Cummings of Hawai'i

Mo'olelo

Essay's From "A Land Of Ten-Thousand Junes"

       In the summer of 1898 Mabel Clare Craft, a writer for the San Francisco Chronicle, arrived in Honolulu in June. She came to do a simple recording of the lowering of the Hawaiian flag which was being replaced with the Stars-and-Stripes in early August. It was to be a straight forward non-partisan article. However, upon her early arrival that summer she toured much of Hawai'i and obtained an insight into how Hawaiians really felt about annexation. "I am aware that my criticism of the Hawaiian Republic will not be received with favor in Honolulu's narrow governmental circles. I do not believe that might necessarily makes right, and I have but reflected the political sentiments of the majority of Hawaiians as I found them during the summer of annexation, when hearts were peculiarly stirred by the culmination of an injustice that amounted to crime" (Craft, 1898).

       Craft was right, her sentiments were not received well in Honolulu. Her opinion and those of most Hawaiians, at the time, were expressed in a book she published about the summer of annexation entitled Hawai'i nei. In that book was a paragraph on page nine that described Craft's first defined glimpse of Honolulu as her ship neared Honolulu harbor. "I looked in vain for the palms that fringe the coast of fiction—those "feather-dusters in a cyclone" that are the sign and symbol of the tropics. Not a coco-palm raised its plumed head on slender, willowy trunk. All was dry, sandy, and unprofitable. But presently a bend in the coast, and then the green shore of pictures and imagination—a broad belt of freshness and verdure and against the yellows and browns of the ragged range, bending coconut-palms and fluttering bananas to lend the tropical touch. And from the land, into the face of the rising sun, crept that perfumed breeze that blows in dreams of Araby. It is, indeed, a land of ten-thousand Junes" (Craft, 1898).

             The following essay's/poems/mele's have been collected between 2006 and the present. Some of the poems and mele's are editorialized from the era in which they were written.I hope they represent the diversity that has enveloped our Ohana. These stories are of the early years of our history, mostly comprised about the first three generations. Hopefully they will remain a part of our memories for many more years to come. They are what we were, what we are and what we will always be. Hopefully these articles, and this site in general, has helped to define how we are connected in this vast family. If it has accomplished that then it has been a successful venture.

PATRIOTIC MELE by JOHN SHELDON 

The day that Queen Liliuokalani was put on house arrest, John Sheldon was imprisoned for his continued opposition to Samuel Dole. He spent four months in jail from January to April in 1893. It was while imprisoned that he wrote this haunting mele that was published in the newspaper Hawaii Holomua, of which he was Editor-In-Chief

I had a dream, I saw a vision pass before me,

Long ages past arose in swift array.

A down the stream of time my fleeting fancy bore me,

From age to age unto the present day.

Far o’er the southern sea I saw brave ships a-sailing,

From isle to isle, till at Hawaii’s shore.

They touched, and soon with joy the natives came, them hailing,

With pious awe, incarnate Gods of yore.

From all the land they flocked with speed to see the stranger,

Adoring gave their gifts both rich and rare.

But time brought fuller knowledge, knowledge brought its dangers,

And Captain Cook’s life paid the forfeit there.

And down the stream still visions came a-floating;

Vancouver came unto this race so brave;

Restored the friendship Cook had lost; while noting

That Britain ne’er would hold them as her slave.

Still swept the vision on with flight so speedy;

One ship alone this time comes into view—

America’s gift unto these islands needy,

Peace, love, goodwill—and Christianity too.

Right lovingly was welcomed each new teacher,

The people flocked to hear good news so true,

That more and more it seemed to every preacher,

The harvest plenteous, but the laborers few.

And time flew by on wings. The isles grew fair, and fairer;

One Briton thought to seize them for his land,

But Britain’s Admiral, our independence bearer,

Restored the flag midst praise from every hand,

The years passed by. Through all the land there rose the steeple—

The preacher controlled all with kindly hand;

Give land and constitution to your people!

(O King! Give heed!) and God will bless your land.

Year followed year. Changed Kings and constitution.

The stranger increased: took mortgages on land:

Kept Hawaii’s daughters, sisters, wives in prostitution:

Spread poverty and vice around on ev’ry hand.

Still years rolled on. With sugar now grown wealthy,

The foreign Christians lifts his eye around,

And says: “For me no doubt the climate is most healthy,

“Tho’ poor and dying Hawaii’s native sons are found.

“Some seventy years ago we gave this land the Bible

“And tried to teach them then its use,

“(To say we’ve showed them poor examples is no libel)

“And fair exchange ‘t will be to cook their goose.

“Their cries for right and justice soon we’ll stifle:

“Take for ourselves this Paradise on earth.

“If they object, we’ll each one tap our rifle,

“And call for help upon our land of birth.

“Unfit to rule with all these years of training—

“(We’ll spread the lie around on every hand,)

“You’ll see they’ll let us do it, uncomplaining,

“For they have got our Bible, and so we’ll take their land.”

At this a noise awoke me, and in wonder

I saw the very instance of my dream.

Hawaii’s Queen and Natives were put under

To bolster up their money-getting scheme

And now forth from them goes across the waters

One last appeal for Justice and for Right.

Preserving peace, Hawaii’s gen’rous sons and daughters,

Before God’s throne on high, in prayer unite:

“Great God! the Judge of All! The records thou art keeping!

“Look down in mercy on our sad estate!

“Be kind unto us! Hear our voice of weeping!

“Till thou restore, grant us in peace to wait.

“And thou, great nation! home of truth and bravery!

“Freedom’s defender! we pray thee us O, hear!

“Restore our Queen and us; now, as in slavery,

“Held by usurper’s armed fear.

“Restore our rights and help us to maintain them!

“O let our prayer be crowned with success!

“Our conduct and your friendship will retain them,

“The God of nations will forever bless.”

       Of all my grandfather's siblings, Julia Kapoleimanu Cummings, a sister four years his junior, was always the hardest to find information on. I spent quite a few years tracking down her story' It is one of those treasured results that a researcher cherishes after being turned away by history's annals' time and time again.

       Julia’s path was rather different then most of my grandfather’s other siblings. She had no children of her own, nevertheless would be the step-mother to three children for a period of time. Over the course of her brief life, Julia would probably come to experience more of Hawai'i than any of her siblings. 

       Fred Elia Nihoa was born in Wainiha on the island of Kaua'i on May 18, 1895. Fred would be destined for a unique career experienced by a few special people in Hawai’i. In 1919, at age 23, Nihoa would become Second Assistant Lighthouse Keeper at the Kilauea Point Lighthouse on the northeastern coast of Kaua’i. Since there was only one residence built at the lighthouse, Nihoa lived in Hanalei with his wife of four years Rita Kaapana along with their daughter Rita, his sister-in-law Rachel Kaapana and Fred’s sister Helen Nihoa. 

       By 1925 Fred Nihoa would be promoted to Head Keeper at Kilauea. However, his years of ascending to the top spot at Kilauea did not come without sacrifices. By 1922, the Nihoa’s had welcomed in two new children, Esther in 1921 and Samuel in 1922. However, it appears that shortly after giving birth to Samuel, Rita Kaapana Nihoa died on May 30, 1922, she was barely 20 years old. 

       . With Fred becoming Head Keeper, his children were now living with him at the lighthouse residence. As far as we can tell, Fred's sister and sister-in-law Rachel offered help in the raising of the children. The residence was built several hundred yards south of the Lighthouse, and allowing an oil house to belocated near the point’s extremity. The home was constructed of blue volcanic rock found on site, it had a living room, two bedrooms, a bathroom, a kitchen, storeroom, pantry, and a laundry. Reinforced-concrete cisterns were also supplied to collect rainwater from the roof of the dwelling (Lighthouse friends, 2020).

       Fred Nihoa remained Head Keeper at Kilauea for most of 1925, when he was replaced by Harry W. Flint before the end of the year. As most stints by head keepers lasted several years it seemed odd that Nihoa would be replaced after such a relatively short time. It becomes suspicious that we lose track of Fred Nihoa for two years. 

       This time frame between the end of 1925 and 1928 is most likely when Julia Kaipoleimanu Cummings entered the picture. Although there is no known record, it appears by the 1930 census that the two were married. Julia would have been about 23 years old at the time.

       Whether Fred Nihoa left the commerce position he had as a keeper in 1925 is not known, however, with his new wife and children in tow, he would re-enter the service as a lighthouse keeper in 1928 in one of the most remote areas in Hawai’i. In 1928 the island of Molokai was still considered a remote residence by Hawai'i standards. The Kalaupapa peninsula, on the other hand, was considered remote at best. 

       The penonsula's lighthouse is located near Kalawao. Most of the long northern shore of Moloka`i is lined by dramatic sea cliffs that drop over 3,000 feet to the ocean, the longest continuous cliff drop in Hawai'i. Near the middle of Molokai's north shore the Kalaupapa peninsula extends northward from the base of the cliffs for a couple of miles. Kalaupapa means ‘flat leaf’ and is an accurate description of the leaf-shaped peninsula that was formed by a low volcano, which broke the surface of the water long after the rest of Moloka`i was formed. The peninsula is an isolated place, surrounded by the ocean on three sides and the sheer cliffs on the south (Lighthouse friends, 2020).

       The Nihoa ohana, now consisting of just Julia and the three children were to arrive on Kalaupapa peninsula and Fred would take the position of First Assistant Keeper, joining his brother William who had been working as Second Assistant Keeper since 1927. 

       Three one-and-a-half story keeper’s dwellings, each with a living room, dining room, kitchen, bathroom, and two bedrooms, were built near the tower. One of the original dwellings was built using dark volcanic rock found on the site, while the other two were built of concrete. Once the station was fully staffed, two separate, isolated colonies existed on the peninsula. Visitors and the keepers and their families all required special passes to enter and leave the station (Lighthouse friends, 2020). This is where Julia would now make her home. Getting to the peninsula would prove hazardous at best . The lighthouse service in Hawai'i did not have its own ship at this time, and the vessels most used for transporting men and materials were the Likelike, the James Makee, and the Iwalani. Arriving from Honolulu, ships anchored in the deep water off the bay of Kalaupapa. Cargo, men, women and children were off-loaded into small boats and rowed to the wharf, many times through high seas and rough surf, for both bay and landing were open to strong and stormy north winds, (eVols, 2020).

       As 1st assistant at Kalaupapa, Fred served under Manuel Ferreira in 1928. Ferreira once commented that one of the high points of serving on the peninsula was the opportunity to hunt game, such as goat, pig, and deer to supplement their food stuff, especially when supplies from Honolulu were late due to inclement weather. If Nihoa was an avid hunter he would have developed a knowledge of not only the game trails of the peninsula but of those trails leading up the cliffs to to the flat plains of  Molokai's upper island. 

       There were no school facilities within easy reach of the station, and school-aged children usually lived elsewhere with relatives and came back to the light station on weekends and holidays. Medical attention for the keepers and their families was provided by the resident physician at the Kalaupapa settlement, (eVols, 2020).

       As Julia tended to the residence on the lighthouse site we do not know if she had contact with those being treated at the colony. Although, it has been reported that many of the colonists would wander up to the fenced boundary at night to gaze at the light. It gave them one more alternative for distraction over their deteriorating conditions. 

      Nihoa served as first assistant from 1928-1931. In 1932 he became head keeper. Serving under him was John Enos Jr. and Fred’s brother William K. Nihoa. Fred continued as head keeper at Kalaupapa until 1936.

      Once again, as is when serving as a keeper, Julia would follow Fred as he was transferred to Cape Kamukahi on the Big Island, located twenty-five miles southeast of Hilo. The cape is the easternmost point of the Hawaiian Islands. According to Hawaiian mythology, the cape is named after Chief Kumukahi who refused to allow the fire goddess Pele to participate in the playing of royal games. Offended, Pele sent forth a fountain of fire and lava that chased Kumukahi to the beach and continued eastward creating the cape, (Lighthouse friends, 2020). 

      Rita, now 18, Esther, now 16, and Samuel at 15 years old were still under Julia’s care. Unfortunately the care and love that Julia gave to three children that she would come to call her own would to an end. 

       Services Held For Mrs. Nihoa

       Funeral services are being held at 3 pm today for Mrs. Julia Kaipoleimanu Nihoa, (Cummings), of Kapoho, Puna, who died yesterday (03/02/1937) at 5:45 p.m. at a local Japanese hospital. Mrs. Nihoa was the wife of Fred Elia Nihoa, lighthouse keeper at Kapoho. She had been sick for three weeks. The funeral services will be at the Dodo Mortuary while the internment will be at the Kurtistown Protestant Cemetery with the Reverend Richardson officiating. Mrs. Nihoa was born on September 18, 1906 in Kapaa, Kaua'i (Hawaii Tribune Herald, 2020)

       Julia indeed lived a life out of the ordinary, akin to military dependents today. She was fortunate to have seen the Hawaiian Islands from a different perspective, and although she had no biological children of her own, she did impact the lives of Fred and Rita's children for a number of years. Julia  Kapoleimanu Cummings Nihoa was 30 years old at the time of her death. 

References

3 Mar 1937, 3 - Hawaii Tribune-Herald at Newspapers.com. (2020). Newspapers.com.

Retrieved 16 February 2020, from https://www.newspapers.com/image/555630044/?terms=nihoa. Cape Kumukahi Lighthouse

Lighthouse Friends. Retrieved 16 February 2020, from https://lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=144Evols.library.manoa.hawaii.edu

Retrieved 16 February 2020, from https://evols.library.manoa.hawaii.edu/bitstream/10524/468/2/JL23155.pdf

Above, Julia Nihoa (Cummings) **1921 photo file from the Bishop Museum

******The story below was relayed to me by Harold Prados who told me about this incident. His research and documents that he sent me were essential in the telling of this story.

