The Hawaiian Historical Society library includes a modest but growing collection of Hawaiian and hapa-haole sheet music spanning the 1860s to the 1960s. An illustrated guide to the collection can now be consulted on line thanks to the work of HHS library intern Annemarie Aweau, who compiled the guide. Ron Williams photographed the cover pages of the music to provide the illustrations. (Click here to read on…)

KAMEHAMEHA.

That is the name of the Alii nui of Hawaii nei. This name is known to the native people, but the spelling by the haole is confused; in their letters, this and that one’s spelling is strange. Here are what ten haole have written, each are different. All of them are old-timers. They are taken from haole documents.

1. Tameamea

2. MaihaMaiha

3. Cameamea

4. Comaamaa

5. Tomyhomyhaw

6. Tamaahmaah

7. Hameamea

8. Tomooma

9. Tamahama

10. Tamehameha

(Kumu Hawaii, 9/12/1838, p. 31.)

Ke Kumu Hawaii, Buke 4, Pepa 8, Aoao 31. Sepatemaba 12, 1838.

THERE WERE MANY BABIES BORN ON CHRISTMAS DAY.

There are perhaps many more babies that were born on Christmas Day, but there were not reported to the office of the board of health, where births must be recorded; the number reported was just five.

The babies born on Christmas day are these below:

To Mr. and Mrs. Antonio B. Andrade of Edward Street, near Mokauea, Kalihi, a boy, the name not known.

To Mr. and Mrs. John Akana Awana of South Queen Street, a son with the name Christy Ernest.

To Mr. and Mrs. Samuel J. Belisky of Miller Street, a daughter with the name Frances Jean.

To Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Correia of Kalihi Valley, a daughter with the name Mary Gertrude.

To Mr. and Mrs. Moses W. Kaululaau of Eighth Street, near Maunaloa Street in Kaimuki, a daughter with the name Nora Kahakalani.

On Christmas eve, a girl by the name Dorothy DeVaughan was born to Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Leasure of Kamehameha IV Road, Kalihi.

(Kuokoa, 12/31/1920, p. 2)

Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, Buke LVIII, Helu 53, Aoao 2. Dekemaba 31, 1920.

Christmas Day.

Tomorrow is Christmas,
We should remember,
Its rays rise in triumph,
The drifting clouds lie outstretched,
Joyous were the angels, the people,
The [illegible word] beautiful day of the world;
When Jesus came down,
He became as a human,
And dwelt with us,
He shared the suffering,
And the sorrows of this world,
Weary, hurt, hungry, thirsty,
Hated, abused, scorned,
Betrayed and died,
Suspended from the cross
He died for the sins of the world,
And became our Redeemer,
Sabaoth of the whole world,
At the right hand of his father.

Tomorrow, Christmas day will arrive, and it is a day to remember in Christian lands, the day that the Savior of the world was born in human form, and he walked with the people of this world, and he bore the wounds so that those of this world would be saved, should they go before him oppressed and in woe, it is he that will give them relief.

In Christian lands, the commemoration of this day is cherished, and it is a great desire of the youth and the poor to come by, for they will receive presents. At 12 o’clock at night, a service will be held at the Catholic Church. Before we forget, we leave you while saying, “Mere Kalikimasa.”

[This poem works off the phrase "APOPO KA LA KALIKIMASA" [Tomorrow is Christmas Day]. With writing also came this new form of mele, acrostic. They are found quite often throughout the many Hawaiian-Language Newspapers.]

(Au Okoa, 12/24/1868, p. 2)

Ke Au Okoa, Buke IV, Helu 36, Aoao 2. Dekemaba 24, 1868.

There are many descriptions of plants and their uses and where they grew, found in the Hawaiian-Language Newspapers.

Check out this site from Kapiolani Community College and Leeward Community College, described as:

The goal of Native Plants Hawaiʻi (NPH) is to create and establish a single, comprehensive and searchable online knowledgebase of endemic and indigenous plants of Hawaiʻi.

