Images of Old Hawaiʻi

by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Pitman Tablet

“In 1878 the Kingdom of Hawaii, with King Kalakaua at its head, honored Captain Cook at the centenary celebration of discovery. The permanent memorial established in Honolulu at that time was the splendid statue of Kamehameha the Great which stands upon a high pedestal in front of the Judiciary Building.”

“The Hawaiian Historical Society sponsored the first movement to honor Captain Cook in a sesquicentennial [150th] celebration in Hawaii in 1928.”

“[Albert Taylor], in 1925, proposed a major celebration to include the official visits of warships of England and America, these to visit Waimea, Kauai, where Cook first landed, and Kealakekua Bay, Hawaii, where Cook was killed, and at the latter place to fire an international salvo.”

“Strangely enough the original plan was carried out to the letter in August, 1928. Bruce Cartwright, at this same time proposed the issuance of commemorative stamps and a coin.” (Taylor)

“The Taylor-Cartwright plan … particularly, included formal invitations to be addressed to the Governments of Great Britain, United States, Australia, New Zealand and Canada to participate; with request that the British and United States governments send warships to Hawaii …”

“… that the United States government issue commemorative Captain Cook stamps and a silver 50-cent coin; that speakers of note, particularly in historical fields, be invited to make addresses …”

“… that a bronze tablet be set just beneath the surface of the water at Kaawaloa, Kealakekua Bay, Hawaii, where Capt. Cook ‘fell on his face in the water,’ as his chroniclers state …”

“… that a monument be erected at Waimea, Kauai, where Cook set up his astronomical instruments, and where William Whatman, a seaman, was buried, Capt. Cook there reading the burial service of the Church of England, the first recorded Christian service ever held in the Hawaiian Islands.” (Taylor)

In a unique incident, “Mrs. Benjamin Franklin Pitman and her son, Theodore Pitman the artist, of Boston, presented a beautiful bronze tablet to the Cook Commission, commemorating Captain Cook.”

“The tablet was given, also, to commemorate the ancestors of Mrs. Pitman’s husband, who was part-Hawaiian, descendant of the Chief Hoolulu, who, in May, 1819, secretly took possession of the bones of Kamehameha the Great from the temple of Kamakahonu, at Kailua, Hawaii, and as secretly hid them, supposedly in a cave on the coast, a location never revealed again.” (Taylor)

The Pitman Tablet Commemorative of Captain James Cook reads, “Capt. James Cook Forerunner of Modern Civilization in the Pacific Ocean. In Hawaii 1778-1779. In Memory of the High Chief Hoolulu, High Chiefess Kinoole and her son Keola-O-Kalani (Benjamin Franklin Pitman). Presented by Mrs. Benjamin Franklin Pitman, Benjamin Pitman and Theodore Baldwin Pitman – Sculptor.”

“On August 1, Theodore Baldwin Pitman, an artist and sculptor of Boston, accompanied by his mother, Mrs. Benjamin Franklin Pitman, arrived on the steamer ‘Malolo,’ bringing a beautiful bronze memorial tablet to honor Captain Cook …”

“… and which was to be formally presented by them to the Territory of Hawaii through the Cook Commission, the tablet also serving to honor Hawaiian ancestors of the sculptor.” (Pitman)

“At this juncture a variation from the set speeches came when Colonel Iaukea announced that Mrs. Benjamin Franklin Pitman, widow of the late Benjamin Keola-o-kalani Pitman, born in Hilo, Hawaii, but raised in Boston, and her son, Mr. Theodore B. Pitman …”

“… would present a beautiful bronze tablet to the Territory of Hawaii to honor Captain Cook, and in memory of her husband’s and her son’s Hawaiian ancestors.”

“Mrs. Pitman, addressing herself to the Secretary of War, the Governor, the Chairman and ‘citizens of the Territory,’ said: ‘When it was my privilege, twelve years ago, to come to these beautiful Islands in company with my husband, Benjamin Franklin Keola-o-kalani Pitman …”

“…  who, after an absence of over fifty years, was led, providentially I believe, to return to the land of his birth that he might realize, before he was called to his final home, the loving interest that, unknown to him, had followed him like a protecting spirit all his days …”

“… because he was the grandson of your great High Chief Hoolulu and the son of Kinoole, the beloved High Chiefess of Hilo – the wonderful hospitality and love extended to us not only by the Hoolulu family, but by all those who had become imbued with the spirit that pervades these Islands, filled our hearts with gratitude and a desire to manifest in some way our sincere appreciation.”

