15-1904-3

Sun Yat-sen-'Incite_Chinese'-Deny_Landing-01-23-1914

Sun_Yat-sen_Hawaii_Birth_Certificate-letter

November 17, 2024 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Peter Carl (‘Pete’) Beamer

Peter Carl Beamer was born in Cleveland, Ohio, November 17, 1871, the son of Peter and Elizabeth (Rice) Beamer. He had a common school education.

He went to California and remained there three years; he then headed to Indiana and took up cycling, then made a trip across US and Old Mexico on bike, taking 14 months. He then started from New York for an anticipated 3-year trip on bicycle around the world. (Men of Hawaii)

“Beamer sailed from San Francisco on July 2, 1899. His passage to Honolulu cost him exactly $15, the tip he gave the steward who smuggled him aboard and fed him.”

“Two events of note happened while his ship was enroute. The volcano, Mauna Loa, erupted. And, in the Philippines, Dewey’s forces took Manila.”

“When Beamer’s ship arrived at Honolulu, the city was in a turmoil because of the eruption on the Big Island. Pete Beamer himself was in a turmoil when he discovered that the immigration department had a rule which for bade anybody to land unless he possessed $50.”

“He did not possess $50. Or anything like that sum. So he stayed aboard all day, and tiptoed ashore at nightfall.” (Drury)

“Beamer and his friend bicycled from the Hilo docks to the volcano where, when the going got rough, they cached their bikes and began hiking after dark to the firepit of Halemaumau.”

“En route to Pele’s home, they lost their way in the fern jungles, and for five days wandered along back trails before they were found by a man on horseback. Their shoes were worn out and they had tied blankets around their feet to give some protection against the sharp lava rocks.”

“They were exhausted from constant walking and exposure when reflected. They were taken to Hilo for medical treatment”. (Apple) “By the time Mr. Beamer’s feet healed and he had recovered from the ordeal, his ship had sailed for Manila.” (SB Sept 18, 1967)

“While wailing the arrival of a boat which would enable him to continue his journey around the world, Pete taught bicycling to the Hawaiians. Soon the bicyclists wanted bicycles too, and he started importing and selling bicycles. This led to the need for a bicycle repair shop.”

“So, according to Pete Beamer’s eldest son, ‘He bought tools and more tools. You know how it is when you start buying tools. You always think you need more. The more tools he had, the more tools he needed. Pretty soon he had a hardware store.” (Apple)

Beamer opened his store in 1901 “into the red-fronted location on Kamehameha Avenue that became an institution, expanding his stock to a full line of hardware and tools.” “He advertised his establishment as ‘the store that has things’ – and lived up to the letter of it. He took pride in filling such exotic mail orders as ‘a cup of Kalapana black sand.’” (SB Sept 18, 1967)

“He calls it ‘The Store of Three Wonders.’ A notice in the window explains: ‘You wonder if we have it. We wonder where it is. Everybody wonders how we find it.’” (Drury)

“In the early years, he had an immediate and long range impact on Big Island retailing. He set the first fixed-price policy in Hilo, a radical departure from the prevailing Oriental system of bargaining to a compromise between buyer and seller.”

“But the old red-fronted store was only the beginning of Beamer’s business success. Eventually, the cigar-chewing, unpretentious man founded or owned major shares in American Trading Co., Realty Investment, Hilo Motors, Hilo Electric light Co. and many other firms.”

“He also quietly loaned money to a number of Hiloans, who established their own businesses – some of them still flourishing. In later years, his store was little more than a bobby and his interests turned to philanthropy, supporting virtually every worthy cause in Hilo.” (HTH June 8, 1980)

Beamer met the widowed Helen (Desha) Siemsen while living in Hilo, and the two were married May 25, 1911. (Salā) “Helen Desha Beamer came from a well known island family.”

“Her parents were Isabella Kalili and George L Desha. Helen was born in Honolulu on Sept. 8, 1881 and was graduated from Kamehameha School for Girls in 1900 as part of the first graduating class.” (HTH June 8, 1980) Pete Beamer “became the patriarch of a famous music and hula clan in Hawaii”.

