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September 4, 2018 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Marion Eugene Carl

Carl’s imposing list of “firsts.” Beginning with his World War II career, he gained such commendations as

• First Marine Corps ace (at Midway and Guadalcanal)
• Among the first Marines ever to fly a helicopter
• First Marine to land aboard an aircraft carrier
• First U.S. military aviator to wear a full pressure suit
• As a brigadier general, commanded the first Marines to land in Vietnam
• Test pilot in the pioneer days of jet aviation
• The world’s altitude and speed records
• Retired as Inspector General of the Marine Corps
• First living Marine admitted to the Naval Aviation Hall of Honor
• First Marine to be named to the Navy Carrier Aviation Test Pilots Hall of Honor (Carl & Tillman)

Marion Carl was born into a farming family in the Willamette Valley on November 1, 1915, the second of four children of Herman Lee Carl, a dairy farmer, and Ellen Lavine Ellingsen Carl.

He graduated from Oregon State University in 1938 with a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Engineering. He entered the U.S. Army Engineer Corps Reserve on May 31, 1938, and enlisted in the US Marine Corps Reserve on August 17, 1938.

Carl then entered the Aviation Cadet Program of the Marine Corps on September 27, 1938, beginning active duty on November 15, 1938, and was commissioned a 2d Lt and designated a Naval Aviator on December 1, 1939.

He ended up fighting in flying in WWII (including at Midway and Guadalcanal), Korean conflict and Vietnam. He logged more than 13,000 hours of military flight time, and for 30 years was thought by many to be the Marines’ finest pilot. (Tillman)

In a vicious dogfight at Midway the Americans lost plane after plane. After the ‘all clear,’ the Midway radio called: “Fighters land, refuel by divisions….” No fighters landed. Then came the call, “All fighters land and reservice,” only ten planes came back, and only two would ever fly again.

It was the heaviest loss the Marines suffered in a single air battle during the entire war. Capt. Carl flew one of only two planes sent up in the second defensive sortie from Midway.

On August 7, 1942, at Guadalcanal, two months after Midway, Marines stormed ashore in the Solomons during the first American offensive of World War II. He became an ace on August 26, 1942.

During an aerial fight off the coast of Guadalcanal on September 9, he was forced to bail out of his shot-up Wildcat and was losing his battle to swim ashore against the tide, when he was picked up by friendly natives in a canoe. After five days with the natives, he finally made his way back to his base.

A year later, he returned to combat in the Solomons. By the end of 1943, Major Carl’s total of enemy aircraft destroyed was 18½ with 3 damaged, making him the seventh highest-scoring Marine fighter pilot of World War II.

After the War, Marion Carl was assigned as a test pilot at NAS Patuxent River, Maryland, testing jet aircraft on aircraft carriers. He was also the first Marine Corps pilot to fly a helicopter. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel August 7, 1947.

At Muroc Army Air Field (now Edwards Air Force Base) Marion Carl tested the Douglas D-558-I Skystreak and D-558-II Skyrocket, setting world records for speed and altitude.

(Chuck Yeager, the Air Force’s top test pilot, wrested away the title of world’s fastest human by breaking the sound barrier two months later, also at Muroc. He flew a Bell X-1 rocket plane at Mach 1.07 – 700 mph – on October 14, 1947.)

In 1955, Colonel Carl commanded Marine Photo Reconnaissance Squadron One and flew on secret missions over the People’s Republic of China.

By 1962, Colonel Carl was Director of Marine Corps Aviation. He was promoted to brigadier general, June 1, 1964. He commanded the First Marine Brigade during the Vietnam War and flew combat missions in jet fighters and helicopter gun ships.

Carl was promoted to major general in August 1967, with his date of rank retroactive to June 1, 1964. Carl commanded the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, then served as Inspector General of the Marine Corps from 1970 until 1973.

During his military career, Major General Carl was awarded the Navy Cross with two gold stars (three awards); The Legion of Merit with valor device and three gold stars (four awards); The Distinguished Flying Cross with four gold stars (five awards); and the Air Medal with two gold and two silver stars (twelve awards).

Tragically, General Carl was murdered in Roseburg, Oregon, June 28, 1998, as he defended his wife, Edna, during a home-invasion robbery. Mrs. Carl was wounded, but survived.

