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William Richards

April 27, 2017 No Comments

William Richards was ordained in New Haven, Connecticut, on September 12, 1822; on November 19 he, with his wife Clarrisa, joined the Second Company of American Protestant missionaries to Hawai‘i; they reached Honolulu on April 27, 1823, and shortly thereafter went to Maui and opened a Mission Station at Lahaina.

After serving the mission for about 15-years, the king (Kamehameha III) and chiefs, who felt the need of reform in their government, asked Richards to become their teacher, chaplain and interpreter. With the consent of the ABCFM, he accepted this position and resigned his appointment as missionary and then spent his time urging the improvement of the political system. He prepared a book, No Ke Kalaiaina that helped shape the initial Hawaiʻi Constitution (1840).

Betsey Stockton Arrives in the Islands

April 24, 2017 No Comments

“On the 24th (of April, 1823), we saw and made Hawaii (Owhyhee). At the first sight of the snow-capped mountains, I felt a strange sensation of joy and grief. It soon wore away, and as we sailed slowly past its windward side, we had a full view of all its grandeur. … Two or three canoes, loaded with natives, came to the ship … We informed them that we were missionaries, come to live with them, and do them good. At which an old man exclaimed, in his native dialect, what may be thus translated—‘That is very good, by and by, know God.’”

“This beginning of missionary labours seemed very encouraging; and in a short time our unpleasant feelings were much dissipated, and we conversed with them freely, through the boys, who were our interpreters. We gave them old clothes; and in return they gave us all the fish they had caught, except one large one, which we bought. … The last expression of affection we could have dispensed with very well; but we have to become all things to all men, that we may gain some. They then bid us many arohas, and took their departure.”

Princess Lei Lokelani

April 18, 2017 1 Comment

Today, hula has been divided into two main categories; hula ‘auana and hula kahiko, also known as modern hula and ancient hula. Elizabeth Jonia Leilokelani Shaw made her “first professional appearance was at the Panama-Pacific Exposition at San Francisco, where she was featured for her beauty and talents as a dancer in the Hawaiian village on the zone.” These Hawaiian shows had the highest attendance at the entire fair and launched a Hawaiian cultural craze that influenced everything from American music, to movies, to fashion.

“The hugely popular Hawaii pavilion … showcased Hawaiian music and hula dancing, and was the unofficial launching pad for ukulele-mania.” Hapa-haole songs were featured in the Hawaii exhibits and hula ‘auana, contemporary hula, was born. ‘Princess Lei Lokelani’ performed traditional foot movements – ku‘i and ‘uwehe – to modern ‘ukulele and steel guitar songs – this also launched the hapa-haole hula phenomenon into broader markets. For the next four years, she was doing vaudeville as ‘Jonia and Her Hawaiians.’ Unfortunately, Shaw died April 18, 1921 at the age of 20.

Pu‘umaile Home

April 14, 2017 1 Comment

“The Territory of Hawaii has a high death rate from (tuberculosis) as compared with most mainland cities. … The County of Hawaii has the highest rate of the disease of any of the counties in the Territory.” The treatment of those afflicted is carried out by seven institutions, including Pu‘umaile Home in Hilo. “Pu‘umaile Home is the only institution for the care of tuberculosis in the Territory that is maintained solely from Territorial funds. One hundred and twenty-two were admitted during the year, with 68 Patients remaining at the end of the period, just double the number as compared with the previous year.”

The original Pu‘umaile Home was built in about 1912 at a site that is now in the vicinity of the old terminal building at Hilo Airport. The Hilo Airport was dedicated in February 1928 and in April 1938 a new facility was constructed at the end of Kalanianaʻole Avenue (at what is now Lehia Park.) Some incorrectly suggest that the hospital washed away by the 1946 tsunami; however, it was spared. The hospital remained on the shoreline until 1951 when it was relocated into new facilities on the grounds of the Hilo Memorial Hospital, above Rainbow Falls. Shortly after (1955,) Pu‘umaile was combined with the Hilo Memorial Hospital to establish Hilo Hospital (now Hilo Medical Center.)

Samuel Rice

April 12, 2017 No Comments

Kamehameha started to accumulate Western goods, including ships and weaponry. In 1790, he was joined by John Young and Isaac Davis, Europeans who knew how to use both. A blacksmith would have been needed to keep these ships and weapons in working order. Samuel Rice was a blacksmith by trade. He was born in about April 1787; his Hawaiian naturalization certificate notes he was a native of New Hampshire. He came to the Islands around 1811, probably aboard a fur trading ship.

In the service of Kamehameha, and later Kuakini, Rice was given property in West Hawaii: Honuaʻino (an ahupuaʻa that runs through Kainaliu) and two house sites in Kailua; the first, Pa o ʻUmi Heiau (on Ololi Road between Kopiko Plaza and Kuakini Hwy.) “He died on the morning of the 24th (of July, 1853,) rather suddenly, with the cholic or cramp, of which he had many previous attacks in years past.”