Kalakaua | Page 13 | Images of Old Hawaiʻi

October 28, 2016 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Late-1880s

The Statue of Liberty was made in France and was proposed by Edouard de Laboulaye, sculpted by Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi and funded by the French people.

It was shipped in 1885 to New York and placed onto Liberty Island in New York Harbor. It wasn’t dedicated by Grover Cleveland until on October 28, 1886.

That year, John Pemberton begins selling his formula (a mixture of cocaine and caffeine) at Jacob’s Pharmacy in Atlanta, Georgia.

It was initially sold as a patent medicine for five cents a glass at soda fountains. Coca Cola no longer contains Cocaine but that is how it got its name.

Geronimo (Mescalero-Chiricahua: Goyaałé [kòjàːɬɛ́] “the one who yawns” (June 16, 1829 – February 17, 1909) was a prominent leader from the Bedonkohe band of the Chiricahua Apache tribe.

From 1850 to 1886 Geronimo joined with members of three other Chiricahua Apache bands – the Chihenne, the Chokonen and the Nednhi – to carry out numerous raids as well as resistance to US and Mexican military campaigns in the northern Mexico states of Chihuahua and Sonora, and in the southwestern American territories of New Mexico and Arizona.

Geronimo’s raids and related combat actions were a part of the prolonged period of the Apache-American conflict that started with American settlement in Apache lands following the end of the war with Mexico in 1848.

In 1886, Geronimo, described by one follower as ‘the most intelligent and resourceful … most vigorous and farsighted’ of the Apache leaders, surrendered to General Nelson A Miles in Skeleton Canyon, Arizona, after more than a decade of guerilla warfare against American and Mexican settlers in the Southwest.

The terms of surrender require Geronimo and his tribe to settle in Florida, where the Army hopes he can be contained. (In 1894, Geronimo and others were relocated at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.)

The National Geographic Society, founded on January 27, 1888 in Washington DC, has gone on to become the world’s largest scientific and geographical distribution organization.

Its original premise was ‘for the increase and diffusion of geographic knowledge.’ In the field, National Geographic has supported exploration, education and conservation and a number of geological, natural and literary sources since 1888.

In 1888, George Eastman introduced the Kodak No 1, a simple and inexpensive Box Camera that brings photography to all. Because of their simplicity, ease of use and cost, the cameras became an enormous success.

That year, Scottish Inventor John Boyd Dunlop patents the first practical pneumatic or inflatable tyre. Also that year, on August 31, 1888, the first victim of the murderer called ‘Jack the Ripper’ was discovered in London.

The Eiffel Tower, or the Tour Eiffel, was opened on March 31, 1889, and was the work of a Gustave Eiffel, who was a bridge engineer.

It was made for the centenary of the French Revolution and was chosen over one hundred other plans that were given. Eiffel’s engineering skills would preface later architectural designs.

The Tower stands at twice the height of both the St Peter’s Basilica and the Great Pyramid of Giza. Its metallic construction was completed within months.

On June 21, 1887, Britain celebrated the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria, which marked the 50th year of her reign. Queen Kapiʻolani Princess Lili‘uokalani and her husband General Dominis, C.P. Iaukea, Governor of Oahu, Colonel J.H. Boyd, Mr. Sevellon Brown, Captain D.M. Taylor, and Lieutenant C.R.P. Rodgers, and four servants attended the Jubilee.

Queen Kapiʻolani brought along Liliʻuokalani to serve as her interpreter. Even though Kapiʻolani was raised to understand English, she would speak only Hawaiian. Newspapers noted that Liliʻuokalani was fluent in English while Kapiʻolani spoke ‘clumsily.’ (UH Manoa Library)

Queen Kapiʻolani had left the Islands under stress. Just before she left, Liliʻuokalani and Kalākaua’s sister, Miriam Likelike, wife of Archibald Cleghorn and mother of Princess Kaʻiulani, died on February 2, 1887. Her return was under stress, and expedited, as well.

Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee was held on June 20 and 21, 1887. On June 30, 1887, the Honolulu Rifles demanded that King Kalākaua dismiss his cabinet and form a new one.

Within days, with firearms in hand, the Hawaiian League presented King Kalākaua with a new constitution. Kalākaua signed the constitution under threat of use of force. (hawaiibar-org) As a result, the new constitution earned the nickname, The Bayonet Constitution.