NPH seeks to connect local nurseries to landscape architects and home growers to promote the purchase, use and understanding of local native plants. Information is constantly updated by participating nurseries and plant specialists.

Hopefully they will be able to integrate relevant articles from the Hawaiian-Language Newspapers into their descriptions!

THE PALACE IS AGLOW WITH ELECTRIC LIGHTS.

The trees were bright with electric lights and the minds of the children were amazed, filled with wonder; the singing of Christmas joy and the skits were beautiful as the Christmas tree of the City of Honolulu was lit on the grounds of the capital this past Sunday; and there were thousands of people gathered while the event was held, while they sang along to Christmas carols being sung by choral groups.

The boys of the Kamehameha Schools led the singing along with the girls of the St. Andrews Priory School. Some of the songs sung that night were “Holy Light,” “O, The Little Town of Bethlehem,” a many other beautiful songs were sung. The crowd joined in the singing of the songs they knew, and when they did not know the words, they were silent.

The activities that night were wonderful because of the peace and because the queen of the night shone down her light, being this was a bright moonlit night, with a clear sky an no clouds.

There were skits performed as well, and in these performances to be seen, the crowd could watch the birth of the Lord, the angels blowing their trumpets, the following of the shepherds and the three magi to where the child lay, and their giving of gifts when they saw the child in the manger.

The audience was very appreciative of those who put on the joyous festivities that night, from the singing and so forth to the decorating of the trees with lights.

The words of the songs sung were projected onto a section of cloth so that everyone who could see could read it while the songs were being sung. The singing and the skits that were prepared for that night were wonderful.

(Kuokoa, 12/31/1920, p. 2)

Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, Buke LVIII, Helu 53, Aoao 2. Dekemaba 31, 1920.

HE WILL BE LEFT WITHOUT GIFTS.

That gift was given to Duke Kahanamoku, given by the multitudes of Honolulu, that being land and a house. Duke Kahanamoku is being required to return  it, or his title of the Swimming Champion of the World will be no more, as a result of a rule just approved by the A. A. U. [Amateur Athletic Union] Association of San Francisco, California; but it is believed that this rule does not apply to this gift of land and a house to Duke Kahanamoku being that it was given to Duke Kahanamoku a month ago, before this astonishing rule was approved.

Duke Kahanamoku is left without a home. According to the rule of the A. A. U. Association, it says in general: “There shall be no special gifts given in the islands to Duke Kahanamoku from others. Duke Kahanamoku shall not be allowed to take gifts over $35, as stated in the rules of the A. A. U. Association.” And this association has authority to set rules of such nature.

Should this be true, then this is a shameless act and misplaced envy; and on what authority can this be disallowed, for  the gift is from the people and not from the Association, or Swimming Groups of California; it is from the people of Honolulu nei; it is a memorial and a gift from them to the Swimming Champion of the whole world.

This restriction is something so very contemptible; perhaps could it be because Duke Kahanamoku is Hawaiian that these terribly degrading restrictions were placed, because they knew that there would be no swimmer to triumph over Duke Kahanamoku, being that he is breaking his own records with no one else placing before the Duke of Waikiki.

(Holomua, 12/20/1913, p. 1）

Ka Holomua, Buke I, Helu 12, Aoao 1. Dekemaba 20, 1913.

KAHILI TO BE RETURNED TO THE HOME OF EMMA.

Because Washington Place [Wakinekona Hale] will be placed under the care of Governor McCarthy, as a home for him to live in with his family, twenty-six feather standards were returned from Washington Place to the old home of Queen Emma, in the uplands of Nuuanu, under the care of the Association, the Daughters of Hawaii [Na Kaikamahine o Hawaii].

