I joined Facebook on January 24, 2009. I did so because Eric Lewis told me he posted some old pictures of the team on his page (I used to coach the boys and, later, girls soccer teams at Parker High School in Waimea.)
Time passed (years;) but I started to realize that this thing called ‘Social Media’ and, specifically things like Facebook, Blogger, Goggle+, LinkedIn and Twitter were probably going to be a way to communicate, market and interact in the future.
If so, I needed to understand what it was all about.
So, I made a commitment to learn what this was – and, the best way to learn was to get into the thick of it.
Realizing I needed “Friends” to see how this worked, I accepted previous “Friend” requests (they had previously sat unanswered for months.) I then combed the lists and asked to “Friend” more people.
By adding Friends, I wanted to get enough people and a diversity of people, so I could see what happens in this thing called Social Media.
Boy, was that an experience. I see a name; then there is a rush of life experiences – from the early days growing up on Kāneʻohe Bay … until today.
Jumping to another name brings on a new set of people and events. Seeing names and reliving those life experiences had left me exhausted; but happy.
I called this stage ‘Facebook Fatigue’ – How many “I remember when” moments can anyone take? (I mean that in a good way.)
By adding Friends, I wanted to get enough people and a diversity of people, so I could see what happens in this thing called Facebook.
Then, on September 30, 2011, I made my first posted (it was my father’s birthday.)
In doing so, I made a commitment to post something every day, and I also committed to do it for a year.
Rather than an “I’m having lunch” kind of post, I tried to put together some more interesting kinds of posts (at least I think they are interesting.)
Because of my work in government, as Deputy Managing Director for Hawaiʻi County (2000-2002) and Director of the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) (2003-2007,) I have been fortunate and had the opportunity to see some places and deal with some issues that many others have not had, nor will have, the same opportunity.
So, I planned to share some insights, events and places with others.
In addition to those, I also planned to share some of the stuff we have been working on with various land use planning/permitting and related consulting projects we have worked on across the state.
Writing short historical summaries on people, places and events is part of the planning work I am doing (it’s actually my day job.)
Really, I do have a real job dealing with Land Use, Planning, Permitting ,etc across the Islands. (If you need help, let me know.)
I first included some of that work-related stuff; then, expanded to other historic events across the Islands (and beyond.)
So, there is a bunch of historical stuff, including images (I believe the images help tell the stories.)
As time went on, this matter of making meaningful posts turned into a daily research project.
My interest turned into a passion (or obsession, as Nelia says.) It consumed all of my “spare” time – weekdays, evenings and weekends.
This really is kind of personal, I have been searching for more that I can learn about the place I and my family were born, raised and lived.
I have learned so much in the last few years about the place I live and love; it has been a great learning experience.
So, for those who have followed these posts, you have been participating in my learning experience.
OK … so, here’s the deal.
My “one year” is up – actually, as of today, it has been eight years.
Some may not realize the time commitment required to research, write and edit these daily historical posts – in addition to finding images and maps to help illustrate the message.
To those who read and appreciate these posts, thank you. I hope you have learned something new, too.
While some don’t “Like” or “Comment” on each post, I have heard from many of you privately about them. To all, thank you for your kind words.
From records I have seen, over 10,000 are involved with these daily posts (actually, because the posts are ‘public,’ there are many of you we don’t know that have watched us over the years.)
It has been a great experience. I’ve learned a lot and I hope you have too.
What does that mean for the future?
I’m not sure.
But, as far as posts go, for now, this is it … All Pau.
Not today, but I have prepared and scheduled posts up to June 1, 2020 – that could be the last day.
Some have suggested I put these together into a book. However, rather than putting these into some traditional, bound, coffee-table paperwork, I see these posts as a new form for “books” (except I have had control over what is posted each day.)
I am working on getting the posts linked into Google Earth (actually, I have a version of that I have been working on, it’s pretty cool) and/or an App, so these people, places, times and events can also be seen on a map/aerial image, where they happened.
In the old form of books, once printed, the stories eventually end. By updating an App, or other format, new stories continue to be told.
Anyway, thank you, again; it has been a great eight years and a wonderful ride (a virtual “E” ticket.)
I believe I have learned what I initially sought to learn about Facebook.
Facebook really is a great way to communicate, market and interact. While we can’t always see each other in person, this venue allows us to quickly and easily keep in touch. That’s pretty cool.
However, we shouldn’t lose perspective – Facebook is only “a” way to communicate.
We still need personal interaction and those special moments of sitting down with someone and simply talking story (preferably, with a nice bottle of wine.)
We are fortunate people living in a very special place. Let’s continue to work together to make Hawaiʻi a great place to live.
I will still keep active the website where the full posts – you may continue to see images and maps and the short summaries at: www.ImagesOfOldHawaii.com.
But for now, at least on June 1, 2020, the daily historical posts will come to an end.
Thank you.
Peter.
… and a fun time was had by all.
I read your posts every day and value them for keeping me in touch with the islands I truly love.
Mahalo
Aloha Peter,
Oh no, I (we) will miss you. You can’t run out of history!
You can’t retire from us here.
Whatever you do god bless you and family!
Priya.