“Queen Kapiʻolani and party reached (New York) from London (on July 11.) The queen expressed a wish to return home as soon as possible consistent with the health of the suite. It was decided not to stop more than a day or two at the longest in New York.”

“The queen … had been inclined to tears when she first heard the news of the Hawaiian revolution”. (Bismarck Weekly Tribune, July 15, 1887) Queen Kapiʻolani returned to Hawai‘i on July 26, 1887.

On July 30, 1889, Robert William Wilcox led a rebellion to restore the rights of the monarchy, two years after the Bayonet Constitution had left King Kalākaua a mere ﬁgurehead.

By the evening, Wilcox became a prisoner and charged with high treason by the government. He was tried for treason, but acquitted by the jury.

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Statue of Liberty, ‘Liberty Enlightening the World,’ in New York Harbor, on October 28, 1886

1876: The hand and torch of the Statue of Liberty on display at the 1876 Centennial Exhibition, in Philadelphia, ten years before the rest of the statue was completed. (Photo by MPI/Getty Images)

Statue of Liberty towers over Paris rooftops in 1884, outside Bartholdi’s workshop

Statue of Liberty -Hand and torch being built in a Paris studio around 1876

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Apache_chief_Geronimo_(right)_and_his_warriors_in_1886

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Queen_Victoria Jubilee-Kapiolani_and_Liliuokalani_at_the_Stewart_Estate,_England,_1887

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Lajolla-1906 (the same in late-1880s)

Eiffel’s chief engineer came up with the original concept in 1884

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Brooklyn_Bridge-under_construction

Brooklyn_Bridge-1890s

September 7, 2016 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

ʻIolani Palace Lanterns

King Kalākaua was the first ruling Monarch to tour of the world; in doing so, he made good on his motto, and motivation, proclaimed at his accession, ‘Hoʻoulu Lahui!’- (Increase the Nation!)

“(T)he King goes but for the good of his people, to make the country richer by getting more capital and people to come this way. … So the King this time takes with him a Commissioner to enquire into and bring other people of brown skins here to re-people these isles.” (Kapena)

The King and others were concerned about the declining Hawaiian population in the Islands. “The King himself would be only so in name if he had no people to rule. The King will not rest until his hope of re-peopling these isles has been fulfilled.” (Kapena)

Leaving January 20, 1881 on the Oceanic and arriving back in the Islands October 29, 1881 (nine months and nine days later,) Kalākaua travelled to the US, Japan, China, Siam, Burma, India, Egypt, Italy, Belgium, Germany, Austria-Hungary, France, Spain, Portugal and the United Kingdom.

Kalākaua wanted to gain recognition for his kingdom and learn how other monarchs ruled. He believed the best way to conclude diplomatic relations with foreign countries was to understand their customs.

In Japan, “On the day following their arrival, the royal party were escorted to the Imperial Theatre, Shintomiza. Twenty-eight carriages were required to take the train of Imperial Princes and Princesses, and high dignitaries, who formed the escort of His Majesty the King.”

“One thousand globe shaped lanterns were displayed in front of and around the theatre; and each one had the Imperial Japanese flag, and the Royal Hawaiian standard painted on them. Every walk, and every tree in the spacious theatre garden was hung with illuminated globes, every corridor and lobby was lined with them …”

“… and the interior of the theatre was in a blaze of light. It was estimated that over 3000 of these brilliant illuminated lanterns decorated the great theatre, and were an especial display, marvellous even to Japanese eyes, in honor of King Kalakaua’s visit.” (King Kalākaua’s Tour Round the World, PC Advertiser, 1881)

“When the King and his suite visited the Enriokwan Mansion, in a grand park, in Tokio, the grounds were illuminated by over 4,000 Japanese globe lanterns; and the King and suite were robed in very rich Japanese court costumes, provided expressly for this occasion.” (King Kalākaua’s Tour Round the World, PC Advertiser, 1881)

Following his trip, “King Kalākaua gave a grand ball at the royal palace Ball (in honor of the Prince and Princess Henri de Bourbon of Austria) …. The palace was beautifully decorated with festoons of Chinese lanterns, so thickly that it appeared to be almost covered with them.” (Daily Alta California, November 2, 1889)

“Every approach to the palace presented a scene of gorgeous resplendence. The illumination of the building and grounds has never been surpassed in style or degree.”

