A Somber Message
("He Ukana Walohia", Nupepa Kuokoa, November 7, 1913)
Mr. Editor of the Kuokoa, the Treasure of the Nation, greetings:—Please be so kind as to provide space in the treasure for my message above to inform the father, family, friends and acquaintances from where the sun rises to where it sets at Lehua, the bond between the two of us has dissipated like smoke.1 What sadness!
I wear the love for my dear husband like a lei of Chinese violets. He has passed on and vanished. Dust has been returned to dust,2 the home of every person, from royalty to the most lowly, those with magnificent wealth to the very poorest, leaving behind me, our child,3 our grandchildren and the rest of our family to mourn in this world with hearts burdened by grief.
News of his condition came by telephone from the doctor three times. The doctor said that because of excessive drinking of hard liquor, the liver was destroyed. His feet became cold. After this came coughing and sharp pains. This was followed by lumps on the right and left of his torso that were excruciating to the touch. The doctor said that after some days the lumps burst and a fiery fever set in. In the dark of night on Tuesday, October 7, at 8 p.m., breath fled the body of my beloved and left him still, the burden released, no more to lament the pains of this world.4 Before his breath completely left him, his final words to me were: Settle my debts. I agreed and am doing that here, since he had sufficient funds.
He was born5 at Kainehe, Lanai, from the loins of Isaac Smythe and Mrs. Kanoena Naimu on August 20, 1864, and so spent 49 years and 27 days breathing the cold air of this world. He married and then divorced his first wife. Afterward, he married again, to me. When he died, we had spent over 10 years in the sacred covenant of marriage. He spent his life being gracious, loving and open-hearted in every way, attentive to his family, friends and acquaintances.
He was skilled with the lariat, the whip, halter and knots of all kinds. He was adept at horseshoing, bird-calling, saddle-making and so forth.
In his youth, he resided with and worked for the Portuguese man John Ferriera at Waiopai, Kaupo. Afterward, he lived with Augustine at Kahikinui. Their land and cattle were bought by Dr. Raymond,6 under whom Smythe worked for the rest of his life.
With telephone calls made, those arriving included Pia from Lahaina, his sister Julia Isaac from Molokai, Mrs. Peke Smythe from Kahului, Mr. Kalani Smythe from Huelo, the children of his first wife from Kaupo, as well as his mother, aunties and uncles, friends and acquaintances, and all those who joined in mourning. What grief!
I am immensely grateful to the manager of Wailuku Bank for considerately helping with the purchase of the casket for me. On Thursday, Oct. 9, all was ready to take him to his grave at Keekeehia, Ulupalakua. His family, friends and co-workers of the lariat quickly gathered, and the services were performed by J. M. Keaoililani, preacher at Keokea, along with G. K. Kunukau.
The coffin was placed on the wagon along with the widow and mother of the deceased, deputy foreman Habakkuk, and drivers. Behind this was a foot procession and then a horse procession at the rear. If memory serves, the total was 82.
Upon arriving at his gravesite, Daniel H. Keliiaa said a few words of consolation, followed by hymns and prayers. When this was done, the dirt was filled in.
This heavy burden will rest on my beloved husband in all conditions, the cold of the dew, night and day, rain and raging moae wind of my homeland. How sad! With this I would like to thank all who helped with that to provide comfort to my wonderful, patient ashen one, and above all let my spirit praise the Almighty God, creator of all things. He gave, and the He hath taken away; may He be blessed for all time.7
MRS. M. K. K. SMYTHE.8
Ulupalakua, Oct. 18, 1913
- A variation of a common saying listed as entry No. 2926 in “ʻŌlelo Noʻeau: Hawaiian Proverbs & Poetical Sayings“.
- Ecclesiastes 3:20.
- Mokuike Smythe, who died in 1924.
- The cause of death was identified as perforating ulcer of the stomach.
- Literally, his birth sands (one hanau).
- From 1900 to 1922, what is now known as Ulupalakua Ranch was named Raymond Ranch, for owner Dr. James M. Raymond.
- Job 1:21.
- Kahoopiihula Kahunaui.