Finding Aid to the
KAUA’I HISTORICAL SOCIETY HISTORY FILES
Collected 1914 - 1960s
(Span 1838 - 1967)
Kaua’i Historical Society
Lihue, Kaua’i, Hawai’i
M
s This Program Is Supported By A Grant From The HAWAI'I COMMITTEE FOR THE HUMANITIES
S 17History Files Finding Aid - 1
Restrictions
Many of the items in this collection are typescripts
copied from original manuscripts, copies of Kauai
Historical Society programs, or other research
materials.
Permission to reproduce these materials in full or
in part must be obtained in writing in advance of use,
from the Kauai Historical Society Board of Directors,
or the holder of the original materials.
History Files Finding Aid - 2
M
S17
KAUAI HISTORICAL SOCIETY HISTORY FILES. RECORDS, 1838 - [1920s - 1940s] - 1967.
3.0 c.f. (6 archival boxes).
ABSTRACT
The Kauai Historical Society early History Files are a collection of “subject file” materials,
collected from 1914 until the 1960s, the early years of the Society. This collection provides
tangible information and also contributes to an understanding of the society as an organization.
The collection is comprised primarily of newspaper articles, magazine dippings, some
correspondence and letters, a few research papers, and typescript copies of materials in other
KHS collections. The History Files were organized by topic and indexed on “Bibliography Sheets”
prepared by the Society’s long-time secretary, Elsie H. Wilcox (1879 - 1954). Attached as an
appendix to this Finding Aid is a brief description outlining how the Society collected and
catalogued these materials.
Processed by Barbara M. Robeson, 1999.
History Files Finding Aid - 3
HISTORY OF COLLECTING AT THE KAUAI HISTORICAL SOCIETY
From the early days at the Kauai Historical Society, the organization collected a variety of
materials concerning the history of Kauai and Niihau. The collection was housed at the old Kauai
Public Library building now the location of the Kauai Museum on Rice Street. The founding
members of the Society were also instrumental in establishing the first library on Kauai that later
became the Kauai Public Library. This close association between the Society, its members, and
the library continued for many years.
Beginning with the founding of the Kauai Historical Society in 1914, members wrote papers, gave
talks, conducted research, and collected a variety of material from print sources. As papers were
written, and materials were collected, KHS secretary Elsie Hart Wilcox recorded each new item
on an individual “Bibliography” sheet by topic or subject tile, and filed the material in the
appropriate/relevant file folder labeled with that topic. Sometime later, use of the Bibliography
sheets were discontinued and a card index file was created. For further information about how
the Society collected these materials, see the Appendix at the end of the Finding Aid.
Significance of the Bibliography Sheets (in use 1914 - 1950s)
The Bibliography sheets were a list of the early holdings of the Kauai Historical Society and as
such can be used as an inventory or early registration system for the Society’s collection at that
time. In addition to print materials, the Bibliography sheets list a few photographs and some
details about where materials were acquired.
The Bibliography sheets also list materials that at the time of processing were not located in other
areas of the Society collections. The sheets can be used by researchers as a good bibliography
of early materials on the various subjects outside the KHS collections.
The Sheets contain listings of a number of papers presented to Society members and
correspondence between the Society and others (1914 to 1952). Some of these materials are
located in other areas of the KHS archives (see The Kauai
Papers (MS 2) and KHSOrganizational Records
(MS 3).All the original Bibliography sheets are filed in one folder with a copy filed in each subject file
folder.
SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE
The materials in the early KHS History Files manuscript collection were originally filed in folders
by subject matter. This finding aid uses the term "folder" rather than the term “series” in order to
preserve their original order and format.
The 54 History File folder titles consist of newspaper clippings, magazine articles,
correspondence, letters, some handwritten notes and typescript copies of research papers.
Typescript copies of letters and articles were copied from earlier materials during research
undertaken by Elsie Wilcox during her tenure as the KHS Secretary. The earliest typescript letter
is held by the Hawaiian Mission Children’s Society. The bulk of the materials are newspaper
clippings from The Honolulu Advertiser and The Garden Island, although other newspapers are
represented. Other clipped articles are from Mid-Pacific Magazine, The Friend, and other
publications. The folders are arranged in alphabetical order by subject title.
The dates of the materials in the early History Files span1837 to 1987 but not all years are
represented. The bulk of the material ranges from 1920s through the 1950s.
Folder titles are listed in
folder are arranged chronologically by publication date, where known. Notes were left together for
BOLD CAPITAL LETTERS and the records and materials within eachHistory Files Finding Aid - 4
the convenience of the researcher. The records are in poor to fair condition (age, tape, rust from
staples and fasteners); some have been interleaved with acid free paper. Where feasible,
newspaper articles were copied on to acid-free paper, and the originals destroyed. Oversize
newspapers were interleaved with acid free paper. The size of the collection is 3.0 cubic feet.
Some of the original Bibliography sheets were noted “no subject file.” These sheets with “no
subject file” include: Kauai Tours, Manuscripts, Resources of Kauai, Proverbs, George Prince
Tamoree, Military on Kauai, Kamaainas of Kauai. These “no subject file” Bibliography sheets are
filed in a separate folder for research purposes.
There are also some History File folders with no Bibliography sheets. When this was the case,
the card
Some restrictions may apply on the reproduction or publication of materials in the History Files
manuscript collection.
Filed in alphabetical order are the 40 original
collection have a Bibliography sheet. Acid free copies have been filed in the appropriate subject
folder.
ANAHOLA - This folder contains just one newspaper article concerning ‘Anahola, an Experiment
in Turning Back the Clock”, and dated 1939.
ARTIFACTS - Restricted
in writing to the KHS Board of Directors. The folder contains information relating to a 1952
inventory of artifacts held in private collections on Kauai. See Restricted files.
BIOGRAPHY - Contained in this folder are typescript copies and newspaper articles of
biographies of the Coney Family, Emma, Queen Consort of Kamehameha IV, W.V. Hardy,
Samuel Hitchcock, Horace Holden Albert Homer, Paul Isenberg, Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole, Lili
Kaneihali, Deborah Kapule, Kaumualii (George Prince Tamoree), Eric Knudsen, James Makee,
the Ransome Family, Dr. Jared K. Smith, the Spaulding Family, Charles Tiicomb, and William
Waterhouse.
CHURCHES: HISTORY - This folder includes primarily newspaper clippings, programs, and
articles regarding the history of various Kauai churches (Korean Methodist, Lihue Hawaiian
Church, Koloa Japanese Christian Church, Lihue Japanese Christian, Church, Catholic churches
on Kauai, Koloa Mission). Items not listed on the Bibliographic Sheet but found
include typescript copies of “From a Missionary Journal: Early Days in the Sandwich Islands
(undated), research notes on Anahola/Koolau Congregational Church, a letter from Elsie H.
Wilcox to W.S. Barnes (June 28, 1953) regarding the church bell at Kapaa Hawaiian Church and
moving the Wailua Church to Kapaa, and a letter and attachment from fr. Reginald Yzendoom to
Ethel Damon answering her the history of the Catholic Church on Kauai.
CHURCHES: LIHUE UNION - This folder is comprised of newspaper articles, Sunday programs
(1901), dedication programs (1922, 1951), an annual meeting program, a carbon copy original list
of members (December 6,1898), a typescript copy of a paper by Ethel Damon, "The Lihue
Memorial Parish House” (The Friend June 1922). Also included are typescript copies of notes by
Mary S. Rice about the history of the church (1950), notes by J.M. Lydgate about the new church
(1950) and a list of members [?] as of 1900. There is also information about the square table in
the Parish Hall, made at Waimea School shop in 1923, and purchased by Elsie Wilcox.