“From basement to battlements on every side the noble pile was profusely hung with rows of colored lanterns, festooned and straight but never departing from artistic symmetry…”

“There was a great crush of people in the throne room and main hall at the height of the reception, yet the procession past the royal dais flowed on in remarkably good order, the return stream of observed ones mingling with the throng of observers round the apartment. The band played throughout the ceremony.”

“Every approach to the palace presented a scene of gorgeous resplendence. The illumination of the building and grounds has never been surpassed in style or degree. From basement to battlements on every side the noble pile was profusely hung with rows of colored lanterns, festooned and straight but never departing from artistic symmetry.”

“These myriad lights were interspersed with the glittering rays from the permanent rose-shaped incandescent lamps on the outer walls, every door and window poured forth a welcoming glow from the electric crystal chandeliers richly bestowed within.”

“The paths in the grounds were lined, the trees and shrubbery decked, with hundreds of colored lanterns closely ranged in right lines and curves, all with such consummate art as to yield an effect of exquisite harmony to every point of vision.” (Daily Bulletin, October 24, 1889)

“The Palace grounds were lit up with torches and the front of the lower veranda was illuminated with lanterns in colors of white, green and red.” (Ball in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Claus Spreckels, August 7, 1885 – Pacific Commercial Advertiser, 8/8/85)

Lili‘uokalani continued the lantern tradition, “O ke kahua oloko o ka pa, ua hookauluwela ia e ua kuikui he mau haneri o na waihooluu like ole i hookuene akamai ia a lilo i mau nanaina maikai.” (The enclosed area within the fence was aglow with many hundreds of lanterns of different colors that were artistically arranged creating a wondrous sight to behold.) (Ball given by Lili‘uokalani – Nupepa Kuokoa, March 1892)

Friends of ʻIolani Palace continue the tradition – ʻIolani Palace and its grounds are often decorated with lanterns harking back to the time of Hawai‘i’s monarchy. (ʻIolani Palace)

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Iolani Palace Lanterns

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August 14, 2016 by Peter T Young 1 Comment

Moreno Episode

Celso Caesar Moreno, a professional lobbyist well known in Sacramento and Washington, DC, arrived in Honolulu on the China Merchant Steam Navigation Company’s ship ‘Ho-chung’ in November 1879.

One week later, he invited King Kalākaua, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Royal Chamberlain aboard the steamer to meet Fan Yau Ki, a wealthy Chinese industrialist. Moreno presented four proposals to the King.

First, the Chinese company planned to establish a line of steamers between China and Honolulu, and later expand to California and Peru with the idea of securing a large share of the passenger traffic between there and China.

Another of Moreno’s schemes was the laying of an ocean cable to connect the American and Asian continents. While he succeeded in getting a cable act passed by Congress in 1876, he did not get sufficient financial backing in the US.

The third plan was the liberalization of Hawai‘i’s strict opium laws. He advocated making Honolulu the opium processing and distribution center for the whole Pacific.

Finally, Moreno proposed a $10-million loan, half the funds would be spent in building forts and warships; $3-million would be used to buy gold and silver bullion to be converted into a national coinage; and the rest would be used to build hospitals, schools, harbor improvements, etc. (Hsiao-ping Huang)

“He won the entire confidence and admiration of the King by endorsing as sound wisdom all the royal views and theories of government. … He filled the King’s mind with dreams of navies and forts and armies and power.”

“(O)n August 14, 1880, King Kalakaua dissolved his then Cabinet and appointed another comprising: Edward Hush, Minister of the Interior; Caesar Celso Moreno, Minister of Foreign Affairs; M. Kuaea, Minister of Finance, and WC Jones, Attorney General.”

“This action, which popular opinion looked upon as unprecedented, unwarranted and inimical, caused great excitement and indignation. There were meetings and demonstrations by the people.”

“The American and British Ministers declined to have anything to do with the new Minister of Foreign Affairs, who was considered to be disreputable and incapable.” (Pacific Commercial Advertiser, March 22, 1901)

“The abdication of the King, the crowning of Queen Emma, annexation to the United States, the lynching of Moreno, were as openly discussed on the streets …. Business was nearly suspended. The feeling against the King and the new Cabinet was unanimous, among all classes of the community.”

