Images of Old Hawaiʻi

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For the Sake of Public Health

Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site and Archives presents it’s highly popular Cemetery Pupu Theatre series with a new set of historical characters.

These programs are waaay cool.

Actors are dressed in period costume, telling the life events of select individuals buried at O‘ahu Cemetery, at their respective grave sites.

Each ‘stage’ is at the respective subject’s gravesite at Oʻahu Cemetery in Nuʻuanu. There was nothing ghoulish about it; rather, it was very effective storytelling.

Cemetery Pupu Theatre takes us back to our shared history and allows us to “meet” people who have influenced Hawaiian history and hear their stories.

The scripts are researched and documented, making Cemetery Pupu Theatre a unique presentation of real history.

“For the Sake of the Public Health” presents a series of people who were intimately involved with the health, care and welfare of the people of Hawaiʻi.

Hawaiʻi faced many public health crises and had many healthcare needs during the days of the Kingdom, the Republic and the Territory.

Each person has an interesting and important story to share that sheds light on the challenges faced by doctors and victims of disease.

They are: the first licensed female physician in the islands tending to the needs of women and children; a dentist turned politician; a doctor who dedicated his life to fight against the Great White Plague of Tuberculosis; a doctor who did leprosy research at Kalihi Leper Hospital; and a victim of the 1853 smallpox epidemic.

These people who shaped health care in our islands today, help us remember those who have gone before us were public servants, and witnessed history.

Dr Archibald Sinclair (portrayed by Richard Valasek,) the founding director of Lēʻahi Hospital and an important pioneer in immunology who sought a cure for Tuberculosis.

Haliʻa is a composite character (portrayed by Karen Kualana) who was a victim of the 1853 smallpox epidemic in which 6,000 people died, 8% of the Kingdom’s population.

Dr John Mott-Smith (portrayed by Adam LeFebvre,) Hawaiʻi’s first royal dentist, who also negotiated both Reciprocity Treaties and was the Kingdom’s last ambassador to the United States.

Dr Sarah Eliza Pierce Emerson (portrayed by Karen Valasek,) Hawaiʻi’s first licensed female doctor, who was on the Board of Examiners for the Oʻahu Insane Asylum.

Dr William L. Moore (portrayed by Dezmond Gilla,) a member of the board of Health and superintendent of the Hilo Hospital, and was involved in searching for a cure for Leprosy.

Mike Smola and others at Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site and Archives researched the scripts.

William Haʻo directed “For the Sake of the Public Health.” He has performed in Hawaiian Mission Houses’ A Midsummer Night’s Dream, as well as all four Cemetery Pupu Theatre shows.

Carlyon Wolfe was the costume designer. She is currently the staff designer for Mānoa Valley Theatre. She has earned four Hawaiʻi State Theatre Council Poʻokela design awards for her efforts.

This sold out program was presented in June 2014 (with an encore in 2015.) If you weren’t one of the fortunate ones to see it live, the links will take you to the respective performances.

Click HERE for a link to the Mission Houses Calendar.

Don’t miss the Cemetery Pupu Theatre, or any of the other great programs at Mission Houses. (Lots of info here from Mission Houses.)

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OahuCemeteryEntrance
OahuCemeteryEntrance
Oahu-cemetery-crematorium&chapel
Oahu-cemetery-crematorium&chapel
Dr Archibald Sinclair (portrayed by Richard Valasek)
Dr Archibald Sinclair (portrayed by Richard Valasek)
Haliʻa a composite character (portrayed by Karen Kualana)
Haliʻa a composite character (portrayed by Karen Kualana)
Dr John Mott-Smith (portrayed by Adam LeFebvre)
Dr John Mott-Smith (portrayed by Adam LeFebvre)
Dr Sarah Eliza Pierce Emerson (portrayed by Karen Valasek)
Dr Sarah Eliza Pierce Emerson (portrayed by Karen Valasek)
Dr William L. Moore (portrayed by Dezmond Gilla)
Dr William L. Moore (portrayed by Dezmond Gilla)

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Cemetery Pupu Theatre at Oʻahu Cemetery – Videos of Performances