CHURCHES: WAIOLI CHURCH - Included in this folder is a paper concerning the church lot.
The folder also includes a copy of the 1921 Rededication Program, and a typescript copy of the
paper What led from Kentucky to Waioli” by Mary Alexander that was read at the Waioli
Centennial on October 21, 1934.
index file was used to reconstruct the folder.BIBLIOGRAPHY SHEETS. Not all folders in thisAccess. Permission to access and view this information must be madein the folderHistory Files Finding Aid - 5
CLEOPATRA’S BARGE ("Ha'aheo 0 Hawai'i") - Included in these materials are three items: two
newspaper articles (n.d. and 1936) recounting the wreck of the ship at Hanalei, and
correspondence of Col. E.B. Walker, 15th Coast Artillery, Fort Kamehameha and Elsie H. Wilcox
(August 9 & 16, 1940).
COOK, CAPTAIN JAMES - There are five folders pertaining to Captain James Cook. The COOK
HISTORY contains material concerning the sesquicentennial celebration on August 16, 1928, a
copy of the Congressional Record with remarks about the celebration (February 14, 1929), a list
of Kauai Historical Society members who participated in the sesquicentennial (August 1927), a
report by Walter Foss Sanbom, ‘Relations of Hawaiian Islands to the United States” (1939), and
correspondence relating to the celebration. The COOK COIN folder contains a letter from Edgar
Henriques of the Cook Sesquicentennial Commission concerning the Cook Sandblast proof
Hawaiian Half-dollar #38 given to Elsie Wilcox. The COOK MONUMENT DONATIONS folder
contains solicitation letters and lists of donors for the Cook monument. The COOK MONUMENT
has correspondence from the design committee (Hart Wood, Dickey & Wood Architects, Dora
lsenberg and Elsie Wilcox), letters to sculptor Adele Stackpole about the bronze tablet and relief
for the monument, a photo of the relief, and invoices for freight for shipping the monument to
Kauai. The COOK PROGRAM folder contains correspondence to the program speakers, and lists
of attendees and guests.
DESCRIPTION AND TRAVEL - In the folder are newspaper articles (1924, 1948), an article from
Mid Pacific Maaazine (1916), and typescript copies of a
Jarvis, and typescript article from The Pacific Commercial Advertiser, “A Brief Trip to Kauai (May
19, 1877).
EDUCATION AND SCHOOLS ON KAUAI - The folder contains brief histories written between
1930 and 1939 of the Lihue, Waimea and Kapaa schools. Also there is a paper by Frederic B.
Withington, ‘One Hundred Years of Education in Hawai'i" that was presented to the Kauai
Historical Society in December 1939. Included also is small book, with photos, “Schools in Kauai,
1940-41" that was used in the Kauai School System.
HANALEI - HAENA -
containing materials that researchers may find useful. Contained here also is a original copy of a
paper by Kenneth P. Emory (1928) concerning the ruins at Kee, Haena, a copy of a newspaper
article by Mary Salisbury on the ‘Crow’s Nest” at Princeville from The Garden Island (September
28, 1937), a copy of Hanalei Records at the Registrar’s office in Honolulu, made by Lyle A.
Dickey [undated], a photo of an 1862 drawing of the ‘Hanalei Boat Club”, and “notes taken by
Elsie Wilcox of a conversation with [W.F. ] Sanbom, re people, places” [undated]. The KHS
Correspondence files also contain a number of letters pertaining to this series.
Also included in this folder are typescript copies of letters from Edward Johnson written from
Waioli in 1837 and 1838 [These are copies from original manuscripts are held by the Hawaiian
Mission Children’s Society and permission to reproduce in full or in part must be obtained in
writing from the Society’s Librarian.].
HEIAU - The bulk of the material in this folder is transcribed copies in Hawaiian and English, of
the 1885 Lahainaluna Papers on " Kauai Sites, heiau, fishing grounds, legends, caves, etc.” The
original papers are housed in the Bishop Museum and were translated from Hawaiian to English
by Mrs. Mary Wiiggin Pukui in 1934. Also in this folder is correspondence between the Society
and Dora and Thomas Hashimoto regarding the upkeep of the heiau at Kee (1952-53), notes by
Lyle A. Dickey (May 12, 1928) regarding heiau (Kaulupaoa, Kilioe, Lohiau), notes by Katherine
McIntyre (October 1948) on place names, a photocopy of a report by Kenneth Emory (September
30, 1933) on Wailua, a report by H.D. Sloggett about Ka-lae-o-ka-manu at Wailua (March 1934),
a typescript copy of a paper by Wendell Bennett about the birth stone at Wailua
Moir map of Kaneiolouma heiau at Po’ipu, and various newspaper articles on the subject.
1838 article, ‘Sketch of Kauai” by J.J.WAIOLI - This folder lists several cross-references to other files, a set of the EricHistory Files Finding Aid - 6
HISTORICAL MARKERS -
interpretive] markers.
This folder contains a listing of historical sites that have [identifying orHISTORIC SITES -The
24,1962) about recently reported sites at Waimea, and a report by Ruth Knudsen Hanner from
the Kauai Sites Committee (1952-53).
folder on Historic Sites contains a letter from Lloyd Soehren (OctoberHULA AND MELE -
mele singers on Kauai (1927) a copy of a letter from Kathryn Hulme to Mary Pukui about Queen
Emma traveling to the Alakai Swamp, Part I of a paper on “Ancient Hulas of Kauai” by
Included in two folders are copies of two Bishop Museum lists of hula andMrs. MaryKawena Pukui and demonstrated by Mrs. Keahi Luahine Sylvester for the Society on January 31,
1936 that is one of The Kauai Papers. Also found in this folder is the unpublished Part II of
‘Ancient Hulas...” that is a continuation of Part I, and written by Pukui (January 31, 1936). (Part II
is not included in The Kauai Papers.)
KALALAU - In this folder are newspaper accounts of Koolau (1923, 1924), an eight-page paper
about a trip taken by Mary Stacey to Na Pali (1953), and a 23 page paper (1949) by Tiare Emory
on ‘Hawaiian Life in Kalalau, Kauai according to John Hanohano and his mother, Wainine-i-
Keouli Pa.’
KAMEHAMEHA’S DEFEAT ON KAUAI -
Kamehameha’s defeat and a paper by John Stokes (1936) on Dune Sepulture, Battle Mortality
and Kamehameha’s Alleged Defeat on Kauai.”
In this folder is a 1926 Star Bulletin article onKANOA ESTATE -This
Kanoa. The letter is in Hawaiian, but has been translated. Also is a typescript copy of the last
will and testament of Paul P. Kanoa. This letter in Hawaiian and has been translated to English.
folder contains an original undated letter from [King] Kalakaua to Paul P.KAPAA-KAWAIHAU -
in The Kauai
The Bibliography Sheets for this folder are mostly papers that are locatedPapers (ms2). Also is a list of school principals at Kapaa 1883-1930.KAUAI FISH AND GAME ASSOCIATION -
organization from 1921 through 1937 (1921-1 923,1925-1929, 1930-1937). The
the organizations founding documents (By-laws, Constitution, Membership), meeting notes and
meeting minutes, bank statement and financial reports, annual reports, correspondence,
legislation. Of particular interest, is correspondence relating to the organization’s efforts in
stocking Kauai with a variety of fish and game.
Included in three folders are the records of therecords includeKEKAHA SUGAR PLANTATION -
Kekaha Sugar Co., newsletter, a program ‘Fifty Years of Successful Incorporation in Hawai’i,”
and a newspaper article on the 50th anniversary.
The contents of this folder are all dated 1946. They include aKOKEE MUSEUM -
and other letters relating to forestry. There is also an inventory of exhibits and furniture, a list of
friends of the Museum, reports and lists of activities, and other miscellaneous articles.
