HISTORY OF THE HALE O NA ALII O HAWAII

 

      Much of the early history of the Hale O Na Alii O Hawaii, a Hawaiian benevolent organization, has been lost.  However, from the limited records available, we learn that it was organized April 15, 1918, by a group of men and women among them being Princess Abigail Wahiihaahuula Kawananakoa, the widow of the late Prince David Kawananakoa.

     The organization had a very auspicious start with prominent men and women of Hawaiian blood enrolling as members.  Among the objects of the Association were the promulgating and cementing of friendly relations amongst its members, by encouraging them to meet frequently; helping them in time of need, sickness or other troubles, also when they pass away from this life; advising them as to the proper way of living and promoting matters for the uplifting of the conditions of the Hawaiian race.

     The first president was Marie Laura Kekapuwohi Makakuikalani, who served for almost two years; later moving to Hilo, Island of Hawaii, where she had acquired a “homestead”. She was succeeded by Wiliam A. Hall.  During his term of office, there was much dissension amongst the membership.  This led to his resignation.  He immediately organized another Association which was later dissolved.  Princess Kawananakoa assumed active leadership and introduced progressive measures for the keeping of records and the welfare of the membership.

     One of the most important projects undertaken by the Association was the opening of a store in the Young Hotel Building.  “A store for the sale of Hawaiian articles, mats, fans, hats, calabashes, tapas, baskets, beads and paper leis, quilts, etc.  The effect of this project will be far-reaching; we will draw the other islands closer to us because we will ask them to send lauhala, other raw materials as well as finished articles which will be sold and the money sent to them.  The Hale O Na Alii, by its good will and hearty cooperation may be the means of reviving the industries of the past.  The more we study Hawaiian history, the more wonderful our ancestors appear.  We have lost much of the culture and refinements of our forefathers, however, if we do the things they did, it may be that the atmosphere of the LONG AGO may return and bring to us a heritage that we have neglected, that of being the descendants of a great race noted for its intelligence, ambition and nobility.”

     Princess Kawananakoa was a woman of strong character and was considered one of the foremost leaders of the Hawaiian race.  The impact of her personality is reflected in the solid foundation upon which the Association was founded.  Branch chapters (known as Halaus) were soon formed on the other islands and named after father children who were members of the Kumuahakalani (Supreme Council).  The first branch Halau was formedin Hilo on January 21, 1921 (Halau O Kalakaua); the Halau O Kapiolani on Kauai on February 6, 1921 and the Halau O Liliuokalani on Maui on June 21, 1923.

     As time went on, the active management of the Association centered around a group of officers who had served with her for many years and in whom she had instilled a devotion to duty and high ideals.  Upon her death in April1945, the work of the Supreme Council was taken over by her daughter, Kapiolani (Mrs. Harry Field) who succeeded her as Regent.  Kapiolani organized the Halau O Kawananakoa on Molokai in 1949 and a second Halau on the island of Hawaii at Waimea (Halau O Kealiiahonui).  During an extended visit to the United states and Europe, she appointed Louise Akeo  (now Mrs. William H. Silva) who was the secretary of the Honolulu lodge to be her personal representative.  Later on, because of ill health, she authorized Mrs. Silva to continue to help her in supervising the operations of the headquarters (Ahahui Poo, Oahu) and all the branch chapters. 

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  • Just a note:

     

    More recently, Hrdlicka's methods have come under scrutiny and criticism with regard to his treatment of Native American remains. An AP newswire article, "Mexico Indian Remains Returned From NY For Burial" from November 17, 2009, recounted his study of Mexico's tribal races, including the beheading of still-decomposing victims of a massacre of Yaqui Indians and removing the flesh from the skulls as part of these studies. He also threw out the corpse of an infant that was found in a cradleboard but forwarded this artifact along with the skulls and other remains to New York's American Museum of Natural History. While these practices are not inconsistent with other ethnographers and human origin researchers of that era, the moral and ethical ramifications of these research practices continues to be debated today.

  • will try to get part III and others up and running.  Princess Kawanakoa is in town, does anyone have information as to her status on Kawaiahao church and their burials?
  • At work today, I sensed these words even more--glad I read it before I went to work "duty and high ideals."  It sort of kept me at the helm in teaching students that are considered underachievers.  They have three strikes against them to being with, and it doesn't seem to be any relief in sight for these younsters.  My only thoughts to this is that I survived and went to college, but the rules are harder unlike when I attended college. 