“‘On this great occasion, the Sesquicentennial of the discovery of the Hawaiian Islands by the noted explorer, Captain James Cook, the way has been opened to us through the Chairman of this Commission, Colonel Curtis P Iaukea, not only to do honor to Captain Cook, but to make a permanent demonstration of our feelings.”

The Pitman Tablet was unveiled at Archives of Hawai‘i Building and officially accepted by Governor Lawrence McCully Judd on February 14, 1930.

“Master Theodore Pitman, Jr., son of the sculptor, who with his wife, all of Boston, were present, was accorded the honor of unveiling the tablet. He lifted the old Hawaiian Royal ensign from the tablet, and revealed its golden beauty to the assemblage.”

“The sculptor had achieved a marvelous result, and his inspiration was the moment Captain Cook, in the ‘Resolution,’ was skirting the shore of Kauai.”

“Out at sea was a Hawaiian outrigger canoe, and in it, a paddle in hand and standing, was an Hawaiian, his back to the beholder, looking toward the strange ship from abroad. In the background are the shores and mountains and valleys of Kauai.”

“Flanking this scene, for artistic embellishment, were two lofty cocoa- nuts. Between the branches of the trees is a medallion of Captain Cook, a startling likeness that seems to change and live as light rays travel over the surface. The unveiling met with a round of applause.” (Pitman)

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by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Ranch House

This place had a lot of owners and went by a lot of names; it even had two different street addresses (it stayed in the same place, but it is not clear when or why the address changed).

It started with Robert Hind and his dairy operation.  While it didn’t start with that name, more often than not it was called some derivation of the Ranch House.  The structure was remodeled at least twice (1951 and 1971). 

In 1918 Robert Hind started Kapahulu Dairy.  (Kelly)  In 1924, Hind purchased 2,090-acres and established the Hind-Clarke Dairy with John K Clarke. “Rancher and Cattleman To Import 100 Pure Bred Guernseys At Once Will Be Added To Stock Ready for Opening of Hind-Clarke Dairy”

“One hundred pure bred Guernsey milch cows for the Hind-Clarke dairy, which is to be opened for business in the Waialae district later in the summer, will arrive from San Francisco June 30, announces Robert Hind, rancher and dairyman, who returned from the mainland on the steamer Wilhelmina Tuesday.”

“‘These cows will produce the highest quality of milk, which will be of a rich color and of a taste for which the Guernsey is famous. The animals have the best kind of pedigrees and would be valuable additions to any dairy.’”

“The dairy already has 150 Holstein cows, which produce milk In quantity, and the coming herd will increase his herd to at least 250 milk producers.” (Star Bulletin, June 10, 1925)

The Hind-Clarke Dairy was a favored stop along the road, as noted in a 1930 visitor’s guide … “The Hind-Clarke Dairy, a short way ahead and to our left with a large sign over the entrance, is not to be passed unnoticed.”

“The dairy is a model of its kind and well affords an opportunity to see dairying in its most scientific form. The cottage cheese on sale is, perhaps, the most delicious you have ever tasted.”  (Cultural Surveys)

“And Hind-Clarke Dairy had this drive-in where they had their own ice cream parlor [Hind-Clarke Drive Inn]. And later on it got to be known as M’s Ranch House.” (‘M’ referencing Mona Hind Holmes, Robert’s daughter.)

“Until only recently it was still there, and they finally closed down. But it started out as a Hind-Clarke Dairy ice cream parlor, but people drove in there to buy ice cream.” (Yamaguchi Oral History)

The Hind Clarke Dairy operation occupied the area presently occupied by the ‘Āina Haina Shopping Center and ‘Āina Haina Elementary School.

It stretched into the valley and over the ridge (now the Hawaii Loa Ridge subdivision). Hind Clark Dairy also had a small zoo near the library site today; there was a zebra in a pen. (Archaeological Consultants)

The former cattle pasture was subdivided into lots to form a new residential community called ‘Āina Haina (which means “Hind’s land”).