During the funeral of Queen Liliuokalani, and while her body lay in state at Kawaiahao Church and in the throne room of the palace, those kahili were something the public could visit, however, as the result of an agreement between the trustees of Queen Liliuokalani’s estate and the Association of the Daughters of Hawaii, the caring for the kahili has been transferred to the association. As has been the custom from ancient times, it was during the night that kahili of those types were moved from one place to another, and so it was that the kahili were returned in the dark of night on Sunday two weeks ago.

However, because there were not enough people to carry the kahili and march on the roads to its new home where it is hoped to be cared for, the kahili were put on cars and it was on these cars which the people who held the kahili stood.

When the cars and the kahili arrived at the entrance to the yard of the home of Queen Emma in the uplands of Nuuanu, the kahili were taken by the leaders of the Association of the Daughters of Hawaii, and its care was transferred to them.

(Kuokoa, 10/18/1918, p. 2)

Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, Buke LVI, Helu 42, Aoao 2. Okatoba 18, 1918.

MARRIAGES.

John Kaiama Keka to Esther P. Kamana, Dec. 18.

BIRTHS.

To Jacob Ahwai and Angeline Kahananui, a son, Dec. 17.
To Charles Kekoa and Minne Perkins, a daughter, Dec. 17.
To Sam Maii and Mary Kahikina, a daughter, Dec. 20.
To Nameless and Mary Bush, a daughter, Dec. 22.
To George K. Moore and Maria K. Peters, a son, Dec. 22.
To Mr. and Mrs. John Ke, a son, Dec. 23.

DEATHS.

Polikapu, on Fort Street, Dec. 19.
Keakalaualono, on Tantalus Street, Dec. 19.
Mary Kupo, on Pua Lane, Dec. 19.
Anela Kahinu, on Manoa Street, Dec. 20.
Cecilia Akiu, on Webb Lane, Dec. 20.
William Bell, at Leahi Home, Dec. 21.
Mary George, at Queen’s Hospital, Dec. 21.
A baby of Nameless on Ward Avenue, Dec. 22.
Joe Mikikai, on Insane Asylum Road, Dec. 22.
David Barbara  on the road to the Country Club House, Nuuanu, Dec. 22.
Mohala Moanauli, on Kalihi Street, Dec. 22.
L. Ah Sing, on Kamanuwai Street, Dec. 23.

(Kuokoa, 12/26/1913, p. 4)

Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, Buke LI, Helu 52, Aoao 4. Dekemaba 26, 1913.

KALANI KAULILUA.

He manao he aloha
Na ka ipo lei manu
Ua manu kuu hoa
Noho mai ka nahele
Iiwi o uka
Polena i ka ua
Elua maua
I ka po ua nui
Ua o Hanalei
Anu au maeele
Ua anu hoi au
I ka ua noe anu
Na hau o Maihi
Au ana i ke kai
Na ulu o Weli
Ponuhu mai ana
Mapu mai ana
Ke ala o ka Hala
Hala o Mopuena [Mapuana]
Onaona i ka ihu
Ke ala pua Loke
Hone na ka manao
Naue kuu kino
Ko hiki ana mai
Haina ia ka puana
O ka Lani Kaulilua.

[A song attributed to Queen Kapiolani for her King that travelled afar; it is still widely sung today and more commonly known by the title "Ka Ipo Lei Manu". This is perhaps the first time it appears in the Hawaiian-Language Newspapers. It was published in the issue immediately following the issue announcing the death of King Kalakaua.]

(Leo o ka Lahui, 2/2/1891, p. 2)

Ka Leo o ka Lahui, Buke II, Helu 120, Aoao 2. Feberuari 2, 1891.

Organ of Kawaiahao.

The new Organ of the Church has arrived, and if you go inside, you will see all sorts of small parts of this organ strewn here and there of the church. It is being assembled as quickly as possible by those working on it. There are hundreds of small parts to be put together until the large organ is complete. Because the church is being taken up by this activity, the church activities will take place in the room below.

[This is just one of a number of new organs that Kawaiahao received throughout the years!]