       T.B. Cummings obtained Land Grant 1672 in 1855 and promptly began an association with the Interior Department of the Kingdom of Hawai’i that same year. His contract was to breed and tend cattle under the direction of Lot Kapuaiwa, who would ascend the monarchy as King Kamehameha V in 1863. Nevertheless, between 1855 and 1862 Kapuaiwa served King Kamehameha IV, Alexander Iolani Liholiho, his brother, as Minister of the Interior. T B Cummings would serve as the Monarchy's cattle breeder in the up country until 1860. At about the time, around 1855), that TB Cummings began his association with the Monarchy, his interest turned from farming to  livestock. At this point TB and his sons became well known Paniolo's in the upcountry.

       With his new responsibility, Thomas Cummings was provided with a large and adequate corral. It contained stables for both horse and cattle and was located where Makawao Ave intersects the Kula Highway today. Cummings contract with the interior department concluded about 1860, however, the 1872 topography map drawn by C.J. Lyons still lists it existence as the Cummings corral.     

       The enclosure stood across the main road which leads from Makawao southeast towards Pukalani and Kula from Hobrons pasture. As stated in his correspondence with the Interior Department, Cummings allowed his stock to wander into Hobrons pasture and into the foothills that surrounded the western flank of Mt. Haleakala. Here they would graze and fatten on the rich grass that enveloped the slopes. Upon request, Cummings would herd his stock into the corral, and get them ready to drive to Wailuku. Although his contract with the monarchy ended around 1860, TB Cummings apparently made use of the corral for several years, as did his sons.

       We can only surmise that countless stock, both horse and cattle, had passed through the farming to  gates of the Cummings corral for at least 25 years. It was one ofthe center pieces for ranchers in the earlier years of the stock trade around Makawao. Incidents of many types ensued as men tried to garner an advantage in the buying and selling of cattle. However, there is one incident that was to etch into our family history that took place at the corral.

       TB Cummings had endeavored into many trades as a young man in the early years of Makawao’s economic rise. Mentored upon his arrival in 1844 by William Archibald McClane, he would dip his efforts into sugar cane and wheat with some success. However, it would be as a Paniolo that he would find his passion. This passion for stock he would pass to his oldest son William H. Cummings. This innate ability to succeed in the cattle business would lead the younger Cummings to successful ranching endeavors on the island of Kahoolawe and in Mokae near Hana on Maui in the mid-1880’s. The respect for animals was a trait that WH Cummings took seriously with no tolerance for mistreatment of any kind.

       Every so often a man can be tested on how concrete the foundation of his beliefs is. On August 26, 1881 WH Cummings would face that test. A Hawaiian male named Loma, who as we can surmise, had a history of beating cattle into submission often. At the corral that day were eight other wranglers, including Cummings younger brother Joseph.  It seems that Loma had mistreated a cow so badly that it was crying profusely. Having wandered onto the scene early on that Friday evening, WH Cummings had become irate at the treatment that Loma had handed the animal. Still firmly on his mount Loma accused Cummings of hurling a punch toward him, calling him a “God damn son of a bitch.” He proceeded to state that Cummings bounded off his horse grabbing him by the neck and pinning him to a fence rail. In WH Cummings account, he claimed that Loma wanted to fight and called Cummings a “God damn half-caste son of a bitch.” Referring to the fact that Cummings was half Caucasian and not deemed suitable to be respected, either by Caucasians or natives. Loma went on to claim that cummings punched him two more times, including once in the groin, causing him to wet his pants. He then related that Cummings kicked him, and he started to run away from Cummings who yelled, “my hundred dollars is worth it when I catch you.” This might have been in reference to a fine he would have to pay if he was found to have committed assault.

       WH Cummings says that he was appalled at the mistreatment that Loma had handed out. He stated, “What has this age come to in mistreating an animal?”

“What are you doing?” he asked Loma. To which Loma shoved him. “I went in front of Loma,” Cummings asked. Cummings stated that this is when Loma shoved him a second time. “At this time, I hit him and kicked him,” stated Cummings.

       There were numerous witnesses that stated that Cummings had initiated the confrontation and judging by the sworn statements at the trial it was quite evident that he had. Yet, there is also no doubt that Loma had mistreated the animal and that it was a pattern that he had exercised quite frequently. Nevertheless, on August 29, 1881 Docket #A676 of the 2nd Criminal of Maui states that the court sides with the plaintiff Loma, and that the defendant, Cummings is fined $25.00 and charged with $ 5.00 court fees for the guilty verdict of assault.

       Signed by Jno. Nakookoo, Associate Police Justice of Wailuku, Maui.

       WH Cummings life lasted only 42 years, short even by the times surrounding the turn of the century. However, it contained great triumphs with numerous successes, paralleled with great tragedy and sorrow. It contained enough confrontation, grief, accomplishment, and challenges to fill ten lifetimes.

****Upon my research of these two individuals I came to notice many similarities, not only in their public, but within their personal lives as well. Their connection is what drove me to research their lives, both triumphant and tragic.

       Entering the last quarter of the 19th century, foreign impact on the Kingdom of Hawaii was being redirected, stimulated as a bi -product of American interests. Over the first six decades of the eighteen- hundreds the stimulant originated primarily from the Commonwealth of England. It was now quickly being replaced by a colonial movement that was rapidly rising in a nation that had not yet reached its centennial. With the impact of the Reciprocity treaties with the United States came an inevitable spirit of American capitalism, both in and out of the Hawaiian Islands. The monarchy was now being pinched, slowly being shut out of the kingdom’s commerce. However, it is worth noting that the reign of Kalakaua did usher in the kingdoms first capitalist monarch. Nonetheless it seemed only a matter of time before the island’s foreign economic leaders, with patronage from America, would garner a sizeable share of Hawaii’s economy, vaulting them into a level of political power unseen by foreigners in Hawaiian history up until that point.

       In these challenging times it seemed nearly impossible for Hawaiians, of any percentage to succeed in an atmosphere that disregarded their interests. However, there were indigenous souls that would test those restrictions. This is the story of two of those individuals who balanced the odds against them and succeeded in an atmosphere that presented them with no favors. They stood steadfast against all probabilities of success, and achieved notable accolades in business, and garnered more than their fair share of influence. However, the tributes of their triumphs were paralleled with personal grief. This is a tale of two men and the paths they took, both together, and apart.

      William Humphreys Cummings was born in Makawao, Maui in 1852. His boyhood, and eventual lifelong friend, William Henry Daniels was born, not far away, in Waikapu, on June 2, 1855. It was uncanny how their heritage mirrored one another. W.H. Cummings was born to Thomas Booth Cummings (1822-abt. 1890) one of the earliest white settlers to take up farming and ranching in the up-country of Makawao, and Kahale Kamanoulu (1838- before 1890), daughter of Kamanoulu an early recipient of a royal patent in what is now the center of Makawao town in the foothills of Haleakala. William Henry Daniels was the son of William Wilson Daniels (1817-1879), an early settler and long-time judge on Maui, and Nancy Hannah Kamaekalani Copp (1835-1875), from Lahaina, Maui. Both men had fathers that were respected in East Maui, with important contacts that were to be helpful to their son’s careers as entrepreneurs and statesmen.

       It’s almost inconceivable how a small community in the mid-19th century could produce such an array of indigenous leaders. Yet, subsequently, east Maui became the cultivate of not only Cummings and Daniels, but Robert Wilcox, Hawaiian statesman, and George Miner, east Maui entrepreneur. These were men that grew up together, attended school together, who came to know each other quite well.

       One of the earliest collaborations between Cummings and Daniels was the ranch on Kahoolawe. In 1880 Cummings assumed proprietorship in partnership with Albert D. Courtney, their projected aim was to eventually turn the isle into grazing land for cattle. But first, great herds of sheep and goats had to be exterminated. An effort was made to prevent top soil from being blown away by the planting of trees. This was to be the first in a long line of recorded conservation attempts on the island, all of which would ultimately fail. Yet, at the time, the project appeared to have a reasonable chance of success. The Hawaiian Gazette could jokingly predict "A year or two of prosperity and we shall have Kahoolawe petitioning to be enfranchised. (Hawaiian Gazette, 1881). Daniels served as ranch manager.  At Kahoolawe grazed 500 Durham livestock including three short horned bulls, over thirty head of horses, including brood males, and in addition, one Hamiltonian stallion. The ranch also accommodated 9,000 goats and 2,000 sheep. This all upon 32,000 acres which included 20,000 acres of grazing land. The Kahoolawe lease was sold a few years later to C. Sueyd-Kynnersley. The ranch at Mokae consisted of 12,000 acres stocked with mules, horses, and cattle. It is unknown how long this ranch remained in Cummings hands. W.H. Daniels was also involved with the management at Mokae.

       It is interesting to note that William H. Daniels was not a part of the Reciprocity Sugar Co. that William H. Cummings was heavily involved with starting in 1883. It could be that the ranches required much of his time. On May 3, 1887 the two men collaborated once more when W.H. Cummings purchased the interest of W.B. Keanu and became the co-partner in the W.H. Daniels and Company of Wailuku. The company’s principal product was taro flour. Cummings served as principal agent while Daniels retained his managerial ship.  This association lasted for ten months when W.H. Cummings chose to retire from his position in March of 1888. By the end of the year the company had incorporated and thus became known as the Hawaiian Fruit & taro Company.

        It must be noted that these two lifelong friends’ joint corroborations did not come without some legal actions. Daniels and Cummings partnered in a mercantile/dry goods store in Wailuku during the early to mid-1880’s. This partnership in the mercantile business continued until July 22, 1887 when it was sold to one E.A. Bielenberg for $1,135.00 all the goods and merchandise including the goodwill of the business, which included the sale of dry goods and general Merchandise (Pacific Commercial Advertiser, 1890).

       One of the covenants that Cummings and Daniels conveyed to Bielenberg was that they would not, during the time of five years, after the date of the sale, conduct any business in the selling of dry goods and general merchandise within a five mile radius of the store that was sold to Bielenberg (Pacific Commercial Advertiser, 1890). Well, supposedly, that legal promise was not kept. On March 20, 1890 the pair found themselves in court. Seems Mr. W.H. Daniels was found engaging in the sale of dry goods within the five-mile radius in Wailuku. Both were to lose their case in court later that year, apparently Daniels succumbed to the temptation of violating the legal promise which extended to July 22, 1892.

       The late 1880’s was a very busy period for both men as they juggled many interests, both public and personal. During his time in the taro business W.H. Daniels also served as a legislator for the Kingdom in 1887 and 1888. In 1890 he launched a failed bid in Wailuku to enter the House of Nobles in parliament. During the electoral season of 1890 W.H. Cummings first entered politics and was elected to represent district 2 in Honolulu as part of the house of representatives. He held that position till 1892, when he declined to run for a second term. There are many articles attesting to Cummings fight for the Hawaiian people and their rights under the law. Daniels, himself, was without question, a spokesman for the indigenous Hawaiian while serving in the legislation.

       Alongside with the successes of these two gentlemen came personal tragedy. For WH Cummings it came early and frequently. In 1876 sadness struck with the death of W.H. Cummings first wife Kilauea Paiaulani in Makawao. She was described a loving mother, a true woman, a peacekeeper, and a passionate friend. During all his legal issues in 1890 came a double dose of tragedy, first with the death of his four year old don Jona on January 3rd followed by the death of his youngest daughter Emily on January 8th. Emily was no more than a year old. Both children died from complications due to Cholera. Compounding these medical affliction was the fact that W.H. Cummings wife was far from being well herself (Pacific Commercial Advertiser, 1890). The pressure of legal action coupled with the loss of two children had to have had a burgeoning effect on the whole Cummings family.

       In January of 1893 the Hawaiian monarchy was overthrown. Was this a scenario that would benefit all in Hawai’i, or just a very privileged few? The answer to that questioned depended on who you asked and on what side you stood. Nevertheless, choices had to be made, and loyalties confronted. Both Cummings and Daniels had been staunch royalist whose politic al and social interest had always included the indigenous population. However, there would be consequences for the choices that these two men would have to make. For W.H. Cummings it was probably the logical, if not the easier choice to make. He looked to the future and saw the pressure of outside influences to be the stronger scenario, regarding how the islands would be governed. His family was growing, and he looked to continue his business interests. Could he do that by bucking the inevitable? His choice to support the new Provisional Government provided him with a substantial position as Oahu Road Supervisor. His choice of supporting the transition government worked in his favor economically. However, he did in many ways, show his favor towards Hawaiian labor, much to the disgusts of those in power. It might have been his way of providing Hawaiians with a positive plight within a government that was moving away from indigenous people.

       W.H. Daniels was confronted with the same circumstances in 1893. However, his choices did not mirror the ones of his lifelong friend Cummings. Daniels remained a staunch royalist in support of the monarchy. Around the beginning of the last decade of the 19th century, he had been appointed district judge of Wailuku, a position he held until the overturn of the Monarchy, when his commission was not renewed. Not being shy of his commitment to the Monarchy was the first consequence he suffered politically due to that commitment. This would start a tailspin of depression which would last for the next four years.

       Many of the opportunities that had come so easily to Daniels had all but disappeared. The “PK” government was staunchly opposed to any efforts towards reinstating the Monarchy. In 1895, in Honolulu, there was a rebellious effort to overthrow the provisional government. Although, there is no concrete evidence that Daniels took part in the uprising, he was in Honolulu on some legal business during the time of the rebellion. According to the Independent, “He was arrested without warrant, or reason, and confined in Oahu Prison. He was kept there over forty days then released without trial or any reason being offered for his arrest” (1897). Daniels, who had always been described as having an easy going, sanguine disposition slipped deeper into depression, brooding constantly over the fate of his wife and children who had been thrown into poverty with his incarceration. To make things worse he had not been allowed any contact with his family (Independent, 1897).