“Queen Dowager Emma was very active in a social way, showing herself everywhere and being everywhere received with enthusiasm, in which the American element for the first time joined. She gave parties and balls a number of times during the excitement, but seemed to take no overt part in the proceedings outside.” (Comly; Kuykendall)

“If there had been any doubt as to public opinion on the matter of Ministerial appointments, that doubt must have been put at rest with any person present at the meeting at Kaumakapili last Monday evening.”

“Before dark the streets were full of men thronging towards that corner of town, and at half past seven, the great building was packed full, and the windows crowded. Outside was a dense mass of people trying to catch word or sign from within.”

“A few words from the Chair, explained the object of the meeting to be, for the purpose of expressing public opinion upon the action of His Majesty in removing a Cabinet which had by vote received the endorsement of the Legislative Assembly, and appointing in place thereof, others not so well known, and particularly one CC Moreno, an alien unknown to the public.”

“Mr. Dole then with a short and vigorous speech offered the following resolution, condemning the action of His Majesty as contrary to the traditions of the Government and the spirit of the Constitution,. His remarks were greeted with applause from all parts of the house:”

“Whereas, His Majesty Kalākaua, King of the Hawaiian Islands has arbitrarily and without cause dissolved the late Ministerial Cabinet while they bid the confidence of the Legislative Assembly and of the country at large, and has appointed in their stead a Ministry Including one Celso C Moreno, a stranger and foreign adventurer …”

“… who has identified himself with interests hostile to the prosperity of the Hawaiian Kingdom and who has neither the confidence nor respect of the community nor of the Representatives of Foreign Powers as Minister of Foreign Affairs;

“Be it resolved – That His Majesty has thereby acted inconsistently with the principles of the Hawaiian Government as a Constitutional Monarchy as established and handed down by the Kamehamehas and their successor Lunalilo …”

“… and that his action therein is hostile to the permanence of Hawaiian Independence, the perpetuity of the Hawaiian race and the security of life, liberty and property In the Hawaiian Islands.”

“Loud calls for the question here arose, and the resolution in both English and Hawaiian was then slowly and distinctly read, and on the vote being called for by a show of hands, the house became one vast forest of uplifted arms.”

“The call for the negative was responded to with not over twenty-five or thirty hands, and the resolution was declared to be adopted by an almost unanimous vote.” (Hawaiian Gazette, August 18, 1880)

“(T)he King sent a messenger with an urgent request that (James M Comly, Minister Resident of the United States in Hawai‘i) would come to the palace and consult with him.”

“(Comly) said to him: ‘Your Majesty, I have no personal affair with Mr. Moreno. He is nothing to me personally, one way or another. I found him abusing the confidence of yourself and people by false pretenses, and I brought you the proofs that he was a false pretende(r) and a dangerous adventurer — that is all.” (Comly; Kuykendall)

On August 17, 1880, Comly received a note from Kalākaua stating, “‘Mr Moreno has resigned his portfolio and I have accepted his resignation.’”

Comly then approached a gathering and noted, “‘Gentlemen – I am authorized to say to you that His Majesty, entirely of his own volition, has dismissed Mr. Moreno from the Ministry.’”

“The whole house rose, and cheer after cheer burst forth, with cries of ‘Long live the King!’ ‘Three cheers for Kalākaua!’ and the like. I was informed that the uproar was kept up some minutes. …”

“A committee of 13 ‘solid men’ was appointed to convey the thanks of the people to the King.” (Comly; Kuykendall) (The next day, John E Bush, Minister of the Interior, was appointed to act as Minister of Foreign Affairs ad interim.)

“(Kalākaua) still held (Moreno) in favor, and secretly sent him abroad with a commission as Minister to the United States and every court in Europe.”

“Moreno took with him three Hawaiian youths to be educated in Italian schools. One of these, Robert Wilcox, is the Delegate at Washington. Another, Robert Boyd, … living in Honolulu and active in Honolulu politics. The third, Booth, died abroad.” (Pacific Commercial Advertiser, March 22, 1901)

Some suggest Moreno helped ignite the flame of ambition in Kalākaua’s quest in forming a Polynesia Confederacy, a failed effort launched by Walter Murray Gibson for Kalākaua.

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June 18, 2016 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Hawaiian Challenge

“The Meeting at the King’s Boat House (October 19, 1885) – The meeting was called to order (and a) motion was passed that an association be formed to be called “The Hawaiian Rowing and Yachting Association.’”