By 1912, Beamer had legally adopted Helen’s three children by Charles Francis Siemsen [Milton Hoʻolulu Desha Siemsen; Francis Kealiʻinohopono Desha Siemsen; and, Harriet Kekāhiliokalani Leilehua Desha Siemsen]. The two together also gave birth to Peter Carl Kaleikaʻapunihonua Desha Beamer, Jr. and Helen Elizabeth Kawohikūkapulani Desha “Baby” Beamer. (Salā)

“Helen Desha Beamer died in 1952 at the age of 71 and Peter C. Beamer Sr’s death occurred in 1967 at the age of 95.” (HTH June 8, 1980)

“It will be hard to imagine Hilo without Pete Beamer. He was Hilo. He was a living legend. I’m sorry he won’t be with us to see the first direct jet flights come to Hilo in a couple of weeks because I know he’d be there with that cigar in his mouth if he could be.”

“He did so much for the economic development of this community. There are thousands of people and many organizations which have benefited from his generosity. His kind deeds were even more meaningful because he accomplished them without any publicity and without fanfare.” (Hawaii County Chairman, Shunichi Kimura, Star Bulletin, Sep 17, 1967)

November 14, 2024 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Captain Cook Monument

Between 1768 and 1778 England’s maritime explorer, James Cook, made three expeditions to the Pacific. Cook’s third (and final) voyage (1776-1779) of discovery was an attempt to locate a North-West Passage, an ice-free sea route which linked the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean. (State Library, New South Wales)

In the dawn hours of January 18, 1778, on his third expedition, British explorer Captain James Cook on the HMS Resolution and Captain Charles Clerke of the HMS Discovery first sighted what Cook named the Sandwich Islands (that were later named the Hawaiian Islands.)

On the afternoon of January 20, 1778, Cook anchored his ships near the mouth of the Waimea River on Kauai’s southwestern shore. After a couple of weeks, there, they headed to the west coast of North America. After the West Coast, Alaska and Bering Strait exploration, on October 24, 1778 the two ships headed back to the islands.

“When Cook’s ships, the HMS Resolution and HMS Discovery entered Kealakekua Bay in January 1779, they had already paid brief visits to the Hawaiian islands of Kauai, Niihau and Maui and had sailed along much of the coast of Hawai‘i itself.” (Orr)

After a short stay, Cook got under sail again to resume his exploration of the Northern Pacific. Shortly after leaving Hawaiʻi Island, the foremast of the Resolution broke. They returned to Kealakekua.

“Upon coming to anchor, we were surprised to find our reception very different from what it had been on our first arrival; no shouts, no bustle, no confusion … but the hospitable treatment we had invariably met with, and the friendly footing on which we parted, gave us some reason to expect, that they would again have flocked about us with great joy, on our return.”

“… there was something at this time very suspicious in the behaviour of the natives; and that the interdiction of all intercourse with us, on pretence of the king’s absence, was only to give him time to consult with his chiefs in what manner it might be proper to treat us.” (‘The Voyages of Captain James Cook,’ recorded by Lieutenant James King) On February 14, 1779, Cook was killed.

“The bodies of Captain Cook and the four men who died with him were carried to Kalaniʻōpuʻu … and the chief sorrowed over the death of the captain. … Then they stripped the flesh from the bones of Lono. The palms of the hands and the intestines were kept; the remains (pela) were consumed with fire.” (Kamakau)

“The bones were preserved in a small basket of wicker-work, completely covered over with red feathers; which in those days were considered to be the most valuable articles the natives possessed, as being sacred, and a necessary appendage to every idol, and almost every object of religious homage throughout the islands of the Pacific.” (Ellis)

Among Cook’s officers were George Vancouver, who would later lead a four-year survey of the northwest coast of America, and William Bligh, destined to be made famous by the storied mutiny on the Bounty. Also on board were Nathaniel Portlock and George Dixon.

“Vancouver and other noted English voyagers touching at Hawaii visited the fatal spot, but it was nearly fifty years before the event was commemorated in any tangible form. This first effort is to the credit of Lord Byron, commanding HBM’s ship Blonde (that brought from England the remains of Kamehameha II and his consort), during his visit at Kealakekua in July 1825”. (Thrum HAA, 1912)

“Lord Byron, Mr. Ball, Davis and [Andrew Bloxam] laid the first four stones of a pyramid to form the base of a monument to his memory. A large post was fixed in the middle of this, and on the top was nailed a brass plate, with the following words engraved upon it:”

“‘To the memory of Captain James Cook, R. N., who discovered these islands in the year of our Lord 1778. This humble monument was erected by his fellow countrymen in the year of our Lord 1825.’” (Restarick)

Later, as noted by Mark Twain in his visit to Kealakekua in 1866, “Tramping about … we suddenly came upon another object of interest. It was a cocoanut stump, four or five feet high, and about a foot in diameter at the butt.”