This folder includes correspondence relating to the formation of the MuseumKOLOA -
the
handwritten notes, and an extract from a journal, "The Pilgrims of Hawai’i.” The
COMPANY
typescript copy of manuscript letter by Charles Burnham. Researchers may also find additional
information in The Kauai Papers, the
Education contained in thii manuscript collection.
LAWAI - This folder contains two newspaper articles (1925, 1935) about the Alexander McBryde
home, and a short history of Lawai by Mary Salisbury.
A 1912 copy of “Notes on Koloa” and 1675 artide on the Koloa Swamp are induded inKOLOA folder. The KOLOA MISSION folder contains a 1935 program of services,KOLOA SUGARfolder contains miscellaneous newspaper articles, programs of celebrations, and aKHS Organizational Records (Ms3) and the folder onHistory Files Finding Aid - 7
LEGENDS - Many of the items listed on the Bibliography sheet for this folder are contained in
The Kauai
Papers. Also included here are copies of Padraic’s newspaper column on legends(1923-27), other legends recounted in newspaper articles, and a copy of a paper translated by
Mary Pukui, ‘Ghosts at Barking Sands” (September 27, 1912).
LIHUE and LIHUE PLANTATION - Both folders contain newspaper articles. The Lihue file has
articles about the opening of the Kress Store (1925), the Isenberg Recreation Gymnasium (1938),
Lihue Post Office (1938), and copy of the ‘History of Lihue” by Mary Rice [also in The Kauai
Papers].
Researchers may also find additional information in The Kauai Papers.MALUMALU - Included in this folder is a copy of the paper written by Mrs. Lydgate, "Life at
Malumalu in the Old Days.”
MANA - This folder includes a paper by S.M. Jones on fieldwork conducted in 1934-35, "Mana:
The Procession of Peoples.”
NAMES-PERSONAL - This folder contains a list of personal names and [research] notes by
Elsie Wilcox. Researchers may also refer to the
on Place Names.
NAWILIWILI HARBOR - This folder includes newspaper articles regarding the dedication
ceremonies for the new breakwater at the harbor on October 28, 1921.
NIIHAU and NECKER ISLANDS, NIHOA ISLANDS AND FRENCH FRIGATE SHOAL - These
folders include newspaper articles on the Sinclair Family (1934), a history of Niihau (1938), and of
the Japanese pilot who was forced down on Niihau in December 1941.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION - This folder contains two reports. The first is a carbon copy ‘Report
on the Survey of Religions Work in the Hawaiian Islands, 1926 - 1927” prepared by the Women’s
Board of Hawaiian Board of Missions. The other is a typescript report ‘Protestant Religions and
Character Work, Island of Kauai, T.H.” by Harold Mountain (May 8, 1931).
ROYALTY, HAWAIIAN - This folder contains a typescript copy of an article from the Dailv Pacific
Commercial Advertiser July 13, 1891, ‘The Queen on Kauai,” and other handwritten notes.
RUSSIAN FORT AND RUSSIANS ON KAUAI - This folder is comprised of several newspaper
and magazine articles (1923, 1935) about Russians in Hawai’i and on Kauai. There is also a
1953 correspondence to Elsie Wilcox from Alexander Doll regarding sources of information about
Russians in Hawai’i, and three papers about the history of Russians [Undated, no authors given.
Possibly Wilcox's research notes?].
SHIPWRECKS -This folder contains newspaper accounts of various shipwrecks on or near
Kauai including an account from the Baltimore Sun on the U.S.S. Saginaw (1909), a 1921
Honolulu Advertiser article about a glass window taken from the ship ‘Dunnotter Castle”, letters
between Elsie Wilcox and Dr. F.J. Halford and the librarian at the Hawaiian Historical Society
(1942) on the subject of the Saginaw. The Bibliography sheet contains a list of shipwrecks
between 1805 and 1906.
SPANIARDS IN HAWAI’I - Two lengthy Star Bulletin accounts of SPANIARDS IN HAWAI’I are
included in this folder (October 30, 1937 and April 16,1938
SPORTS - This folder contains notes (1952) and an article (1953) on ancient Holua Slides.
Researchers can also refer to the paper by Janet Faye, ‘Sites of Ancient Hawaiian Sports on
Kauai” in The Kauai Papers.
Elsie Wilcox Collected Papers (Ms4) for materialHistory Files Finding Aid - 8
SUGAR AND PLANTATIONS - While the Bibliography sheet lists 53 items in the SUGAR AND
PLANTATIONS folder, only a handful were located when these records were processed.
Researchers should refer to the Bibliography sheet for other sources of information on the
subject. Included in the folder are newspaper articles about the sugar quotas in Jones-Costigan
lawsuit (1934), sugar industry methods, and prospects for the industry. There is also a copy of a
paper from a talk by C.E.S. Bums on the ‘History of the Hawaiian Sugar Industry’ (1941), and a
letter from Jared Smith to Elsie Wilcox, “Crockett, a name to Conjure by” (May 2, 1949).
TIDAL WAVES - “Tidal Waves in Hawai’i’s History" is the subject of a newspaper article (1946) in
this folder.
VOYAGES - This folder includes a paper presented to the Mokihana Study Club on February 7,
1927, “Early Voyages to Hawai’i” by Col. L.G. Blackman, and typescript copy of a paper about
Vancouver’s Voyages and his anchoring at Waimea and Hanalei.
WAIALEALE - Articles from The Garden Island, the Star Bulletin, The Honolulu Advertiser and
Paradise of the Pacific are included in the WAIALEALE folder. The articles describe climbs,
rainfall, and the rain gauge (various dates 1920's, 30's, 40's). There is also a transcript copy of a
1922 Garden Island artide of ‘Another Conquest of Waialeale by a Kauai Party” by Charles Dole
that recounts the 1874 and 1922 ascents.
WAILUA - This folder contains an article by Mary Salisbury (1937) on Wailua and three letters
from Rebecca Banks concerning the petroglyphs at Wailua. Researchers may also find
additional information in the Heiau folder of this collection.
WAIMEA - Of special interest in the folder on WAIMEA is a paper describing the Mission Lands
at Waimea, copied from the original manuscript by Rev. S. Whitney (original between 1841-45).
Also of note are five small handwritten pamphlets, in Hawaiian, listing names [of church
members? census?] that was given to the Society by Dorothy Rowell in 1922. There is also a
paper “Study of Waimea” by Stella Jones (1934-35), a typescript copy of the “Insurrection of
1824” at Waimea, a letter from Margaret Martin to Ethel Damon (1935) regarding a new home
and site being built in Waimea, and several newspaper articles on Waimea. Researchers may
also find additional information about Waimea in The
Kauai Papers.WAINIHA - This folder contains a March 20, 1946 Star Bulletin account of the Wainiha Hui
Lands.
WORLD WAR II - There are two folders concerning WORLD WAR II. The first contains news
releases and articles about the war. The second includes a list of the 1944 staff of the Kauai
Volunteers, an artide ‘Little Kauai in the War” by Stella Jones (1943) and a class paper, "The
442nd Regimental Combat Team: One
YMCA - The last folder in this collection contains a paper on the Study of the YMCA on Kauai”
by Andrew Gross, February 1931.