     

    They play-competition, unlike familiar culture  and plain greed rule the academics--but one cannot function without that degree in today's job market. 

  • This pamphlet has a lot of kauna, even the date 1918-1958 gate keeps the culture values in place.  I am amazed at how intelligent our Na Kupuna (Alii) had used their political action to set aside 200,000 acres for Hawaiians of 50% plus bloodquantum. 
  • I've had this pamphlet on my shelf for awhile.  Never really read though its contents except to extract a piece of information to support the invalidation of what is transpiring  now with the Akaka Bill as a new change of the Rehabilitation of Native Hawaiians of the blood on DHHL (homestead) to a US military Armed forces reservation. 

     

    I was even more surprised to read "Princess Kawananakoa assumed active leadership and introduced progressive measures for the keeping of records and the welfare of the membership."  I ventured on to a trail of the aftermath of 'death' and its funeral services, to burial, and now to disinterment with 'dishonoring' intent on the part of the 'state and city' of Hawaii a voting entities of the US of America. 

     

    As a crafter, I am glad, however, to read etc. after a list of Hawaiian articles that were for sale at their Young Hotel Building.  This store was thought of as a progressive venture and a promising effort to "draw the other islands closer" and a means to raise money as well as consciousness of their values in crafting.  In this cooperation entity and what it meant was to keep the 'industrious' Hawaiian blood as an extension of 'work ethics' from the ancient pass.  In that study of our Hawaiian History our essence would thrive in strife. 

     

    Another part to this piece of information was the admittance of 'lost' to our culture and a need to finite our ancient ways and or patriarchy of the past.  To recreate an ambiance of the ancients as a means of return to warrant the past heritage was meaningful, but to couch that sense as 'neglected' and as once were seemed disheartening. I believe there was yearning for "intelligence, ambition and nobility" as a projectile.

     

    What is so astonishing was the carefulness to not 'vote' as opposed to forming an association of people that were of the blood and had the will or character to lead the Hawaiian race.  What did they mean 'father children?'  That was strange to me or maybe I'm just being niele.

     

    As a daughter, I understand that obedience to a parent a strange sense of purpose, authority and leadership in the Pacific.  As a Niaupio we do not lessen the horizon regardless to the difficulty of human frailness. Our ancestors were a continuum in a majestic way and in this lesson we are an extension of that benevolence.  

    I've had this pamphlet on my shelf for awhile.  Never really read though its contents except to extract a piece of information to support the invalidation of what is transpiring  now with the Akaka Bill as a new change of the Rehabilitation of Native Hawaiians of the blood on DHHL (homestead) to a US military Armed forces reservation. 

     

    I was even more surprised to read "Princess Kawananakoa assumed active leadership and introduced progressive measures for the keeping of records and the welfare of the membership."  I ventured on to a trail of the aftermath of 'death' and its funeral services, to burial, and now to disinterment with 'dishonoring' intent on the part of the 'state and city' of Hawaii a voting entities of the US of America. 

     

    As a crafter, I am glad, however, to read etc. after a list of Hawaiian articles that were for sale at their Young Hotel Building.  This store was thought of as a progressive venture and a promising effort to "draw the other islands closer" and a means to raise money as well as consciousness of their values in crafting.  In this cooperation entity and what it meant was to keep the 'industrious' Hawaiian blood as an extension of 'work ethics' from the ancient pass.  In that study of our Hawaiian History our essence would thrive in strife. 

     

    Another part to this piece of information was the admittance of 'lost' to our culture and a need to finite our ancient ways and or patriarchy of the past.  To recreate an ambiance of the ancients as a means of return to warrant the past heritage was meaningful, but to couch that sense as 'neglected' and as once were seemed disheartening. I believe there was yearning for "intelligence, ambition and nobility" as a projectile.

     

    What is so astonishing was the carefulness to not 'vote' as opposed to forming an association of people that were of the blood and had the will or character to lead the Hawaiian race.  What did they mean 'father children?'  That was strange to me or maybe I'm just being niele.

     

    As a daughter, I understand that obedience to a parent a strange sense of purpose, authority and leadership in the Pacific.  Na Niaupio do not lessen the horizon regardless to the difficulty of human frailness. Our ancestors were a continuum in a majestic way and in this lesson we are an extension of that benevolence. 

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