“It had lava bowlders piled around its base to hold it up and keep it in its place, and it was entirely sheathed over, from top to bottom, with rough, discolored sheets of copper, such as ships’ bottoms are coppered with. Each sheet had a rude inscription scratched upon it – with a nail, apparently – and in every case the execution was wretched.”

“It was almost dark by this time, and the inscriptions would have been difficult to read even at noonday, but with patience and industry I finally got them all in my note-book They read as follows: ‘Near this spot fell Captain James Cook The Distinguished Circumnavigator who Discovered these islands A.D. 1778. His Majesty’s Ship Imogene, October 17, 1837.’” (Mark Twain, Sacramento Daily Union, August 30, 1866)

Other remembrances Twain noted that different sheathing on the stump were, “This sheet and capping put on by Sparrowhawk September 16, 1839, in order to preserve this monument to the memory of Cook.”

Another noted, “This bay was visited, July 4, 1843, by HMS Carysfort, the Right Honorable Lord George Paulet, Captain, to whom, as the representative of Her Britannic Majesty Queen Victoria, these islands were ceded, February 25, 1843.”

More said, “This tree having fallen, was replaced on this spot by HMS V Cormorant, GT Gordon, Esq., Captain, who visited this bay May 18, 1846.” “Parties from HM ship Vixen visited this spot Jan. 25 1858.” “Captain Montressor and officers of H. M. S. Calypso visited this spot the 18th of October, 1858.” (Twain)

Then, a more permanent memorial was built; the unveiling of what is the present Captain Cook monument in Kealakekua Bay took place on November 14, 1874.

The monument was constructed by Robert Lishman. “Mr. [Lishman], superintendent of public works, is now preparing material for a monument to the memory of Captain James Cook … The monument will be built of concrete stone, on the spot where the celebrated navigator fell at Kaawaloa, Kealakekua Bay, Hawaii.” (Pacific Commercial Advertiser, Oct 31, 1874)

(“In 1871, [Robert Lishman] was summoned from Australia where he had been living for many years, by King Kamehameha V to come to Hawaii to superintend the construction of Aliʻiolani Hale, and now known as the Judiciary building.” (Independent, May 13, 1902))

(Later, in 1876, Lishman designed and built the gothic style Royal Mausoleum for King Lunalilo on the grounds of Kawaiaha‘o Church. (HHF))

“The erection of a suitable and durable monument to the memory of Captain James Cook has been often proposed and more than once attempted, but has now been happily accomplished under the direction of Mr Wodehouse, the British Commissioner, with the cooperation of Captain Cator of HMS ship Scout …”

“… who kindly conveyed the architect and his men and materials to the spot in Kealakekua Bay, where the circumnavigator fell, and where now, nearly a century later, a fitting monument is at last dedicated to his memory.”

“It is a plain obelisk, standing on a square base, the whole being twenty-seven feet in height, and constructed throughout of a concrete composed of carefully screened pebbles and cement, similar to tie material of which the fine public buildings in this city are built.”

“It stands on an artificially leveled platform of lava only a few feet distant from and above the highwater mark, and fifteen or twenty yards from the shore or lava slab on which the great seaman stood when struck down.”

“The site is thus the most suitable that could have been chosen, and is the gift of Princess Likelike, wife of Hon. AS Cleghorn. The expense of the erection is partly borne by subscribers in England …” (Hawaiian Gazette, November 25, 1874)

“At that time, the cannon and chain were not set up, Mr Lishman had nothing to do with that work. They were later put up by Lieutenant Robinson of the British sloop of war Tenedos.” (Hawaiian Star, May 13, 1902)

On January 26, 1877, a 5,682 square foot parcel of land was conveyed (for $1) by Her Royal Highness Princess Miriam Likelike (sister of Kalakaua and Lili‘uokalani) and Likelike’s husband Archibald S Cleghorn (parents of Ka‘iulani) “in Trust” to James Hay Wodehouse “Her Britannic Majesty’s Commissioner and Consul General for the said Kingdom of the Hawaiian Islands (hereinafter designated Trustee)”.

