Statewide County HI Archives News.....Important People - Part 18. August 10, 2008 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/hi/hifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Darlene E. Kelley http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00026.html#0006374 August 12, 2008, 9:14 pm Keepers Of The Culture, A Study In Time Of The Hawaiian Islands August 10, 2008 Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Darlene E. Kelley http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00026.html#0006374 August 10, 2008 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Historical Collections of Hawai'i Keepers of the Culture A Study in Time, of the Hawai'ian Islands Important People - Part 18 by Darlene E. Kelley ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Part 18 Important People KAAHUMANU (1768? -1832) This powerful chiefess was born at Hana, Mau'i, daughter of the elder Keeaumoku and Namahana. Her brothers were Keeaumoku II and Kuakini ( Cox ). She became one of the wives of Kamehameha I when he was ruling chief of the island of Hawai'i. A breach between the pair was healed by Captain George Vancouver in 1793. As foster mother of Kamehameha II, she was named co-ruler with him and become the first kuhina nui, or regent. She led him in the celebrated breaking of the ancient religious tabu. In 1821, when King Kaumualii of Kau'i was brought to Honolulu as a virtual hostage, he was married to Kaahumanu, who was also married the kings' heir, Kealiiahonui. Kaahumanu was left in charge of the kingdom when the royal party left for London in 1823 and was assisted by Kalanimoku, who put down the Kaua'i rebellion led by George P. Kaumualii. She ruled her people it was said , with " a rod of iron." Kaahumanu allowed the American missionaries to land in 1820 for a trial period. At first she was disdainful of the strangers, but around 1825, as the most important person in the kingdom, she took the lead in promoting Protestantism, and was taught by Rev. Hiram Bingham to read and write. On the first Sunday in December, 1825, she, along with Kalanimoku ansd several other chiefs, received communion at Kawaiahao Church for the first time. Six months after Kamehameha II departed for England, Kaahumanu proclaimed a code of civil laws, clearly based on missionary teaching, that prohibited murder, theft, fighting, and Sabbath-breaking. She opposed French efforts to introduce Catholicism into the islands and ordred the priests that arrived in 1827 to be taken away but later they were allowed to remain. She also strongly opposed the divisive efforts of Boki and Liliha... Kaahumanu received the first copy of the Hawai'ian translation of the New Testament from Bingham shortly before her death on June 5, 1832. ++++++++++++++++ KAEOKULANI ( KAEO ) ( 1748 -1797 ) Kaeo, son of Kekaulike and his wife Holau, was half-brother of Kahekili and ruler of the island of Kaua'i. At the death of the aged Kekaulike in 1794, his extensive domains were divided between his son Kalanikupule and his brother. Kaeo. At this time, Kaeo was on Mau'i and Kalanikupule was on O'ahu, and they drifted into a war over the division of the lands. After several skirmishes on O'ahu the opposing forces met in battle on December 12, near Aiea. With the aid of the crews of three foreign trading ships, Kalanikupule gained a clear victory and Kaeo was killed. Kaeo was the father of Kaumualii. ++++++++++++++++ PETER KAEO (1836-1880) A decedant of Keliimaikai of Maui and John Young, Peter was adopted when a boy by John Young II and attended the Chiefs' Children's School. Later he used the title of " Kekuaokalani." He learned in the 1870's that he suffered from leprsy. He arrived at Kalaupapa, Moloka'i, in 1873 and lived there most of the time until his death. +++++++++++++++++ DUKE PAOA KAHANAMOKU ( 1890-1968 ) Born in Haleeakala, Mau'i, son of Duke Halapu Kahanamoku and Julia Paoakania Lonokahini Kahanamoku, young Duke had six brothers and three sisters. He attended Waikiki Grammar School, and the Kamehameha School for Boys. As a youth he became a master surfer on a sixteen foot Koa-wood board weighing 114 pounds. In 1910 he developed what he called " the Hawai'ian crawl," a basic swimming competition stroke today known as " the American crawl." Kananamoku won an AAU meet in Honolulu Harbor, breaking United States records for the 100- and 50- yard sprints. He went to the Stockholm Olympics in 1912 and swept the swimming events, setting a record for the 100 meter event; in the same year he broke his own record at Hamburg. returning to Hawai'i, he worked as a reader of water meters, on surveying jobs, and as a beach boy. He entered competition again in 1916 and broke more records with his distinctive style. During World War I, when the 1916 Olympics were cancelled, Kahanamoku made a tour of the mainland United States, demostrating his skill to raise money for the Red Cross. At almost thirty years of age, he beat his own 100 -meter freestyle record at the Antwerp Olympics in 1920 by making the course in one minute flat. Kahanamoku began a Hollywood film career in 1922, playing