A little-known fact, lost (for the most part) to history, is that the Hind-Clarke Drive Inn became the Six Star Drive Inn briefly (around 1945) before coming M’s Ranch House.   (Darren Conley)

A September 1, 1945 advertisement in the Star Bulletin stated, “Opening Today the Six Star Drive-in, Fountain Service, Sandwiches. A La Carte Menus, Open Daily… 5202 Kalanianaole Highway. Near the Hind-Clarke Dairy Under the management of Mona Hind and Harry Shingle”.

However, Harry’s participation soon ended with an announcement, “Notice is herby given that Harry Kusuhara, also known as Harry Shingle, is no longer connected with the Six Star Drive Inn located at 5202 Kalanianaole Highway … I have returned to General Contracting and Catering as of the 15th day of January 1946.” (SB, Jan 25, 1946)

Then, “Notice is hereby given that on the 16th of May, 1947, Mona Hind Holmes and Charles W Lucas Jr, entered into a copartnership doing business under the name of The Ranch House, operating, maintaining and conducting a restaurant at 5202 Kalanianaole Highway, Honolulu, TH.” (Advertiser, May 17, 1947)

“Originally opened as the ice cream drive-inn for the Hind-Clarke Dairy and creamery, it was converted into a full service dining restaurant after the Dairy was sold in 1946, and the valley was subdivided into residential lots.”

“We moved into Aina Haina in 1949, and as a child growing up, our favorite thing was to play ‘cowboys’. We could choose between riding our bikes over to Niu Valley and feeding Lani Moo in her corral, or riding our bikes to M’s Ranch House, and play in the covered wagon.”  (Navas, Territorial Airwaves)

In 1971, the restaurant was “renewed” and “has a new look so different and so handsome that we hasten to reassure its family of customers that inside the doors, the food, the services, the hospitality, and the informality are all as they were before – only nicer.”

The Ranch House was “completely redecorated and refurbished … with a new roof line new paint and signs – but still the basically unchanged ‘dining home’ of thousands of Island families … [and] prices did not go up after all the remodeling and redecorating.” (SB, Jan 10, 1971)

The Ranch House was demolished in 1991, and Longs Drugs was built and still occupies the site; the ice cream parlor, drive In, fountain, Alibi Cocktail Room, hearty meals, live music entertainment … and covered wagon are now gone.

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Kahanamoku – Weissmuller – Crabbe

There is evidence, particularly archaeological evidence which suggests that what we deem as modern swimming has been practiced from as early as 2500 BC in Egypt and thereafter in Assyrian, Roman and Greek civilizations. Swimming was often a part of martial training in the Greek and Roman civilizations in order to help with strength and overall fitness.

During the 1st Century BCE, Gaius Maecenas a Roman diplomat and counsellor to the Roman emperor Augustus built the first known heated swimming pool.  As for swimming in Europe and the UK, it wasn’t really practiced until around the late 17th century for Europe and around 1830 in the UK. (SwimmingNature)

Swimming started its sporting journey in the mid-19th century, when the world’s first swimming organization was formed in London in 1837. Inevitably, things soon became competitive, and, in 1846, the first swimming championship was held in Australia. (Olympics-com)

The breaststroke is believed to be the oldest stroke and the first to be swum competitively. Breaststroke looked relatively similar to what we see in pools today: A wide, sweeping pull with the arms at the same time, followed by a ‘frog kick’ with both legs simultaneously. Between strokes, swimmers would glide for a few beats before their next pull.

The breaststroke is believed to be the oldest stroke and the first to be swum competitively. Captain Matthew Webb was the first man to swim across the English Channel – from Dover to Calais – swimming the breaststroke for 21 hours 45 minutes without stopping on August 24-25, 1875.

The first modern Olympic Games were held in Athens in 1896. Swimming is “one of only four disciplines to have been retained, appearing in every summer Olympics since [the first Olympic Games] – the others being athletics, artistic gymnastics and fencing.”