       Upon his release from Oahu Prison, Daniels had to have been despondent about the future of his family. Now unemployed, and possibly unemployable, a once energetic man, full of enterprise, and with temperate habits was now cast with a morose disposition. However, security of employment did laud itself once more upon his release from prison.

       The Independent, states, “When released from jail, he returned to Maui where he received employment as superintendent of the Haiku ditch from the management of Sprecklesville (Independent, 1897). Simultaneously, with the help of his sons, who also were employed by Sprecklesville, he started a small coffee plantation in Makawao that was prospering quite well. This might have been a step towards reinstating a positive outlook, however, it could not remove the canopy of depression that had settled around him.

       The despair that had encompassed his political and professional career had also deeply affected his marital relationship. The disagreements between Daniels and his wife had escalated to the point that he had become despondent, over his wife’s actions which caused him constant worry. The situation was not helped by the fact that it was widely known that he had always been insanely jealous of her (Hawaiian Star, 1897). Their deterring relation contributed greatly to Daniels declining disposition.

       In the days preceding Saturday April 17, 1897, W.H. Daniels had come to find that his wife had drawn all their funds from the bank, another strike against any sign an optimistic future. Early on the morning April 17th he entered the office at the Sprecklesville plantation to secure the money to pay the men under his supervision their monthly wage. After his employees had been paid, he began his trip back to his residence at Kailua in Hamakualoa. During the trip he stopped at Huelo to pay the remainder of his workers. It was when departed Huelo that it was noticed that he rode along with his head down apparently in low spirits (Hawaiian Star, 1897). The following is an account of W.H. Daniels last moments on earth from the Hawaiian Star evening edition of Wednesday April 21, 1897:

       “Daniels reached his home slightly before 2pm on April 27, 1897. Going into his house, he paid no attention what’s so ever to his wife and children, who were there, but proceeded to a small side room. Here he found one of his boys and taking him out of the room he reentered it again and shut the door. A few moments later a pistol report rang out, and rushing in, the family found him laying on the floor dead. He had placed the pistol in his mouth, the ball passing through his brain and killing him instantly” (Hawaiian Star, 1897).

       Less that two months short of his 42nd birthday W.H. Daniels ended his life by suicide. He left his wife Mareta Lauwalu, who he had married in 1875, and nine offspring. It is not known whether Daniels and Cummings had remained close after the incidents of January 1893. We do know that their political decisions were polarized. The funeral was held on the 24th of April at the Daniels estate in Wailuku. It was reported that there were many in attendance. We cannot say whether W.H. Cummings attended or not. He not was listed as one pole bearers.

       Two years before his friends’ suicide W.H. Cummings was to experience more sorrow as his wife Clarissa Maipinepine mother of their nine children passed away. Currently we can assume that he was not in the best of health himself. The pressures of his job the stress of having to take care of nine children, the disappointment of having to withdraw four of his sons from Kamehameha school had all been formidable obstacles. However, he had seemed confident in progressing forward. However, the onslaught of illness was bound to take its toll. It was probably in 1898 when he himself had to admit that the signs of Hansen’s disease were now prevalent. It was now time to concentrate on treatment. On November 7, 1899 he posted in the Hawaiian Star that he had appointed Mrs. Theresa Owana Wilcox to act as his power of attorney. The posting stated, “during his absence.” He had booked passage to Yokohama, Japan to seek treatment at Kusatsu Springs, about a 112 mile from Yokohama. On November 11, it was reported that W.H. Cummings would be stepping down from his position as road supervisor for Honolulu. He had gained the respect of the taxpayers through the way he has conducted his office during the years he had held his position. He was replaced by John Ouderkirk.

       W.H. Cummings left the islands later in the month of November 1899, we believe with a servant named Kahiona Kai. Not much is known about his treatments at the mineral springs. He died on July 14, 1900 of complications stemming from Leprosy. It was about eleven years prior to his passing that his sister Amy Ho’olai Cummings Sheldon died of the same disease “that separates families.” On August 23, 1900 his servant delivered his belongings to the Consulate General. It consisted of two trunks, four boxes, a cupboard, a chair, and $400.00 in cash. The cause of death was officially listed as Leprosy by Dr. Stuart Eldridge, U.S. Inspector for the Marine Hospital Service on August 31, 1900.

       Cummings and Daniels both had achieved noted success and endured tragic endings. Both had died before they reached a half century in age. Nevertheless, they had placed many achievements, and persevered through heart-rending situations within their relatively short lives. How fitting it is that we have a recollection of one friend from the other. We cannot establish the direct timeline, but W.H. Daniels was quoted as saying that “W.H. Cummings was interested in numerous enterprises, and his inclination to speculate made him appear one day as a rich man and the next day as a man depending on his brain and working qualities.” He left nine children to mourn the loss of a kind and considerate father, whose memory was always dear to them.

       This is a truly unique story, not only of our family’s past, but of Hawaii’s history. It contains an “against all odds” theme, as well as a content of deep sadness. I would be remiss if I did not mention the contributions and insights of Harold Prados Jr. who did much to inspire the writing of this distinctive story in our family’s history.

Above: William Henry Daniels: June 2, 1855 to April 17, 1897

Below: William Humphreys Cummings 1852 to July 14, 1900

The Last Days of Kamanoulu 

*****The documents provided me by Harold Prados are some of the oldest I have encountered in my research. These documents were essential in the writing of the essay. Delving into these documents was like stepping back in time. Imagine for a second, being in 1877 in what is now the center of Makawao town on a 50 acre parcel that was being divided among Kamanoulu's wife and children. 

       The last few months of Kahale Cummings fathers life was spent enduring an illness, most likely a form of Alzheimer’s, from what we can detect of statements made by those closest to him after his death.

       The months of March, April, and most of May 1877, Kamanoulu resided with TB and Kahale Cummings in Wailuku. Besides his daughter Kahale, he had two more biological offspring, a daughter Kuhilani Kaaikoele, and a son Kaluaai. He had one hanai daughter named Sarah who was residing at the wooden house located on the 50 acres of the Royal Patent land grant #249, in Makawao, “granted in fee simple by King Kamehameha III”. In his will he insisted that Sarah would have this house and the one acre it stood on. The rest of the acreage on the grant was left to his wife Kaniho. In the event of Kaniho’s death the grant land would revert to his three biological children, excepting the said house and acre of which it resided. That parcel would be retained by Sarah.

       Kamanoulu also had bought a parcel of land from David Maddox. It was 18.34 acres and was part of the land grant #1638 which totaled 149.20 acres, granted in 1855, and located in Makawao. The land had to have been purchased during or before 1868, as David Maddox died April 17th of that year. This parcel was to be divided evenly between his three children. Although there were discrepancies, and a dispute over which will and testament was his last, when the Probate for Kamanoulu’s estate was reviewed, the basic wishes of the deceased were pretty much as described above.

       While he was in Wailuku living with the Cummings, he was sensible at times, then slipping into nonsense and becoming belligerent. It was the end of May that TB Cummings took Kamanoulu to Makawao, reaching there on May 30, 1877. Below is an account of Kamanoulu given in TB Cummings own words in the judge’s chambers in Makawao on November 24, 1877.

         T B Cummings: “Knew deceased he lived at Makawao he was my father-in-law. I married his daughter--- he had also Kaluaai and Kuhilani, now living. When deceased was taken sick, he was with me for two months in Wailuku before he died. I brought him to Makawao in my wagon. I left him the next morning after I brought him to Makawao, and when I got to Wailuku, I was told he had died. When I took him to Makawao he was abusive to his wife. Others in Wailuku told me, and I know from my own intercourse with him that he talked as if his mind was vanishing. His mind abandoned him when I brought him with me, and he did not know me when I left him the next day. He would talk sensible at times, and then drop into nonsense. By consent deceased stayed with me, I think, in March and April last and came up here (Makawao) in later part of May. He died the day I left on the next day. At any rate my family went up to Makawao on the next day and found him dead. My wife was his favorite child. Think deceased was under fear and influence of his wife. (Hawaii State Archives, 2015).

Makawao to Kawaihau  

      The Cumming's migration to Kauai started in 1889 with the first wave of the ohana traveling to Kawaihau to work for the Makee Sugar Co. on the Kealia Plantation. Joseph Elijah Cummings, wife Phoebe Miner, sons Samuel, and Joseph and daughters, Rachel and Amy. Henry C. Sheldon and wife Hannah Rachael Cummings and their children Henry, George, Daisy, Hannah, and Harriet. Also making the trip was Jonah Booth Cummings and wife Sarah Kela Naimu Kuhaulua who was from Moloaʻa at the northern boundary of Kawaihau. Why Kealia and why Makee? Well ,first off TB Cummings the patriarch of the Cumming's family had connections going back to Capt. James Makee who at one time owned Rose Plantation in Ulupalakua, Maui and whom all three men had worked for in the mid 1870's. Henry had worked as a Blacksmith, while Jonah and Joseph were luna's.

Where is Kawaihau?

      As Makawao was the spawning grounds for the second generation, so it was to be Kawaihau for much of the third, fourth and fifth generations. When considering that three out of the eight siblings made this transition at the same time it was probably the greatest shift in geography within the history of the family.What is Kawaihau?  Where is Kawaihau? It is a district on Kauai, the fifth and last to be created on the island. Until the district of Kawaihau was created in the late 1870's, the districts of Hanalei and Līhuʻe shared a common boundary. Kawaihau was set apart by King Kalakaua, who gave that name to the property lying between the Wailua River and Moloaʻa Valley. The King submitted the bill to the legislature and the eastern end of Hanalei District was cut out and Kawaihau became the fifth district on the island of Kauaʻi (Young, 2013).

From Hui Kawaihau to Makee Sugar Co.

      In 1876, Ernest Krull sold his cattle ranch to an investment group called the Hui Kawaihau. The group totaled about a dozen, and included Captain James Makee, his son in law Z. S. Spalding, and King Kalakaua. Each investor would be responsible for his own planting and refining. It was a successful endeavor for 4 years, until the investors lost interest. With James Makee passing in 1878 the land and mills at Kealia and Kapaa, that he had financed, were passed to Spalding. Spalding's first decision was to rename the company the Makee Sugar Co. at Kealia Plantation. He then stripped the mill at Kapaa and closed its doors in 1884 and maintained the one in Kealia.

The Splintering of a Family

      As the twentieth century fell upon the islands, the family had lost its Patriarch and his oldest. However, the families were in good repair and they grew. There were a few ohana members that frequently traveled the islands. They tended to be the teachers in our family. Daisy and Hannah Sheldon both took jobs in Oahu. Molly Cummings of Maui had teaching jobs in Oahu, Kauai and Maui, yet other than the teachers moving, in response to their careers, the families on the three islands began a period of isolation. On Maui remained Thomas and Caroline with their families also remaining on the island. On Oahu Parker Cummings had settled along with all the descendants of WH Cummings, most of them being taken in by Abigail Campbell the sister to the children's late mother and wife of James Campbell. The family on Kauai seemed to flourish exceptionally well. In 1910, WH Cummings oldest son John H, Cummings and wife Rose K. Haumea with six kids made the move to Kawaihau. John had taken a job with Grove Farm Plantation as a locomotive engineer. Many of Joseph and Hannah's children had married and were also employed at Makee Sugar Co. These unions brought more surnames under the Cumming's umbrella. John Mahiai Kaneakua married Lucy Cummings. Peter Moses Naluai married Rachel Cummings and also had children with her sisters Amy and Phoebe, all totaled he fathered 17 children between 1905 and 1919. The surnames just piled up as the third generation was getting married and the Cummings population on Kauai was growing. Kealoha, Costa, Guindin, Kaui, Kaai, Kuhaulua, Nihoa, Dias, Bridges, Phillips and Wallace just to name some from those generations

A Tendency Repeats Itself

      As happened in the second generation when brothers John and Henry Sheldon married Amy and Hannah Cummings. Then repeated in the third generation When brothers Jack and Valentine Dutro married sisters Rachel and Elsie Freeman so was this to happen again. In the fourth generation Wilhelmina and Joanne Cummings, daughters of John Humphreys and Rose Haumea Cummings would marry two Kauai boys named David and John Kaui. Another of these unions would take place one more time in the fourth generation when my Mother Gerry Cummings and her sister Josephine daughters of Joseph Humphreys Cummings Sr. and Nora Vasquez Cummings would marry my Dad Rudy Newtson and his brother Wallace. Till this day, many of the descendants of these Kupuna still live in the Kapa'a-Kealia area.

Valley House

     Col. Z.S. Spalding built a fine residence called "Valley House" in a sheltered valley near the Krull ranch house while he was owner and Manager of Makee Sugar Co. Now as the Cummings are one part of my maternal genealogy the other part also has a history at Makee Sugar Co. On September 13, 1899 my great Grandfather Jose Vasquez and my great Grandmother Emelia Rodrigues and sons Manuel (3) and Felix (1) arrived in Honolulu on the Bark SS Victoria from Madeira in the Canary Islands. They had made their way from Orense, Spain and made passage on a ship carrying Portuguese contract workers headed for. A year after their arrival my grandmother. Nora Vasquez was born. She married my Grandfather Joseph H. Cummings in 1926.  Jose also worked for Makee, but not in the fields. He was an excellent finish carpenter and worked frequently on the Spalding's "Valley House."

Honolulu Harbor 1909

      In early summer 1909, a homicide was committed that had the Honolulu press buzzing. In the early morning hours on the 15th of June the body of Henry Wetherill, an African male, was found stretched over a loose wood pile in a lumber yard on Queen St. opposite the building that housed Lee Chu & Co. According to the Hawaiian Star, (1909). “Nearby was a scant-ling measuring two by three inches, and over four feet in length, upon which' were sprinkled a few blood drops and on one edge of which was a tiny bunch of black kinky hair.” 