In 2009, the Marine base at Kāne’ohe Bay was designated Marine Corps Air Station Kāne’ohe Bay (it was formerly an “air facility,” the new “air station” title denotes greater activity than “air facility.”)

At that time, the name the airfield was named in honor of retired Maj. Gen. Marion E. Carl. (Lots of information here is from Tillman, Willetts, This Day in Aviation, Swops, Veteran Tributes and Lemoore Mud Run.)

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CARL-Marion-E.-Major-USMC-with-Vought-F4U-Corsair-1943
CARL-Marion-E.-Major-USMC-with-Vought-F4U-Corsair-1943
CARL-Marion-E.-Captain-USMC-with-Grumman-F4F-3-Wildcat
CARL-Marion-E.-Captain-USMC-with-Grumman-F4F-3-Wildcat
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CARL-Marion-E.-MAY-Gene-CALDWELL-Turner-F.-Jr.
MarionECarl
MarionECarl
Marion E Carls speed Record attempt-Skystreak-Acrylic
Marion E Carls speed Record attempt-Skystreak-Acrylic
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Douglas-D-558-I-Skystreak-low-pass
CARL-Marion-E.-MAJ-USMC-and-CALDWELL-Turner-F.-Jr.-CDR-USN-with-Bu.-No.-37970
CARL-Marion-E.-MAJ-USMC-and-CALDWELL-Turner-F.-Jr.-CDR-USN-with-Bu.-No.-37970
mecarl-gravesite-photo
mecarl-gravesite-photo

Filed Under: Military, Prominent People Tagged With: Marion Eugene Carl, Marion E Carl Field, Hawaii, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Military, Naval Air Station Kaneohe

September 3, 2018 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Bering

“(A) direct acquaintance of the Russians with the islands occurred only in June 1804, when the ‘Hope’ and ‘Neva’, under the command of IF Krusenstern and Yu. F. Lisyansky, visited the archipelago in during his world tour.”

“Although Lisyansky was in the Hawaiian Islands for less than two weeks (from June 8 to 20, 1804), he managed to compile a very thorough picture of the state of the economy, trade, customs and life of the islanders, as well as the successful activities of the energetic King Kamehameha I.”

“Neva visited Otuwai Island (Kauai), where the Russian ship was visited by the King of Kaumuali‘i (To-Mari), speaking in English, complaining that Europeans seldom visit his possessions.”

“Lisyansky gave him a ‘flannel blanket and many other trifles,’ but the king was interested in the strip iron, paints, and most importantly – in defense from his opponent Kamehameha.”

“‘It was advisable for him,’ wrote Nikolai Korobitsin, the steward of the Russian Cancer Institute, ‘that we land our ship to his island to protect Evo from King Tomiomi, for which reason he even expressed the desire to “agree to act as his island in Russia’s citizenship’”.

“During the stay of the “Neva” in Hawaii, trade ties were established between the team and the islanders. Russian sailors exchanged clothes, axes, and iron for pigs and fruits, fully appreciating the importance of the archipelago as a food base for Kamchatka and Russian America.”

“The participant of the expedition VN Berkh noted later that every autumn it would be expedient to send a ship from Kamchatka to the Hawaiian Islands, where he could stay for the whole winter, and in May he could go back with a load of food.”

“According to contemporaries, Kamehameha had a special passion for the acquisition of naval ships. At his disposal were fifteen different ships, among which were not only small boats and tenders, but even large three-masted ships. He showed a keen interest in establishing trade relations.”

“Having learned that the Russian colonies lack food, the king let know AA. Baranov that he is ready every year to send a merchant ship with the cargo of pigs, salt, sweet potatoes and other food products to Novo-Arkhangelsk, if in exchange they receive ‘skins of sea otters at a reasonable price’”. (Bolkhovitinov)

“In 1813, just after the war between the United States and Great Britain, the governor of the Russian colony at Sitka, Alaska, purchased the Atahualpa, a ship that had been engaged in the naval activities of the war.” (He renamed it the Bering.)

“Previous to the discharge of the American captain and crew the ship was sent by the governor on a voyage to the ‘Sandwich Islands.’ Having sold a goodly portion of her cargo on the other islands, she visited Kauai for the purpose of trading with the natives.” (Mid-Pacific Magazine)

The Bering made its last stop at Waimea, Kauai, on January 30, 1815. At 3 am, the next morning, the ship ran aground in Waimea during a gale. (Mills)

“Most of the cargo on board was saved, and this was taken ashore and committed to the care of Kaumuali‘i, then the reigning chief of Kauai. He stored the goods, raised a little white flag to show that the building and its contents were tabu, and pursued the even tenor of his ways in peace.”

