Eulogy and Memorial for Pauahi Alohikea
("Hoalohaloha A Hoomanao No Pauahi Alohikea", Ka Hoku o Hawaii, October 11, 1917)
“Amid the sorrow,
Along the shadowy path,
We are marching on,
Toward the tomb.
There to rest,
The struggles ended,
The mortal remains to decay,
For the seasons of eternity.”1
What man is he that liveth, and shall not see death?
Shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave?
Thou turnest man to dust,
And sayest, return, ye children of men.
For a thousand years in thy sight,
Are but as yesterday when it is past,
And as a watch in the night.
In the morning it flourisheth, and groweth up,
In the evening it is cut down, and withereth.2
TO THE MOTHER caring for her children who have lost their father, and to those fatherless children.
Mrs. Kaili J. Pauahi Alohikea,
With heavy sorrow:—
James Pauahi Alohikea, cherished husband of this dear mother, our fellow laborer in the work of our beloved Lord, hymn leader for the Sunday school, choirmaster for the Hawaiian Church of Lihue and for the C. E. Society,3 one of the church leaders who preached the word of God at church congregations.
He was a member of the Hawaiian Church of Lihue, a delegate to the island-wide assembly, and a hymn leader for the choir from Kauai that competed in the pan-Hawaii meeting in Hilo in the summer of 1915. He was to be a delegate for this church to the island-wide meeting in Lihue this coming October. He was an energetic and dedicated laborer in support of good deeds. He exhibited happiness, humility, leadership, kindness, generosity and affection. Above all, he had a virtuous nature.
He was born in Kaupo, Maui from the loins of his father Alohikea and Alohikea’s wife, Ahulii, on October 29, 1870. He was educated at Lahainaluna Seminary during the tenure of principal H. R. Hitchcock, who fostered his talent for arranging hymns and his abilities with the English language.
He married Mrs. Kaili Alohikea, now in mourning, on May 30, 1896. Therefore, he would have been 47 this coming October 29, and he spent 21 years in the pure life of matrimony.
He went to Honolulu and worked for Schuman Carriage Company, and later for Philip’s, a car upholsterer. He left Honolulu and sailed here to Lihue, Kauai, where he worked for the Hon. William Hyde Rice for nearly 15 years as an upholsterer, being quite adept in the work.
Due to this proficiency and attention to detail, a few years ago, his Honor of the upholstery shop gave him the authority to manage the affairs of the company as he deemed fit. He seized this opportunity and found success.
Our fellow laborer and true friend left us, the church, the Sunday school, and the C. E. Society. He departed from us on the evening of Thursday, September 15, 1917, at the “ulua gate” at Nawiliwili Harbor in a terrible accident. A wave hit him in the back and he was taken by the water before he knew what befell him.
A great effort was made that night to find him, with the hope that we was afloat, but daylight came without any sight of him. The search continued on the shore, but he was not found. Watchers were posted in the hope that he was still floating, to no avail. He has not been found since vanishing that night, his final words being, “I’m going to die.” What sad words.
He left behind a beloved wife and children–three daughters–mourning him. We of the church, the Sunday school and the C. E. Society are laden with sorrow for our fellow man who labored and sought righteousness with us and has left us behind to mourn him.
Therefore, be it resolved: We elders and members of the Hawaiian Church of Lihue are filled with mourning and sorrow that our friend and fellow laborer for the righteousness of the Lord has vanished from our presence. We pray that our sorrow be eased.
Therefore, be it resolved: We of the Sunday school and C. E. Society, through our joint committee, join with the wife and dear children to bear the burden of sorrow and pain placed on our shoulders over the beloved one who has passed away and returned to the Heavenly Father.
Be it resolved: That this eulogy and memorial be inserted into the historical records of this church.
Be it resolved: That a copy of this eulogy and memorial be provided to the beloved mother “Mrs. Kaili Alohikea” and the treasured lei that are their children.
Be it resolved: That copies of the eulogy be sent to the Nupepa Kuokoa,4 Ka Puuhonua, Ka Hoku o Hawaii, and The Friend.
Your grieving committee.
CHURCH COMMITTEE
P. Kolohaiole,
Joseph I.
Mrs. Joseph I.
James H. K. Kaiwi.
SUNDAY SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Wm. Kaiawe,
Mrs. H. K. Kahele,
Mrs. Isabela Waiau.
C. E. SOCIETY COMMITTEE
Mrs. Wm. Kaiawe,
Alfred M. Akiona.
Hawaiian Church of Lihue, Kauai.
Sept. 16, 1917
- Hymn 553 in Ka Buke Himeni Hawaii (1870) by Lorenzo Lyons. The Hawaiian hymn is based on one by English poet Henry Kirke White (1785-1806): “Through sorrow’s night, and danger’s path, amid the deepening gloom, we, soldiers of an injured King, are marching to the tomb. There, when the turmoil is no more, and all our powers decay, our cold remains in solitude, shall sleep the years away.”
- The preceding lines come from Psalms 89:48, 90:3, 90:4 and 90:6.
- Young People’s Society of Christian Endeavour.
- The obituary was published in Nupepa Kuokoa on October 5, 1917, in a slightly edited form.