      The body had been discovered earlier that morning by Honolulu police officer L. Parrish while performing his rounds. At first, it was thought that the man might been a victim of an automobile hit and run as there had been a rash of accidents recently. However, diligent in his investigation, Officer Parrish then discovered the scantling, (a piece of timber with a small cross section) which would later be determined as the murder weapon.

      That same day three part-Hawaiians were cast as suspects and ordered to appeared at a Coroner’s Jury on the 18th before Circuit Judge De Bolt. James McCandless, son of Civil War veteran William McCandless, Kaheana, alias “Waikiki,” and Thomas B. Cummings. McCandless and Cummings were shipmates aboard the S.S.Pleiades, as was the victim. The ship had just ported Honolulu Harbor on Saturday June 12th.

      Circumstances did not appear to be getting better for the suspects, as they were taken into custody on the June 18th the day they appeared before the Coroner’s Jury. From day one McCandless and Cummings had stated that they had left Wetherill no later than 10:30 pm on the night of the 14th. This alibi was never quite accepted by prosecuting Deputy City attorney Milverton. As reported in the Pacific Advertiser, (June 18, 1909). “The finger of suspicion was first pointed at McCandless and Cummings when they were so blatant in their statements that they had left Wetherill at half past ten on Monday night. On returning to the Pleiades about 1"'clock Tuesday morning, the two men greeted the watchman on board with: “Has Henry come on board the ship yet” (p. 1).

      Kaheana, realizing that the evidence was pointing in the direction of his co-defendants chose to distance himself from them. Taking the stand he denied anything and everything that would have a tendency to connect him with the case. He first stated that he had not seen Wetherill, McCandless or Cummings since the 12th of June, the day the S.S. Pleiades arrived in port.This testimony was undermined by Milverton and Kaheana broke his alibi with this statement from the stand as reported by the Hawaiian Gazette, (June 18, 1909). “"Waikiki"- - testified that he and George Harbottle had a row over the drinks, they having taken a couple of bottles of Palm Tree to the house with them and that one of the women told him he would have to leave the place, his noise being too much to bare. This was about half-past- eleven in the evening. Waikiki left the room and went downstairs, where he met Cummings and McCandless on the sidewalk. George Harbottle also came down, but Wetherill stood at the head of the stairs. After a short conversation with Cummings, and McCandless, with whom he was acquainted Waikiki said good-night- and started for his home. Before he left, however, he saw the three sailors, Wetherill, McCandless, and Cummings go into Mary McCandless' room. This was a short while before midnight. This evidence has been, concurred in by every witness who was, present that night, save Cummings, yet the latter and McCandless” (p. 5).The evidence seemed very convincing and both Cummings and McCandless were looking at defending themselves in a murder trial. However, Cummings and McCandless had one thing going for them and that was their story never changed. This above all convinced the police to release the two men as they concentrated their investigation with Waikiki as their prime suspect. Kaheana, on the other hand, had already flipped on his friends once. Moreover on July 27th five weeks after he had been incarcerated he wanted to give a statement relenting that he was present at the lumber yard that night, however he did not strike the blow. In his statement he implicated Cummings as the perpetrator. He stated that Wetherill and Cummings had been arguing and that Wetherill had picked up a large stone to hit Cummings with but missed and that is when Cummings hit him with the scantling, striking him in the head. The police saw this as attempt by Kaheana to get himself released, however, on the chance that he might be telling the truth both McCandless and Cummings were re-arrested just days before they were to sail on the Pleiades. They remained in custody and on September 8, 1909 all three were arraigned on murder in the first degree and accessories after the fact. Bail was set at $2,500 each. Furthermore, as it had throughout the summer, the emphasis on which suspect had committed the murder had shifted once more. TB Cummings was now the principal suspect and facing charges of first degree murder, McCandless and Waikiki tagged as accessories.  

      On December 3, 1909 Kaheana had been in custody for 5½ months, Cummings and McCandless, re-arrested in July, had been locked up a little over 4 months when an unexpected twist developed. The Hawaii Gazette reported on Friday (Dec.3, 1909) “Thomas B. Cummings, who was indicted by the grand jury for the murder of the negro sailor Wetherill, and James McCandless and Kaheana, alias Waikiki, who were indicted as accessories, will not have to stand trial for their lives and  Cathcart yesterday went before Judge De Bolt and moved for a nollo prosequi in each of the three cases. He made the statement that he did not consider that the evidence warranted putting the men on trial. The three accused men have been in jail for several months” (p. 8). Now in the first place, why would a County Prosecutor come in out of the blue to the defense of three men with mounting evidence against them? Specifically, why would this particular prosecutor enter the case at this time? There is no mention of Cathcart in any accounts reported during the Coroner’s inquiry or at the arraignments. Another issue begs the question; if the evidence was as compelling as it was made to appear in the daily papers, why then did these three men sit in jail for so long without being brought to trial? The reasoning behind an entry of nollo prosequi states that it “may be made because the charges cannot be proved due to evidence too weak to carry the burden of proof, or because the evidence is fatally flawed in light of the claims brought.” For all intents and purposes, the general attitude conveyed by the press during the ordeal was that of extreme guilt on the part of the defendants.

      Taking it a step further, it gets very interesting when noting that Cathcart’s first opportunity at a county position came as a clerk in the Road Department on Oahu, in 1895. The Super visor for the Road Department at that time was WH Cummings, the father of T.B. Cummings. Moreover, there existed more than just a working place relationship between WH and Cathcart. These were men that had served together in the Citizens Guard in the Leleo Squad #8 during the Wilcox  uprising against the PIKO Gov’t and appeared to be good friends. However, W H Cummings had been dead for over nine years, and we may never know if this was an act of veneration on the part of Cathcart, or just a timely coincidence.

     An Insight into Thomas B. Cummings 

      This Thomas Booth Cummings has been a curious mystery for me since I first opened the Cummings genealogical book in 2005. The book states that he died about 1901, as does many family trees that I have seen. Well, primary references now tell us otherwise, and we now know that he was alive on October 13, 1903. Primary references are those that not only contain information on the primary subject but includes referenced individuals or places or documents that relate back to the subject such as relatives, land deeds and such. Our second set of references are secondary references. These are ones that may be debatable such as the incarceration of Thomas B Cummings. Although the name age and year of birth are quite similar to that of the same Thomas Booth Cummings in our family, because the middle name is initialed and the date of birth lacks the month and day, we have to assume there might be a possibility that it is a different subject. However, it appears that the man in this post most likely is who I think he is because he fits a profile of time, place and age, although it technically is still an assumption.

     In 1909, during the investigation into Henry Wetherill’s death he would have been 28 years old, which is a match in age. In early reports he was referred to as Thomas Cummins, nationality part-Hawaiian. The reference was quickly changed to Thomas B. Cummings. The middle initial “B” is extremely common in our family representing the name Booth, yet I have rarely seen a middle initial “B” in other Cummings families in Hawaii. Of which there were two prominent ones, although, nowhere near the size of ours. A ship Captain named Thomas Cummings settled in Waimanalo on Oahu and became a rancher. Although, he did end up leaving for the mainland. Preston Cummings, who was involved in the government of Kamehameha III, settled in Kailua-Kona. I can find no other Thomas B. Cummings, in or out of our family that fits the profile for this time period. In fact, there have only been three other Thomas Booth Cummings in our family history, up to and including this time period. Our Patriarch who died about 1900, his son Thomas Booth Cummings who did not carry the Jr, suffix, who died in 1906, and his son Thomas B, Cummings Jr. who would have been 14 years old in 1909 and living with his widowed mother in Waikapu, Maui. The references show TB Cummings (which is how he was referenced in the press up until this incident) as being in Honolulu till October 1903, when he re-obtained his deed on the land he had inherited from his mother Clarissa. I have found numerous court records of TB Cummings leading up to his goal of obtaining the original deed on his Mother’s land. I have used three for this story. These court references are primary references. We find no record of him until his arrest on murder charges on June 18, 1909. The references to his incarceration are at this point, secondary references. He is released on December 3, 1909 and no record is found until his apparent arrival on the Ship Shinyo Maru on April 29, 1912, he than departs within two days on the Shinyo Maru, destined for San Francisco, CA. These are the last two records we have for him, until May, 19, 1916 when he was stated as---Thomas B. Cummings died in San Francisco, along with his siblings for a legal land issue about property on Waiaka St in Honolulu (Honolulu Star Bulletin, 1916).

       This Thomas B Cummings is an interesting study. I believe that as far as drive and ambition, he seems to have had the same traits that his father WH Cummings had. However,  in using them he might have deviated from the plan set forth by his father. That is not to say that his father did not take advantage of situations that might be slanted his way. After all WH Cummings was known as a wheeler dealer. Nevertheless, I'm guessing that the younger TB meandered within the dark side of society. The docks of Honolulu harbor was a place where he felt comfortable. He was certainly outgoing, with sails to the orient and the west coast. Taking a look at the big picture, and the events that transpired in his life, there seems no doubt he lived lifefast. 

                Thomas Booth Cummings in 1899 

The Tours:  It all started with his Kauai tour February 29, 1906. Ernest performed with Mrs. Nane [Nani] Alapai, the singer from the Royal Hawaiian Band; Miss Keala; Mr. Holokahiki; and John Noble, Jr., a young lad skilled on the flute. They played Lihue on March 1st, Koloa on the 6th, Eleele on the 7th, Waimea on the 8th and finishing in Makaweli on the 9th. As reported by the Kuokoa, (1906). " Mr. Kaai is a young Hawaiian that is well known in this town among the Hawaiians and among the haole that love playing music, for the regular job of that young man is teaching music. There are many haole women and haole men and Hawaiians as well who were taught by him and graduated in music" (p. 8).

According to Kanahele, (2012). "Take anything in Hawaiian music development and he was either the first to do it or one of the first to do it. It was 1911 when he organized the first tour of Hawaiian music to Australia. He was accompanied by his sister Keala, who was known as the rose of Honolulu and dancer Miss Anchila who did Maori Haka"(1978).

Interesting Linguistics: Within the first decade of the 19th century, Ernest Kaai had traveled a vast amount throughout the Pacific rim. In one particular visit to Christchurch, New Zealand. Kaai says they all went to a native village as part of the promotion tour. The headman got up and greeted them with a welcome in his Maori language, and the Hawaiians understood. Kaai then replied back to the Chief in Hawaiian and they too, understood....... Interesting (Hawaiian Gazette, 1911). 

Proteges: There were some of Kaai's students that had reference to our ohana. Henry Bishaw and Edward "Dude' Miller" had originally teamed with Kaai as part of the Kaai Glee Club.  They were both listed as members of a group that was to leave in 1915 for New York City. At the last minute, Bishaw was asked by Kaai to remain in Honolulu to take charge of his studio.. Both Miller and Bishop would go on to musical careers of their own. Dude Miller, storied Waikiki musician and beach boy, whose friendship include Duke and David Kahanamoku, formed the Dude Miller Quintet. Miller married Harriet K. Sheldon, daughter of Henry Clay Kalua Sheldon and Hannah R. Cummings. Millers quintet would go on to headline at the popular Waikiki night spot known as Heinie's Tavern. H. Bishaw married Maria Georgianna Sheldon, sister to Millers wife Harriet. Bishaw would go on to headlines shows in Australia and on the west coast.

References

Ernest Kaai left for his musical tour on Kauai, (1906, March 5). Kuakoa (Honolulu, TOH), p. 1. Retrieved December 14, 2014, from http://nupepa-hawaii.com/?s=kaai

KAAI'S HAWAIIANS. (1928, February 23). The Advertiser(Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1931), p. 11. Retrieved December 15, 2014, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article73692606

Kanahele, George S.; Berger, John, eds.(2012) [1979]. Hawaiian Music & Musicians, Ernest Kaai a giant in Hawaiian music. Retrieved from http://hawaiianmusicandmusicians.com/history.htm.

The Hawaiian gazette. (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]), 27 June 1911. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. <http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83025121/1911-06-27/ed-1/seq-2/

Kaneakua

Some of the information contained in my research of John Kaneakua came from collaboration with Mark Miller. His insight into the Miller/Kaneakua genealogy was invaluable.

John Kaneakua esq

      The Cummings umbrella shades many surnames another one of which is Kaneakua. The union between the two families commenced when the Patriarch of the Kaneakua Family John Mahiai Kaneakua married Lucy Cummings in 1912. J.M. Kaneakua was an accomplished lawyer.Taken from an article written in The Garden Isle on April 14, 2013. Another piece of our history in Hawai’i.

      Attorney and Kaua‘i County Clerk John Mahiai Kaneakua (1860-1936) was born on Maui and was educated at Honolulu’s Royal School — an institution whose distinguished alumni include the likes of Queen Lili‘uokalani, Queen Emma, King David Kalakaua, Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, King Kamehameha IV, King Kamehameha V, Princess Victoria Kamamalu and King Lunalilo.

      After graduating in 1877, Kaneakua studied law while clerking for Judge Edward Preston in Honolulu, and was consequently admitted to practice law in the Kingdom of Hawai‘i in 1884.

      From 1885 to 1887 he served as an officer in the "Queen’s Own Volunteer Guard" of the military forces of the Hawaiian Kingdom.

      At that time, the Kingdom’s main military force was the King’s Guard, which was reinforced by five volunteer companies — the Honolulu Rifles, the King’s Own, the Queen’s Own, the Prince’s Own and the Leleiohoku Guards.