History
of America's Finest” by William Brown (1967).Files Finding Aid - 9CONTAINER LIST
Box Folder
1 1234
56
78
2 12
34
5
6
7
8
3 123
4
5
6
789
10
11
4 123
4
5
6
78
5 12
3
4
5
6
78
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
Bibliography Sheets
Anahola
Artifacts
Biography
Churches: History
Churches: Lihue Union
Churches: Waioli Church
Cleopatra’s Barge
Cook History (Captain James Cook)
Cook Coin
Cook Monument Donations
Cook Monument (1927)
Cook Monument (1928)
Cook Program
Description and Travel
Education and Schools on Kauai
Hanalei - Haena - Waioli
Heiau
Heiau
Historical Markers
Historic Sites
Hula and Mele
Hula and Mele
Kalalau
Kamehameha’s Defeat on Kauai
Kanoa Estate
Kapaa - Kawaihau
Kauai Fish and Game (1921-l 923)
Kauai Fish and Game (1925-1929
Kauai Fish and Game (1930-1937)
Kekaha Sugar Plantation
Kokee Museum
Koloa
Koloa Mission
Koloa Sugar Company
Lawai
Legends
Lihue
Lihue Plantation
Malumalu
Mana
Names-Personal
Nawiliwili Harbor
Niihau
Necker Islands, Nihoa Islands and French Frigate
Shoal
Religious Education
Royalty, Hawaiian
Russian Fort and Russians on Kauai
Shipwrecks
Spaniards in Hawai’i
sports
Box Folder
6 1234
5
6
7
6
9
10
History Files Finding Aid - 10
Sugar and Plantations
Tidal Waves
Voyages
Waiaieale
Wailua
Waimea
Wainiha
World War
IIWorld War
IIYMCA
History Files Finding Aid - 1 I
APPENDIX
Prior to Processing the "History Files”
At the time this processing project was conceived, it was known that there was a relationship
between three components: the Bibliography sheets, the History File (folders stored in one file
cabinet drawer) and the 5 x 7 card index file (like a library card catalog file). The original purpose
of this project was to reconcile the contents of the History Files folders with items listed on the
Bibliography sheets, and to attempt to locate any missing material. Prior to beginning this project,
it was thought that the Bibliography sheets listed the contents of the “History File” folders. The
sheets are a numbered list of items by subject or topic, and the list under each subject includes a
description and date of each article, paper, letter, or photograph. Occasionally, the donor is
listed.
Processing the “History Files”
During the processing of the History Files, it was concluded that the Bibliography sheets were an
early cataloguing system that was later converted to an index card system.
The new cataloging system expanded on the subjects found in the Bibliography sheets, and
added many cross-references to names, places, and topics. The overall format for the card index
was to divide all materials into three sections: KHS Papers, KHS Correspondence, and KHS
History File. The KHS Papers (now referred to as The
were previously processed. This project was to process the KHS History Files.
It’s likely this change from Bibliography sheets to a card index system occurred in the 1950's,
when Mrs. Thelma Hadley was librarian at the Kauai Public Library. Mrs. Hadley, also an active
Society member, was closely involved with the cataloguing and organization of the Society’s
collection.
Also see attached “Report of the Committee of the Kauai Historical Society Appointed to Report
on the Preparing of a History of Kauai, June 14, 1948.
Prepared by
Barbara Robeson
July 10 1999
Kauai Papers) and KHS CorrespondenceReport of the Committee of the Kauai Historical Society
Appointed to Report on the Preparing of a History of Kauai.
June1 14, 1948
The Committee appointed
the Annual Meeting or June 30, 1947, to Make recommendations regarding the
compilling and printing of a
Kauai Public Library early in December, 1847. Members present were
Mrs. Thelma Hadley Chairman, Mrs. Carlotta Lai and Miss Elsie H. Wilcox
the latter acting as Secretary of the Committee. Miss Ethel M. Damon was
present in an advisory capacity
Mrs. Hadley stated that there are many requests at the Library for information
by the President of the Kauai Historical Society atbrief, definitive history of Kauai met at theconcerning
subject requested. Often, the information is buried in old books and
magazines, m u c h of it in the files of the Kauai Historical Society, and
hence not easily found and not available for the general reader. The subject
IIBuai.Kauai. sIonm e oases there i s no material at all on thematterdesired
legends and stories connected with places around
and meanings of place-names origins of Kauai people (Menehunes, Polynesians
and the racial groups coming in later);
houses, food, customs, eto.; data regarding old Hawaiian families; histories
and homes of early settlers, - missionaries and others; early voyages which
touched on Kauai; industrial development, government, education, religion,
social agencies; labor conditions, Kauai in World Wars I and II, etc. In
the field of Natural History and Sciences, there a r e some simple books
applicable to the whole group, but more detail is needed and
information, especially as to localities. Aside
subjects, there is also a
book form.
After some
three distinct divisions:
1. The collecting of material, which shold
be undertaken by members of the Society and other interested parsons.
2. The indexing o f material already on file This is a jab for a
trained librarian.
3. The writing of a brief, definitive history, which also is a professional
job,
covers a rather wide range. A few or the requests are forthe island; the originsHawaiian artifacts, ways of living,more specificfrom articles on specialdemand for a complete history of' the island indiscussion, it was apparent that the matter divided itself intocontinue and whioh couldCollecting
even if presented in rough form should continue and
It was suggested that the work might be divided according to
(1)
O r Material: It was pointed out that the collecting of facts,that it should be intensified.-subjeot-matter, Miss Hundley, for instance, being asked to -mite onEducation on Kauai, or (2) according to districts, with groups in saoh locality
joining in the collectiong of material in their own
region. Mrs. Laioffered to see Miss Hundley and to begin herself to interest people
inKawaihau in collecting data. The acquisition of books and artifacts was
mentioned
a Museum on this island
as of importance,, with the prospect of eventually placing them inCard-
-. the Library
asked concerning the card index an the Hawaiian collections
arranged by the late Mr. L. A. Dickey,- Mrs.
cover the last ten years,
Indexing:-Hadley stated that i s was an excellent piece of work but that it needed to be completed toS h e herself was able to do some work on it fromtime to time, but it would require a
to bring it up to date. The salary of such a BB#SZ worker would be about
trained l i b r a r i about a nmonth's tine$275.00
the collection of books owned
also, that
Library
per month. This same trained librarian should rearrange and reorganizeby the Kaua'i Historical Society Yhe stated,the University of Hawaii had offered to give to: the Kauai Publicthe original filling cards on recent articles regarding the HawaiianIslands and
on Hawaii could also be run off on cards in New Pork and secured at a cost of
$200.00. These two
our Library.
this offer would be accepted. Films of an index of older article e sindex files, if secured, would- be a valuable addition toWriting
source of' information
stated that Mrs. Isenberg had asked her to remove the personal matter and
reprint the balance of the book as a brief history. -This would require considerable
editing which she could nat now undertake. Asked as to the
possibility
she said that
the
of a History of Kauai : It was mentioned that "Koamalu" is an excellentregarding earlier days on Kaua'i Miss Damonof adding to "Koamalu"" to cover the sixteen years since its publication,that was not advisable and that the period 1931 topresent should be covered in a separate account. The consensus o f opinionw a s
require
the average High School student could
Su
`desired covered to meet the
on the whole project
that the writing of a history is work for a professional person a n d wouldfinancing. The material should be presented in simple form so thatuse it, It was suggested that thepervising Principal at Kauai Schools should be consulted as to the fieldneeds of the Course o f Study -and that his adviceshould be secured. It was also thought that the HistoryDepartment of
Final recommendations are as follows:
1.
the University of Hawaii should be consulted.The collecting of material should be intensified.-
2. The Dickey file should be brought up to date by a trained librarian,
with funds secured for the work.
3.
rearranged.
4. Advice
qualified person and the approximate cost of writing and publishing
The Kauai Historical Collection of books should be reorganized andshould be secured on the writing of a History of Kaua'i by ashould be ascertained.
Respectfully submitted,
Full Catalog
001 Record-#. 4628
050 __ a LCCallNo... MS 17
b Cutter......