“The association was to be represented by three delegates each from the Myrtle, Honolulu, and Kapiolani Clubs, and by one delegate each from all other established clubs. A committee of one from each club was appointed to make by-laws and racing rules.” (Daily Honolulu Press, October 20, 1885)

“A special meeting of the Hawaiian Yachting and Rowing Association was held last evening at the Iolani Boat Club House … After routine business had been transacted the following resolution was put and carried;”

“Resolved that the Association do hereby appropriate the sum of $350 for the express purpose of purchasing a silver cup to be sailed for annually up on the 4th of July under the auspices and conditions of the Hawaiian Yachting and Rowing Association by first class yachts of dimensions not to exceed 40 feet over all, said cup to be called the ‘Hawaiian Challenge Cup.’” (Daily Bulletin, June 19, 1889)

“The Challenge Cup, which is a very handsome one of solid silver and old silver finish in the form of a Japanese vase, is lettered on one side with the name of the Association, while the other side has a splendid view of Diamond Head with two yachts running seaward.”

“It is embellished with birds, fishes, seaweed and marine emblems. It is a perpetual challenge cup, and Messrs. Iaukea, Hatch and Cecil Brown, the owners of the Healani, hold it for one year. A pennant is given to the winner each year. The one this year is of a white silk ground with the monogram HRYA in blue letters, surmounted by a crown.” (Daily Bulletin, December 2, 1889)

“The cup is an ornate affair, etched on one side with the title of the trophy and on the other with a view of Diamond Head and racing yachts. On the shoulders cunningly wrought objects typical of the sport are attached. The names of previous winners are engraved on the cup.” (Sunday Advertiser, September 6, 1903)

“The Hawaiian Challenge Cup is an elegant silver trophy valued at $400. It was presented a number of years ago by the Hawaiian Rowing and Yachting Association, now defunct, and was to be raced for not oftener than once every year.” (Sunday Advertiser, September 6, 1903)

“Among boats that have won the cup are the Healani, Helene and Bonnie Dundee, the latter of which held it from 1893 until last year, on which occasion the Eva won.” (Pacific Commercial Advertiser, August 1, 1899)

“The Hawaiian Challenge Cup is open to all yachts over five and not exceeding ten tons measurement, this limitation not applying to yachts which were in Hawaiian waters and entered for the race previous to July 4th, 1899.”

“The course set runs from Waikiki to Pearl Harbor and back, finishing off the Oceanic wharf, making a course of twenty-three miles.”

“The cup was originally donated by the Hawaiian Rowing and Yachting Association, the conditions under which it was sailed being drawn up at a meeting of the Association in the ʻIolani Boat Club hall on June 28, 1889.” (Sunday Advertiser, September 6, 1903)

“An important event in the yachting annals of the islands took place on Saturday afternoon at the boathouse of His Majesty the King. It was the presentation of the silver challenge cup and a handsome pennant won by the yacht Healani on the 4th of July.”

“His Majesty, as president of the Hawaiian Rowing and Yachting Association, and who has always done so much in stimulating yachting and rowing in the islands as asked to make the presentation, and gracefully acceded to the request.”

“An elegant lunch was provided by His Majesty, and on the table, which was nicely decorated with flowers, stood the challenge cup. After ample justice had been done the good things His Majesty rose and said:”

“Representatives of the Hawaiian Yachting and Rowing Association and Gentlemen: At a special meeting of this Association held on the 18th of June last, it was resolved that a sum be appropriated for the express purpose of purchasing a silver cup, to be sailed for annually on the 4th of July, said cup to be called the ‘Hawaiian Challenge Cup.’”

“Subsequently a Pennant was added, and the prize then was the “Hawaiian Challenge Cup and Pennant for 1889.” The first race under the new conditions was sailed on the 4th of July. Five yachts I think started, the race was won by the Healani, being closely followed by the second boat.”

“Gentlemen, you are present on this occasion to witness the presentation of the above prize and pennant to the owners of the winning yacht. Messrs. Iaukea, Hatch, and Brown : As President of, and on behalf of the Hawaiian Yachting and Rowing Association, I take pleasure in handing over to you this handsome souvenir of an enjoyable day’s sport, and a well-contested trophy.”