Hawaiian Mission Houses sponsored Cemetery Pupu Theater the past two weekends – if you missed it, you missed some great live performances.  However, I taped each (on my cell phone) and links to each are provided here.
Actors are dressed in period costume telling the life events of select individuals buried at O‘ahu Cemetery – at their respective grave sites.  There was nothing ghoulish about it; rather, it was very effective storytelling.
Portrayed in the June 2012 Hawaiian Mission Houses Cemetery Pupu Theater program were:
John Papa I’i (1800-1870) (portrayed by William Hao)
John Papa Ii was a leading citizen of the Hawaiian kingdom during the nineteenth century. Born in 1800 and raised under the traditional kapu system, I‘i was trained from earliest childhood for a life of service to the high chiefs.
Ii served as a general superintendent of O’ahu schools and was an influential member in the court of Kamehameha III. He was appointed by the king to the Treasury Board; was a member of the Privy Council; Board of Land Commissioners and was an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Hawai‘i .
Cherilla Lowrey (1861-1917) (portrayed by Hanna Gaffney)
Cherilla Lowry founder and first president of the Outdoor Circle (TOC) (100-years ago) whose mission was to “Keep Hawai‘i clean, green and beautiful.” Twenty-two Monkeypod trees were planted in A‘ala Park as the organization’s first tree planting project.
Through its mission, much of TOC’s activities strive to educate youth and local citizens about environmental issues that concern the preservation and conservation of Hawai’i’s natural resources, including planting trees, beautifying parks and public areas including parks, streets, playgrounds and schools and bicycle paths.
Eliab Grimes (1780–1848) (portrayed by Zachary Thomas)
Captain Eliab Grimes, a native of Massachusetts, was a Honolulu merchant of many years and operated with his nephew Hiram, as the firm E & H Grimes.  Eliab Grimes persuaded John Sinclair to occupy the Rancho Del Paso (a 44,371-acre Mexican land grant in present day Sacramento County, California)  until such time as he (Grimes) could take legal title to it.
A fur trader whose voyages in illegal activities brought him face-to-face with the Spanish Armada, and required ransoming a crew which included John Dominis, the future would-be father-in-law to Queen Lili`uokalani.
Lucy Thurston (1795 — 1876) (portrayed by Cecilia Fordham)
Asa Thurston (1787–1868) and Lucy Goodale Thurston were in the first company of American Christian Missionaries to the Hawaiian Islands.  Lucy Goodale Thurston voyaged to the Hawaiian Islands in 1820 intent on bringing the word of God to its inhabitants.  During the next fifty years she raised a family, dealt with tragedy and helped to change the future of Hawaii forever.
The Thurstons, unlike most missionary couples, spent most of the rest of their lives in the islands.  Lucy compiled her letters and other writings into one of the most vivid accounts of the early mission days.  She underwent a mastectomy without anesthetic in 1855.  She died on October 13, 1876 in Honolulu.
Lorrin Andrews (1795–1868) (portrayed by Jeff Gere)
Lorrin Andrews was an early American missionary to Hawaii and judge.   In June 1831 the mission hoped to establish a seminary on Maui, since it was somewhat centrally located among the Hawaiian Islands. Andrews was selected to run the school called Lahainaluna for “upper Lahaina”.
On September 5, 1831 classes began in thatched huts with 25 married Hawaiian young men. It was the first college west of the Rocky Mountains.  His students published the first newspaper and were involved in the first case of counterfeiting currency in Hawaiʻi.  He later served as a judge and became a member of Hawai‘i’s first Supreme Court.
Please also consider visiting the Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site and Archives (on King Street, adjoining Kawaiaha‘o Church.)  I am honored and proud to have been recently elected to serve on the Missions Houses Board of Trustees.

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Cemetery Pupu Theatre at Oʻahu Cemetery, Hawai‘i – 6 pm, June 22-23

