Schooling of Red Fish

“The ancient superstition (tells) that visits of red fish in large numbers to the Islands portend the death of some member of the royal family … “

“A few months ago there started running into and around the harbors of the Islands such schools of alalaua as had not been seen before in five years or more, if not in many years prior to that; and the schools of aweoweo, or grown alalaua, are still here.”

“When the little red fish first started coming in months ago, the older natives shook their heads and declared that one of their aliis must go.”

“It has so turned out.” (Maui News, November 16, 1917)

“The former Queen had been in bad health for many months. A week ago she began to fail rapidly and last Thursday physicians announced that the end was near.” (Richmond Times-Dispatch, November 12, 1917))

“Death came to Hawaii’s queen, Liliuokalani, at 8:30 o’clock Sunday morning – a quiet, sunny, pleasant Sunday morning as calm and as peaceful as was the ending of her eventful life.” (Honolulu Star-Bulletin, November 12, 1917)

“’The queen is dead,’ went the word throughout Hawaii as soon as the bells began their solemn proclamation. It was flashed by wireless from island to island of the group over which she had once ruled …”

“Thousands of newspapers today all over the world have told their readers of the passing of Liliuokalani, last queen of Hawaiʻi.”

“The queen’s last hours were as peaceful as her life had been eventful.” (Honolulu Star-Bulletin, November 12, 1917)

“During the time the Queen’s body was in state in the throne room of the palace and at the Kawaiahaʻo Church, the first church built in Honolulu, and during the wonderful procession from the palace to the mausoleum it was the evident aim of those in charge to display the most wonderful panorama and glare of gorgeous colors that was possible.”

“You understand, the skies, the water and the landscape of this tropical land is a perfect rainbow of beautiful color at all times. Considering this fact it is not strange that the desire for color display should manifest itself on such an occasion.” (Mid-Pacific, August 1919)

“The Royal Hawaiian Band, the United States Military Bands, the Hawaiian Cathedral Church Choir, the members of various Hawaiian clubs and organizations of Hawaiian origin, dressed in uniforms unique and unusual …”

“… the sailors from the Japanese man-of-war lying in the harbor, and American soldiers and sailors, the consular families of the different consuls from foreign lands, and all the mixed heterogeneous mass of all nationalities which thronged the streets for miles, made the funeral procession to the mausoleum a scene never to be forgotten.” (Mid-Pacific, August 1919)

“(N)o one who was fortunate enough to be present early on this notable Tuesday morning is likely to ever forget one of the first, and perhaps the simplest, bits of homage paid the beloved Queen: The singing, by the ladies of one of the kahili-watches, of the Queen’s own ‘Aloha Oe.’”

“The tender rendition of this now famous refrain from Liliuokalani’s prolific pen, seemingly brought home to the somewhat dazed consciousness of the assemblage the fact that, indeed, was Liliʻu departed forever, and that the time of the final aloha was come.” (Hodges)

“Knowing that this would be the last royal funeral and that a funeral of royalty on these islands was always a remarkably spectacular affair …”

“… the streets of Honolulu were crowded during the week from the day of her death to the day her body was placed in the royal mausoleum on the side of the mountain in beautiful Nuʻuanu valley, just on the edge of the city of Honolulu.” (Mid-Pacific, August 1919)

At the time, the world was at war (WWI.) “In recent weeks, Queen Liliuokalani had shown striking patriotism for the United States. She subscribed liberally for the Red Cross fund and the Liberty Loan.”

“When news first came that a state of war had been declared, she hoisted the Stars and Stripes over her residence in Washington Place, advising her former subjects to support the government of the United States to the fullest.” (The Morning Oregonian, November 12, 1917)

“Liliuokalani, former queen of Hawaiʻi, accomplished writer, song composer and hostess, was born near Honolulu (September 2) 1838. She was christened Lydia (Kamakaeha) and was the daughter of a noble family.”

“Following a native custom, the object of which was to cement friendships, she was given to (Paki) and his wife Konia, of another noble family, to raise. Her name Liliuokalani, “Lily of Heaven,” was given her, several years later.”

“As a girl she attended the royal school at Honolulu and received a fair education, which she supplemented by much reading. She was a gifted musician. Later in life she composed hundreds of Hawaiian songs; some of which are now known all over the world. “

“At school the future queen met John O Dominis, son of an American sea captain to whom she was afterwards married.” (Baltimore American, November 12, 1917; Coughlin) She died November 11, 1917 at the age of 79.

“After the death of the Queen the red fish vanished.” (Mid-Pacific, August 1919)

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