The land was conveyed “for the following uses and purposes and for none other that is to say in trust to keep and maintain on the granted premises a monument in memory of Captain Cook”. (Coulter)

“The site of Cook’s death is marked by a small plaque set in the stone at the water line.” (Orr) “The original plaque’s history dates to 1928 and disappeared in 1956. Another plaque was installed by the British Consulate in the Hawaiian Islands, but was damaged in an attempted theft in 1985.”

“A new granite plaque was installed in 1990 after donations from private individuals. That plaque had been removed from its location after it became dislodged during an episode of high surf.” In 2018, “A new plaque that memorializes the spot where Captain James Cook was killed … is back on the historic Captain Cook memorial Awili landing at Ka‘awaloa.”

It reads: ‘Near This Spot Capt. James Cook Met His Death February 14, 1779’. DLNR’s Division of State Parks and others drilled and bolted a 260-pound concrete block and plaque in the original place. (DLNR Release, July 20, 2018)

(Contrary to urban legend, the monument site is not owned by the British Government; ownership has been in the name of the British Consul General (the individual) – a representative would check in with DLNR, from time to time. And, lately, real property tax records note the owner of the land is ‘Captain Cook Monument Trust’ (others note that is a British non-profit).)

November 13, 2024 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Charles Lambert

Kalākaua had a great interest in science and he saw it as a way to foster Hawai‘i’s prestige, internationally.

The opportunity to demonstrate this interest and support for astronomy was made available with the astronomical phenomenon called the “Transit of Venus,” which was visible in Hawai‘i in 1874.

“The coming transit of Venus will be observed from about 75 stations, at many of which there will be a large number of instruments. … Wherever knowledge can be gained it is worth being gained … these expeditions will lead to most valuable results.” (George Forbes, Chief Astronomer)

The King allowed the British Royal Society’s expedition to set up three sites in the Islands, Honolulu’s waterfront in a district called Apua (mauka of today’s Waterfront Plaza,) Kailua-Kona at Huliheʻe Palace and Waimea, Kauai.

The mission of the British expedition was to observe a rare transit of Venus across the Sun for the purpose of better determining the value of the Astronomical Unit – the Earth-to-Sun distance – and from it, the absolute scale of the solar system.

The orbits of Mercury and Venus lie inside Earth’s orbit, so they are the only planets which can pass between Earth and Sun to produce a transit (a transit is the passage of a planet across the Sun’s bright disk.)

Professor George Forbes was the Chief Astronomer for the British expedition. He befriended Charles Lambert, eldest son of an English gentleman residing at Coqnimbo in Chile. (Lambert, not one of the astronomers, had been invited by his friend Captain Ralph P Cator, (Commander of the ‘Scout’) to accompany him in his cruise to the Hawaiian Islands.)

“(Lambert) had come out for his health on the ‘Scout,’ from Valparaiso, his father being one of the richest copper-mine owners in Chile. He intended to stay here a short time with the Venus Transit party (Prof. Forbes and Barnacle.) (Pacific Commercial Advertiser, December 5, 1874)

Then, the fateful day … not December 8, 1874 (the date of the Transit of Venus) – rather, November 13, 1874 when tragedy struck.

“During three days previously a Kona had been blowing into the bay, and having on Thursday seen the natives using the surf-board, Mr Forbes and his friend (Lambert) thought of trying their hands at it.”

“They were furnished by the Hon. Simon Kaʻai, Sheriff and Representative of the District, with surf-boards, he not considering that there was any danger in so doing.”

“Professor Forbes entered the water first. When it was up to his chest, being about thirty yards from the shore, he began to look out for a good wave to try to ride in upon.”

“Not having been successful and happening to look round he found that he was a hundred and fifty yards from the shore, having been carried out by the under current. He did not however at that time apprehend any danger.”

“A small native boy, an adopted son or Simon Kaai, now shouted to him, gesticulating and pointing to Mr Lambert, who was about fifty yards nearer to the shore than himself. He saw that Mr Lambert had let go of his surf-board, and was in difficulty.”

Forbes reached Lambert and tried to bring them both in to shore. “He made however no head way, but was drifted farther out, and it then occurred to him that there was no prospect of either of them being saved, and he resolved to hold up his friend until they should both go down together.” (Hawaiian Gazette, December 2, 1874)

Folks on shore were able to bring a canoe out through the surf. Henry Weeks, a carpenter putting up the astronomical buildings, and a local swam “out to their assistance, but (Weeks) was soon exhausted and was just able to reach the canoe.” (Pacific Commercial Advertiser, December 5, 1874)

“The surf was at this time dashing against the rocks at their side so that landing seemed impossible. … Ten minutes after Professor Forbes became absolutely exhausted; his arms lost their power, and it was only with the greatest difficulty that he was able to hold on to Mr Lambert, every wave engulphing them both.”