“In 1815 the Russian governor sent an agent, one Doctor Schoof (Schäffer,) to secure the property. He came to the islands as a passenger on the American ship Isabella. Captain Tyler. The Isabella was not bound for Kauai and the doctor landed at Kailua on Hawaii. After some weeks he secured passage to Kauai on the Millwood. Captain Eddes.”

“Kamehameha, then the king of the group, sent a messenger with Doctor (Schäffer,) with orders to Kaumuali‘i to deliver up the Russian property. He had kept it safely and delivered it promptly.”

“Although the bulk of the cargo consisted of powder and shot with some small arms, and notwithstanding that powder was in great demand for the killing of game, Kaumuali‘i held his trust sacred.”

“Shortly thereafter the Discovery, another Russian vessel, arrived with about 30 Kodiack Indians, half of whom were females.”

“The Governor of Alaska had heard there was an island northwest of Kauai, where there were herds of fur seals, and he had sent the Discovery and her crew on a sealing trip.”

“He failed to find either island or seals, and returned to Waimea. The captain had orders to leave the Indians in care of Dr. (Schäffer,) in case he failed to find the island and the seals, and proceeded on his voyage. It is not unreasonable to suppose that some of these Indians intermarried with the Hawaiians.”

“The Russian ship Myrtle, Captain Young, arrived shortly afterward, and also a Russian brig. These anchored at Hanalei. The arrival of these several Russian vessels caused the Hawaiians to believe that the Russians were preparing to seize the islands.”

“This suspicion was strengthened when Dr. (Schäffer) commenced to build a fort at Hanalei, where he had mounted several cannon.”

“(Schäffer) sold some powder to Kaumuali‘i, however, in exchange for sandal wood, and gave him a number of trifling presents.”

“A short time after the Doctor left, another Russian vessel arrived at Waimea. The captain was allowed to secure fresh water and purchase supplies but was advised that the climate of Kauai was not conducive to the health of Russians. He left.” (Mid-Pacific Magazine)

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atahualpa-bering
atahualpa-bering

Filed Under: Economy, Sailing, Shipping & Shipwrecks Tagged With: Schaffer, Bering, Atahualpa, Hawaii, Russians in Hawaii

September 2, 2018 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Liliʻuokalani

At that time she was born, children often were named in commemoration of an event. She was given the name Lydia Liliʻu Loloku Walania Wewehi Kamakaʻeha.

Kuhina Nui Kīnaʻu had developed an eye infection at the time of Liliʻu’s birth. She gave the child the names Liliʻu (smarting,) Loloku (tearful,) Walania (a burning pain) and Kamakaʻeha (sore eyes.)

“Very near to (the site of Queen’s Hospital,) on Sept. 2, 1838, I was born. My father’s name was Kapaʻakea, and my mother was Keohokālole; the latter was one of the fifteen counsellors of the king, Kamehameha III., who in 1840 gave the first written constitution to the Hawaiian people.”

“My great-grandfather, Keawe-a-Heulu, the founder of the dynasty of the Kamehamehas, and Keōua, father of Kamehameha I., were own cousins, and my great-grandaunt was the celebrated Queen Kapiʻolani, one of the first converts to Christianity. “

“She plucked the sacred berries from the borders of the volcano, descended to the boiling lava, and there, while singing Christian hymns, threw them into the lake of fire.”

“This was the act which broke forever the power of Pele, the fire-goddess, over the hearts of her people. Those interested in genealogies are referred to the tables at the close of this volume, which show the descent of our family from the highest chiefs of ancient days.”

“But I was destined to grow up away from the house of my parents.” (Lili‘uokalani)

As was the custom, Liliʻu was hānai (adopted) to Abner Pākī and his wife Laura Kōnia (granddaughter of Kamehameha I), who reared her with their birth daughter, Pauahi (born December 19, 1831).

“When I was taken from my own parents and adopted by Paki and Konia, or about two months thereafter, a child was born to Kīna‘u. That little babe was the Princess Victoria, two of whose brothers became sovereigns of the Hawaiian people.”