      In June 1893, following the overthrow of Queen Lili‘uokalani on January 17, 1893, Kaneakua was one of 19 members of the Hawaiian Patriotic League that signed a memorial given to U.S. Special Commissioner James Blount, requesting that President Grover Cleveland reinstate Queen Lili‘uokalani to the throne.

      Blount had been sent to Hawai‘i by Cleveland to investigate the overthrow and later wrote the Blount Report, which was critical of it.

      The memorial reads in part, “Since the fate of our little kingdom and its inhabitants is in your hands, we do humbly pray that a speedy solution may be reached to avoid impending calamities, and so that we may once more enjoy the blessings of peace, prosperity, and a proper government.”

February 1893 also contained Kaneakua's representation in court of Queen-Dowager Kapiolani in a case in which he was successful in obtaining Kapiolani the amount of $100 in damages.

      Kaneakua was appointed Clerk of Kaua‘i County in 1906 and held that office by election until 1934, when he retired.

     An Ironic twist that contradicts this fine lawyers career, is the fact that as a young man he did have a serious brush with the law. Seems that in October of 1881 J.M. Kaneakua was convicted of forging an order to obtain liquor from a barkeeper and sentenced to three months imprisonment at hard labor, and fined twenty-five dollars (Pacific Commercial Advertiser, 1881). Cecil Brown, who was his representative in court,  excepted to the following passage on his Honor's charge to the jury: " That it is forgery under the statute, the intent being to deceive and prejudice James S. Lemon in some right, that right being the liability of, a prosecution for furnishing liquor to a native Hawaiian upon a forged order" (Pacific Commercial Advertiser, 1881).

John Kaneakua was fortunate enough to have never served his time, as on King David Kalakaua's birthday, about five weeks later on the 16th of November, the king pardoned his sentence and restored his civil rights.

• The Pacific commercial advertiser. (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands), 08 Oct. 1881. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress.

 The Pacific commercial advertiser. (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands), 22 Oct. 1881. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress.

Kaneakua / Miller

      Given the fact that John Mahiai Kaneakua was not only a very fine lawyer but a staunch supporter of the Monarchy throughout the troubled times leading up to the overthrow and eventual forced annexation. However, all the Kaneakuas that have descended from this man could easily have, and some might say, should have, the surname Miller. I did not become fully aware of the surroundings of the hānai of John Mahiai “Miller” until speaking with a gentleman named Mark Miller a direct descendant of Samuel Miller, John M. Kaneakuas biological brother. Assisting in some genealogical research with Mark Miller I then began to delve into the biological Kupuna of John Mahiai with some interesting results. There were seven siblings that were derived from the union of Alexander P. Miller jr. b. 1810 in Hana, Maui and Kapuailohia-Wahine Kanuha born 1832. Sarah Kaili Kele Miller was the oldest born in 1852. She was followed by John Mahiai in 1860, daughter Hale Miller in 1862, daughter Kanekapolei Miller in 1864, daughter Isabella Kalili Haleala Miller in1865, son Noa Miller in 1867, and the youngest Samuel Kalimahana Miller in 1870.

      This family serves as an indirect line directly back to Kamehameha the Great. Each one of these siblings share a grandmother Princess Kanekapolei born 1778 and wife to Kamehameha I. To him she bore a son Prince Keouapeealewhose birth is estimated around 1800. Princess Kanekapolei was the daughter of High Chief Kauakahiakua -o-Lono and High Chiefess Umiaemoku [From House of the Mahi]. She also served as wife of King  Kalani'opu'u [King of Hawaii], to which she bore two sons Prince Keouakuahuula and Prince Keouapeeale.  Her third spouse was Alexander P. Miller born 1768 who is said to have arrived in the islands in the late 1790’s from Australia. They would produce a son Alexander P. Miller Jr, and a daughter Kahinu Miller [Mela] Nauku born in 1798. Both Kahinu and Alexander Jr. were half siblings to the son of Kamehameha the Greats son Prince Keouapeeale and half siblings to the sons of King Kalani’opu’u .

      It is still unknown as to the reasons that John Mahiai Miller Kaneakua was hānai to James Kaneakua of Molokai. Moreover, such prominent heritage makes it even more baffling. Johns Youngest brother Samuel Kalimahana Kai’ali’ili’I Miller would marry Daisy Amoe A'i – Miller and to this union would come Annie Maika'i Miller; Ida Kanuha Barlow; William K. Miller; Florence Kealawailukini Eli, Julia Kauiohalani Kealalio; Daisy Ho'omanawanui Flores; Sarah Kaeha Tom/Makahilahlia; Noa K. Miller and Samuel Kalani Miller.

      Sarah Kaili Kele Miller married Charles Brewer make and had two daughters Isabella and Rose. Isabella Kalili Haleala Desha (Miller) married George Desha they had a son Edwin and a daughter Ida. No records on Noa, Kanekapolei, or Hale Miller. In collaboration with Mark Miller it is quite possible that Alexander P. Miller Jr was a konohiki. He did live his life as  Kanaka Maole and had many wives.

Kaua'i Baseball

Cummings Baseball

     I was tuned into the baseball history of Kauai at an early age. My Grandfather would mention things about his  playing days in Kapaa. These were some of the only things he revealed to me about his youth on Kauai. Baseball had taken off on the Garden Isle, such as it had on Maui, Oahu, Hawaii and Molokai. Moreover, the Cummings family was very much involved in the game and all who participated did so with The Kawaihau Athletic Club, (KAC) as it was known. Henry Clay Sheldon played and then managed the team from Kapaa for many years. In 1919 the teams name was changed to the Makee’s. Jos. H. Cummings, Henry T. Sheldon, Jonah Booth Cummings Jr, Parker Edmund Cummings and the man I called ‘Grampa,” Joseph Humphreys Cummings Sr.

KAC Enters First Season

     KAC entered the 1912 season with Henry Sheldon as its Manager, J.H. Cummings, Jonah Booth Cummings. John Soares, Lawrence Rose, Sada Nagahisa, S.W. Meheula, Joe Texiera, John Arruda, Louis Almeda, Clarence Ebinger, Willie Rodrigues, Isaac Kaiu, Jack Gomes, Joseph Scharsch Jr, Mahuel Bonito, Manuel Bettencourt, Jos Bettencourt Jr, S. Taguchi,T. Matsura, Danny Neal, Daniel Hano, Miguel Koani, Arthur Wong, John Viveiros, Sol Opio, Alfred Rodrigues, S. Fujita, Halaole, and Toichi Morita.

Jonah Booth Cummings

      When it came to baseball, our family did not lack for talent. Starting with George Cummings in 1891 the Cummings  family produced some very talented ballplayers. However, there was one player whose talents bordered on gifted. There have been only a  few players at any level that had the potential to dominate a game at any time. Jonah B. Cummings had such talent that expectations were high every time he took the mound. Between 1912 and 1923, Jonah threw more innings, completed more games and led the KAC/MAKEE'S to KAA championships in 1920, 1921,

      He was the best pitcher of his era in the islands bar none. In 1922 he won his first 5 games while also relieving 2 more as the Makee's got off to a 7-0 start and never looked back.

      Once again in the championship game at Wells Park in Wailuku Jonah led the Makee's to the Inter-Island tournament championship over Puunene. 

Joseph Humphreys “Josie” Cummings

       At the start of the 1923 KAA baseball season Jonah Cummings was approaching his mid-30’s. Jonah could still be imposing at times; however, he was having trouble finishing off hitters in the middle innings which caused his ERA to soar. Nevertheless, his accomplishments for over a decade of hurling for the Makee baseball club, was legendary. His dominance over the previous three years had led the Makee’s to three consecutive KAA championships. Nonetheless, it appeared time to pass the torch, and in this case, the torch needn’t be thrown very far.

       Right around 1970 I remember sitting several times in the parlor of a small apartment on the corner of Victoria St and Pomona Ave that my grandfather shared with my “Nanny,” my grandmother Nora Vasquez Cummings in Costa Mesa, CA. It was here that my grandfather loved to wax nostalgic about his years playing baseball on Kaua’i with his brothers and against his cousins from Maui. At the time I was barely 19 years old and the 1920’s seemed so long ago. It never really impacted my mindset as to how the Cummings family had contributed to the baseball history on Kaua’i. When you add the accomplishments that the family had on Maui, it then becomes clear what an impact they had on Hawai’i baseball in the first 30 years of the 19th century.

       My grandfather, Joseph Humphreys Cummings, known affectionately as “Josie” during his youth, had returned from the orient in 1922, where he toured Japan and China with a motion picture production company headed by William Fernandez. Coincidentally he never spoke of this to anyone in the family. The following year he entered competition in the KAA baseball league as a pitcher and infielder.

       On May 27, 1923 Josie Cummings took the mound in the bottom the first inning in Kalaheo against the Homesteaders for his first start of his baseball career. With a win under their belts the week before, the Makee’s stood tied with Lihue at the top of the standings. The Homesteaders, on the other hand, rested at the bottom of the league at 0-1. Nevertheless, it turned out to be an ugly contest as Cummings defense committed an astounding 11 errors. Hard to overcome that many errors, however the young 19-year-old weathered the storm going 6 innings giving up 3 runs on 3 hits before being pulled after six innings giving way to Marcellino Teves who started the 7th inning. Leading 4-3 at the end of six innings Teves held the lead for the last three innings and the Makee team prevailed 11-7 giving Josie Cummings his first win.

       The Makee baseball club had another marquee season in 1923. Although their veteran Jonah Cummings had struggled on the mound, his teammate contributed enough to secure clinching the pennant with a 10-0 record with two games to play.

       Josie Cummings may have pitched the best game of his young career when the team clinched the pennant against the Kalaheo Homesteaders on August 14, 1923.

KAA BASEBALL STANDINGS

                                                 W               L

Makee…………………………    10               0

Lihue………………………….      7                3

Koloa………………………….     6                 4

McBryde……………………….     5                5

Makaweli………………………     4                6

Kekaha…………………………     3                7

Kalaheo…………………………    1              10

As per the Honolulu Advertiser on August 14, 1923.

       Makee clinched the pennant in the Kaua’i baseball league for the fourth consecutive season when Josie Cummings put the Homesteaders down with two scattered hits last Sunday at Kapaa. Makee has the flag stowed away through the simple reason that they have only two games to play, and they could drop them both and still finish in front.

       Last Sunday’s game was nothing more than a romp for the champs, as they pounded Andrade the Kalaheo twirler, for a total of 13 hits and 11 runs.

       Josie Cummings was nothing short of stellar against Kalaheo. He pitched a complete game shutout allowing only two hits, struck out four and walked one. He allowed only one runner to third base and not ball reached the outfield. At the plate he went 2 for 3 with one run scored. The torch had now been passed and it was a fitting end to the 19 year old’s first season, as he had been a major part of the teams 4th consecutive championship. 

The 1925 Makee Championship Team

       After four consecutive championship seasons, the 1924 Makee Baseball Club was left without the league title, Their close rivals Lihue had grabbed the crown that year So, in 1925 the team knew it had to do whatever it took to re-take the top spot. It would take a determined effort to be successful. Part of that determination and leadership would have to come from Parker and Josie Cummings who had replaced older brother Jonah on the pitching staff. Principle efforts were put forth by Fujitani, Tsunehiro Koon, Arakawa, Veveiros, Costa, Soong and Kurisu.

       The team’s determination would be tested early with a road trip to the west side of the island to start the season against the Kekaha Sheiks in Waimea. Josie Cummings got the start and was dominating throughout the game, giving Makee the unswerving effort that was needed. The 22-year-old Cummings kept Kekaha hitless through six, giving up a hit in the seventh and another in the eighth before closing with a hitless ninth and the shutout. Cummings (1-0) recorded seven strikeouts while walking none. His dominance in the season opener would set the tone for the rest of the season.

       Cummings only needed one run, he got three. The Makee’s backed him with three runs on seven hits, scoring single tallies in the second, fourth, and eight innings. The first hurdle had been scaled.

MAKEE 3 KEKAHA 0

       On the 17th of May, the Makee team travelled for their second consecutive road game to Hanapepe, to play the McBryde Scots. It became a comeback of sorts by Mitsu Kurisu who had been out of baseball for three years. Kurisu was a long-time pitcher for Koloa staged a great performance that Sunday. He scattered three hits giving up two runs as Makee registered their second victory 3-2. Now they had two proven pitchers as mainstays of the staff.

MAKEE 3 McBRYDE 2

       In their home opener on May 24th vs Koloa, Parker Cummings became the man of the hour. He took the mound and shut out the boys from the Spouting Horn for six innings before giving way to Mitsu Kurisu who blanked the opponents for the last three innings. With one down and a man on third Parker fanned the next two batters, and that would be as close as Koloa would come to score. Again, the pitching staff only needed one, this time they got five, two of those runs on a two-run blast by Parker Cummings in the bottom of the third inning. The pitching staff now had three strong arms to depend on. With a 3-0 start and a staff that had given up just two runs in 27 innings, making a serious run at the pennant seemed feasible.

Makee 5 - Koloa 0

       The headlines told the story of a total offensive team effort:

MAKEE NINE WINS 4TH GAME IN A ROW

Beats Makaweli Redskins 16-5; Gets 16 Hits in Day

       Down one after the first inning, the Makee’s erupted for 4 runs in the 2nd, 2 in the 4th and 5 in the 6th to take a comfortable 11-2 lead. Parker Cummings started on the mound giving up 5 runs on 7 hits to earn his second win of the season. Once again in a relief role Mitsu Kurisu was lights out, pitching 2 innings of hitless relief.  

MAKAWELI 5 MAKEE 16

       At Lihue on June 7th the team once again exploded on offense for a 15-2 victory. Down by one run at the top of the third inning they managed to score 5 runs and never looked back.