(Kuokoa, 7/12/1901, p. 4)

Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, Buke XXXIX, Helu 28, Aoao 4. Iulai 12, 1901.

Wind and Rain.

O Kuokoa Newspaper: Aloha oe:

On the 13th of Dec. and that night, a very strong wind appeared, along with rain, here in the town of Lahaina. When it came, we were sleeping in our beds, and I was startled by the great roaring of the wind shaking up the whole house. I heard the voice of my sister call out, “It’s a huge wind! It’s a huge wind!!” The buffeting winds passed and following it came heavy showers and Lightning flashing in the west.

The strong winds which appeared here in Lahaina blew against the houses but did not blow any of them down. There were however three ships in the harbor of Lahaina that night: the double-masted Emma Rooke; the Molokai, the double-masted ship of Kamaipelekane; and the Luiki, a single-masted ship. The double-masted Molokai was the ship that was dragged ashore at Puupiha and which broke up into pieces. The wind did not blow very long that night and it abated as night became day.  In the morning, I sailed aboard the single-masted ship to go sell awa; the strong winds reappeared and the anchor of the ship was pulled up. The captain made quick to sail. The double-masted Emma Rooke remained, but because of the terribly strong winds, it weighed anchor and made quick to lie off outside. Aloha by-and-by.

D. W. Kalaeloa.

Lahaina, December 17, 1863.

(Kuokoa, 12/26/1863, p. 3)

Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, Buke II, Helu 52, Aoao 3. Dekemaba 26, 1863.

Barely survived at sea

O Kuokoa Newspaper; Aloha oe:—Perhaps you and your Editor can be tolerant and include this in a Column of your entire stout body, about a crisis at sea, like this: Several skiffs left Niihau for Kauai, in Hanalei, to peddle goods; they did not face the crisis during this trip because the winds were calm on the sea, however, the next week they made ready to return, that being Thursday, the 12th of May, but because the wind was growing stronger, it wasn’t appropriate to continue the travels, therefore they landed at Nualolo that day, and stayed there for those days; and on Saturday, the 14th, they made to return here to Niihau while knowing the activity of the wind was bad; perhaps it was because they felt that the skill of the Niihau youth would not be acclaimed should they return in the calm, so they were worked up to sail, but after leaving and reaching the middle of the deep seas of Kaulakahi, one of the skiffs was pounded by a billow, and it overturned, and they were in dire straits. And when the second skiff noticed that this one had sunk, they threw their belongings into the sea and went to save the lives of the people overcome by calamity. The number of people aboard that vessel that had sunk was 13 including a small, young child who wasn’t yet crawling; I felt sorrow when I heard of this tragedy.

I strongly believe that if it wasn’t for the second skiff, and there was but just one skiff returning from Kauai, and they ran into this trouble, then they would be all gone, being swallowed by the belly of the ocean, and which of them would have escaped to be the messenger, the one to tell us of this sinking? I don’t think any one of them. And here is another thing; should none of them have lived, then we would have imagined something that was not true: “They are there living on Kauai;” but when some people from Kauai came and heard of them: “They left a long time ago.” Then what would we have then? Just this, the word that they had died, while accepting that fish, an alamihi.”¹

Here is another thing; being that I believe they have relatives on Kauai, along with other places of these islands, who are full of wonder, asking, “who are these Niihau people who were in trouble, and were they saved by the second skiff” So your friend will give each of their names, and here they are: Kaaukuu, Kalana, Kepuoiki, Kawala, Kaika, Mahuiki, Puni, and Kaikuahine, who are men; and Kamupoloula, Kamakahuilama, and Puuiki, who are women; and the small children and a man named Limaiole; those are the names of each of them in the skiff that sank. These are the names of the people aboard the skiff which saved them: Moopuna, Kamalikehakeao, Kaoku, Kaneiolouma, Kehau, and Kalauakaino, who are men; and Kewa and Niihau, who are women. The total number of them all was 22. And with this saving of these people from death, I recall an old saying: “Life is blessed through God, your snicker was almost fitting for me. [?? "Pomaikai ke ola na ke Akua, mai ku no ko aka-iki ia'u."