This is waaay cool – we went last night.
Founded in 1844, O‘ahu Cemetery is Hawai‘i’s oldest public graveyard.  Over the years, O‘ahu Cemetery has become the permanent resting place of hundreds of prominent history makers.
Located on 18-acres in lower Nu’uanu Valley, near downtown Honolulu, O’ahu Cemetery is a “classic” example of an early American “rural” cemetery, distinguished by a park-like setting, and an eye-catching array of ornately carved tombstones.
Hawaiian Mission Houses is presenting Cemetery Pupu Theater – actors dressed in period costume telling the life events of select individuals buried at O’ahu Cemetery – at their respective grave sites.
There was nothing ghoulish about it; rather, it was very effective storytelling.  When you get there, you are separated into groups then go from gravesite to gravesite for each presentation.
$60 per person – includes drinks and pupu, seating limited, RSVP required.  Click here to make your reservation:  https://safesite.4agoodcause.com/mission-houses-museum/event1.aspx?eventid=15
Portrayed in the June Hawaiian Mission Houses Cemetery Pupu Theater program include:
John Papa I‘i (1800-1870)
John Papa Ii was a leading citizen of the Hawaiian kingdom during the nineteenth century. Born in 1800 and raised under the traditional kapu system, I‘i was trained from earliest childhood for a life of service to the high chiefs.
I‘i served as a general superintendent of O‘ahu schools and was an influential member in the court of Kamehameha III. He was appointed by the king to the Treasury Board; was a member of the Privy Council; Board of Land Commissioners and was an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Hawai‘i .
Cherilla Lowry (1861 – 1917)
Cherilla Lowry founder and first president of the Outdoor Circle (TOC) (100-years ago) whose mission was to “Keep Hawai‘i clean, green and beautiful.”  Twenty-two Monkeypod trees were planted in A‘ala Park as the organization’s first tree planting project.
Through its mission, much of TOC’s activities strive to educate youth and local citizens about environmental issues that concern the preservation and conservation of Hawai’i’s natural resources, including planting trees, beautifying parks and public areas including parks, streets, playgrounds and schools and bicycle paths.
Eliab Grimes (1780–1848)
Captain Eliab Grimes, a native of Massachusetts, was a Honolulu merchant of many years and operated with his nephew Hiram, as the firm E & H Grimes.  Eliab Grimes persuaded John Sinclair to occupy the Rancho Del Paso (a 44,371-acre Mexican land grant in present day Sacramento County, California)  until such time as he (Grimes) could take legal title to it.
In 1844, Eliab Grimes received the official land grant. Over the next four years, Grimes and Sinclair, raised cattle and harvested wheat on the property.  Grimes, who subsequently became an important trader and political figure in San Francisco, died in 1848
Lucy Thurston (1795 – 1876)
Asa Thurston (1787–1868) and Lucy Goodale Thurston were in the first company of American Christian Missionaries to the Hawaiian Islands.  Lucy Goodale Thurston voyaged to the Hawaiian Islands in 1820 intent on bringing the word of God to its inhabitants.  During the next fifty years she raised a family, dealt with tragedy and helped to change the future of Hawaii forever.
The Thurstons, unlike most missionary couples, spent most of the rest of their lives in the islands.  Lucy compiled her letters and other writings into one of the most vivid accounts of the early mission days.  She underwent a mastectomy without anesthetic in 1855.  She died on October 13, 1876 in Honolulu.
Lorrin Andrews (1795–1868)
Lorrin Andrews was an early American missionary to Hawaii and judge.   In June 1831 the mission hoped to establish a seminary on Maui, since it was somewhat centrally located among the Hawaiian Islands. Andrews was selected to run the school called Lahainaluna for “upper Lahaina.”
On September 5, 1831 classes began in thatched huts with 25 married Hawaiian young men. It was the first college west of the Rocky Mountains.  His students published the first newspaper and were involved in the first case of counterfeiting currency in Hawaiʻi. He later served as a judge and became a member of Hawai‘i’s first Supreme Court.
Please also consider visiting the Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site and Archives (on King Street, adjoining Kawaiaha‘o Church.)  (I am honored and proud to have been recently elected to serve on the Mission Houses Board of Trustees.)
I posted a video on YouTube of “Cherilla Lowrey” (1861-1917) founder and first president of the Outdoor Circle (she is portrayed by Hanna Gaffney.)  (There as a little wind and rain – it was recorded on my cellphone.)
Click here to make your reservation:

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Cemetery Pupu Theatre at Oʻahu Cemetery – 6 pm, June 15-16; 22-23

As of earlier this week, there are still spots open to attend this event.
This is waaay cool.
Actors are dressed in period costume, telling the life events of select individuals buried at O‘ahu Cemetery, at their respective grave sites.
There was nothing ghoulish about it; rather, it was very effective storytelling.
$60 per person – includes drinks and pupu, seating limited, RSVP required.
We went last year and are already signed up for this one – I suggest you do, too.  It’s lots of fun and a good learning experience.
Portrayed in the June Hawaiian Mission Houses Cemetery Pupu Theater program will be:
John Papa I‘i (1800-1870) – Served Kamehameha I, II, III and IV; was general superintendent of O’ahu schools; was appointed by the king to the Treasury Board; was a member of the Privy Council; Board of Land Commissioners and was an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Hawai‘i .
Cherilla Lowry (1861-1917) – Founder and first president of the Outdoor Circle (TOC) (100-years ago) whose mission was to “Keep Hawai‘i clean, green and beautiful.”
Eliab Grimes (1780-1848) – A fur trader whose voyages in illegal activities brought him face-to-face with the Spanish Armada, and required ransoming a crew which included John Dominis, the future would-be father-in-law to Queen Lili`uokalani.
Lucy Thurston (1795-1876) – Wife of Asa Thurston and part of the first company of American Christian Missionaries to the Hawaiian Islands.  She underwent a mastectomy without anesthetic in 1855. She died on October 13, 1876 in Honolulu.
Lorrin Andrews (1795-1868) – An early American missionary to Hawaii and judge. In June 1831 the mission hoped to establish a seminary on Maui, since it was somewhat centrally located among the Hawaiian Islands. Andrews was selected to run the school called Lahainaluna for “upper Lahaina”.
Please also consider visiting the Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site and Archives (on King Street, adjoining Kawaiaha‘o Church.)
(I am honored and proud to have been recently elected to serve on the Mission Houses Board of Trustees.)