Removed Are the Supports of the Earthly Form
("Wehe I Ka Pili Hookoo Ia Loko", Ke Aloha Aina, April 13, 1901)
Dear KE ALOHA AINA newspaper,
Greetings:—
Please insert in available space of your delicate form1 my message referenced in the title to collectively inform your readers from where the sun rises at Ha’eha’e to where it meets the surface of the sea at Lehua:
On the morning of Sunday, March 31, 1901, it pleased the Almighty Father to visit our home at Waialua, on the island of Molokai. He removed the spirit and left the cold body of our beloved child for us parents as well as family, friends and others to mourn in this world.
S. W. Kahaleohai, this being the name of our adored one, was born at Mokulau, Kaupo, Maui from the loins of father Hulumunu and mother Kekumu on May 20, 1871. Thus, he spent 29 years, 10 months, 10 days and 5 hours breathing the sweet air of this hard life until being released from toil, bringing an end to the grief, now to wait for the rousing voice of the archangel2 to wake in the next life and stand before His seat of judgment, where all will receive the reward for their deeds.
He spent many long years sick, with the illness wasting away his body. Much effort went into seeking a cure from doctors and from other efficacious medicines. However, the sickness continued unabated, and this state of struggle continued until the time he uttered his final words: Farewell to you, my parents, and to you my family as well. With that, the only thing that remained was the cold body, the abode of the spirit that floated silently away on the path of the gentle, rainbow-tinged rain3.
He was gracious and kind-spoken to his friends. He was attentive and respectful to us, his parents, as well as his friends, acquaintances and all those who visited our home. He was treasurer of the Testifying Association4 of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Kainalu District, island of Molokai.
The Good Book’s message has come to pass. “Man that is born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble.”5 Therefore, blessed be the name of the One who made all things, since it is He who gave and He who hath taken away6 .
With my regards to the young typesetters of your printing press and a handshake to the editor.
We being the parents of the beloved child,
MR. and MRS. LUHA.
Waialua, Molokai, Apr. 3, 1901.
- The newspaper.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:16.
- A poetic saying for death. See entry No. 421 in the book “ʻŌlelo Noʻeau: Hawaiian Proverbs & Poetical Sayings“.
- This exact name of the group is unclear. The Hawaiian text reads “Hui Hoike Manaoio”.
- Job 14:1.
- Job 1:21.