Polynesians, American Indians, or Hindus --everything except Hawai'ians. He lost his title in the 1924 Olympics in Paris to Johnny Weismuller, who set a new record of 59 seconds. Kahanamoku became a national hero when on, June 14, 1925, he rescued on his surfboard eight of twelve men saved from a capsized fishing boat in high surf off Newport Beach, California. He won medals in the 1928 Olympics and continued acting until 1929, when he returned to Honolulu and worked as a janitor at City Hall. In 1932 he failed to place in the Olympics swimming trials but won a spot on the United States water-polo team and then appeared in four Olympic competitions in twenty years. While running a gasoline service station in 1934, he was elected sheriff of Honolulu, a largly ceremonial post that he held until it was abolsihed in 1961; he was then appointed official city greeter. Kahanamoku married Nadine lexander in 1940. He was familiar figure at the Outrigger Canoe Club on Waikki Beach and was known to thousands of visitors to the islands. He was elected in 1965 as a charter member of the Swimming Hal of Fame. He became one of twenty six all time sports champions in 1967, the year after he was named to the first Surfing Hall of Fame. Kahanamoku's name is perpetuated in the annual World Surfing Championships. ++++++++++++++++ KAHEIHEIMAILE A wife of Kamehameha I and the mother of Kinau. ++++++++++++++++ KAHEKILI (1713-1794) A son of Kekaulike, Kahekili was ruler of Mau'i, father of Kalanikupule and Koalaukani, and enemy of Kalaniopuu. He was said to be the father of Kamehameha I, who later fought against him. Kahekili visited the flagship of James Cook in November, 1778. With the aid of his half-brother Kaeo, Kahekili extended his rule to the island of O'ahu and set up court at Waikiki, leaving his son Kalanikupule to rule over Mau'i. Challenged from Moloka'i by the conquering Kamehameha, he declared that he would defend his kingdom to death. Later he recaptured Moloka'i and Mau'i, but his canoe fleet was defeated off northern Hawai'i in the spring of 1791 by kamehamea's fleet; this was the first native engagement using on both sides the canon of the white men. Kahekili died in Waikiki in 1794, leaving his son Kalanikupule, whose conflict proved fatal to both. +++++++++++++++ KAIANA (1756 -1795) Kaiana was the son of Ahuula and Kaupekamamoku and a half-brother of Kahekili. The This prince of Mau'i was more than six feet tall, and was the first chief to travel to foreign lands. He went with Captain John Meares in the Nootka to Canton in 1787 and returned with Captain William Douglas in the Iphigenia in December, 1788, the first ship to visit Kealakekua Bay after the departure of the Cook expedition. Kaiana plotted to kill Douglas in 1789 and seize his ship, but the Captain learned of the plot and foiled it, despite Kaiana's efforts to blame Kamehameha. Kaiana's high rank, his fame in war, and his knowledge of the use of foreign weapons --- he brought back with him muskets and cannon --- gave him much prestige and he was a valuable ally to Kamehameha for several years. He led forces of the conqueror against Keoua Kuahuula. Kaiana was suspected of having an affair with Queen Kaahumanu in 1793, however, and Kamehameha became less friendly. During the invasion of O'ahu in 1795, Kaiana and his brother Namakeha feared a plot and deserted to the side of Kahekili. Kaiana was killed fighting against Kamehameha at Nuuanu Pali in 1795. +++++++++++++++++ KAIKIOEWA (1765-1839) A high Chief, born at Waimea, Kaua'i. He was the son of Kaianakukue Kaolohaka-a-keawe and his wife Kekikoola Lalanikauleleaiwi; He was thusa cousin of kmehameha I on both sides. He was a supprter of kamehameha in the civil wars and married his siter Kalanikaulihiwakama; their daughter was Kawahine. Kaikioewa had another daughter, Likelike, by Nahaukapu. Kaikioewa was the guardian of Kauikeaouli, the future Kamehmeha III In 1825, when the rebellion on Kaua'i was put down, He ws made governor and served until his death. He was among those chiefs who went into debt during the sandalwood era to buy expensive novelties. He became a vigerous convert to Protestantism and in 1830 proposed the expulsion of the Catholic priests. he opposed that sect all his life. Kaikioewa was a co-signer of the lease to Ladd & Co. At his death he was replaced as governor by his wife, Keaweamahi. +++++++++++++++ KAIULANI [ VICTORIA KAWEKIU KAIULAN LUNALILO KALANINUIAHILAPALAPA] (1875 -1899) This princess was born in Honolulu , daughter of Governor Archibald Scott Cleghorn and Princess Miriam Likelike and niece of King Kalakaua and Queen Lili'uokalani. When Kalakaua was in Japan on his world tour in 1881, he proposed that Kaiulani, then five years old, might in the future marry a Japanese prince, to make a royal allaiance. Kaiulani was given the Ainahau estate in Waikiki by her godmother, Princess Ruth, and there she entertained Robert Louis Stevenson in 1889. He wrote a celebrated poem, " Forth from her land to mine she goes," on the occasion of her departure to attend school in England under the guardianship of Theophilus H. Davies, after