As for the skiff that sunk and all of their cargo, it is all gone into the depths of the ocean, and all that was left are their lives, and what they had on; and God was patient with them and they landed on the east side of Niihau nei, in the place called Kii.

These people, some of them were of the Catholic faith, and some were Protestants. These people nearly grabbed onto the club of Kekuaokalani, "Hoolehelehekii,"² along with my father-in-law, "Laumihi,"³ as they set off in strong winds; what's wrong with staying put until it is calm and then get up and come back. It is in man's nature to show off, thinking that he will be famous for his prowess at sailing. You are competent facing a fraction of the wind, but should the ferocity of the wind be greater than your skill, then I believe that your intelligence would not leave you victorious. "Praise god in the high heavens, peace on earth, and good will towards men." With aloha,

P. R. Holiohana.⁴

Kihalanui, Niihau, May 21, 1864.

¹A play on alamihi crab which can also sound like "path to repentance".

²A play on the name "Hoolehelehekii," meaning to be all talk.

³A play on the name "Laumihi," perhaps meaning much remorse.

⁴P. R. Holiohana is most likely also known as P. R. Holi.

[On a related note, please don't drive if you have been drinking. It isn't worth the risk you are putting yourself and others on the road in.]

(Kuokoa, 6/18/1864, p. 4)

Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, Buke III, Helu 25, Aoao 4. Iune 18, 1864.

Fish that Washed Ashore.

On the 26th of December, a very strange fish washed ashore at Honomalino, South Kona, Hawaii, and was found by a little girl. The length of this fish was 18 inches, and the width was 9 inches. When cut square, it looked flat. Some people have said that the name of the fish is Hoana. Its mouth is like that of a humuhumu. Its eyes, and dorsal fin, and gill plate look like that of an Ahi or and Aku, and it was eaten up by Mahoe. Three more of the very same type of fish came up at another place in Hoopuloa. How wonderful is God’s work.

S. W. Papaula.

Napoopoo, Kona, Hawaii, Jan. 30, 1864.

(Kuokoa, 2/2/1865, p. 3)

Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, Buke IV, Helu 5, Aoao 3. Feberuari 2, 1865.

THE FIRST HAOLE GIRL TO BE BORN IN HAWAII NEI.

Santa Clara, Apr. 20. This morning Mrs. Maria Whitney Pogue, the first haole girl to be born in the Hawaiian archipelago, died after a long illness. She was eighty years old. Her parents are Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Whitney, missionaries who arrived first with other missionaries for the islands. This girl was educated in Boseton, and she came here five years ago.

(Aloha Aina, 5/5/1900, p. 6)

Ke Aloha Aina, Buke VI, Helu 18, Aoao 6. Mei 5, 1900.

Queen Kapiolani.

Yesterday, December 31, was the birthday of the Alii, Queen Kapiolani, the royal daughter of Kuhio (m) and Kinoiki (f), and this made her forty-first year, for she was born on this day in the year 1834. Yesterday at 12 noon, she saw in Iolani Palace all those who came to see her and to give her joy on this proud day of a person’s life, and the cannons were shot off in salute for her birthday. Just as with the happiness and the congratulations of those who went to see her, so too are we who are outside, with prayers for blessings from the heavens that her life may be extended until extreme old age.

Here is the genealogy of birth of Queen Kapiolani:

Keawe dwelt with Lonomaikanaka; Kauhiokeka (f) dwelt with Keawe (m); Kekaulike (f) dwelt with Kepoomahoe (m); Kalanikauleleiaiwi 3 [?] (f) dwelt with Kanekoa (m); Pomaikaulani (f) dwelt with Elelule (m); Kuhio (m) dwelt with Kinoiki (f); born was Kapiolani (f), Kapooloku (f), and Kekaulike (f).