“Hon. CP Iaukea, one of the owners of the yacht Healani, in receiving the challenge cup said: Your Majesty and Gentlemen, in receiving this trophy from Your Majesty’s hands, permit me on behalf of the owners of the yacht Healani, to express my great pleasure and satisfaction in now bearing away the palm during the first year of its competition.”

“It must also be highly gratifying to Your Majesty that the Healani, with which Your Majesty has so long been associated, should have successfully competed for the cup. The great interest which Your Majesty has for many years shown in yachting has no doubt animated others to a like appreciation of this healthy and instructive sport, as evidenced by the number of splendid yachts now adorning our bay.”

“In thanking Your Majesty for the honor conferred, permit me to express the hope that Your Majesty may continue to assist lovers of yachting with your gracious patronage. With Your Majesty’s permission I shall ask the gentlemen present to join me in wishing you, our royal President of HYR Association, a very good health.”

“His Majesty’s health was drunk by all standing, after which social conversation, principally on yachting matters, was indulged in for a time.” (Daily Bulletin, December 2, 1889)

“From this time the cup lay fallow for seven years until the advent of the ‘Gladys’ into our waters. A race was then sailed between the ‘Bonnie Dundee’ (now ‘Mary L’), and the Gladys on September 13, 1899, when the Gladys won by 23 minutes or one minute to the mile. Governor Dole sailed the Bonnie Dundee and T. W. Hobron the Gladys.” (Sunday Advertiser, September 6, 1903)

Reportedly, over the years, the prize became known as the ‘Kalākaua Cup.’ There were a few periods of inactivity due to disinterest and extenuating circumstances, as well as the disappearance of the cup itself.

When Castle & Cooke was moving offices, their old vault was opened and the trophy appeared it was filled with silverware belonging to the last winner, Tom Hobron, in the yacht ‘Gladys Mary’ in 1911.

The last winner of the Hawaiian Challenge Trophy was the Star class yacht ‘Roulette,’ skippered by Laurie S Dowsett, the 17-year-old son of HM Dowsett, with his crew Lloyd B. Osborne. This was the summer of 1941. Names of winning yachts and skipper/crew from 1925 through 1941 are inscribed on the trophy. (Waikiki Yacht Club)

The trophy was re-dedicated in 1986 and today is awarded annually to the winner of the Fourth of July Regatta consisting of three separate races. The first race is from Waikiki to Kaneohe, the second is an offshore race in the waters off of Kaneohe Bay, and the third is a race from Kaneohe to Waikiki. (Stowell)

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Hawaiian Challenge Cup-Advertiser Sept 6, 1903

Hawaiian Challenge Cup – Kalakaua Cup

Kalakaua_Cup,_c._1889,_Gorham_Manufacturing_Company

Hawaiian Challenge Cup – Kalakaua Cup-detail

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Kalakaua’s winning crew-PP-96-14-002- Nov. 16, 1885

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April 13, 2016 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Myrtle Boat Club

Throughout the years of late-prehistory, AD 1400s – 1700s, and through much of the 1800s, the canoe was a principal means of travel in ancient Hawaiʻi. Canoes were used for interisland and inter-village coastal travel.

Most permanent villages initially were near the ocean and at sheltered beaches, which provided access to good fishing grounds, as well as facilitating convenient canoe travel.

The ancient Hawaiians also participated in canoe racing. When they wished to indulge this passion (including betting on the races,) people selected a strong crew of men to pull their racing canoes.

If the canoe was of the kind called the kioloa (a sharp and narrow canoe, made expressly for racing) there might be only one man to paddle it, but if it was a large canoe, there might be two, three or a large number of paddlers, according to the size of the canoe.

“The racing canoes paddled far out to sea – some, however, stayed close to the land (to act as judges, or merely perhaps as spectators), and then they pulled for the land, and if they touched the beach at the same time it was a dead heat; …”

“… but if a canoe reached the shore first it was the victor, and great would be the exultation of the men who won, and the sorrow of those who lost their property.” (Malo)

Then, another form of racing, rowing, debuted in Hawai‘i in the late-1860s. (Honolulu Rowing Club)

An early account of competitive rowing appeared in the December 16, 1871, issue of the Pacific Commercial Advertiser: “There was a race between two-oared boats, of which four were entered, Young America the winner … there was splendid rowing exhibited, and the winners became such by purely hard work.”