110 a Corporat . . Kauai Historical Society
245 __ a Title . . . . . . . . . History Files, 1838-1967.
b Subtitle....
c AuthStmt.
300 __ a PhusExtn.. 3.0 cubic feet (6 boxes).
b PhusDet . . .
c PhusDimn.
e ??? . . . . . . . . . .
500 __ a GenlNote... KHS's early History Files are a collection of “subject file” materials, collected
from 1914 until the 1960s. The collection is comprised primarily of newspaper
articles, magazine clippings, correspondence and letters, a few research papers,
and typescript copies of materials in other KHS collections. The History Files are
organized by topic in 54 folders, filed in alphabetical order, and indexed on "
Bibliography Sheets”, prepared by the Society’s long-time secretary, Elsie H.
Wilcox. Newspaper clippings from the Honolulu Advertiser and from The Garden
Island comprise the bulk of the material. Articles from The Friend and from Mid-
Pacific magazine are also included. The dates of the materials span 1837 to
1967, but not all years are represented. The majority of the materials are from
the 1920s through the 1950s. Attached as an addendum to the Finding Aid is a brief
description outlining how the Society collected and catalogued these materials.
The History Files collection provides tangible evidence of how KHS organized
materials during the early years of the organization.
505 a Contents... History File Subjects are: Anahola, Artifacts, Biography, Churches:History,
Churches:Lihue Union, Churches:Waioli Church, Cleopatra’s Barge, Cook History (
Captain James Cook), Cook Coin, Cook Monument Donations, Cook Monument (
1927), Cook Monument (1928), Cook Program, Description and Travel, Education
and Schools on Kauai, Hanalei-Haena-Waioli, Heiau, Historical Markers, Historic
Sites, Hula and Mele, Kalalau, Kamehameha’s Defeat on Kauai, Kanoa Estate,
Kapaa-Kawaihau, Kauai Fish and Game (1921-1923,1925-1929,1930-1937),
Kekaha Sugar Plantation, Kokee Museum, Koloa, Koloa Mission, Koloa Sugar
Company, Lawai, Legends, Lihue, Lihue Plantation, Malumalu, Mana, Names-
Personal, Nawiliwili Harbor, Niihau, Necker Islands-Nihoa Islands-French Frigate
Shoal, Religious Education, Royalty-Hawaiian, Russian Fort and Russians on Kauai,
Shipwrecks, Spaniards in Hawaii, Sports, Sugar and Plantations, Tidal Waves,
Voyages, Waialeale, Wailua, Waimea, Wainiha, World War II, YMCA
510 a ??? . . . . . . . . . .
520 a Summary.
555 a ??? . . . . . . . . . .
610 __ a SubjCorp.. Kauai Historical Society--History--Sources
650 __ a SubjHead.. Historic sites
650 __ z HeadGeoS. Kauai (Hawaii)
650 __ a SubjHead.. Missionaries
x SubjSubd.. History
y SubjChrn . .
Z HeadGeoS. Kauai (Hawaii)
650 __ a SubjHead . - Sugar plantations
x SubjSubd.. History
9/7/1999Kauai Historical Society
Full Catalog
y SubjChrn . .
z HeadGeoS. Kauai (Hawaii)
650 __ a SubjHead.. Archaeology
x SubjSubd..
y SubjChrn..
Z HeadGeoS Kauai (Hawaii)
651 __ a GeoNName Kauai (Hawaii)
x GeoNSubd. History
651 __ x GeoNSubd .
651 - -
x GeoNSubd. Description and travel
y GeoNChrn .
z GeoNGeoS.
651 __ a GeoNName Kauai (Hawaii)
x GeoNSubd. Social life and customs
y GeoNChrn .
z GeoNGeoS.
651 __ a GeoNName
x GeoNSubd.
y GeoNChrn .
z GeoNGeoS.
700 10 a AddedEnt..
700 10 a AddedEnt.. Wilcox, Elsie H.
b PersNumr.
c PersTitl . . .
d PersDate.. 1879-1954.
e PersRel....
700 10 a AddedEnd..
b PersNumr.
c PersTitl . . .
d PersDate..
e PersRel....
700 10 a AddedEnt..
b PersNumr.
c PersTitl . . .
d PersDate.,
e PersRel....
700 10 a AddedEnt..
700 10 a AddedEnt..
b PersNumr.
c PersTitl . . .
d PersDate..
e PersRel....
710 - - a AddCorp... Kauai Historical Society
9/7/1999a GeoNName Kauai (Hawaii)Kauai Historical Society battle of niihau
UNCLASSIFIED MILITARY DPOCUMENT
From: U.S. Congressional Joint Committee on Pearl Harbor Attack Hearings: Pt. 24, Proceedings of the Roberts Commission, pp. 1448-1453.
CBB/bn
December 16, 1941.
From: The Officer-in-Charge, Zone 4.
To: District Intelligence Officer.
Subject: Crash of Enemy Plane on Niihau.
Enclosure: Copy of Lieut. Jack Mizuha's report on same Subject, to Lt.
Colonel Fitzgerald, Commanding Officer, Kauai Military
District.
1. On Saturday, December 13, 1941, at 3:00 p. m., six Niihau Hawaiians, captained by Kekuhina Kaohelaulii, landed at Waimea, Kauai, in a whale boat, to report to the Robinson family of Makaweli, Kauai, T. H., the crash of a Japanese plane on Niihau. The crew left Niihau that same day at 12:30 a. m., and rowed to Kauai, making the trip in about fifteen hours. 2. Lt. Colonel Fitzgerald was notified and immediately organized an expedition Squad of twelve armed soldiers from Company "M", 299th Infantry under the supervision of Lieut. Jack Mizuha of the same Company. The lighthouse tender "Kukui" fortunately was at Niihau extinguishing lighthouse lights. A dispatch was sent to have it return to Waimea, Kauai, immediately to take the above-named troops to Niihau.
3. The "Kukui", having about twelve armed men of its own and two machine guns, left Waimea at about six p. m. Saturday, December 13, 1941, and arrived at southwest point, Keanapuka, Niihau, as Nonopapa, the main landing, was too rough. The party of armed soldiers went ashore Sunday about 7:30 a. m. and had breakfast, then had to walk about ten miles to the Nonopapa village, where the plane crashed nearby, arriving there at 1:50 p. m.
4. When the troops reached the village and plane, they found that there was only one plane and one Japanese pilot, who had already been killed and buried. The plane had been burned by the pilot at three a. m. Saturday morning, December 13, 1941.
5. The description of the plane is as follows: The Japanese plane, burned by the pilot, had its fuselage burned, but the wings, tail, and engine were intact. It had a three-blade propeller which was bent. The plane was small, possibly twenty feet long, and twenty feet from wing tip to wing tip, but sturdy and made of metal, probably of magnesium and not aluminum. It was a fighter type with four 20 mm cannons, one in each wing, and two, either in the propeller hub and synchronized with the engine, or in the cockpit. Single engine, average size, possibly Curtiss-Wright engine, and had a G. E. generator, an American radio set (make unknown) which was damaged by the fire.
Page 1449
6. Rising sun insignia were on each wing tip, top and bottom. The num- [2] ber of the plane on the tail was B11-120. Both landing wheels were severely damaged.
7. The complete details of the entire episode of the crash, as explained to the officer-in-charge by Mr. Elmer Robinson and Benny Kanahele, now in Waimea, Kauai, Hospital, from December 7 to 14, inclusive, is explained herein. Please note that this report is more brief and concise than the enclosed report to the Army. Mr. Elmer Robinson stated that the picture given to this office was his compiled story of the various day-by-day incidents, and that the report made by Lieut. Jack Mizuha included the remarks made by a large gathering of Hawaiians at a meeting held on Niihau, Sunday at 3 P. M. December 14, 1941. This meeting was conducted by Mr. Elmer Robinson, as he speaks Hawaiian fluently. Questions and answers were made in Hawaiian and translated into English.