       The newspaper report stated, “The game was too lopsided to be very interesting. A solo homerun in Lihues 7th inning gave the home crowd something to cheer about for an instant. In the same inning Josie Cummings third baseman for the Makee’s furnished a bit of comedy by being forced to imitate a recent Mutt-n-Jeff cartoon when Joe Texeira, in sliding into third, got his spikes mixed up with Cummings trousers. After a short retirement to the sidelines, however, Josie was back on duty again, clad in borrowed clothing” (Star-Bulletin, 1925). Mitsu Kurisu went the full nine innings giving up 2 runs on 6 hits for his second win of the year.

MAKEE 15 LIHUE 2

       Makee had finished the first round of the season with a 5-0 record and sat in first place atop the standings. They were now headed for Waimea to face the Sheiks of Kekaha, a team that Josie Cummings blanked 3-0 in the opening game of the season back on the 10th of May.

       This second was not the tight affair that Makee had faced in the first meeting. Makee proceeded to execute their third prolific offensive explosion ripping Kekaha 16-2. Parker Cummings held the home team to 1 hit and shut them out for 6 innings, to pick up his third win. Ogata came in relief of Parker Cummings at the start of the seventh innings, giving up 2 runs on 4 hits.

MAKEE 16 KEKAHA 2

       In the seventh week of the season Makee was to host their league rivals the McBryde Scots. The Scots had given Makee their toughest contest to that point in the season. Only great pitching helped them edge McBryde 3-2 in week two.

       The game attracted the largest attendance for a game in Kapaa this season. It was nip and tuck for 90% of the game. At the start of the ninth inning the score stood 4-3 in favor the Scots and there was still a glimmer of hope for Makee. That glimmer ended when McBryde scored 3 runs in the top of the ninth to seal the deal. Final score: McBryde 7 Makee 3. The streak was broken, and they stood at 6-1. Mitsu Kurisu (2-1) took the loss for Makee surrendering 7 runs on 5 hits.

McBRYDE 7 MAKEE 3

       Makee would rebound from its loss to McBryde as the visitors handed Koloa a 10-5 trouncing on their home field. However, it was done without star catcher Kiong Soong who had banned from playing for the remainder of the season for assaulting an umpire in the game against McBryde. Veveiros would now be handling the catching duties for the Kapaa team

       Parker Cummings started, and although he was not at his finest, giving up 5 runs on 7 hits in 7 innings, when he left after seven his team was in the lead 6-5. Souza relieved in the final two frames pitching hitless ball ensuring Parker of his fourth win against no losses.

       At the plate Tsunehiro lead the charge with a homer and a three bagger. Makee put a tight game out of reach tallying four runs in the ninth. Besides Tsunehiro, Parker Cummings, Veveiros, and Josie Cummings each had two hits to help Makee to its seventh win. The team stood in first place (7-1) and needed one more win to clinch the first league series.

MAKEE 19 KOLOA 5

After the Koloa game Makee took on Liberty House of Oahu in a July 4th exhibition in Hanapepe, losing 5-3. In the previous contest Molokai defeated McBryde 13-9. The games were part of a musical festival that brought the Molokai Traveling Troupe to Kaua’i on a two-week tour.

EXIBITION @ HANAPEPE: LIBERTY HOUSE 5 MAKEE 3                                          MOLOKAI 9 McBRYDE 9

       On July 12th Makee resumed league play taking its 7-1 record to Makaweli to face the Redskins. Hosting the league leading Makee’s attracted the largest crowd of the year at the Makaweli diamond. Once again Makee went with its ace Parker Cummings (4-0), and with Mitsu Kurisu waiting in the wings, Makee’s chances of clinching the first series of the year looked good.

       Makaweli started their ace Costa who had menaced Makee many times over the years. However, in the first inning it was to no avail as Makee struck right out of the box. After Nagai led off by flying out to Nakashima in left, Josie Cummings poked a seeing eye Texas leaguer between first and second. On the next pitch Josie stole second. King Kano then ripped a double down the left field line scoring Cummings with the games first run.

       In the 3rd inning Makee made a two-run lead, however, the Redskins tied it up in the bottom half of the inning. Kurisu took over for Parker Cummings in the 4th with the score dead locked at 2-2. Makee put another run on the board in the 5th and two more in the 7th. Kurisu pitching five plus innings gave up one run in the seventh while allowing only one hit during his stint on the mound, picking up his third win against one defeat. At the plate King Kano went 4 for 4 with 2 RBI. Standing at 8-1 Makee had now won the first half series.

MAKEE 5 MAKAWELI 3

       The traditional fans had traveled well to watch the annual rival game as Lihue descended on Kapaa for a game with Makee on Sunday July 19th. It was the last game of the Kaua’i baseball leagues first half which Makee had already clinched.

       Earlier in the season when the clubs first met there was still much at stake for Lihue. The season was young and the enthusiasm in Lihue ran high producing the largest crowd to ever witness a game in Lihue town. However, that enthusiasm went for naught as Lihue was handed a resounding defeat 15-2 back on the 7th of June.

       With the first half of league play already in the hands of Makee, Lihue’s second meeting with the league leaders in Kapaa became one of redemption. A victory in Kapaa would do well to vault the team from Kauai’s largest town optimistically into the second half of the season.

       However, this was the year of the team named for the legendary Captain James Makee. Long story short, the home team prevailed over the visitors 10-0. The game was never in doubt, however, a peculiar incident occurred, one that rules today would never allow. As detailed in the Honolulu Star-Bulletin on the 21st of July:

       In the 3rd inning Parker Cummings leaned into one of Joe Souza pitches and launched the longest hit ever recorded at the Makee grounds. The ball sailed clean over the fence and over the machines that lay right outside the field. It was a homer and should have been one, but some spectator outside the field threw the ball in and the relay throw caught Cummings at the plate and he was ruled out (star-bulletin, 1925). It’s hard to believe that something as outrageous as that could be allowed to happen, even in 1925.

       Parker Cummings shut out Lihue allowing only two hits in 4 innings to earn his fifth win against no losses. Kurisu, in relief, held Lihue to one hit and no runs.

LIHUE 0 MAKEE 10

       At the start of the second half Makee drew the Kekaha Sheiks. The Sheiks sat at the bottom of the league at 0-10. However, they had stayed close to their opponents for most of their games. In the first game of the season Kekaha proved a formidable opponent for Makee, before surrendering to Josie Cummings, who pitched one of the best games of the season, as he blanked the Sheiks 3-0, allowing only two hits in nine innings. The second meeting between the clubs was a virtual annihilation, Makee victorious 16-2.  

       Kekaha may have been one of those teams that played to their opponents’ level. They had achieved a higher level of execution in one of the two games against Makee. In the third they went a step further, and with Makee coming to bat in the top of the ninth, held a one run lead. Kruse started for Kekaha, facing off with Souza of Makee. Souza giving up three runs in the first, putting Makee in a hole they would dwell in for almost all the game. Down to their last three outs Makee was facing defeat to a winless Kekaha team hungry for victory. Below is the article from the Honolulu Star-Bulletin describing the ninth inning of a game where Makee never had a lead.

       Had it not been for the great stick work of Mamori Tsunehiro, second baseman and captain of the Makee team, the Makee would have suffered a terrible defeat at the hands of the Kekaha Sheiks (Star-Bulletin, 1925). With a man on third and two outs in the bottom the ninth, and with the count 0-2, Tsunehiro stroked a two- run walk-off homer to win the game 6-5.

KEKAHA 5 MAKEE 6

       If there ever was a nemesis to Makee, over the years, it’s the McBryde Scots. The teams had split their meetings in the first series, Makee taking the first, McBryde following suit in the next. Now back in Hanapepe, the Makee found themselves up against an improving Scots club. Traveling to Hanapepe, the team had to have known that this would be a tough game against at team that had as much talent as they did. The Scots of McBryde plantation had always played Makee tough. Over the years, it was McBryde that was always Makee’s strongest adversary. This year was no different as it was the Scots that had handed the team from Kapaa their only defeat of the season.

       As expected, a large crowd awaited the visitors at the McBryde ball grounds in Hanapepe. What followed was one of the most exciting games of the season. Parker Cummings started the contest and was not the “lights out” hurler that he had been throughout the season. Parker had to be pulled in the 5th inning for Kurisu after the Scots touched him up for 5 runs on 7 hits, Parker gave up four free passes and struck out three, leaving the game down 5-2.

       A peculiar occurrence transpired in the game, one that would never happen in accordance with the rules of today’s baseball. Joe Perreira started the game for the Scots, Makee getting two runs in the third inning on Fujitanis single and Souza’s home run. Other than that, Perreira was cruising by the fifth inning giving up two runs on two hits, striking out three batters and walking none. Wramp took over the mound in the fifth and held Makee hitless through the eight inning.

       At the start of the ninth inning McBryde enjoyed a 5-2 lead as Wramp had been overpowering for three plus innings and the Scots felt good with him on the mound to start the ninth inning. Tsunehiro lead off the inning with a line drive up the gap that Joe Perreira leaped to intercept as the ball deflected off his glove, eventually rolling all the way to the fence allowing Tsunehiro to circle the bases and score, as Perreira was issued an error on the play. Kurisu then singled, Arakawa then grounded to Pilute at shortstop who made an errant throw to first causing Arakawa to be safe on the error. With men on first and second Wramp walked Morita to load the bases. Pilute then committed his second error of the inning on a grounder from Fujitani, allowing Kurisu to score. Makee now stood only one run down with the bases loaded and no outs.

       Then that peculiar instance occurred. With the bases loaded and no outs and the tying run on third, the Scots made a pitching change. They brought Joe Perreira, the original starting pitcher, in from left field to relieve Wramp. King Kano was now at the plate and attempted a squeeze play, but the ball was popped up to the catcher Gabriel who doubled up Arakawa at third base. At this point Makee had men on first and second and there were now two outs. With Nagai at the plate Perreira got him on a comebacker and promptly threw to first to end the game. McBryde had beaten Makee two out of three at this point and at 2-0 were in first place in the second round of the year.

MAKEE 4 McBRYDE 5

       Makee now limped back to Kapaa, 10-2 for the season, but more importantly, they stood 1-1 in the second round, a game behind McBryde.

       Sometimes you run into a buzz saw. In the case of the Makee baseball team, they ran into one named Tashima. In their second game of August the Makee faced a pitcher who was, as they say, throwing “bee-bees. In a show of dominance, Tashima rebounded from giving up three runs on three hits in the first four innings, by limiting Makee to one single for the remainder of the game. He would go on to strike out ten batters, gave up four passes and three runs on four hits.

       Parker Cummings (5-1) started for Makee and kept his team in the hunt, giving up three runs on two hits, with one strike out and no walks. He was pulled for Kurisu in the fifth leaving the game in a 3-3 tie. Kurisu (2-2) pretty much got shelled for five runs on seven hits in his four-plus innings, suffering his second setback of the season. Makee was now 1-2 for the second round 10-3 overall.

KOLOA 8 MAKEE 3

       The game with the Makaweli Redskins on August 10th @ Kapaa, proved to be one of power pitching at one end and speedy base running at the other. The veteran Kruse on the mound for Makaweli had kept Makee in check for seven innings allowing only two runs on three hits. He would eventually strike out ten for the game. His Achilles heal that day was Makee’s running game. The Kapaa team registered ten steals for the game, lead by Tsunehiro with three and Josie Cummings with two.

       Although the Makee base runners had stolen several bases early on, Kruse had kept them in check allowing just two runs on four hits. However, his undoing began subtly in the seventh inning. After Veveiros flyout to Hamada at first, Morita singled and then promptly stole second. He then scored on Arakawa’s third hit of the day. The key to the inning was Morita’s theft, as it set up a scoring opportunity. Arakawa’s RBI tied the game at 2-2. Kruse then proceeded to retire the next two batters.

       With teams the deadlocked at two apiece, the fatal inning was to be the eight for Makaweli, and once more the speed on the bases for Makee would play a pivotal part. Josie Cummings grounder to the right side slid right through the legs of second baseman Yamashiro for a single. Cummings then, with his second stolen base of the day took second. Cummings then advanced to third on King Kano’s ground out to Yamashiro. With and 0-2 count Tsunehiro chipped a Texas leaguer over Yamashiro’s head at second, scoring Josie Cummings from third. Tsunehiro then proceeded to steal both second and third, recording three steals for the day. With Tsunehiro at third, Kurisu grounded to King at third, Tsunehiro beating the throw home to score the fourth run.

       Parker Cummings started the game for Makee and went seven innings giving up two runs on three hits, striking out five and walking four. Kurisu (3-2) threw a perfect two innings to get the win.

MAKAWELI 5 MAKEE 6

       Makee had finished the first series at 9-1, tops in the league. Their start in the second series (2-2) has been subtle at best.  You understand the lost to McBryde, as they were the team that was playing the best baseball in the second series. The loss to Koloa, is harder to understand. Nevertheless, they trailed the McBryde Scots (4-0) by two games with six to play.

       A trip to Lihue was never easy, it was a rivalry between the two most populated areas of the island. The site, notwithstanding, attracted large crowds each time these two met.

       Makee would jump out quickly. The scoring was started in the second inning when Parker Cummings doubled up the gap. A two-base error on the centerfielder Shinseki, as he dropped Veveiros fly ball, allowed Parker Cummings to score. Veveiros, on second, promptly stole third and scored on Arakawa’s sacrifice bunt.

       Lihue came back with one in the second, however Makee exploded for three runs and four hits at the top of the third. With a 5-1 lead after four innings, Parker Cummings was looking sharp, he had held Lihue hitless giving up one run on a pair of sacrifices. In the fifth Lihue got to Cummings for two runs on three hits. They repeated the exact same scenario in the sixth inning, thus tying the game at five apiece.