Mahalo Peter for sharing all your endless hours of research, insights, “blood, sweat and tears” to help revive, renew and perpetuate the Hawaiian culture and history. May Ke Akua richly bless you in all you do and for all you have done. Hopefully you won’t be totally all pau but just a break for yourself.
“All Pau” was the first and most memorable quote while growing up in Hilo from my mother especially during meal time when she wanted us to eat something we really didn’t like. But once we managed to swallow what was before us she gave us the most delightful smile and a very loud “ALL PAU!!!”
Aloha Peter,
Since being introduced by Steve Wilhite I have enjoyed your posts immensely. Thank you so much for your efforts.
Michael Barnette
You are a wealth of historical information. I appreciate the intense research involved. I’ve learned so much and so look forward to my in-box daily and share your stories often on my fb. Will miss you😢
Thank you for sharing your obsession with all of us, old friend. Any time you would like to share the Nalu Kea obsession, just let me know 😉
Thank you for doing this. It has been wonderful reading all your entries and they have been very helpful to me in my Hawaiian research. There were a few historical details I uncovered that you might be interested in updating in your blogs. Let me know if you are interested. aha90230@yahoo.com
So many interesting stories I’ve read from you. I will miss passing time reading them, thank you. I wonder how many people you have entertained while educating them over these years…Your hard work is appreciated.
Mahalo Nui Loa for your diligence in providing a plethora of knowledge concerning our history, culture and stories of Hawaii Nei. I am so appreciative of the stories of the Missionary Period and how that time has had a lasting effect on how we are today. Keep them coming as long you can, your efforts have blessed many beyond our fair shores! Thanks again!
Mahalo Peter I have looked forward to your posts for many years. They have been educational in these contentious times. Aloha Mike
‘Ae, Mahalo Peter for the Images of Old Hawai’i. The first thing I look for when opening the E-mail. Have shared so many and kept many. Appreciate the research you have done to bring those articles to us. Relate to many due to where I have lived and workd.
Aloha, Soot
Mahalo, Peter, for my favorite email each day! I love Hawaiian history and appreciate the time you have spent on research, then writing the articles you so kindly shared on such a wide variety of subjects. It was like opening a precious gift to see what the topic of the day would be.
Selfishly, I hope you continue to write them, but you have certainly earned a rest.
With much gratitude,
Nancy
Peter —
Thank you very much for your daily posts. I have been reading for the past two years and each day I am excited to learn something more from each and every one of your posts.
I would love to be involved with putting these posts on google earth so that people might have a more interactive way to learn about the history of the places around us.
It is very sad to see the daily posts coming to an end (at least soon if not right now), but thank you again for all the time and effort you put into researching, compiling, writing, and editing these posts. I recommend your site to so many people to learn about the world around them and the history that came before us.
Mahalo,
Chris
Thanks, Peter, for teaching this ex local boy more about where I came from then I ever knew when I was there. Your tales, histories and insight have helped me appreciate my upbringing and own history more then you can imagine. I will read your missives until they stop, and look forward to the next chapter. Mahalo, Kakina.
Your contribution to the hiSTORY of Hawaii as a blog filled a void. The scope of the historical vignettes offers something for everyone, from curious readers to research historians. I especially appreciate the unusual skill set with which you have been gifted– straight-line logic and the integrative muse of storytelling.
Mahalo Peter T. for your gift to pur community and the generations to come. Like John Young, who advised Kamehameha I how to use the tools of the British to survive the age of colonization, you offer Hawaii primary source historical facts on which to build a nation. If we do not understand our history, we are destined to repeat our mistakes (paraphrased).
[Loud Applause for Peter T Young]
Malalo piha i kau mau ‘oihana –he niu keia makana no makou! E malama pono ‘oe i kou kino a me na mo’olelo o Hawai’i kahiko.
Mahalo, Peter, for sharing so much fascinating Hawaiian history with us. Your obsession has become mine. I look forward to your missives every day and have found myself visiting your pages and perusing them quite often to glean more insights into this wonderful kingdom state. And I take particular pleasure in the imagery you have discovered. Aloha, Richard
Wish I had found your posts years ago. Since discovering them only several short months ago, I have become a daily reader. I will miss them, but hope you will find some way to keep them alive (maybe with an index) and hopefully with resumed new posts and updates in the future. Marvelous job, so well done!!!
Mahalo Peter. I look forward to June 2020.
Aloha, Peter. I have learned soooo much about Hawaii’s unique history from your posts, and have always looked forward to your emails, often opening them before all others. Imagining all the time and effort you must put into them, I can’t help but be curious about where all the stories come from.
Before you go, since you have a Waimea connection, it would be very interesting if you could tell us more about the first sugar plantation (1835) on Hawaii Island, which was in Waimea. It is talked about in the 1974 issue of the Hawaiian Journal of History and by Bob Dye in the November 1986 issue of Honolulu magazine – Lihue – the Lost Plantation. What’s the rest of the story? Where exactly was the housesite of the owner-operators located? What was Waimea all about during those earlier times?
Thank you for all the effort and time you have been spending to broaden our knowledge and deepen our understanding of our history and rich cultural heritage.
Here is a link to a prior summary on Lihue Plantation: https://imagesofoldhawaii.com/lihue-plantation/
Thank you for all of the information. I will miss your daily stories in a most interesting state. I hope you will reconsider.