(Ke Alakai o Hawaii, October 10, 1929)
Mr. Jonah Kumalae, Editor of KE ALAKAI O HAWAII, Greetings:—
If you could, please find some room for this news item.
The 14th of this month1 was a day for something that had not been seen before. On this day, all of those who had mules gathered them together until the corral at Waiu was packed. This was done in accordance with the announcement of Dwight Baldwin, the new landowner of Kaupo who had bought the estate of recently deceased resident A. V. Marciel2. When they were all in the corral, the deputies called out to everyone, saying that those who wished to return their mules to their own land should do so now. If they wanted to leave them, the Englishman3 would buy the mules for $2.00 a head. Some left with one or two of the mules. Most left their mules to get $2.00. It was better for the people to get a little something. Some landowners would have just gone through their pastures with guns blazing and not providing any bit of recompense.
When this was done, it was time to eat, so the food was cooked. When the meal was done, it was announced that tomorrow the mules would be rounded up along the shore so everyone should return then.
Everyone gathered at the place of Mrs. Ipokekiwi, joined by Dwight Baldwin. There was a 1-year luau for a baby. All were present. Up and down4, again and again until through. As we relaxed, the eyes and ears took in the surrounds while the children sang in sweet, plaintive sounds and a soft-eyed youth strummed the guitar. How beautiful it was, the up and down swaying of those dancing the immodest hula. Everything was wonderful. We ate our fill and then returned home.
On Sunday morning, the remaining mule owners and others came, eager to witness the massacre of the mules. Some took their mules, while the rest were herded to the shore. The call had been heard to take the mules, horses and donkeys.
Not one remained. When they arrived at the shore and were gathered in one place, the sound of the guns started. What a racket. However, your correspondent was not there, but rather tramping through the land of the misty rain. It would be tragic to see this slaughter of so many animals.
Smiles were the only thing seen on the youths who carried out this act. When the morning’s work was through, everyone left.
Your correspondent understands that 46 were killed in total. There were 18 others taken home. Some children of the Land of Flowers5 left with mules, but these may have been donated.
Not all the mules from the pasture were taken and killed, but these were shot later on the lands where they were found roaming. It should be noted that the people of Kaupo had already learned this lesson long ago many times from the recently passed landowner A. V. Marciel. He had killed the horses and mules of the residents here, but he gave farmland to those without. This was just. It is not good to have too many animals.
With regards to the resident landowner for his immensely fine acts. Regards as well to you, Mr. Editor, and your deft-fingered staff6 of our bearer of news, “Ke Alakai o Hawaii.”
CORRESPONDENT.
Kaupo, Maui.
Sept. 17, 1929.
1 thought on “Mule massacre”