Thomas Cummings - Hawai'i Stories
Lots of stories in books about Hawai`i. About the first settlers who organized into families of kings and queens, priests and subjects – warring with and loving each other. While living well off the bounty on the islands they’d discovered and sea they expertly sailed upon. And of later arrivers: explorers, merchants, missionaries, laborers. Each with their stories of giving to the well being of the islands, and of those who behaved badly. I’ll share anecdotes about them. Then hope you’ll blog to say how you feel.
I love the stories of Hawaii nei and its people, especially of my Hawaiian ancestors. But as well the history of my Haole and Chinese forbearers; and equally, the many folks from other places.
I’m Thomas C. Cummings, Jr., a classroom teacher of Hawaiiana and English and storyteller for 50 years. Although, my education began at birth in 1937 on Maui – nurtured by family, friends and neighbors. All of them marvelous teachers.
First Alien Sighting
September 30th, 2009Sunday, December 18, 1778, Captain Cook’s crew spotted in the distance an island – O`ahu. Then another land not connected to the first – Kaua`i. The next day, a third island is seen – Ni`ihau.
The British officer liked that they were high islands. A hopeful sign that on them there might be abundant and large plants (for firewood at least) and animals (for food) and fresh drinking water.
Cook’s uncertainty about humans living on the islands disappears after he sees canoes “coming off.” Three or four indians in each.
The English crew was amazed that the canoe men spoke a familiar language – sounding words the explorers had learned from other island natives on their two previous sails into the Pacific. Then, when the Brits asked for hogs (pua`a), breadf [...]
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Stumpy Surfboards
September 28th, 2009STUMPY SURFBOARD. An amazing, obscure fact ‘bout certain surfboards. “Boys were catching waves on the north side of Pelekane, with banana trunks for surfboards.” Done along the shores of Lahaina, Maui, about 1812. Would love explanation from surfer dudes how it’s possible to get optimal surfing pleasure upon a banana trunk. To what length and circumference were they? Were they freshly cut and wet rather than dry? Surely those boys didn’t stand on them…or did they?
John Papa I’i gave this eyewitness account (“delightful” he says) in FRAGMENTS OF HAWAIIAN HISTORY – page 109. He shares more titillating tidbits of Hawaiian cultural practices in his book.
By the way, “surfboard riding” in Hawaiian is called papa he`e nalu. Meaning: board sli [...]
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Honolulu Harbor Highlights
September 25th, 2009Honolulu Harbor, 1840s. So packed with whaling ships that seamen could walk across the wide harbor, one vessel to the next, deck-to-deck, not wetting their feet. So cluttered that harbor pilots took days to free a ship from others so to sail away. Lots of angry captains.
But, great business on shore: dry goods and other stores, blacksmith shops, a copper-foundry. Plenty work for carpenters, sailmakers, calkers, shoe and saddle makers, butchers, bakers, engravers, printers.
Prostitutes serviced clients galore. A delight to bosses of grog shops and boarding houses. Upsetting to missionaries and chiefs. Hawaiians called that money-making trade moekalohe, meaning naughty sleeping.
Let’s end this blog with the Hawaiian toast: okole maluna – ass up [...]
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Prince Kuhio, Boxer
September 15th, 2009A fascinating book is out: Lua Art of the Hawaiian Warrior. About Hawaiian Martial Art. The genealogy chart on page ix, lists Prince Johnah Kuhio Kalanianole as a lua practioner. Reminds me of a fight he got into while touring Switzerland -- an account not in the book. Jonah, who was with his wife, Kahanu, went to a café for drinks and food, while she shopped. As he sat alone, three Prussians at another table made loud remarks about Kuhio’s skin color then insisted the management remove the Hawaiian. Kuhio, who’d heard enough, walked to the table and punched out Count Fersteinheim then returned to his. Shortly, the two friends of the count walked to the prince's table to challenge him to a duel. Kuhio stood and knocked them to the floor also. Swiss police escorted Kuhio to [...]
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