The first Olympics introduced some strange races into the lineup, as it was purely an experimental event to begin with. For example, the 100m free for sailors was strictly for members of the Greek Navy, and all of the races were held in open water. (Swimming World)

By the late 1890s, Australian swimmers of the British Empire began experimenting with the earliest version of the crawl stroke. Charles Daniels is credited with perfecting the modern freestyle stroke. (pbs)

This freestyle stroke was evolving painfully in the western world until Duke Kahanamoku swam out of the Hawaiian Islands with it in 1911.  His world record times no one would believe. (International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF))

Until 1912, only male swimmers were allowed to compete in the Olympics. It was not until the 1912 Stockholm Olympics that women were able to compete, and even when they were finally allowed in the water, they were only given two events in which to compete—the 100 free and 400 free relay.

“There was — and arguably still is — no greater icon in the sport of swimming than Duke Paoa Kahanamoku. He was the most successful athlete of his time and the harbinger of Hawai‘i’s Golden Age of Swimming.”  (Checkoway)

Duke Kahanamoku earned his living as a beachboy and stevedore at the Honolulu Harbor docks. Growing up on the beach in Waikiki, Duke surfed with his brothers and entertained tourists with tandem rides.

By the time that Kahanamoku burst upon the world scene in 1911 (at the age of 21,) shattering American and world records in the one hundred and fifty yard freestyle swimming races at an Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) sanctioned meet in Honolulu Harbor, sport had become a tool of nationalism used by countries around the world to demonstrate modern manliness and vigor.  (Nendel)

Duke later won an Olympic gold medal in 1912 – a feat he repeated eight years later at the age of 30. In 1924, he won the silver.  Overall, he won five medals at the various Olympic Games.

For The Record:  Olympic Games: 1912 gold (100m freestyle), silver (4x200m freestyle relay); 1920 gold (100m freestyle; 4x200m freestyle relay), 4th (water polo); 1924 silver (100m freestyle); 1932 team member (water polo); World Records: freestyle.

In the 1924 Olympics, Kahanamoku raced against Johnny Weissmuller.  Barely 20 years old, Johnny Weissmuller was favored against 34-year-old Duke Kahanamoku. Both were tall, lean and strong, with large hands and feet. And both were faster than any swimmers the world had yet seen. (Smithsonian)

Just before the race began, pointing at the awards podium, Duke told Weissmuller: “Hey, the most important thing in this race is to get the American flag up there three times. Let’s do it”. (Sports Gazette) Weissmuller nodded his agreement. Weissmuller finished 2.4 seconds ahead of Kahanamoku; Kahanamoku’s younger brother Sam took the bronze medal.  (Smithsonian)

The 1932 Olympic Games were held in the middle of the Great Depression and, given the transport links of the time, in the relatively remote region of California. Consequently, participation in the Games was the lowest since 1904, with only half as many athletes taking part as had in 1928. Despite this, the standard of competition was excellent. (Olympics-com)

Clarence Linden ‘Buster’ Crabbe II, who was not a native Hawaiian but who lived in the Territory, won Olympic gold in the 400-​meter freestyle in Los Angeles in 1932, and two island brothers named Maiola and Manuela Kalili grabbed silvers at the same Games in the 4×200-​meter relay. (Checkoway)

Buster Crabbe moved to Hawaii as a 2-year-old when his father took a job as an overseer on a pineapple plantation. At Punahou he was a three-year letterman in swimming and captain of the 1927 swimming team.

While in college at USC from 1928 to 1932 he was the AAU National Indoor and Outdoor Champion, domination every freestyle event in excess of 200 yards. (Punahou)

Kahanamoku was a legend in his own right – swimmers Weissmuller and Crabbe went on to portray legends.  Johnny Weissmuller was swimming’s first superstar by winning five Olympic gold medals and set 28 world records.

After his Olympic swimming experiences, Kahanamoku played in four decades of intermittent bit-part acting in Hollywood films.  Though he was never able to escape typecasting or achieve Hollywood stardom, you can still spot him in small roles in 13 Hollywood films. (pbs)

After his swimming career, Weissmuller became a movie star. Cast as ‘Tarzan the Ape Man’, he starred in 12 films and became the actor most commonly identified with the character.  (Olympics-com)

After the Olympics, Crabbe was signed by Paramount Studios, who were looking for a rival to Johnny Weissmuller’s Tarzan at MGM. The first of Crabbe’s 175 movies was ‘King of the Jungle’ in which he played the role of Kasta, the Lion Man.