“While the infant was at its mother’s breast, Kīna‘u always preferred to take me into her arms to nurse, and would hand her own child to the woman attendant who was there for that purpose.”

“I knew no other father or mother than my foster-parents, no other sister than Bernice. I used to climb up on the knees of Paki, put my arms around his neck, kiss him, and he caressed me as a father would his child …”

“… while on the contrary, when I met my own parents, it was with perhaps more of interest, yet always with the demeanor I would have shown to any strangers who noticed me.”

“My own father and mother had other children, ten in all, the most of them being adopted into other chiefs’ families; and although I knew that these were my own brothers and sisters, yet we met throughout my younger life as though we had not known our common parentage. This was, and indeed is, in accordance with Hawaiian customs.” (Lili‘uokalani)

Lili‘uokalani lived on the property called Haleʻākala, in the house that Pākī built on King Street. It was the ‘Pink House,’ made from coral (the house was name ʻAikupika (Egypt.)) (It is not clear where the ʻAikupika name came from.)

The two-story coral house was built by Pākī himself, from the original grass hut complex of the same name at the same site; he financed the construction through the sale of Mākaha Valley (ʻAikupika would later become the primary residence of his daughter Bernice Pauahi and her husband, Charles Reed Bishop.)

“At the age of four years I was sent to what was then known as the Royal School, because its pupils were exclusively persons whose claims to the throne were acknowledged. It was founded and conducted by Mr Amos S Cooke, who was assisted by his wife.”

“It was a boarding-school, the pupils being allowed to return to their homes during vacation time, as well as for an occasional Sunday during the term.”

“I was a studious girl; and the acquisition of knowledge has been a passion with me during my whole life, one which has not lost its charm to the present day. In this respect I was quite different from my sister Bernice.” (Lili‘uokalani)

Founded in 1839 during the reign of King Kamehameha III, the original Chief’s Children’s School was in the area where the ʻIolani barracks now stand.

Mr. and Mrs. Amos Cooke, missionaries from New England, were commissioned to teach the 16 royal children (others who joined the Pākī sisters were Lot Kapuāiwa (later Kamehameha V), Queen Emma, King William Lunalilo and Liliʻu’s brother, David (later King Kalākaua.)

In 1846 the school’s name was officially changed to Royal School; attendance was restricted to descendants of the royal line and heirs of the chiefs. In 1850, a second school was built on the site of the present Royal School; it was opened to the general public in 1851.

The comments in quotes are from Liliʻuokalani from her book “Hawaiʻi’s Story by Hawaiʻi’s Queen, Liliʻuokalani.”

Fast forward … on the afternoon of January 16, 1893, 162 sailors and Marines aboard the USS Boston in Honolulu Harbor came ashore. The home that Liliʻuokalani was raised in (later known as Arlington Hotel) served as the headquarters for the USS Boston’s landing force (Camp Boston) at the time of the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy, January 17, 1893.