Lambert drowned.

“The Professor with the dead body of his friend was put into (the canoe,) and reached the shore in safety.”

“Great credit is due to Simon Kaʻai for his attempts to aid Professor Forbes and his friend, he (Simon Kaʻai) stated that he was much flurried, and that was why he did not think of a canoe sooner.”

“Thanks also are due to Mr Bergman, a German resident here, for coming off in the canoe, and likewise to the stepmother of Simon Kaʻai for the same service.”

“Mr Lambert met his end, as all who knew him must have felt that he would, with fortitude and resignation, it is believed that he died without pain; and the calmness of his expression showed that he died in peace.”

“The conduct of Professor Forbes, in whose arms Mr Lambert drew his last breath, and who, with unequalled courage and devotion, risked and would have sacrificed his life to save that of his friend, is beyond all praise.” (Hawaiian Gazette, December 2, 1874)

Lambert “was buried the next day, twelve natives carrying the coffin to the English Episcopal Church in South Kona. The case is all the sadder from the circumstance that Lambert was actually improving here with a good prospect of completely recovering his health.” (Pacific Commercial Advertiser, December 5, 1874)

On December 8, 1874, the transit was observed by the British scientists; however, the observation at Kailua-Kona was interrupted by occasional clouds. The Honolulu and Waimea sites were considered perfect throughout the event, which lasted a little over half a day.

Ironically, on December 8, 1874 the big day, the king was absent, being in Washington to promote Hawaiian interests in a new trade agreement with the United States.

When American astronomer Simon Newcomb combined the 18th century data with those from the 1874/1882 Venus transits, he derived an Earth-sun distance of 149.59 +/- 0.31 million kilometers (about 93-million miles), very close to the results found with modern space technology in the 20th century.

After the Transit of Venus observations, Kalākaua showed continued interest in astronomy, and in a letter to Captain RS Floyd on November 22, 1880, he expressed a desire to see an observatory established in Hawai‘i. He later visited Lick Observatory in San Jose.

Perhaps as a result of the King’s interest, a telescope was purchased from England in 1883 for Punahou School. The five-inch refractor was later installed in a dome constructed above Pauahi Hall on the school’s campus.

November 7, 2024 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Kūnuiākea

“‘The Kuakoa publicly affirmed,’ says the Elele, ‘that A. K. Kūnuiākea is the illegitimate child of Kamehameha III, while Kaeo and Lahilahi were his legal parents.’”

“This is a very important matter, and should not concealed. There are many witnesses to it; it has been universally talked of; Kamehameha made no secret of the fact that this was his son, and there are an abundance of witnesses to his saying so; there are also tokens such as are wont to be preserved as proofs.”

“This is a strange thing for the present age, but it was considered perfectly proper in the age that is past. That was the nature of the relation between Liloa and Umi, (his illegitimate male son,) Peleiholani and Kaleiopuu, Kahekili and Kamehameha I, and the same was the relation between Kauikeaouli and this chief (Kūnuiākea).”

“Undoubtedly it is an offence in this age, but what is the best course, to utter a falsehood or to speak out the truth? We prefer to tell the truth.”

“A child resulting from this kind of relation between aliis of high rank was much prized in old times, and was greatly esteemed by those who were jealous of their chiefly rank. …”

“The history of children begotten after this (illegitimate) fashion by parents of this sort is well-known. These histories merely show what has been done secretly; the features of the parents are seen in their children and this is a shame.” (Elele Poakolu, Saturday press, April 28, 1883)

Kūnuiākea “was born June 19, 1851 at the premises known as ‘Kuaihelani,’ now the present site of the central Union church.” (Independent, March 11, 1903) [Now part of the Capitol grounds.]

“The Honorable Kūnuiākea was baptized in the Anglican faith, by the Lord Bishop of Honolulu, at the Church at Peleula, and his name he was baptized with is Albert Fredrick Kūnuiākea Oiwiaulani Koenaokalani.”

“Present was his hanai mother, the dowager Queen K. Hakaleleponi, and the Honorable Col. Peter Young Kekuaokalani, and Col. D. Kalakaua.” (Kuokoa, 11/22/1862)

“Kauikeaouli (Kamehameha III let the whole world know that Lahilahi Young’s twin sons were his when he gave them their names.”