Although Crabbe played Tarzan only once, as the star of (B) movies he was never short of work, playing the title role in Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers films in addition to appearing in 65 westerns. (Olympics-com)

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by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Hobrons

Two brothers (Thomas Henry Hobron (1823-1889) & Ebenezer Coit Hobron (1834-1921)) came to Hawaii in about 1853 or ‘54, from New London, Conn. Thomas’ son, Thomas William Hobron, also has a role in this story.

Captain Thos. H Hobron “laid his schooner on the Kahului route and became identified with the East Maui trade, making his home at Grove Ranch, where he started the sugar plantation known by that name, which [later] consolidated with the Paia Sugar Company.”

Grove Ranch was on 3,000 acres in Hāli‘imaile and Pā‘ia; his Waihe‘e sugar mill was managed by Samuel Alexander and his field boss is H.P. Baldwin. (Orr)

“From his schooners and plantation he accumulated quite a large fortune. … [H]e engaged very successfully in the codfish and salmon expeditions sent out from San Francisco to the North Pacific. …”

On July 17, 1879 Captain Thomas H Hobron ran the first train line from Kahului to Wailuku; the 3-foot-wide was eventually extended to over 15 miles in length along the north coast to Kuiaha with a number of branch lines. (AASHTO) The Kahului & Wailuku Railroad began passenger service on Maui on, thus initiating the first rail common carrier in the Islands. (Schmitt)

That year, Hobron issued in 12 ½ cent copper tokens bearing the initials ‘T. H. H.’ (as well as G. R. P.) and ‘12 ½’ on the obverse. In the same year he also issued a 2 ½ cent copper token, intended also for use on the Kahului railroad.

Within a year or two the line was extended eastward from Kahului to Pāʻia. The enterprise was incorporated July 1, 1881 as the Kahului Railroad Company.

The Kahului station was located southeast of the harbor at Hobron Point (the east side of the harbor (which includes Pier 1)) and tracks extended through Spreckelsville as well as to the sugar mill at Puʻunene.

Hobron, who also was postmaster of Kahului, allowed mail to be sent free over the railroad. Later, in 1884, a subsidy of $25 per month was paid for hauling mail. Mail carried on the railroad was in closed bags for delivery to postmasters along the route. Probably loose letters were also carried. (HawaiianStamps)

Thomas H Hobron’s son, Thomas William Hobron, was “a druggist by profession”.  (HnlAdv, March 21, 1922) “Hobron, Newman & Co were incorporated September 21, 1891. TW Hobron and ER Newman, the principals, went to San Francisco in the following October, and procured a complete stock of drugs, chemicals toilet articles, etc.”

“They opened for business on November 16th, 1891, in a handsome new store at Fort and King sts.  All car lines pass the store, so that there is not a more central stand in Honolulu.”

“On May 31st, 1894, TW Hobron purchased ER Newman’s stock.  The name of the corporation changed to Hobron Drug Co in August [1894].  One feature of the young corporation’s enterprise is its liberal advertising.” (Daily Bulletin, Dec 22, 1894)

Hobron Drug Co (that noted themselves as ‘Cut-rate Druggists,) marketed themselves saying, “Anything bearing our name is a guarantee.  We cannot afford not to make good anything bearing our name.”

“We believe in generous dealing. We are going to give the people the most for their money; we are doing it every day.  Test us.”

 (Hawaiian Star, April 4, 1896)

Thomas William Hobron, allowed Jack London and his wife Charmian to stay in Hobron’s bungalow at Pearl Harbor.  In 1906, Jack London announced he was planning a trip on a boat – the Snark – he was to build and do blue-water sailing on a round-the-world cruise.  (The Snark was named after one of Lewis Carroll’s nonsense poems.)

“‘Honolulu first,’ said London yesterday. ‘After that we are not very definite. Everybody’s in good health, the bourgeoise tradesmen have finally freed us, the boat is staunch, the weather fine. What more a man wants I don’t know.’”

