Death of a Beloved
("He Make I Aloha Nui Ia", Ka Na’i Aupuni, January 14, 1907)
Dear Mr. Editor, the wise one of the Nupepa KUOKOA HOME RULA:—Greetings;
Please have the kindness to place in available space of the body of the beloved treasure of the nation to transmit the news as if by telephone wire to the multitude who hail from the “rain that makes one hide behind rock walls” of Kaupo, Maui that are currently living from where the sun rises at Haehae to where it radiates its final evening rays at Lehua:
Joshua Ahulii, Sr. has passed away!
Gone on the road that has no return!
At 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 26, 1906, the angel of death paid a visit and snatched the spirit of our beloved father J. Ahulii, leaving behind his body as an empty vessel for the love and tears of us, his two children, and his grandchildren as we grieve.
His wife, his companion, had already departed at 6 in the morning on June 25, 1905, and their upright deeds are a memorial for us to mourn with never-ending love.
He was born from the loins of Mr. and Mrs. Kekuaola on Dec. 4, 1825. Therefore, he spent 81 years and 21 days breathing the fragile air of this world. He was a native and elder of the “rain that makes one hide behind rock walls”. It was his homeland, as it was for his parents and grandparents. In accordance with his wishes, his remains were placed in the grave of his parents and grandparents at 4 p.m. on Dec. 27, fulfilling the Good Book and “returning dust to dust”.1
He numbered among the Protestant faithful. From the time that he became of the church until his death, he served as treasurer for the church at Mokulau2 starting in April 17, 1870, then treasurer for the Sunday school from Sept. 27, 1891, to 1902, before retiring.
He was educated at the old schools here in Kaupo that taught him reading and math. When District Judge C. K. Kalani taught law at Kaupo in 1860, he was one of the students and served in that profession for a time.
To be continued.
(Ka Na’i Aupuni, January 15, 1907)
Continued.
He became sheriff in 1864 and deputy sheriff in 1871. For 18 years, he was a shopkeeper and built shops3 here in Kaupo. He had been taught in the old ways of fishing, which he left without being faulted to take up farming, his first occupation as a youth as well as the work of his final days. He had nearly 1 acre. He is gone; the crops are all that remain now.
He was a loyal father, kind, humble, caring, welcoming, loving toward his children, wife and family. He was a faithful Christian and labored to oppose wrongdoing. He worked diligently to uphold the laws of justice to protect family life. He was slow to anger but strong to action.
He was a founder and steadfast supporter of the Home Rule Party of Kaupo and upheld the principles of that party until his death. He was a true patriot. Even though his body was weak, he was resolved to show his final support in the election last November.
He had a gastrointestinal illness that wasted away his body for two and a half months before he was released from his burden. He doggedly sought a cure through foreign medicine and Hawaiian remedies, and his willingness to pay for a cure became well-known in a short time. However, all these efforts were in vain.
There were four of us children, one girl and three boys. Our mother has already passed away, as have two of her children, one on Oct. 15, 1889, and the other on Sept. 16. 1891. The two of us left are the firstborn and lastborn, along with numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
This is just a short history of our beloved dad. We children now lack the benefit of our esteemed father and may perhaps go astray, as is said—
“The vine creeps at Mana,4
this poor vine without a supporting plant."5
We humbly ask the Almighty to ease the burden of grief over our father. Blessed be the name of Jehovah Sabaoth. It is He that giveth and His will that will be done, not that of man. Let the name of Jehovah in heaven be praised; peace on earth, love toward man—Amen.
With regards to the editor and a parting adieu to the young typesetters.
MRS. LUISA HALUALANI,
JOSHUA AHULII Jr.
- Genesis 3:19.
- Huialoha Church.
- Ahulii also built houses, including the home of Antone Vierra Marciel Sr., now the Kaupo Ranch headquarters.
- An arid area of Kauai and thus also a term for desert.
- A variation of a common saying for one who lacks family. See entry No. 986 in the book “ʻŌlelo Noʻeau: Hawaiian Proverbs & Poetical Sayings“.
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