("Na Paa Mare Opiopio", Ka Loea Kalaiaina, October 21, 1899)
On Saturday, September 30, 1899, at Nuu, Kaupo, Mr. Nalei Kaaihue and Miss Alice Kauakanilehua Kauhane were united by the golden cord that is the holy bond of matrimony by J. K. Piimanu before a crowd of guests. The marriage officiator performed the ceremony with great solemnity.
He spoke thus: "There are three milestones of a person’s time on Earth: 1, life; 2, death; and 3, marriage."
Your correspondent does not completely agree with some of the speech, namely Number 2 above.
As he explained the importance of these events, he dwelled on one theme of encouragement for the married couple and the crowd.
It was this: To gather, store, care for, and provide that which sustains the family’s basic human needs, so that there may be no discord between husband and wife, parent and child, and so on.
The institution of marriage, he continued, is important among enlightened peoples.
"Before two people decide to submit themselves to the covenant of marriage, they should make sure they are ready to do as I have described above.
"Furthermore, the woman is like a merchant ship with its sails magnificent in the wind, and if a couple is to be bound in the sacred institution of marriage, the rules of marriage should be strictly followed. 1. Live together in friendship and love. 2. Maintain these actions faithfully.
"Then the laws of the land shall not need to interfere."
The husband’s family and the lady’s side offered their enthusiastic congratulations. Warm handshakes were given with olive leaves of affection.
On Saturday, Oct. 7, people gathered to celebrate the married couple with a feast heavy with the rich foods of Kapuukolu.1
Harmony reigned while the throats slowly drank the rain of the naulu showers.2 Your correspondent offers a heartfelt thanks to the couple of the day.
With affection for the two of you,
J. W. N. Kawaionapua.
Nuu, Kaupo.
Oct. 10, 1899.
Below is the article in the original Hawaiian:
NA PAA MARE OPIOPIO.
Ma ka Poaono la 30 o Sept. 99 ma Nuu Kaupo i awaiuluia ai ma ke kaula gula o ka berita maemae o ka mare o Mr. Nalei Kaaihue me Miss Alice Kauakanilehua Kauhane e J. K. Piimanu imua o ka lehulehu o na paa mare i hoea mai. Ua malamaia na hana e ka mea Hooko mare me ka eehia nui iloko o kana oihana.
A wahi ana i puana ae ai imua ona Penei. He Ekolu no mea ano nui ma keia ili honua iloko o ko ke kanaka noho ana.
1 O ke ola ana, 2 o ka make ana, 3 o ka mare ana. Ua ku nana kau mea kakau i kekahi mau olelo i ku like ole me ko‘u manao oia ka hua helu 2 e kau ae la.
A i kona hoakaka ana mai i na mea ano nui iloko o keia mau mahele, he hookahi wale no puana a ka moe, e paipai mai ana ina paa mare, a me ka lehulehu e hoolohe ana. Oia keia.
E hana hoiliili, hoahu, malama, a hoolako ina pono kino o ka noho ohana ana. I ole ai e ulu mai he mau mokuahana mawaena o ke kane a me ka wahine, ka makua i ke keiki. Ect.
O ka oihana mare wahi hou ana, he mea nui keia iwaena o ka poe noonoo naauao a hoopono mamua ae o ka manao ana o kekahi mea a mau mea paha e hooia laua iho iloko o ka berita o ka mare, he mea pono iaia a ia laua paha e makaukau mua nona iho, e like me kekahi ona mea mua a’u i hoakaaka ae nei.
A no ka mea hoi, ua hoohalike ia ka wahine me he moku Kalepa ala ka hele ona pea a hihimanu i ka la makani, a i paa kekahi mau mea malalo o ka oihana laahia o ka mare, he mea pono e malama loa ia na Rula o ka oihana mare. 1 E noho me ka oluolu a me ke aloha. 2 A i malama pono ia keia mau mea.
Alaila, aole e komo mai ke kanawai o ka Aina.
A ua panai puia mai he mau kahoahoa ana mai ka ohana o ke kane a me ka aoao o ka lede me ka ulumahiehie. Ua haawiia ae he mau lululima pumehana me na lau Oliwa o ke aloha.
Ua haawiia he papaaina i luuluu ina kohikele a ka puukolu i ka Poaono nei Oct 7 no na paa mare me na poe i akoaakoa ae.
Ua malamaia ka maluhia me ka pii malie o ka puu i ka wai a ka naulu. Ke haawi aku nei kou mea kakau i na mahalo piha ina mea nona ka la. Aloha olua.
J. W. N. Kawaionapua.
Nuu, Kaupo. Oct. 10, 1899.
Footnotes
- As described in the book “ʻŌlelo NoÊ»eau: Hawaiian Proverbs & Poetical Sayings“: “KapuÊ»ukolu is on KauaÊ»i, an island known for its abundance. This saying describes any abundance of delicious food.”
- In other words, while alcohol was drunk.