8. Sunday between 1 and 2 p. m. December 7, 1941, at Niihau, various Hawaiian residents of the island saw two planes flying over Niihau. One crashed quite close to the Nonopana village and the other flew on west, past the island and presumably crashed in the sea. However, it was never seen again. Incidentally, the residents of the island had absolutely no means of communication with Kauai or elsewhere and were unaware of the United States being at war with Japan. Mr. Elmer Robinson wrote a letter about December 9, 1941, informing the Niihau population that the United States was at war, but unfortunately it was not delivered by a detailed sampan.
9. The single-seater fighter plane only had one Japanese pilot who was seized by the Hawaiians immediately after it crashed into a fence next to the village, and before the pilot could locate his pistol. Then Howard Kaleohano searched the plane and secured all the papers, map of Oahu, and pistol for safekeeping, to be turned over to the proper source ultimately.
1Q The pilot surrendered before all the Hawaiians and remained peaceful and friendly and lived at the village and at first was not kept in custody, but was allowed to roam about unguarded. At first, when spoken to, he would reply in English writing, then later spoke English to the Hawaiians fluently. He was possibly educated in the mainland.
11. Then on Tuesday he was placed under guard of Harada and Shintani, and was sent to Kii, furthest northeast end of Niihau, in the hope that the pilot could be sent to Kauai by sampan or Robinson's whale boat that was stationed there in their boat house. As the sea was too rough, he was returned to the village and again another trip was made to Kii on Wednesday, but he was returned a second time on account of bad weather.
12. Thursday, Harada complained to the Hawaiians, stating that it was a mistake that the two Niihau Japanese were selected as guards for the pilot. They were then relieved of their duty, and later on in the day, Harada, the [3] citizen, asked a Hawaiian to have Shintani, the alien, come and see him, to discuss some matters, but Shintani wouldn't come.
13. Then on Friday Shintani had lunch with the Hawaiians. After the Hawaiians were through work, Shintani went to Howard Kaleohano's house at the village and asked for the papers. Howard was guarding the plane nearby. Howard Kaleohano obtained the map, then Shintani said "Not that, but the other papers", so he could burn and destroy them.
14. Then Shintani produced about $200 in an attempt to bribe Howard Kaleohano. He refused the bribe at first, and more so after the money was offered for the papers. Then Shintani said excitedly that it was a matter of death or life, and insisted that Japan made him do this. After this, Shintani disappeared out of the picture entirely.
15. Friday night Harada and pilot broke into Shintani's house looking for the papers. As Shintani had joined the Hawaiians, they failed to secure the papers. Harada and the pilot then became furious, and seeing Shintani in the village later, chased him, but he got away. Then some of the Hawaiians were taken prisoners by Harada and the pilot and tied up-the other Hawaiians were away from the village. After Shintani left the village, the pilot asked Harada if he had another gun. Earlier in the day, Harada and the pilot had been to Kaleohano's house and presumably had found the pilot's pistol during Kaleohano's absence, but felt that each should have a weapon with which to control their Hawaiian prisoners. Then Harada took the pilot to the honey house which was close to the village and got a shotgun and some cartridges.
16. About midnight the pilot attempted to send a message from his radio in the plane, in Japanese. A few of the Hawaiians heard him talking, but did
Page 1450
not hear a reply. The residents, knowing he had sent the message, were aware at this time that there was a war on and became alarmed, as they were afraid the pilot had sent for aid from the enemy. The pilot burned his plane at 3 a. m. Saturday, December 13, 1941. At the same time, he burned Kalehano's house hoping to destroy his map and papers which he thought were hidden there.
17. The Hawaiians at the village were well scattered. Some went to the top of the mountain with kerosene lamps and reflectors and attempted to signal Kauai. Some were at the beach, while some Hawaiians were riding from the mountains to Kii beach to prepare the whaleboat for a trip to Kauai. While the pilot was at the plane before burning it, the Hawaiian had the pilot's papers at the mountain top and later took them to Kii. Six strong Hawaiians left Kii in the whaleboat at 12:30 a. m. Saturday, December 13, 1941, for Kauai, arriving there about fifteen hours later, at Waimea, Kauai, at 3:00 p. m. They reported to the Robinsons at Makaweli, Kauai.
18. That night the Hawaiians on Niihau had a prayer meeting, then all left for the mountains to join the others who were already there. A few [4] stragglers were captured by the pilot and Harada who said they would be released if they told them where the papers were. They also had two machine guns with them which had been taken from the plane in the afternoon. Shintani never at any time had any firearms and was not implicated in the case except for attempting to bribe the Hawaiian as previously mentioned.
19. Saturday, December 13, 1941, at 10:00 a. m., Benny Kanahele attempted to grab the pilot's pistol but failed. Then Benny's wife who was next to him, grabbed the pistol and Harada pulled her away. Then the pilot, still having the pistol, shot Benny three times, in the right and left thighs and on his upper right side. All were flesh wounds.
20. Benny Kanahele then picked up the pilot bodily and dashed his head on a stone wall and killed him. Harada then shot himself in the abdomen twice and died soon afterward. The bodies were temporarily buried at Niihau away from the village.
21. The Kauai Army expedition party arrived as stated at 1:50 p. m. Sunday December 14, 1941, at the village. They returned to Port Allen, Kauai, on the "Kukui" arriving about 7:30 a. m. Monday, December 15, 1941. Shintani, Mrs. Harada, and her child were brought back and were imprisoned under Colonel Fitzgerald's control. Benny Kanahele, the wounded man, is now in the hospital at Waimea, Kauai.
C. B. BALDWIN
Lieutenant, U. S. N. R.
[1] REPORT OF EVENTS SINCE SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1941 ON NIIHAU
The Japanese plane came down near Howard Kaleohano's house on Sunday, 7 December, 1941, between 1 and 2 o'clock in the afternoon. The plane was flying low about 75 yards from Kaleohano's house, apparently out of gasoline, and tried to zoom up again when its undergear got caught in the fence wire, and the plane landed flat on the ground. It must have had its landing gear down, because both wheels were knocked off at the time the expedition party arrived at the plane. Howard Kaleohano was at home at the time the plane came down, and he ran to it. He saw that it wasn't an American plane, and thought it strange. Upon reaching the cockpit, he saw this Japanese aviator with a pistol in his hand, trying to unstrap his safety belt. Kaleohano immediately grabbed the pistol, taking it away from him, and pulled the aviator out of the cockpit. Kaleohano searched him and took away from him some papers which included an Oahu map. At the time the aviator was in the cockpit, he immediately, perhaps unconsciously, thought of his papers and reached for his pocket, which put Kaleohano wise to it, and as a result, Kaleohano searched him outside. By this time the whole populace of Niihau had come to the plane and they decided to keep the aviator at Joseph Kele's house.
The aviator was fed at Kele's house, and was guarded there Sunday night. On Monday he was taken to Keei, where they planned to send him to Kauai on the Robinson sampan, but it didn't come through. The aviator was brought back and on Tuesday he was again taken to Keei, but the launch did not come In that day. He was kept at Keei Tuesday night until Wednesday morning. They returned Wednesday afternoon, and took him to Yoshio Harada's house. Five men remained to stay on guard at Harada's house.
Page 1451
At the time the aviator was brought to Harada's house, Harada showed no signs of disloyalty, and took his regular turn at guarding the aviator.
On Sunday, when the plane first landed, Shintani, the alien Japanese, had a few words with the aviator, but there wasn't any lengthy conversation.