       In the seventh inning, a hit and a wild would provide the win for Makee. Veveiros hit one to right field which Joe Texeira mis-judged. Rounding third, Veveiros scored on shortstop Jimmy Burgess’ wild throw to the plate. Parker Cummings (6-1) went all the way giving up five runs on seven hits and walked two.

MAKEE 6 LIHUE 5

       Off to Waimea to play the Sheiks from Kekaha on the 31st of August, Makee would find themselves engaged in a slugfest. Makee was held scoreless for three innings. At the start of the fourth Makee found itself down 4-0. With two out King Kano hammered a double up the gap and scored on a wild throw. Makee put the game away by scoring seven in the fifth and five in the sixth. In the end it was a 19-8 win for Makee. Parker Cummings (7-1) went the full nine innings allowing eight runs on seven hits, with six strikeouts and four walks to get the win.

MAKEE 19 KEKAHA 8

        The annual J. Ashman Beaven Inter-Island Baseball Series was due to start play on September 18th. On Kaua’i the league was in the middle of the second series of play. It had been decided, that after the completion of the games on September 6th, the team with the best overall record from the start of league play would be selected to represent the island at the tournament to be held at Moiliili Field in Honolulu. So, with that representation at stake, what better two teams to have playing on September 6th in Kapaa then McBryde and Makee. It would pitch the two best baseball clubs on the island for a chance at a trip to Oahu.

       Coming into the contest Makee had posted a 13-3 overall record. One game behind stood the Scots of McBryde at 12-4. Even with the game in Kapaa, it did not feel as if Makee had a home field advantage. McBryde had taken two out of the previous three games and was playing its best ball of the season.  

       Makee came racing out of the chute first. With McBryde’s ace Joe Perreira on the mound, and with one out, third baseman Josie Cummings got the ball rolling with a single to right field. He then moved to second when King Kano was hit by a pitch. With Tsunehiro at the plate the veteran Perreira balked moving Cummings to third and Kano to second. After Tsunehiro eventually popped up to the shortstop Pilute, Veveiros walked and the bases were loaded. Morita, next up, singled down the third base line scoring Josie Cummings. With the bases loaded again Arakawa singled scoring Kano and Veveiros. Perreira then struck out Kurisu ending the inning. However, the damage had been done, as eight men had come to the plate in the first inning leaving McBryde in the hole 3-0.

       The first inning lead that Makee had achieved was short lived. In the top of the second, with Mitsu Kurisu on the mound the Scots would tie the game, scoring three runs on two hits. Kurisu was responsible for all three runs as he walked in two runs and allowed the third on a wild pitch.

       Teddy Wramp replaced Joe Perreira on the mound in the third inning as the score remained knotted at three runs apiece until the fourth inning. McBryde took the lead in their half of the fourth as Tank Ohama walked, coming all the way around to score on Manuel Perreira’s double. With the score 4-3 McBryde, Makee lead off man Hee walked and scored from first base on a double up the gap by Josie Cummings. King Kano was hit by a pitch and with men on first and second Josie Cummings stole third, scoring when McBryde catcher Gabriel’s pick-off attempt went wild.

       Kurisu held McBryde in the top of the fifth. Makee would score another in their half of the frame when Veveiros doubled and advanced to third when Wramps pick-off attempt ended up in center field. Arakawa laid down a perfect squeeze scoring Veveiros.

       In the bottom of the sixth Fujitani singled and took second on a passed ball. After Hee grounded out to Pilute at short Josie Cummings stepped up to single home Fujitani. At the end of six innings Makee led 7-4.

       In the seventh inning Makee increased its lead to four runs when Morita beat out an infield hit and scored on Arakawa’s double. After being silenced in the eighth inning, McBryde scored three in the top of the ninth and had the bases loaded with two out when Mitsu Kurisu coaxed Manuel Perreira into a come backer to end the game. Kurisu did not have his best game, giving up nine walks, allowing seven runs on nine hits. At the plate, Josie Cummings had his best day of the season going 3 for 4, with two singles, a double, 2 RBI, and 2 runs scored. With the final score 8-7, Makee (14-3) was now going to Honolulu for the Inter-Island Series.

McBRYDE 7 MAKEE 8

       The following Sunday September 13th a special exhibition game was played against crew members of the battleship U.S.S. Colorado which arrived at Port Allen on Friday September 11th. The game, played at McBryde field in Hanapepe, was a ragged affair in which the Sailors put down the team from Kapaa 13-7. Makee was now 0-2 in exhibitions for the year.

MAKEE 7 USS COLORADO 13

1925 INTER-ISLAND SERIES

       The family would be represented by brothers Josie and Parker Cummings for the Makee team and Wells Cummings, captain of the Puunene team representing Maui.

       After a round robin record of 1-3 the Makee baseball team returned to action in the Senior League of the Kaua’i Athletic association.

       After having a superb day at the plate in their last league game against McBryde, before the team headed for Honolulu, Josie Cummings was now called on the take the mound for the team’s first game back on Kaua’i against a Koloa team that handed them an 8-3 loss the last time the teams met. It would be his first start since the team opened the season on May 17th, over four months later.

       At the start of the game, the league found itself with three teams tied for first place. Makee found themselves with both Koloa and McBryde leading the second series each with 5-2 marks. So, today's game would eliminate one of those three teams from the top spot.

       As if on cue Josie Cummings picked where he left off four months in the past when he shut out Kekaha 3-0 on two hits in nine innings. In his second stint on the mound this year Josie was nothing short of spectacular on the mound. Throwing his second consecutive complete game, Cummings gave up but two runs, scattering four hits, while recording 14 strikeouts and giving up three walks. At the plate Josie was 1 for 3 with a run scored. So far for the season he had recorded an ERA of 1.00.

MAKEE 5 KOLOA 2

       After beating Makaweli, Makee took on Lihue for its final league game. It would be a home game at the grounds at Kapaa and for the third time Josie Cummings would get the start.

       Makee would open the scoring with two outs already on the board, as Josie Cummings singled, advancing to third on Fujitanis single in the second inning. Joe Texeira, Lihue catcher tried a pick-off of Cummings at third, but the throw was wild, and Cummings tallied. Fujitani then scored on a wild pitch by Ishii. Arakawa scored on Tsunehiros single giving Josie Cummings all the runs he would need. Going the full nine innings Josie Cummings gave up two runs on five hits, while striking out six and walking none. The young pitcher was now 3-0 with an ERA of 1.33.  His older brother Parker Cummings had finished the regular season with 7-1 record. They were followed by Mitsu Kurisu at 6-2 and Souza at 1-0. Makee had finished their league games with 17-3 mark.

LIHUE 2 MAKEE 5

      On the 18th of October in Lihue, the neutral site chosen for the second series tie breaking game between Makee and McBryde, one of the largest crowds seen in years would descend upon the baseball grounds. Both teams came into the contest with second series records of 8-2. This game would be fore the championship of the second series. If McBryde is victorious, then they capture the second half championship and a second game would be played, once again with Makee, who had won the first series championship.

       Makee, the visitors, would strike first in the second inning, putting four runs across the plate on three hits. The Kapaa team plated another run in the top of the third and after three innings Makee led 4-0 as Makee hurler Josie Cummings had blanked the Scots on two hits for the first three innings. In the fourth McBryde tallied two runs on two hits to make it a 4-2 ballgame. At the top of the sixth Makee pushed over its sixth run and that’s all Josie Cummings needed. Although McBryde would score three more times, Makee would put up four runs in the seventh to lock down a 10-5 victory claiming the title for both series.

       Once again Josie Cummings put up another strong outing on the mound. He went the full nine innings giving up five runs on seven hits, while striking out six and giving up two free passes. He finished the year 4-0 with an ERA of 2.25.

MAKEE 10 McBRYDE 5

       After reviewing 21 games, of the 1925 season, I have come to appreciate the overall team effort that helped Makee to a deserving championship. When we talk of our ohana and its contributions to baseball in Hawai’i. We of course must start with George Cummings whose efforts at Kamehameha School blossomed into a long career with various teams on Maui. Not only did George perform between the lines, but after his playing days he stayed active as a manager and umpire.

       On Kaua’i, in 1911 stepped an 18-year-old pitcher that commanded the mound for 12 years. Jonah Booth Cummings would be a dominant force in Garden Island baseball for over a decade. However, he was not alone in those early years. Player/Manager Henry Sheldon occupied the Makee dugout for several years, as did Joseph Cummings, son of Joseph Elijah Cummings. On Maui following Georges footsteps were brothers Wells, Ogden, and Thomas. William Dutro played many years on Maui, as did his cousin DK Richards.  

       For me it was the realization of how much those stories my grandfather, Joseph H. “Josie” Cummings told me 50 years ago, had meant to him. I wish I’d talk to him more, not only about baseball, but about life in general in his early years.

       For myself the 1925 season was special, as it featured two players, Parker Cummings, a bull of a man who carried the team with his leadership. He commanded power on the mound and at the plate. Then, Josie Cummings, my grandfather in only his third season, who mixed speed, finesse and power, whether on the mound or at the plate. It must have been an amazing time in an amazing place.

A Ten Inning Gem to Clinch the 1926 Championship

       Entering their game with the Kekaha Sheiks on August 8th, 1926 Makee had a four-game lead on their nearest opponent. It had been a stellar year, one that followed up on the phenomenal 1925 season. Josie Cummings had led the charge on the mound and coming into the game with the Sheiks could seal the deal on another title with a win.

       The game was a close contest all the way as Cummings was opposed on the mound by veteran Teddy Wramp. Wramp had pitched many times over the years against Makee and had held his own on many occasions. The veteran would not disappoint on this day as he shut down the Makee hitters, allowing only four hits, while giving up one walk. “Wramp was especially effective thru the first five innings allowing only one hit and shutting out the Makee lineup.

       In the top of the fifth, Kekaha gave Wramp the lead when Shimatsu walked, went to second on a fielder’s choice, took third on a passed ball and then scored on a error by the first baseman Rodrigues.

       It seems that “small” ball would be the rule of the day as Makee tied the game in the sixth when Rodrigues ended up on second after an errant throw by the second baseman. He would then score on two consecutive sacrifice bunts by Nagai and Tsunehiro. But then the power game took over and Makee gave Cummings the lead in the seventh on Veveiros’ deep homer to center field.

       Josie Cummings put the clamps on as he shutout the Sheiks in the 6th, 7th, and 8th innings throwing no-hit ball. However, in the top of the ninth, an error by Nagai allowed Furtado to reach, and he scored on Yamashiro’s double, knotting the score at two apiece.

       Cummings shut down Kekaha in the top of the 10th and in the bottom of the inning when Rodrigues reached on a single with two outs and then stole second and third, scoring the winning run by beating out a throw to home from the first baseman. Rodrigues plated 2 runs, including the game winner, Veveiros had a towering home run and Josie Cummings pitched a 10-inning complete game giving up 2R, 1ER, 5H, 1K, 1BB. The win clinched the 1926 K.A.A. championship for Makee, their 6th championship out of the previous 7 years

Champions: Makee’s Roaring 20’s

1920…Makee

1921…Makee

1922…Makee

1923…Makee

1924…Lihue

1925…Makee

1926…Makee

Josie Cummings 1927-1929

       In the 1927 season options became available to Josie Cummings. The Sunday games for 05/22/27 were postponed as the island hosted two teams from the Oahu Commercial League. The Commercial League played their games early in the year which provided them access to travel the outer islands and compete in exhibitions. In May teams from Hawaiian Pineapple Co. and Honolulu Iron Works were invited to play a set of matches with handpicked players from the Kauai Senior League. Josie Cummings did not participate, for whatever reason, however, brother Parker started for the Kauai team at catcher. Nonetheless, Josie did not go unnoticed by one of the Oahu teams.

       My grandfather was no different then most Hawaiians of his time. He was humble, quick witted, and never really talked about his life when he was younger. I found so many things about him when I started researching this ohana. He talked a little about his exploits as a ballplayer, but never did he delve into how good he really was on the mound. I found out only a few years ago that during his last two years as a teenager he toured Japan and China with a movie picture company. I asked everyone in my mother’s immediate family about this and it was news to everybody I mentioned it to. The trip was the reason he did start playing in the senior league at 19. I know how much he loved baseball, so it must have been a hard decision to make.

       Honolulu Iron Works returned for more exhibitions being invited to the Garden Island by the “Foresters” for the 4th of July celebration. On July 5th, the team from Oahu traveled to the baseball grounds in Kapaa to play a game against the hometown Makee club. It was here that josie Cummings shined pitching a complete game for the winning Makee team. As it was never recorded or published, I believe that it was after this game that The Honolulu Iron Works team became interested in my grandfather.

       Josie Cummings would play an abbreviated season in 1928 for the Makee’s appearing in only a handful of games. It was after the season ended when Josie Cummings moved wife Nora and his two children to Honolulu late in 1928. They landed in a house on 2nd street in Kaimuki.

       The Commercial League of Honolulu was at the time, the premier league on Oahu, if not in all of the territory. Consisting of teams from the Hawaiian Pineapple Co., University of Hawai’i, Hawaiian Electric, Schuman Carriage, Liberty House, Hawaiian Telephone & Telegraph, Cancos. The Honolulu Ironworks team, known as the “Boilermakers” had entered the league in 1920. After nine unsuccessful years at trying to obtain a championship, they entered the 1929 campaign with renewed optimism and with a new starting pitcher added to their staff from Kaua’i.

       That year became a magical one for the Boilermakers as well as for Josie Cummings. He not only shared the mound but played shortstop as well. On March 31st the Boilermakers hammered Cancos 13-2 taking a 2-game lead over second place University of Hawai’i. They needed but one victory over the next two games to secure the 1929 title. The Boilermakers lost to the Phone Co. the following week setting up a match with the Pines at Honolulu stadium on April 9, 1929. Below is a copy of the article written by Loui Leong Hop.

