Christmas | Page 2 | Images of Old Hawaiʻi

People celebrate seasonal meals in different ways and at different times – for some, the special meal is Christmas dinner; for us, our big meal was Christmas Eve.

As a kid, it seemed like we always had others over at our house for dinner at this time of year. For a while, Marines shared our table.

Later, 2-3 members of the Oregon swim team stayed at our house and joined us for holiday meals (UH had a swim meet around Thanksgiving/ Christmas and we joined other local families in hosting members of the visiting teams.)

For us, in the early years, Christmas Eve dinner was pretty much like Thanksgiving dinner – turkey and the works; in later years we had roast beef.

I also remember my parents having a special “champagne” with dinner – Cold Duck (it had nothing to do with the swim team) – for them, it was a special wine for the special meal.

As a little kid, the approaching night was a difficult time to sleep – the anticipation, the expectation … the joy of the time. I don’t think I’ll sleep well tonight, either.

And, let’s not forget the reason for the season. Merry Christmas!!!

When we were little, my brother sang this song in a school program – since then, it has been my favorite Christmas song. Here is Willie K singing O Holy Night:

“The little ones who are looking forward to the Malihini Tree do not know anything about the sugar tariff, but they do know that Santa Claus will not come this year if anything should happen to the Malihini Tree.”

“They do not know anything about free sugar in 1916, but they do know that their little arms ache for a really doll, with really hair. They have not worried their little heads over dividends. They never heard of a dividend.”

“But they have their hearts set on being in line when that glorious tree glistens forth again in the Christmas morning sun. And they must not be disappointed. And they will not be disappointed.” (Hawaiian Gazette, December 16, 1913)

“(T)he Malihini Christmas Tree was raised by some malihini who visited Honolulu two years ago, after discussion, they decided that it would be a fine thing to give presents to the children of this town, whereupon they collected money to purchase gifts and to do everything that would it enjoyable for them.” (Kuokoa, December 30, 1910)

“In the beginning when the children started to move in line to where the presents were, the very first were the orphans of Kapiolani Home, and to those baby girls of the home who were given the first time in the previous year, they were given first and following them, everyone else.” (Kuokoa, December 30, 1910)

“In the past two years, the Foreign Tree stood in Bishop Park, Ewa side of the Young Hotel, and it was there that the presents were distributed to the children who had tickets …”

“… but because of the decision to increase the amount of gifts with the knowledge that the number of children would be great, the tree was moved to grounds of the Executive Building and there the children would receive the presents.”

“Being that it was a great happening held on the morning of this past Monday, there were many folks who went to see the presents being given to the children, and the grounds were filled with people and children too, those children who had tickets and those as well who did not.”

“(T)here was an area cordoned off with children lined up reaching somewhere over two thousand. It was clear from the looks of the children who arrived that there were all the ethnicities who lived in this town; some were in their dress clothes, while others were in their everyday clothes which showed how poor they were.”

“There were other poor children, but because they did not obtain a ticket, none of them approached the place where the gifts were being handed out, and some people came with presents for them.”

“There was a long table filled with presents of all sorts that were separated so there would be no confusion, and from there the gifts were given as per the sort of child; …”

“… if it was a boy, they would give a gift appropriate to him, and if it was a girl, she would receive only a gift that would befit her; and every child was counted for; the table was heaped up with things from fruits to dolls and toys.”

“Overall, what is to be said about the Malihini Tree that was set up this year was that the public cannot hold back giving their admiration and appreciation to the people who gave their assistance in promoting this tree …”

“… for there is no other tree of this type in any other place of the world; it is only here in this Town and County of Honolulu, for the benefit of the poor children.” (Kuokoa, December 30, 1910)

“It draws no lines of creed, color, race nor location, the only limitation it places upon those it benefits being that they come from homes where Santa Claus can not find them. This year, if the plans of the committee can be fully carried unit, the tree will bear gifts for sixteen hundred boys and girls.” (Pacific Commercial Advertiser, December 7, 1910)

“However, we never forget, we can never forget, that the loving founders of this particular and to-be-famous Tree, were tourists in our midst, travelers, and they were inspired so to speak, to donate a special tree for poor children and manifest their love for Honolulu and their interest in that way. They were thinking of their loved ones far over the sea.”

“And they could not stand idle at that blessed season and so they hastened to give and to try to make happy, at least for that one day.”

“And it was a marvelous outpouring such as the city had not known. It was an original a unique affair, and the message of love struck home to every heart. And so, is now well-rooted the malihini tree for all the coming years as we do believe.”

“With all the rest it seems the very best and easiest method of reaching all and giving a happy outing to all, receiving each his own gift and sharing also to the full in the joy and gladness of the hundreds of little comrades a treat, too, of music and of laughter …”

“… for what can be more musical than the merry laughter of children at such a time! True melody and always welcome to the ear.” (Honolulu Times, January 1, 1911)

“The Malihini Christmas Tree returns big dividends. It returns more to the ones who contribute than it gives to the children, and, why should there be several hundred Christmas-less baby boys and baby girls in this city …”

“… even if the rich have to pay fifty cents a pound for turkey and cannot buy each other as expensive presents as usual? … The high cost of living has hit the family where poi is the staff of life, just as hard as it has hit the people who simply have to have plenty of eggs in their cake even if they do cost six cents each.” (Hawaiian Gazette, December 16, 1913)

“The founders of the Malihini Tree established the one form of Christmas giving that reaches into every part of the city and takes in every needy child that can be found.” (Pacific Commercial Advertiser, December 7, 1910)

“And in that spirit, the tree was again put up on that day for the children, and it was a joyous thing for those who gave the gifts …” (Kuokoa, December 30, 1910)

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