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Lydia Kamakaʻeha Pākī, the future Queen Liliuokalani, in her youth possibly at Royal School.
Lydia Kamakaʻeha Pākī, the future Queen Liliuokalani, in her youth possibly at Royal School.
Caesar-Kapaakea-and-Analea-Keohokālole-parents-of-King-Kalakaua-and-Queen-Liliuokalani-1.jpg
Caesar-Kapaakea-and-Analea-Keohokālole-parents-of-King-Kalakaua-and-Queen-Liliuokalani-1.jpg
Abner-Pākī-c.-1808–1855-was-a-member-of-Hawaiian-nobility.-He-was-a-legislator-and-judge-and-the-father-of-Bernice-Pauahi-Bishop-1855-2.jpg
Abner-Pākī-c.-1808–1855-was-a-member-of-Hawaiian-nobility.-He-was-a-legislator-and-judge-and-the-father-of-Bernice-Pauahi-Bishop-1855-2.jpg
Laura Kōnia (c. 1808–1857) was a member of the Hawaiian royal family. She was grandaughter of King Kamehameha I
Laura Kōnia (c. 1808–1857) was a member of the Hawaiian royal family. She was grandaughter of King Kamehameha I
Paki_sisters-Bernice Pauahi Paki and Lydia Kamakaeha Paki (Liliuokalani)-1859
Paki_sisters-Bernice Pauahi Paki and Lydia Kamakaeha Paki (Liliuokalani)-1859
Liliuokalani,-1860s_or_1870s
Liliuokalani,-1860s_or_1870s
Bernice-Pauahis-residence-at-Haleʻākala-the-building-itself-is-called-Aikupika-near-what-is-now-the-intersection-of-Bishop-and-King-streets.jpg
Bernice-Pauahis-residence-at-Haleʻākala-the-building-itself-is-called-Aikupika-near-what-is-now-the-intersection-of-Bishop-and-King-streets.jpg
Haleakala_front-(DMY)
Haleakala_front-(DMY)
Royal_School,_probably_after_1848
Royal_School,_probably_after_1848
View_toward-Diamond_Head-of_Honolulu_down_King_from_Fort_Street_in_1855-(Paki_(Bishop)_house-2)
View_toward-Diamond_Head-of_Honolulu_down_King_from_Fort_Street_in_1855-(Paki_(Bishop)_house-2)
Wedding_portrait_of_Mr._and_Mrs._Charles_Reed_Bishop,_June_4,_1850
US Marines and sailors from the USS Boston during overthrow of Queen Liliuokalani-PP-36-3-003
US Marines and sailors from the USS Boston during overthrow of Queen Liliuokalani-PP-36-3-003
USS Boston officers at Camp Boston, Arlington Hotel, Honolulu, Hawaii, 1893
USS Boston officers at Camp Boston, Arlington Hotel, Honolulu, Hawaii, 1893
USS_Boston_landing_force,_Arlington_Hotel-1893_(PP-36-3-002)
USS_Boston_landing_force,_Arlington_Hotel-1893_(PP-36-3-002)
Downtown and Vicinity-Dakin-Fire Insurance- 3-Map-1891-Location_of_Haleakala_noted

Filed Under: Ali'i / Chiefs / Governance, Buildings, Hawaiian Traditions Tagged With: Liliuokalani, Ane Keohokalole, Kapaakea, Keohokalole, Paki, Konia, Liliu, Caesar Kapaakea, Hawaii

September 1, 2018 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Pa‘upa‘u

Pa‘upa‘u (lit. drudgery (servants were weary of bringing water to bathe the chief’s child)) is a hill above Lahainaluna School on Maui.

As noted in Pukui’s ‘Place Names’ book, “Not many years ago Mary Kawena Pukui found a colleague, Ke=oho=kapu, hard at work.”

“Instead of the banal comment that a haole would make, she asked cryptically, ‘E ku‘o‘i a‘e ana i ke One=o=Luhi?’ (Are [you] limping along the Beach of Weariness?)”

“Ke=oho=kapu, quick as a flash, said resignedly. ‘He pi‘i-na ke-ia i mauna Pa‘u-pa‘u.’ ([I”m) just climbing up Drudgery Hill.)”

“Both were pleased, and as a result of this repartee, the work may have seemed less like drudgery. The core of these sayings is the double meaning – in the place names Luhi ‘weariness’ and Pa‘u-pa‘u ‘drudgery’ a device rarely used in English sayings.” (Pukui, Appendix 8.1)

Sheldon Dibble had a house on the hill … “…Mon. Dec 14. Dined with Mr. Baldwin whose domicile joins that of Mr. Forbes, & is equally pleasantly situated. Mr. B[aldwin] has a wife & 5 children, the eldest a lad of 12 or 13 apparently…”

“Tues Dec 15th 1846. Rose soon after daylight & with Messrs Alexander & Hunt took a delightful ride on horseback along the base of the hills back of the Seminary.”

“We first rode up the hill to the cottage formerly built & occupied by Mr. Dibble situated on the side of the mountain 1500 ft above the sea (900 above Lahainaluna).”

“This residence was doubtless the means of prolonging the life of Mr. D[ibble] while declining of pulmonary consumption. The great objection to the residence is the difficulty of procuring water which has to be brought from a distance up very steep precipices.”

“The hill which rises back of this cottage on the flank of which it stands is called Mt Ball. The top of it is 2100 ft above the ocean…” (Lyman)

Another missionary, Samuel Whitney, also used the house on the hill … he had “taken ill on the island of Kauai, on the 21st of September last (1845). His symptoms, from the first, indicated a disordered liver.”

“After trying a change of air at his summer retreat at Hanapepeluna and employing various remedies, he, with his family, sailed on the 21st of October for Honolulu, where he arrived in three days …”

“From this, however, he partially recovered, and he was induced, by an earnest invitation, to come to Maui, to try the effects of a residence at the cool and elevated retreat of Mount Ball, above Lahainaluna. … When he arrived, he was quite fatigued, and he was ever afterwards confined mostly to his bed.”