On Thursday Harada, the citizen Japanese, asked to have Shintani come down and have Shintani help guard the aviator, as he, Harada, didn't want the entire responsibility, being the only Japanese with the aviator, and he wanted both to share the responsibility
John Kekuhina told Shintani to come down, but Shintani said he didn't want to go that night but would go the following day when his work would be down there near Harada's house. On Friday morning Kekuhina went to Paniau (the high mountain) to make a fire as a signal to Kauai. Shintani went on Friday to Harada's house and saw Harada and the aviator. The Hawaiians had no idea what went on among them as they did not understand the language. They do not know how much conversation took place. At a little after 1 o'clock in the afternoon on Friday, Kaleoao Keale was returning from work, and he saw Shintani with the two Japanese at [2] Harada's house, Shintani apparently eating his lunch at that time. About half an hour, Keale returned and Shintani was through with his lunch and had gone away. Shintani later told Keale that he had gone to his bee apiary to do his work. As far as Keale knows, Shintani didn't see the aviator or the Japanese again.
At about four o'clock in the afternoon, Friday, 12 December 1941, Shintani came to Howard Kaleohano's house. Shintani woke Kaleohano up by pounding on the door. Shintani asked Kaleohano if he had the aviator's papers and he replied in the affirmative. Kaleohano showed him first the Oahu map. Shintani replied that it wasn't the Oahu map he wanted. It was the other papers he wanted. Kaleohano went for the other papers and got them out, and showed them to Shintani. Shintani asked for them but was refused. Shintani to]d him that it meant life and death to Shintani. Kaleohano refused to give the paper. Shintani asked again, "Wont you give them to me so that I can burn them." Kaleohano refused, saying it was against the law and both of them would be punished if the papers were destroyed Shintani then offered money which was estimated by Kaleohano to be about $200.00. Shintani was refused again. Shintani repeated again that it was life and death but did not say to whom. Shintani then disappears from the picture after this.
At about 5:30 Friday afternoon, the aviator and Harada, and a boy, Kalihilihi Niau, about 16 years of age came to Kaleohano's house. Harada was prodding the boy with a gun. Kaleohano was in the outhouse (lavatory) at that time and hid from the Japanese. After looking for Kaleohano for a while, they left the house and went to the plane. It was at this time, it is presumed that the aviator recovered the pistol from Kaleohano's house. Kaleohano left the premises and met Kaahikili Kalimahuluhulu and explained to him the trouble, told him what was going on, and asked him for horses. At the same time another boy, Naalulu Kanahele gave him the horse and Kaleohano gave the alarm that the men were on the rampage. Before going to the mountains, Kaleohano returned to his house and hid the aviator's papers in another locality away from the house, with the exception of the Oahu map. He then went to another house and got a pair of shoes and went to the mountains. He got to Paniau at about 9 o'clock, where some other men had kerosene lamps with reflectors, signaling Kauai. They came on down after putting out the Kerosene lamps and went to Keei. At half past 12 Friday night, they left Keei and on Saturday afternoon at three o'clock they got to Waimea. The men who put out on the whale to come to Kauai to sound the alarm were Kekuhina Kaohelaulii, commander of the boat, Howard Kaleohano, Akano Kaohelaulii, Enoka Kaohelaulii, Willy Kaohelaulii, and Kahokuloa Kanahele.
Sometime on Friday afternoon the aviator asked to go out to the toilet at Harada's house. He asked the guard to go across the yard to the honey warehouse. Harada then went out of the house also. Hanaiki Niheu, the husband of the school-teacher was the guard at that time, and he followed the aviator across the yard, followed by Harada. Harada opened the honey warehouse, and they went in and got Harada's shotgun, and then turned upon the guard and had him at his mercy. The aviator had the shotgun in his hand. They went down to the next warehouse below, opened it and ordered Hanaiki into it and locked Hanaiki in it. The rest of the guards were not present as they were [3] on the committee arranging the work for the next day. They didn't see any of this.
Page 1452
Mrs. Niheu had been living over the hill from the ranch headquarters where the Haradas live. She was short of supplies and went down with her children, Keia, Lisa, Mele, and a little baby. They were returning to the village in a wagon, with Loisa riding the horse pulling the wagon. When they were past the upper side of the house on the hill road, Keia heard Harada calling, Harada ahead and the aviator following, running down the hill. Harada asked them to stop Mrs. Niheu kept on going. Harada ran out and told them to stop the car. Harada stopped the wagon and commanded everybody to get down from the car, on threat of their lives. Harada held the gun at Mrs. Niheu's shoulders but didn't shoot. The two Japanese got into the wagon and called to Loisa who was told to stay on the horse, to drive fast with the wagon. They held the gun behind Loisa. They came to the gate to Kaleohano's house and they left the cart there and went to Kaleohano's house. They picked up the boy at the airplane, which they were prodding with the gun at the time Kaleohano saw them. This boy, Kalihilihi, had been guarding the plane in the absence of his father. By this time, all the people had the alarm, and they had left the houses and gone into hiding.
At the end of the village, the two Japanese captured Kalanapio Niiau and they told him to call the other people. They came down through the village, and under duress, Niiau was calling for the others. Kaahakila Kalimahuluhulu was at the house of his relatives trying to get them all out of way and got practically every one of them into shelter and he heard Niiau calling and he thought Niiau was calling for help. So Kalimahuluhulu answer the call. It was dark then, and when he went out to the road to meet them, Kalimahuluhulu was also seized as a captive. They tied Kalimahuluhulu's hands behind him, and with the two captives they came down through the town calling for the others. Nobody else came. They came to Joseph Kele's house where Kalimahuluhulu saw a light which disappeared suddenly. No one could be found at Kele's house, so they ordered Niiau and Kalimahuluhulu to go down to the gate where they had left the wagon. They were then ordered to go where the plane was. Both captives saw that they had taken the cartridges out and had piles [sic] them on the wing of the plane. The aviator went into the plane and they heard him run the radio. He put on his earphones and began calling in Japanese, but the captives did not hear any reply. They had a big pile of cartridges and Harada forced Niiau to help him carry the cartridges to the wagon. Then when they came back again, the machine gun was taken out. Niiau had to carry it down to the cart. Harada told Kalimahuluhulu to go to Keoikia to tell Harada's wife that he won't be back tonight—that they were going to look for Kaleohano. Kalimahuluhulu instead of going there went to the beach and joined his family there. He got his wife to untie his hands and got Benny Nokaka Kanahele who was there to join him to recover the cartridges because Harada had told him that the cartridges were enough to kill off every man, woman, and child on the island. Harada and the aviator had gone off looking for the rest of [4] the people. So Kalimahuluhulu and Benny came up to the deserted wagon the machine gun was missing, but the cartridges were there. Kalimahuluhulu took one bunch and Benny took the other and took them down the beach and hid them.
Benny then went to take care of the family, went to get horses to hide his family. Benny told his family not to tell Harada about his whereabouts. Kalimahuluhulu and Kanahele's family were captured on Saturday morning. They said (the Japanese) that if they could catch Kaleohano, the rest of the people would be let off. If they couldn't, they would kill everybody else.
During Friday night, these two men burned the plane and Kaleohano's house about three o'clock in the morning. Then they went through the village and shot off the guns on Friday night.
The Japanese told the families to find Kaleohano. The aviator had recovered the pistol at that time from Kaleohano's house. Harada had the shotgun. The two Japanese started out looking. They said they would kill the two women and then they would kill themselves. Then afterwards they changed their idea and told Kalimahuluhulu's wife to go into the koa forest to find Kaleohano. She escaped in that fashion.
