A Eulogy
("He Hoalohaloha", Nupepa Kuokoa, November 27, 1908)
It pleased the Almighty Father to take the last breath of my beloved foster mother, Mrs. Kahaunaele Kapahukalaunu Bipikane, from her residence on Kuakini Street near Liliha Street in the city of Honolulu, Oahu County.
Mrs. Kahaunaele Kapahukalaunu Bipikane was born in 1843 at Kaupo, Maui from the loins of her mother Poihene and father Kalaeloa. She was 65 years, 6 months and a few days old. And she has left behind us, her two foster children, as well as grandchildren and other family members to mourn her.
She was a wonderful mother, gracious and welcoming to all. She was a member of Hoomana Naauao church. After the passing of her dear husband, J. W. Bipikane, she became a member of the Catholic Church. She remained in this faith until laying down to the eternal slumber.1 Like the Almighty Father has spoken, the dust shall return to the earth as it was.2 He hath made, and He hath taken away. Blessings unto Him for ever and ever. Amen.
What mournful thoughts for my beloved mother. I will never forget her considerate care of me, her foster daughter. I remain with a heart full of love for her.
Sincerely,
Her foster daughter,
MRS. EUGENE K. AIU.
Note: The death month of November 1908 is an estimate based on the date of the obituary.
Below is the obituary in the original Hawaiian:
HE HOALOHALOHA
Ua oluolu i ka Makua Mana Loa ka lawe ana aku i ka hanu hope loa o ko’u mama hanai i aloha nui ia, Mrs. Kahaunaele Kapahukalaunu Bipikane, ma ko laua home noho ma ke alanui Kuakini, e kokoke ana i ke alanui Liliha, ma ke kulanakauhale o Honolulu, Kalana o Oahu.
Ua hanau ia oia i ka makahiki 1843 ma Kaupo, Maui, mai ka puhaka mai o Poihene (w) ame Kalaeloa (k); ua piha iaia na makahiki he 65, 6 mahina me na la keu, a haalele mai la oia ia maua, kana mau keiki hanai; na moopuna me ka ohana apau, e u aku ana nona mahope nei.
He makuahine maikai oia, he oluolu, he halekipa no na mea apau. He hoahanau oia no ka Hoomana Naauao, a mahope mai o ka haalele ana mai o kana kane aloha, Mr. J. W. Bipikane, ua lilo oia i hoahanau no ka Hoomana Kakolika; a ma ia hoomana oia a moe aku la i ka moe kau a kau. E like hoi ma ka ka Makua Mana Loa i olelo mai ai, e hoi ka lepo i ka lepo; nana no i hana mai, a nana no i lawe aku, e hoonani mau loa ia oia ia ao aku ia ao aku. Amene.
Auwe kuu mama aloha e: Lihaliha wale ke noonoo ae; he mea poina ole ia’u nona ke hoomanao ae i kana mau hana maikai no’u, kana kaikamahine hanai, a ke noho nei au me ka naau i piha i ke aloha nona mahope nei.
Owau me ka oiaio,Â
Kana kaikamahine hanai,Â
MRS. EUGENE K. AIU.
Footnotes
- A variation of a common poetic saying for death. See entry No. 2168 in the book “ʻŌlelo NoÊ»eau: Hawaiian Proverbs & Poetical Sayings“.
- Ecclesiastes 12:7.