“He now rapidly wasted away under the influence of disease, though his friends generally hoped he would soon begin to mend. …” Whitney died December 15, 1845.

Though David Malo did not die at Pa‘upa‘u, he wanted to be (and was) buried there. “He said this land will fall into the possession of foreigners. Land in Lahaina would be valuable.”

“The graveyards, enriched by the remains of the natives, would be coveted, and the contents of the graves scattered abroad. He wished not his bones to be disturbed. Let him be buried on that summit where no white man will ever build his house.” (Honolulu Advertiser, January 7, 1918)

Pu‘u Pa‘upa‘u has a symbol from Malo’s school (he was one of the first students enrolled at Lahainaluna Seminary). A large ‘L’ (standing for Lahainaluna, reportedly put there in 1929) is visible from most parts below.

Today, Lahainaluna students continue to maintain the ‘L’ on Pa‘upa‘u (a 30-foot letter of the natural red of the hill, outlined with white lime) at about the 2,000-foot elevation. (The school’s colors are red and white.)

Twice a year, students in Lahainaluna’s boarding program lug sacks of lime up to the site to outline the red ‘L’ in white. Hash-marks on the long side of the ‘L’ indicate sports championships.

Students also make the trek to pay reverence to David Malo, who died October 21, 1853 and who is buried on its summit. The school has an annual ho‘olaulea, David Malo Day, that pays tribute to Malo.

Pu‘u Pa‘upa‘u is also referred to as Mount Ball. It is not clear why or when it was named such, but references back to the mid-1840s, at least, use that name.

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lahainaluna-L
lahainaluna-L
The L Lahainaluna-MountBall
The L Lahainaluna-MountBall
Lahainaluna High School L
Lahainaluna High School L
Lahainaluna L in need of lime
Lahainaluna L in need of lime
Lahainaluna L-lazarohike
Lahainaluna L-lazarohike
David Malo grave
David Malo grave
Rainbow_over_Lahainaluna
Rainbow_over_Lahainaluna
Lahaina as seen from Lahainaluna (Maui) Miss Thurston, Attributed to possibly be Eliza Thurston (1807-1873)
Lahaina as seen from Lahainaluna (Maui) Miss Thurston, Attributed to possibly be Eliza Thurston (1807-1873)

Filed Under: General, Place Names, Schools Tagged With: Mt Ball, Hawaii, Maui, Lahainaluna, David Malo, Lahaina, Puu Paupau

August 31, 2018 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Emerald Bower of Hilo

Lydia Bingham Coan, second wife of Titus Coan, assembled his letters and told some of his stories in a Memorial to her husband. She speaks of “‘Emerald Bower,’ as they called their Hilo home, was a place of many hospitalities, and for nine years, with the delightful Dr. Coan, Mrs. Coan enjoyed the many social, literary and pastoral experiences of missionary life.”

“After the death of Dr. Coan in 1882, she returned to Honolulu to enter into the home of her brother, Dr. Hiram Bingham, Jr., in Punahou, near the old home of the Bingham family.”

“When Dr. Bingham died in 1908 the American Board gladly gave her a life tenure of the Bingham home, called “Gilbertina,” where with the loving ministrations of her devoted niece, Miss Kate Reynolds, she happily passed her declining years. On Tuesday, Aug. 14, 1915, Mrs. Coan took a severe cold, which developed into pneumonia.”

“Though this disease was soon arrested the frail body could not bear the strain of recovery, and on August 31st Mrs. Coan entered into the rest for which she had long been waiting.” (HMCS) Following are passages from her memorial and remembrances of Coan and Emerald Bower.

“From Boston he wrote to his parents: “December 3, 1834.- ‘We have now been here nearly two weeks, waiting for the ship to be ready. We hope to go to-morrow. Twelve missionaries sailed to-day for Southeastern Africa. There are eight of our number, making twenty in all, who met in this city at the same time.’”

“‘We received our instructions together on Sunday evening, the 23d of November, in Park Street Church. The meeting was crowded, solemn and impressive. The people of Boston take a deep interest in the cause of missions, and are very hospitable to missionaries. We have been kindly entertained since our arrival here.’”