which she traveled in Europe with her father. The princess was widely loved as a linguist, musician, artist, horsewoman, and swimmer, and was active in many charities. At the accession of Lili'uokalani, she was proclaimed heiress apparent of the Kingdom. After the overthrow of the monarchy in 1893, Kaiulani went to Washington, D.C., with Davies to argue for the restoration of the throne. She died on March 6, 1899. ++++++++++++++++ DAVID KALAKAUA ( 1836-1891 ) The future elected king was born in Honolulu at the foot of Punchbowl Crater, where his grandfather, the high chief Aikanaka, had been in charge of the gun battery. David was not a member of the Kamehameha dynasty. His ancestors had been prominent chiefs on the island of Hawai'i. His great-grandfather was Keaweaheulu, and he was one of the sven children of Kapaakea and his wife Keohokalole; two younger sisters were Lili'uokalani and Likelike. David was educated at the Royal School, and could speak and write well in both English and Hawai'ian, he had practiced public speaking and was well adept at winning votes under the universal suffrage amendment passed in 1874. He once edited a newspaper, Hoku i ka Pakipaka. ( Star of the Pacific.) He married Kapiolani in 1863. Kalakaua first became a candidate for the crown after the death of Kamehameha V, who had named no successor. During the election of 1872, he was badly beaten by the supporters of Lunalilo. At the death of this short lived ruler, Kalakaua ranagainst the Queen dowager, Emma,widow of Kamehameha IV. After the stormiest election in Hawai'ian history, the supporters of Emma attacked the legislators who had given her only six of the forty-five votes, and the courthouse was the scene of a bloody riot that left several members injured severely; one died as a result of his wouns. Public order was restored only when armed marines were landed from two American ships and one British ship. Kalakaua took the oath of office on February 13, 1874, and began a reign that earned him the title of " the merry Monarch." Kalakaua began making a royal progress around the islands, and before his firt year ended he went to the United States to help promote the signing of the long deferred reciprocity treaty in Washington. He was the first king in history to visit that country and was royally received. He made history again when in 1881 he set out on a world tour to visit fellow heads of state. He conceived the idea of being publically crowned, although no previous Hawai'ian ruler had received such a ceremony. On February 12, 1883, the nineth anniversary of his election , in front of the fine new Iolani Palacewhose cornerstone had been laid in 1879, Kalakaua the elected king placed a jeweled crown on his head and another on his queen. Two days later, the celebrated Statue of Kamehameha I that still stands in front of Aliiolani Hale in downstown Honolulu was unveiled by the king; the funds for its erection had been voted for in 1879 by the legislature to commemorate the centennial of the death of Captain James Cook, but the effort somehow resulted in a statue to a Hawai'ian. The latter reign of Kalakaua was marred by growing ineptness and forms of corruption not uncommon in the United States during the same period. Incidents such as land deals for the benifit of Claus Speckles, the king's poker playing friend; repeal of the laws against furnishing Hawai'ians with liquor; minting of the Kalakaua coins of 1884, anoter Spreckles deal; a " national bank " ; a lottery; licensing of the sale of opium; formation of a " Hawai'ian Board of Health " to revive the role of the ancient kahuna ---such actions gave reason for anti-monarchy movements like the founding of the reform party. The role of advisors Celso Caeser Moreno and Walter Murray Gibson resulted in the fiasco of the " primacy of the Pacific " movement and the Samoan mission of John E. Bush and led to the forced signing of the " Bayonet Constitution " of 1887. During renewal of the reciprocity treaty, one provision gave the United States the exclusive right to set up a coaling station at Pearl Harbor, but the American government never exercised this right during the remaining years of the monarchy. Growing opposition by Hawai'ians to the diminished position of their leader resulted in bloodshed in 1889 in the insurrection led by Robert W. Wilcox. The Hui Kalaiaina, a party made up of the native Hawai'ians, prevented the formation of a majority in the legislature of 1890, and its cabinet was forced to yield to a compromise coalition. When the session closed in November, Kalakaua, hoping his health would improve, left for San Francisco where he died on January 20, 1891. His body was brought to Honolulu by an American warship, and after a ceremonious lying in state, he was buried in the Royal Mausoleum, leaving his younger sister Lili'uokalani to ascend the throne. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ To be continued in Part 19. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/hi/statewide/newspapers/importan39nnw.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/hifiles/ File size: 15.7 Kb