Benny Kanahele had been captured along with his family early in the morning. He was sent into the thickets looking for Kaleohano and came back and joined his wife who was held captive. That is when Mr. and Mrs. Kanahele finished off the aviator and Harada killed himself. (The complete story of this part of the story can be secured from Mr. and Mrs. Kanahele who were not questioned at Niihau, but were brought back to Kauai.) The guns were not recovered as they were hidden by the natives in the koa forest and could not be found by them.
Page 1453
Mr. Elmer Robinson left instructions with the natives to make a diligent search of the guns, and if recovered, would be turned over to him and then turned over to the military commander of the Kauai District.
The above story was repeated to the undersigned officer by Mr. Elmer Robinson who secured the story from the various natives in the village. Mr. Robinson secured the story in Hawaiian and translated it into English. The English version was taken down by this officer by stenographic notes.
Captain Eugene MacManus, harbormaster at Port Allen, was present during this entire hearing.
JACK H. MIZUHA,
1st. Lt., 299th Infantry
This HTML document was created by GT_HTML 6.0d 11/21/97 4:11 PM.
Haena Survivors Tell Dramatic Stories of Heroism and Faith
Honolulu Star Bulletin, 05 April 1946
Lihue, Kauai, April 5. A little Mormon chapel surrounded by Kamani and Norfolk pine trees on the beach at Haena was the scene of the tragedy in which the people of Haena lost eight of their community of 60 souls in Monday's tidal wave.Their story was told Wednesday evening by Charles J. Fern, Kauai's public spirited publisher, over station KTOH in the form of interviews.
Mr. Fern had taken portable radio equipment into Wainiha valley where he found 21 survivors in a three room Kealoha cottage. He interviewed several and made recordings which was broadcast that evening on a two hour program.
The stories told of heroism, courage and faith in God in the face of disaster and isolation.
The village of Haena is located on a semicircular flat of land which juts out at the base of the Haena mountain range.
The village is a summer resort with a small year round population of Hawaiians, numbering about 60.
Mr. Fern brought out in his interviews the fact that the tidal wave hit in four waves. The first roused the villagers so that the majority immediately sought escape. Some time then elapsed before the three large waves overwhelmed the summer houses, the permanent residents and Camp Naue, all structures built on the curving beach about the semicircular flat.
During the period between the first and second wave, the lone Filipino resident, Hilario Aquino, rushed about the village with his car gathering up children.
By the time Mr. Aquino had nine in his car and was headed for the main road, the second wave covered the flat and stopped him.
He turned back and took the children to the Mormon chapel. There he found other villagers, Mrs. Edwin David Laamea Jr. and her nine children, the Edward Puulei family with six children, Mr. And Mrs. Herman Kalani of Honolulu and their two infants, Mrs. Eddie Lindsay and her daughter, Vickey, Mrs. Hanohano, the mother of Mrs. Kalani, and an aged Chinese, Leong Young Chew.
Altogether there were 26 in the church, nine adults and 17 children ranging in age from 3 weeks to 14 years.
In telling his story, Mr. Aquino said that when the waves hit the church, he was tossed out amidst the children. He swam about rescuing the children and lifting them up into the large trees of the church yard.
When the waves subsided, 10 of the children were safely clinging to the trees and their parents all agreed that Mr. Aquino had saved their lives.
Mr. Kalani said that when the second wave hit he was holding the Laamea baby and Mrs. Lindsay was holding was holding his 1 year old son.
The wave lifted the roof off the church and with it, the people.
When it receded, Mr. Kalani said he had lost the Laamea baby and Mrs. Lindsey had lost his child. Mrs. Laamea was thrown up against a tree trunk and groaning in anguish.
Mr. Kalani said he assisted an injured woman up into the tree when the next wave hit. Most of the other adults had also climbed into the trees.
When the last wave receded, leaving water waist high, the adults began hunting the children and taking them to safety.
Mr. Kalani rushed his pregnant wife and surviving child to high land.
Seven children and the elderly Chinese were missing.
In the meantime, David Laamea was at the Hanalei firehouse preparing to go off duty from the night shift when he heard of the tidal wave.
Rushing frantically on foot from Hanalei, wading waist deep through the streams with the receding waters, climbing hills cross country to Haena, he finally located his wife hanging desperately from a plum tree with her leg broken. He also found three of his nine children in the trees where Hilario Aquino had left them in safety.
Mr. Laamea started to carry his helpless wife out of Haena,
As he struggled across the plain, unexpected help came from the other side of the mountain.
Henry Gomes who works nights at the Wainiha powerhouse had organized a rescue squad composed of Fred and Saburo Fujii, Harry Hanohano, Kimokeo and an Okinawan, all residents of the powerhouse village.
When the men got to the top of the mountain, they saw Mr. Laamea and rushed to his aid.
They stripped themselves of their clothing to wrap about the sick woman and they obtained a stretcher from the Haena school. They carried her across the mountain and up the valley to the powerhouse. Four of the men went ahead to hack a path through the lantana.
After administering first aid, they forded the streams and took her to the Kilauea dispensary where an ambulance took her on to Lihue.
Mr. Laamea then went back to Haena to search for his three missing children. Their bodies were eventually found on Tuesday…
Harry Ho, principle of Haena school, told of how from his breakfast table about 6:50 a.m. he saw the wave rushing in and fled with his wife and three children to the hills back of the school.
For two nights, the Ho family remained in the hills although the school and their home did not suffer any damage.
Jack Nishimoto, principal of Koolau school and the first to reach the village from the outside, told of how he walked from Hanalei to Haena wading through streams waist deep where the bridges were down, to reach his family and home. He told in tragic detail of how he found his home gone.
His 72 year old Chinese caretaker, Leong Young Chew, was missing as well as his two nieces and one nephew, the children of Mr. And Mrs. Laamea.
He commented bitterly on alleged lack of police organization and assistance in this stricken area even after the worst was over and the search for the missing had begun.
Tai Hing Leong and Joaquin Rapozo of the county public works department helped him get the body of Mr. Leong to Hanalei for burial.
The fact that the Dorian home, on the beach side of the road opposite the Haena school is still standing, attests to the power of prayer, according to Mrs. Lily Dorian.
She witnessed the destruction of the Laamea and Nishimoto homes near her own; she watched the Hanohano home drift with the receding waters past her home to the ocean leaving her two story house, poultry and swine safe although they were nearest to the beach.
Mrs. Dorian claims her prayer was answered by the miracle.
Mrs. Dora Hashimoto who lives near the Isenberg beach home, told of how she awakened her two sons, George, 13, and Thomas, 12, at 6:30 to prepare for school. Her husband had already left home to go to work.
From their porch George saw the first huge wave rushing in from the direction of the Moragne beach home and called out to his mother. Mrs. Hashimoto immediately called John Hanohano Pa, her neighbor, to go save his boat and nets which were on the beach which he did with his brother, Kila.
Together with Mrs. Hanohano and her daughter, age 3, Mrs. Hashimoto rushed to escape to the hills, when the second wave "higher than the trees" struck them, carrying them through brush, plum trees and shrubs, lifting them over barbed wire entanglements and lowering them again.
Mrs. Hashimoto managed to get a hold on a plum branch till the water receded and she could stand.
Mrs. Hanohano held her daughter, Winona, above the water as she reached out to hold on to passing shrubs. She landed about five feet away from Mrs. Hashimoto when the water had receded.
The two women and the child were joined by two Hanohano brothers and the Hashimoto boys who had cleared the beach without the nets, and they all made their way to the hills.
Mrs. Alice Alohikea, a grandmother over 60, told how she climbed into the kamani tree in their yard and watched the swirling water wash under their house. The home was saved because it is located across the road on higher ground.
After the water receded, she climbed down and joined the survivors who took to the hills for the night. 2
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