“‘Meet me in Paris,’ called Mrs. Jack London back through the megaphone as the boat disappeared. ‘Isn’t it glorious? Good-by, everybody!” [April 23, 1907]

“On the mainland, before sailing out through the Golden Gate, [Jack and Charmian] made the fortunate acquaintance of one, Mr. Thomas W. Hobron, artist, merchant, good fellow, and citizen of Honolulu, who spoke in this wise: …”

“‘I wonder if you two would care to put up in my little shack on the peninsula? It isn’t much to look at, and there’s only room enough for the two of you; but it’s brimful of Aloha, if you care to use it.’ …”(Jack London in Hawaii, Blunt)

“Folks flocked down to the waterfront to get a glimpse of the little craft which was designed to circumnavigate the globe.”

“A glimpse was all they got, for the Snark gave a line to Young Brothers’ tug Waterwitch and was towed to Pearl Harbor, where she dropped anchor off the Hobron place, and will probably remain there for the best part of the next two months.” (Hawaiian Gazette, May 21, 1907)

“So here are we, blessing good Tom Hobron, as we shall bless him all our years, for the gift of so idyllic a resting-spot after the tumult of our first traverse on the bit of boat yonder. …”

“Leaving the crew aboard to make everything snug, Jack and [Charmian] were carried by launch farther up the Loch to a long wooden foot-pier that leads over the shallow shore-reef to a spacious suburban place where live Albert Waterhouse and his little family.” (Jack London in Hawaii, Blunt)

Thomas Henry Hobron’s brother E Coit Hobron was a little over 18-years of age when they arrived; he became a resident of the Islands for almost 70 years. “He was prominent on Honolulu business circles for many years and was … one of the founders of the Honolulu Brewing & Malting company”. (PCA, Feb 13, 1921)

“The Honolulu Brewing and Malting Company, Limited, which has been in course of formation for several weeks. Has incorporated … A. Hocking, the Senator, is president of the new company.  He is also treasurer and Mr E Coit Hobron is secretary.” (PCA, Nov 23, 1898)

A new plant and their first brew came out in 1901; “On Saturday afternoon the offices and buildings of the Honolulu Brewing and Malting Co were thrown open to the general public …”

“… a large crowd of citizens assembled at the brewery, some attracted by curiosity and a desire for knowledge and others actuated by a laudable desire to sample the product”. (Evening Bulletin, June 17, 1901)

“The Honolulu Brewing and Malting Co have a home production – ‘Primo Lager Beer’ – why not order some when it is the equal of any beer brewed?” (Honolulu Republican, June 27, 1901)

“There is not a brewery of its size in the world more thoroughly adapted to the uses designed. There have been mistakes it details and not cost has been spared to make the plant like the beer, ‘Primo.’”  (Evening Bulletin, June 17, 1901)

“Following more dredging to widen a path to sea through the reef, the Territorial Government initially constructed the Ala Wai Boat Harbor in 1935 at the mouth of the Canal with purported financial support from the Hobron family, who had purchased land in the Kālia area.” (DLT) Kalia’s Hobron Lane in Waikiki is named for brothers Thomas Henry Hobron and Ebenezer Coit Hobron.

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Kohala Shark Hunt

In the old days, folks used to catch and kill sharks.  The accepted attitude was, “the only good shark is a dead shark.”

In an attempt to relieve public fears and to reduce the risk of shark attack, the state government of Hawaiʻi spent over $300,000 on shark control programs between 1959 and 1976. Six control programs of various intensity resulted in the killing of 4,668-sharks.

Subsequent evaluation of the 1959-1976 efforts noted, “Shark control programs do not appear to have had measurable effects on the rate of shark attacks in Hawaiian waters.  Implementation of large-scale control programs in the future in Hawaiʻi may not be appropriate.”  (Wetherbee, 1994)

At the turn of the century, my grandfather and his brothers (Young Brothers) used to have various jobs in Honolulu Harbor; one was taking paying customers out to harpoon sharks off-shore.  My great-uncle, William, wrote books about his adventures shark hunting.