“‘Our ship, the Hellespont, is a very good one, of 340 tons burden, but she is deeply laden. We shall be pent up in small rooms, but they will be large enough to hold our Bibles and our God, if our spirits are contrite.’”

“To His Brother, Heman Coan, Honolulu, June 26, 1835. – ‘My eyes at last behold these ‘isles afar off,’ and my feet tread on these long desired shores. And I would here first record the goodness of God in guiding us through all the perils of the deep and in bringing us to the field of our labors’”.

“‘On the morning of the 5th inst., just six months from the time we lost sight of our native land, we first descried the island of Hawaii, at the distance of sixty or seventy miles. On the morning of the 6th we made this island (Oahu), and at 10 A. M. dropped anchor in the harbor.’”

“‘All the missionaries of the islands, except two, with their wives and little ones, were assembled in general meeting at this place, according to their annual custom.’”

“‘On hearing of our arrival, Messrs. Bingham, Chamberlain and Armstrong came off to the ship in a boat, to welcome and to take us on shore. When we landed, we found the band of brethren and sisters at the seaside awaiting our arrival and ready to embrace us. Every heart seemed to feel more than it could utter.’”

“‘After services Mr. B. introduced me to the governess and some of the high chiefs, who expressed much joy at the arrival of more teachers on their shores. When we turned from our interview with the chiefs, the common people pressed around me in crowds, each one striving to grasp my hand and express his warm welcome.’”

“‘I long to go into the work. I think this is my proper field of labor, and I would not go back for the world, unless I knew it to be the will of God. There is pressing need of laborers here. Thousands who are anxious for instruction must die without it unless help can be obtained.’”

“‘Our location for the present year will be at Hilo, on the island of Hawaii. Our associate is to be Rev. Mr. Lyman. We shall probably be two hundred and fifty miles from medical aid, and can expect none. We have only to trust in God. Dear brother, live near to God and labor for souls. If we are faithful to our Master we shall soon meet in joy.’”

“Mr. and Mrs. Coan remained a month in Honolulu. Then, their location having been assigned by the mission, and an opportunity of reaching it presenting, they went forth to their appointed station.”

“Hilo was to them at the first, ‘a picture of loveliness,’ and forty years later Mr. Coan would write: ‘The ecstatic romance with which I first saw these emerald isles has not abated by familiarity or by age. The picture is photographed in unfading tints upon my heart, and it has become to me the romance of reality.’”

“‘Where can you find within so small a space such a collecting, such massing, such blending of the bland, the beautiful, the exquisite, the gorgeous, the grand and the terrific as on Hawaii?’” Of Hilo he notes, “our lovely, our inimitable landscape, our emerald bowers, our crescent strand and our silver bay”.

“To Mrs. E. Coan. March 8, 1867. – ‘I have just reached home in the dear old Emerald Bower. I went about fifty miles north to meet Bro. Bond, of Kohala, and the native pastors and delegates of N: Hawaii at the meeting of an ecclesiastical association.’”

“‘Thence I went to Waimea, seventy miles from Hilo, to see our dear Brother Lyons, who has not been able to leave his station for more than three years on account of ill health.’”

“To His Children. February 1, 1881. – ‘This is a joyful day. The heavens shine with glory. The earth glows with beauty. The sea sparkles with brilliants. The radiant orbs sing praises. The bland zephyrs murmur sweetly. The rippling rills leap and laugh.’”

“‘The emerald fields rejoice. Silvery notes of praise rise from glen and forest, and mingling strains of harmony and love ascend to the Creator from all his works.’”

“‘I am this day four score years old. God gave me a happy childhood, a cheerful youth, a vigorous manhood, and now a calm old age. My health is good, my spirits buoyant, and my heart is happy in the companion of my choice. My faith is firm, my hope anchored, and my love for you all is deathless as the soul.’”

“‘My experiences have been varied, and I look back upon my life as marked with many mistakes, numerous sins, and much unworthiness.’”

“‘But I also adore the grace of God in his pardoning love, and humbly trust that the blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, will cleanse me from all sin. I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to the salvation of every true believer.’”

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Hilo_illustration,_c._1870s
Hilo_illustration,_c._1870s

Filed Under: Missionaries / Churches / Religious Buildings, Place Names, Buildings Tagged With: Hawaii, Hilo, Titus Coan, Emerald Bower, Lydia Bingham Coan

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