“Kiwalao was the name which he gave the boy he and Kalama took home. Kūnuiākea Ke-Kukailimoku was the name he gave the boy kept by Lahilahi and her husband, Joshua Kaeo”.

“Kiwalao had been the name of Kauikeaouli’s grandfather, the unfortunate successor to Kalaniopuu whom Kamehameha the Great had killed in his first successful battle.”

“Kiwalao means ‘the shining aura of the kapus, seen from head to foot of the sacred person.’ Kūnuiākea was an ancient name, which means Ku, the founder. Ke Kukailimoku was the name of Kamehameha’s war god. … Fate, or the curse which hung over lolanl palace, again thwarted Kauikeaouli’s happiness in his sons. Kiwalao, their child, died before reaching his first birthday.” (Clarice Taylor)

“As a hānai of Queen Kalama (Kauikeaouli’s wife), [Kunuikea] had been raised in the household of his biological father. Although a son of the mōʻī (king), he was not eligible to succeed his father because the constitution stated that succession was limited to legally begotten children or named heirs.”

“As Kaiukeaouli was discouraged from naming his biological son his heir, his hānai son Alexander Liholiho became Kamehameha IV.” (Iolani Palace)

Kūnuiākea “was better known as Prince Albert, called ‘Prince’ only by courtesy for from childhood he was brought up by being a ‘hanai’ child by adoption of King Kamehameha III and his consort Hazeleleponi Kapakuhaili, better known as Queen Kalama, also a High Chiefess and the child was a favorite figure in and about grounds during those days.”

“Even at the death of his reputed father he remained with Queen Kalama up to the time of her death with the exception of the days he attended school at Ahuimanu under the tuition of the Roman Catholic Mission with Father Walsh as tutor.”

“He was a man of words and that loudly to His people called him pupulo (not crazy but nutty to use a slang phrase on account of being talkative in an indiscreet manner). It is said of him that thus trait befell him when he was yet In his infancy and it came about in this wise: …”

“The King his reputed father visited the child in disguise as he was wont to do at times when going out among his people and found the child in his cradle asleep unbeknown to the nurse kahu who was away washing and awaking him took him up and nestled him on his lap, he being very fond of him knowing him to be of his own flesh.”

“When the nurse returned (who died a few years ago) and saw the King with the child she rebuked him saying: ‘You have ruined my charge.’ And from that time so it is said by those who pretend to know began this trait in him, remaining with him to the end as a punishment of the gods upon the faultless child who was unaware of his fate.”

“The reason for this was the reverence and awe in which the King was held, his rank being such that he was considered sacred kapu next to that of a god and deemed likely to be worshipped by the other chiefs of lower rank and by the people.”

“The first Liholiho (King Kamehameha II), the High Chiefess Nahienaena, the King’s sister was held in the same respect they being considered alii kapu (sacred chiefs) for they were the children of first cousins (being of the first blood almost a brother and sister), Kamehameha I and the High Chiefess Keopuolani.”

“But apart from all of these traits in his character he was generous to others not of his people or retainers and a steadfast friend. On account of certain traits in him their loyal friends and retainers did not stay around him although when called upon they always responded and respected him.”

“It is true that he might have been King but it was not so decided his character being too well known and he was feared by the people for they mistrusted him.”

“His first fiancee in his young days was the late Princess Likelike their betrothal being much desired by those in authority as well as the other chiefs.”

“But through some reason or other the engagement was broken she later becoming Mrs A S Cleghorn. In 1878 he was married to Mary Poli the widow of the Rev Z Poli who now survives him a widow for the second time.”

“After being released from a spendthrift guardianship under which he had been placed by those who cared for his welfare, the people of this city, to show some confidence in him elected him as a Representative of the Legislature of 1882.”

“But he was never again reelected till under the Provisional Government he was elected as a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1895.” (Independent, March 11, 1903)

“When the bells of the Fort St Cathedral tolled a requim for Prince Albert Kekukailimoku Kūnuiākea they tolled the passing of the last of the royal family of the Great Kamehameha.”

“Prince Kūnuiākea died at the age of 52 on March 10, 1903 at his beach road home. … The prince as not the last descendant by any means. Other children of Kamehameha who were not recognized as members of the royal family have descendants living today.” (Clarice Taylor)