Honirons 3, Pines 2

       Everything comes to him who waits----if they care to wait that long, of course.

       And at Honolulu stadium yesterday, in an intermittent drizzle of Hawaii’s famous liquid sunshine, the Honolulu Ironworks, after more than nine years of fruitless search for the elusive title of the Honolulu Commercial Baseball League, finally clinched one by wresting a 3-2 victory from the Hawaiian Pines, who have previously won four such championships.

       Manager Bill White of the champions crossed up some of the experts when he sent Joe Cummings, a slow ball artist, with a fast round house curve to the mound. In the end Cummings went 8.1 innings giving up 3 runs on 2 hits, getting the win. Jose Ginella getting the final 2 outs to get the save.

       This was probably the greatest game that my grandfather had pitched. The following week the Ironworks team would return to the stadium in an exhibition against the Pullen Giants a touring semi-pro team from an independent league in California. After pitching in the exhibition Joseph “Josie” Cummings would never pitch again, he had not yet reached his 26th birthday. Josie and his older brother Jonah would compromise the greatest brother duo to ever take the mound in the Kaua’i Senior they dominated the league, first Jonah between 1912 and 1921 then Josie between 1922 and 1928.

Our Teachers

     Some of the most shining moments in our family's history came from the dedicated women who comitted themselves to education. These women gave countless years in the pursuit of educating Hawaii's students. We should be so proud of these ladies as they sacrificed for the progress of Hawaii’s youth. Whatever side you may be on the the theme of assimilation, the dedication that these teachers expressed cannot be denied.

Helen Cummings, as far as we know taught 1 year of school in Waimea on kaua'i

The Naluai Connection

The Surfers

       Born in successive years 1936-37 to Raphael Naluai and Abigail Duarte were brothers Clayton and Alan Naluai. They would form in the late 1950’s the musical group known as The Surfers, with Bernie Ching and Pat Sylva. According to “Don Charles Hampton” (2006).” In 1957, Al and Clay were attending Glendale Junior College in Glendale, California. There they befriended two other native Hawaiians: Percussionist Bernie Ching and Pat Sylva, a multi-instrumentalist who could hold his own on piano, vibes, ukulele or trombone. Both Pat and Bernie sang as well. They all ended up joining the school choir, and traveling up and down the West Coast doing concerts. One day, the choir director asked the four friends to work up arrangements of some traditional Hawaiian tunes and perform them as specialty numbers. They did, and the boys' act went over big on stage. That's when, according to Clayton, "we started having fun with it."

      Although, diplomats for Hawaiian Music in the mainland, they were a California based group. As told by Blogger Don Hampton, (2006). “Their years on the mainland had given The Surfers a degree of professionalism that was new in Hawaiian music circles. They added Hollywood gloss and polish with what Clay liked to call "a Hawaiian spirit." The combination proved to be a potent one, and The Surfers were welcomed at the islands' top venues: Don the Beachcomber's, The Outrigger Waikiki, the Club C'Est Si Bon and the Imperial Hawaii Hotel, just to name a few. Buddy Naluai joined the group during this period” (A Rock-A-Hula History).

      On January 16, 1980 Clayton Naluai called it quits, stopped cold turkey after over twenty years on stage and being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, he was 43 years old. Today Clayton runs his own Aikido school in Honolulu as a sixth danAikido sensei.

      On 10 March 2001, Alan Naluai at age 62 died of heart disease, he had suffered a heart attack earlier. His funeral was held at Kawaiaha'o Church in Honolulu with 3,000 mourners in attendance (Hampton, 2006).

      Richard “Buddy” Naluai has been the Minister of Music & the Arts/Organist at Kawaiahao Church since 1982.

Family Side Bits

1916 Society Page

       Molly Sheldon, daughter of Amy Hoolai Cummings and John Sheldon, married Isaac Cockett, from Malupehu, Molokai around 1891. At that point, Isaac was working as a clerk. However, by 1894 he was the proprietor of the Kalihi Saloon which was located for many years on the corner of King St. and Kam IV road. By 1913 Isaac Cockett was running an establishment on Hotel Street. They had 3 children, the oldest daughter “Ritchie” (1895), Estrella Kuupuaala (1901), and a son Kalani N. (1905).

      On October 18, 1916 Ritchie Cockett married William Ladd Rosa, son of the former Attorney General under the Monarchy. Miss Cockett was an associate in the firm of Thompson, Milverton, and Cathcart, (the same Cathcart that helped to exonerate her 2ndcousin Thomas Cummings of Homicide in 1909), while Rosa was a clerk in the U.S. court. Both were well known in the Honolulu social circuit of 1916. Rosa had been one of the best prep football players of that time, having been a 3-year starter at QB for McKinley high school. Their popularity warranted a thorough write up in the Honolulu Star-Bulletin.  Below is an excerpt from the article.

• “A pretty church wedding of this week was that of Miss Ritchie Cockett and William Ladd Rosa. There were about a hundred-guest bidder to the ceremony at 8:00 o'clock on Wednesday evening at the Sacred Heart chapel, at Punahou. The church was decorated in the tall, stately white lilies and white asters and white daisies, with beautiful baskets of feathery lace fern. Each of the bride’s attendants carried a. shower bouquet of sweet peas and white violets, the bride’s gown was of white taffeta with an over dress of very handsome lace. The long train was ornamented with orange blossoms. The dainty was enveloped in a lovely lace veil, which hung to the end of the train. It was arranged as a coronet about her head. The bride entered the church leaning at the arm of her uncle: Attorney William J. Sheldon, and was preceded by Miss Hazel Williams, the maid of honor, and Miss Irmgard Brash, the bridesmaid. They were met at the head of then alter by the groom and his best man and here the wedding was performed by the re. Fr. Stephen Alencastre. Mr. Mahealani Alfonso Rosa was his brothers best man and the ushers were D.L. Conkling, and MR. Oliver Lansing” (Honolulu star-bulletin, 1916).

Miss Ritchie Cockett 

A Narrow Escape

October, 04, 1860--- An accident occurred last week at Hamakuapoko, East Maui, which nearly terminated fatally to one of the party. Two men in the employ of T.B. Cummings went up the mountain to procure a load of beans. Having obtained a load, they began their descent, the road lying for a way along the brow of a ravine. Soon after starting, the horses took fright on account of the wagon pressing on to them, and soon became unmanageable, when approaching to near the edge of the gulch, the wagon, horses and driver, were precipitated head over heels down the ravine, a distance of fifty feet. The driver, named Paul Murray, was found buried under the load of beans, but singularly enough, neither he nor the horses were killed, though all were severely bruised (Pacific Commercial Advertiser, 1860).

• The Pacific commercial advertiser. (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands), 04 Oct. 1860. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. <http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn82015418/1860-10-04/ed-1/seq-2/>

1912 Christmas Celebration on Kaua'i

      A nice account of a Christmas celebration within the Sheldon family on Kaua’i was published on December 31, 1912 in a section of the Garden Island daily newspaper called “When Saint Nick called On His Young People.” It presented an account of various celebrations throughout the island, one of which described a two-day account of the Sheldon family.

      It begins by stating that one of the prettiest Christmas trees found in Lihue on the 24th of December was at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Clay Kalua Sheldon. All the details of a family reunion had been carried out to the last degree, Georgianna Bishaw, the youngest, having arrived just in the nick of time. As all the grandchildren gathered round, anxiously awaiting to see what Santa had in his generous store for each. A choral of singers arrived, simultaneously with some musicians to escort the arrival of Santa with his immense pack of happiness. The music of the seranaders was forced to give way to the shrieks of Christmas delight which surrounded Santa and the tree where the former busied himself with an unusual amount of generosity in dealing out presents for all. Early Christmas morning, the party left by autos for the home of William J. Sheldon in Waimea, brother and uncle, where after church, all sat down to a bountiful luau. Despite the weather, which was rather dreary, Mrs. Wright of the Waimea native church was able to secure opihi and other island delicacies. Everybody seemed thoroughly satisfied. Those making the trip west to Waimea included Henry C. Sheldon, wife Hannah Cummings Sheldon, daughter Georgianna Sheldon Bishaw, Daughters Hannah, Harriet, and Daisy Sheldon, Cousin Molly Cummings from Maui, and house guest Miss Dunn. Others at the Waimea gathering included Mr. and Mrs. William Sheldon, William Ellis, Mr. Kealoha and Mr. Kapahee (Garden Island, 1912).

The Peculiar Death of Aki

       In the mid 1850's TB Cummings was witness to a shooting of native Hawaiian. Below are the accounts of the incident recorded in the newspaper the Polynesian.

       Linton L. Torbert and Benjamin Forbush have been indicted on several accounts under the several sections of the law prohibiting murder, to which they plead “Not guilty.” Messrs. E.C. Webster and De Fiennes appeared as their counsel. The examination of the witnesses occupied a day and a half and was very detailed. From them it appeared that Linton L. Torbert is the proprietor of a plantation at Honuaula on Maui and Benjamin Furbush, a blacksmith, in his employ. Torbert had lived several years in the district and bore among all classes and excellent character. Furbush was a recent comer, but nothing evil was known of him. Torbert had married a half native woman, and from all accounts had, by his good habits and friendly conduct, won the esteem of the natives.

       The lamentable accident by which Aki was deprived of life, originated as follows. The numerous cattle owned in that region by the foreigners had been in the habit of trespassing more or less on the farms of the natives and doing them damage. The whites in many instances reimbursed the owners, but perhaps in some, not deeming the injury as done through their fault, omitted to do so. At all events not only here but in other places on the islands, much ill will has mutually resulted between agriculturists and stock raisers, on account of the mischief produced by cattle not properly guarded or that perhaps have been purposely driven where they would do damage, in revenge for some prior injury, real or fancied. Legislation is required to properly define and protect these rival interests. There is not a doubt that the petty farmers have suffered much from the greatly increasing numbers of cattle, which now roam over a large area of the islands and have in some districts fairly driven the poor natives off, by rendering it impossible for them to cultivate their grounds with any certainty of securing their crops. Fencing materials are expensive and in most places quite beyond the resources of the mere peasant. At Honuaula it appears from some motive of revenge Torbert had several cattle badly wounded by natives unknown. On Saturday, Jan. 11, several being missing, he with Furbush and a man named Cummings, proceeded to look for them, having first provided themselves with firearms, out of fear as alleged that they might themselves be attacked. But from a portion of the testimony, which would seem to be the most to be relied on, the disposition of the natives here as elsewhere through the group, is friendly to foreigners, and arms would be likely, so far from being a protection, to exasperate them.

       Under their mistaken apprehension, the parties proceeded on their search until they found a woman who informed them that the cattle had been trespassing upon their grounds the night previous, and a native called Aki had cut them. They applied to Luhi, a constable present, to apprehend Aki. Luhi dispatched a subordinate to bring Aki before him. His messenger returned without him, and then after some conversation with Luhi, the Torbert, Forbush and Cummings conceiving that there was no real intention of bringing Aki to justice, set out in quest of him themselves, first having obtained the authority from Luhi, as they supposed to apprehend him. This Luhi denied, and the sub-constable before sent, reported that Aki would come as soon as he had done some little matter, he was engaged upon… The three whites found Aki on his own premises, alone, and Torbert, first laying down his pistols, proceeded to tie Akiʻs hands behind him with his handkerchief. Aki resisted, and in the scuffle the two fell into a hole. Aki rose first, and seizing a stick, struck at Torbert without hitting him. Torbert then fired a pistol over his head, which frightened Aki and he ran. Torbert then called out to Furbush who was about thirty fathoms off to shoot Aki in the legs. Furbush fired, but as Aki still ran, he was not sure that he had hit him although he expressed the fear that he had shot too high. The ball entered Akiʻs back near the spine and came out just beneath his false rib. Aki ran some distance before he fell, and when found by the natives was carried to a house and attended by one of their own doctors. As soon as Torbert knew of the disastrous consequences of the shot, he hastened to the wounded man with Mr. Miner, who had some knowledge of pharmacy, to do all he could for him, and from that time to his death.

***** The article does not say whether Torbert of Forbush were found guilty. 

Ulukau, (2005) A cultural-historical study of Kaʻeo and other lands in Honuaʻula, island of Maui.         

Retrieved from. http://www.ulukau.org/elib/cgi-bin/library?c=makaeo1&l=en

       Sophia Sheldon

       With so many stories and connections we have in this ohana I could not leave out the story of a wonderful lady who died long before her time. On May 23rd in the year 1897 the passing of Sophia Keopuolani Sheldon occurred. This strong women stood in opposition to what transpired in 1893 ie, the overthrow of Hawaii's Constitiuonal Monarchy.

       Sophia was was born in North Kona,on the big island Hawaii, to Henry L. Sheldon and Hannah Hoolaikahiluonalani Kahakina Munn Sheldon on 15 November 1850 (Aloha Aina 1897).  She was a patriotic mother, and she lay to rest indeed attired in patriotism. Her obituary was most likely written by her older brother Kahkina Kelekona (John Sheldon, editor of the Hawai'i Holomua Hawaiioan/English daily nupepa), a script that was in constant opposition to Doles government at the time.

       She had been a loyal Royalist engaged in public life and spent much of her time as a land assessor to the Royal Court. She was a beckoning mother, and she gave her help to those who were in trouble, and was a welcoming and caring friend (Aloha Aina,1897). During the time when the government was warring against Koolau, the hero of the jagged cliffs of Kalalau, she composed the mele, “He ohohia nui, Nou a e Koolau,” and so forth (Makaainana.1894).

Retrieved from https://nupepa-hawaii.com/2019/12/11/death-of-sophia-sheldon-1897/