I remember Kohala shark “hunts” on the Big Island where a donated steer carcass was tied between points in a cove and “hunters,” on surrounding cliffs using high-powered rifles, shot at sharks feeding off the carcass. 

“For both spectator and participant thrills it would be hard to beat a shark hunt, a sports event that originated in Kohala and perhaps is still unique in this community.”

“The shark hunt is the brain child of Pierre Bowman, personnel manager for Kohala Sugar Co, and these day-long events are staged a couple times a year with hundreds of people turning out with family picnics to watch the kill from along the low cliffs two miles west of the Kohala mill.” (HTH, July 2, 1952)

“The shark hunts originated [in about 1950 and appear to have been run into the mid-1970s] … [on each hunt] hunters have bagged as many as a half-dozen sharks, ranging in size to 29 feet, in good years.” (HTH,  July 26, 1965) Some years, no sharks showed up.

“The shark hunt conducted annually be the Kohala group has drawn the interest of persons all over the state.”  (HTH, July 24, 1965)

“The affair goes like this: Forty eight hours before the shark hunt begins, a mule [steer] or a horse is shot and the carcass is lashed securely to the reef, out of reach of the sharks but so that the water will wash over it.”

“The vicious monsters of the sea eventually scent the bait and begin to collect.  Sharks are always ravenous.  When the hunt begins the bait is allowed to float out into the sea, and the sharks close in. The bait is hauled slowly shoreward and the hungry sharks fighting for food come right along with it.”

“Three or four men with harpoons strike when a shark comes close enough, and then the real fun begins for the trick is to get 700 to 1,000 pounds of thrashing hell and fury out of the water and onto the reef for the kill.”

“Then the shore battery, which includes almost everything from .22 rifles to Revolutionary muskets, closes in to finish off the monster.” (HTH, July 2, 1952)

Occasionally, “The Kohala High School stage band played swing music from the 1930s – rather incongruous music to watch sharks while the now bloated cow bobbed in the sea.”  (Adv, June 25, 1975)

“Over the years, shark hunts have been staged to raise money for all sorts of school projects in North Kohala.” [i.e., Future Framers of America, Kohala high basketball team, Boys Scouts, Kohala squadron of the Civil Air Patrol,  …] [HTH, June 19, 1975)

Times have changed.

We have learned that tiger sharks (the ones most implicated in attacks on humans) don’t simply dwell in small coastal territories but are instead extremely wide-ranging.

They are opportunistic predators and typically move on soon after arriving in an area, because the element of surprise is quickly lost, and potential prey become wary and difficult to catch.

We know more now and recognize that sharks are an important part of the marine ecosystem.  Sharks are often the “apex” or top of the food chain predators in their ecosystems because they have few natural predators.

As top predators, sharks help to manage healthy ocean ecosystems.  Sharks feed on the animals below them in the food chain, helping to regulate and maintain the balance of marine ecosystems; limiting the populations of their prey, in turn affects the prey species of those animals, and so on.

To some, sharks are ʻaumakua (ancestral spirits that take possession of living creatures) that make appearances to express parental concern for the living, bringing warnings of impending danger, comfort in times of stress or sorrow or in other ways being helpful.  (Kane)

Sad and Tragic, yes – we continue to have shark attacks.  However, many believe it is typically mistaken identity – the sharks mistake surfers and floaters as turtles or seals.   (Remember, we are visitors to their realm in the ocean.)

I still vividly recall Halloween morning, 2003, when DLNR’s shark expert came to my office to brief me on the shark attack on Bethany Hamilton on Kauai.  It was a somber day at DLNR.  Unlike the old days, there was no “hunt” called for.   Other incidents and attacks continue to occur.

“The number of shark attacks has nothing to do with how many sharks are in the water and everything to do with how many people are in the water,” said Kim Holland, University of Hawaiʻi shark researcher and Shark Task Force member. (Honolulu Advertiser, following the Hamilton attack)

John Naughton, a National Marine Fisheries Service biologist, said previous efforts to remove large predatory sharks saw the proliferation of smaller ones, which harassed fishermen and their catches.

“It’s an archaic way to manage the resource.  It’s like the turn of the century, when they shot wolves. It doesn’t make sense anymore.”  (Honolulu Advertiser, November, 2003)

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