King Kalākaua’s birthday on November 16th, 1875 marked Hawai‘i’s first regatta with extensive rowing competition. The King, a rowing buff, viewed the event from his yacht along with other members of his royal family.

There were aquatic sports, including five-oared whaleboat races, canoe races, yacht races, and swimming. Capping the day were spectators who climbed greased poles extending over the water. (Honolulu Rowing Club)

“The Myrtle Rowing Club is the first boat club ever organized in this city, we believe. Last February some of the most energetic young gentlemen in town entered into the project of getting up the club, and it is now in a thriving condition.” (Pacific Commercial Advertiser, July 7, 1883)

“At present they number only ten, their ages vary from 16 to 22 years, yet, being very fond of boating they have built a boat house and purchased a four-oared barge, and a pair-oared shell. Unfortunately they have contracted a little debt, which it is at present out of their means to pay.”

“They are not starting their club with too much enthusiasm, and intention of letting their ardor cool down, for they intend to stick to it; but they want a little public encouragement and some pecuniary assistance to enable them to purchase better boats, either here or on the Coast, a good four-oared racing boat and a good shell.”

“They cordially invite people down to their bout-house that they may see for themselves what sort of a start has been made; and, knowing the generous support that is always given in Honolulu to encourage young men in athletic exercises, I hope that my appeal in their behalf may not be in vain. I am Old Oarsman.” (Letter to Editor, Pacific Commercial Advertiser, July 7, 1883)

“Every evening the members practice in the harbor, and a laudable spirit of enterprise is manifested in the manly sport of rowing. The club owns two boats, one of which was donated to the organization by Mr. George Ashley. They also have a neat boat house down on the Esplanade, with racks for oars and other necessaries. “

“The club deserves encouragement. There is not enough life and enterprising activity among the young men in sporting matters, as a general thing, in Honolulu, but the members of this club have taken the matter of rowing in hand with the evident intention of making the sport popular, and we are confident they wili succeed.” (Pacific Commercial Advertiser, July 7, 1883)

“It would be well if another rowing club could be organized to compete generously with the Myrtle Rowing Club. Competition in sporting matters, as well as in matters of business, always promotes and invigorates, when it is entered into with a friendly desire to excel. But whether another club is organized or not, the Myrtle Rowing Club is bound to succeed, for it is very judiciously managed and has the best wishes of the whole community. (Pacific Commercial Advertiser, July 7, 1883)

Other clubs formed; in 1890 the Healani Boat Club, with president WE Wall, and the Leilani Boat Club, headed by David Kawānanakoa, were formed. Two years later the first regatta at Pearl Harbor was held, all three clubs raced at Pearl Harbor. (Honolulu Rowing Club)

“Rowing is very popular, especially at Honolulu, where the Myrtle and the Healani Boat Clubs have for more than twenty years been rivals in four-oared shell, six-oared and pair-oared sliding seat barge rowing contests.”

“Regatta Day, the third Saturday in September, a legal holiday, is the important rowing carnival day, but races are also held on July 4, and at other times. Occasionally crews from the other islands or from the Pacific Coast participate in these races.” (Aloha Guide, 1915)

In the 1920s, there were five rowing clubs in Hawai‘i. The men’s clubs were Myrtle and Healani from Oahu and Hilo from the Big Island. The Oahu-based Kunalu and Honolulu were the two women’s clubs. Kunalu was coached by Healani, while the Honolulu Girls were affiliated with Myrtle. (Honolulu Rowing Club)

In 1957, the Interscholastic League of Honolulu added rowing to its list of sports. Five schools competed for the inaugural ILH title: ʻIolani, Kaimuki, Mid-Pacific, McKinley and Punahou.

In 1964, ʻIolani became the first high school team in the nation to race in the finals of the Olympic Trials. “To reach the finals, we had to win a trial race (known in rowing as a “repechage.”) To do that, we had to beat the New York Athletic Club and the Penn Athletic Club. Those were all former college oarsmen and several had competed in the Olympics in the past. One of the boats was stroked by a former Olympic gold medalist.” (Rizzuto)

“Needless to say, we made it to the finals after a very hard-fought race.” (Rizzuto) The Red Raiders four-man crew finished a respectable sixth place behind winner Harvard. Despite ʻIolani’s success, the ILH dropped rowing in 1966 due to a lack of teams. ʻIolani continued their program another nine years before the sport was dropped in 1975. (Honolulu Rowing Club)

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