Long live the Queen, Kapiolani.

[Here is another article probably submitted by Robert William Wilcox (Wilikoki) dealing with Queen Kapiolani's genealogy. Kuokoa, 7/21/1899, p. 2. "KA MOOKUAUHAU ALII O KA MOIWAHINE KAPIOLANI."]

(Kuokoa, 1/1/1876, p. 2)

Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, Buke XV, Helu 1, Aoao 2. Ianuari 1, 1876.

Wishing you all a very happy 2014. This calendar is fashioned after the one given by the newspaper Aloha Aina in 1906 to its readers. It features a picture of the typesetters and the paperboys of the newspaper taken on December 30, 1905. Please feel free to save it onto your desktop and print it out and put it up on your wall or give it away to someone who you think will appreciate it!

I hope that with next year will come more exciting stories from the past which will encourage people to at least consider why the Hawaiian-Language Newspapers are important to us today and tomorrow. Perhaps it will encourage the individuals, agencies, and organizations who can benefit from the knowledge that the many, many kupuna thought important enough to entrust to the safekeeping of the pages of the Newspapers, to think about funding the rescanning as well as the conservation of the Newspapers, so that the information contained in them can be easily accessed by those of today and the generations to come…

2014 ALEMANAKA

New Year’s Celebration in Waimea.

The people of Waimea held a Happy New Year party at 3 p. m. on this past Tuesday [1/3/1899], at the Courthouse here in Waimea. The table was given honor by the young Princess, Her Highness Kawekiulani Ahilapalapa Kaiulani and her entourage: the honorable ladies and gentlemen of Mana; the ladies of the mountainous land of the Kipuupuu Rain [Waimea]; and the lasso-flicking youth, Paul Jarrett. They ate until full, and drank until satiated of the delicacies of the table—Hape Nu Ia!

On the following night at 7 o’clock, European entertainment was held in the courtroom decorated with palai fronds of the forests, under the direction of an honorable gentleman giving welcome to the esteemed guest, the Wohi Princess, on that night of festivities, along with the other dignified ones accompanying her. In this European entertainment, the honor of the American Nation was paid first to Waimea, by the visit of the Young Alii Kawekiulani, Kawananakoa, Kuhio Kalanianaole, and his wife, along with the attending ladies of the alii for three nights; and it is said of the final night that it was Number 1 and better than Honolulu. According to the witnesses, “Waimea is the best.”

Maunakea.

Waimea, Hawaii, Jan. 5, 1899.

(Makaainana, 1/9/1899, p. 1)

Ka Makaainana, Buke XI—-Ano Hou, Helu 2, Aoao 1. Ianuari 9, 1899.

The Birthday of Emma Lani.—Friday (yesterday), the 2nd of January, 1880, was the 44th birthday of the life of Queen Emma Kaleleonalani. Just as usual, the day on which her royal mother suffered birthing pains arrived. There were throngs gathered at the walls of her estate. We are very happy to inform the public that as always the “beloved elegance of lehua blossoms” top her sweet rounded cheeks, and the figure of that “Rare Blossom” of the people is in fine shape. And as the people happily celebrate the arrival of this fine day, we also reminisce as we join in the celebration, while we utter a prayer, wishing that she and her family live long in ease and prosperity. The King kindly made his way by to give his congratulations to the Queen of one of the famous Kings of Hawaii nei.

[The Daughters of Hawaii announced that today, 1/2/2014, in honor of Queen Emma's 178th birthday, there will be a new exhibit opening, along with free admission to Hanaiakamalama, with a short program at 11 a. m. So if you are on Oahu, this sounds like a good way to spend the Queen's birthday!]

(Kuokoa, 1/3/1880, p. 2)

Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, Buke XIX, Helu 1, Aoao 2. Ianuari 3, 1880.