A Tearful Message of Love
("He Puolo Waimaka Na Ke Aloha", Nupepa Kuokoa, June 13, 1919)
Mr. Solomon Hanohano,1 greetings:—This pen asks for your generosity regarding our tearful message of love.
On Monday, May 12, at 3:30 p.m., as the wind swirled in from the eastern horizon, roaring through the center of Makiki, pain crept into my breast as the life breath of our beloved aunty drifted from this earthly realm, leaving the mortal remains for her grandchild and family to mourn over in this ephemeral world.
While the hands of the clock advanced toward the aforementioned hour, her eyes closed tight as beloved granddaughter Mrs. A. G. M. Robertson,2 tears streaking her cheeks, held her grandmother to her breast while daughter and I remained at her side, imploring the heavenly powers to welcome the loving spirit of His servant with His right hand. At that sorrowful moment, we overflowed with tears for her, since the spirit, the light of the person, passed on.
Mrs. Cecilia Kaahanui Keawekekahialiiokamoku Apua was born in Kaupo, Maui from the loins of Kaaeokalani and Pakuokalani on October 3, 1845. She breathed the frigid air of this world for 73 years, 7 months and 9 days.
Her parents had 14 children, but the rest had already passed on to the other world. The last one to pass away, her older sister Maile Laina Holo3 left her 10 years ago. This sister had three children: two girls and one boy. From the firstborn4 of these came the dear grandchild Mrs. A. G. M. Robertson. The deceased lived with this grandchild for 7 years before leaving her at the corner of Makiki and King streets. On Tuesday, the 13th, at 3, services were held at the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace. Her final resting place is Nuuanu Cemetery. All go unto one home; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.5
O Kaupo, perhaps Kaahanui is visiting you? I am filled with recollections of Maui, that land famous for rose flowers. But it is off-limits to you forever. O Kukalahale rain6 of Kakuhihewa,7 I try to convince myself that my dear aunty is here with you, but she is off with Niolopua,8 that wondrous woman of the mountain ridges. I listen for my aunty’s footsteps, but it is still. The home I visited is cold.
In these lines of affection for our aunty, we would like to offer our sincere thanks to friends and acquaintances for their gifts of flowers. May God watch over us and protect us in His infinite grace.
Affectionately,
MRS. LUCY WAHINEAEA,
MRS. JULIA K. KUA.
1942 South King St., Honolulu.
- Editor of Nupepa Kuokoa.
- Opera singer Ululani Papaikaniau McQuaid, wife of Judge Alexander George Morison Robertson. McQuaid was in fact the great-niece of the deceased, as further described below.
- Also known as Malie Leinaholo.
- Emelia Kapulani Kalola Nahienaena Lenaholo Papaikaniau.
- Ecclesiastes 3:20.
- The name of a rain in Honolulu. As described in the book “ʻŌlelo Noʻeau: Hawaiian Proverbs & Poetical Sayings“, The rain that announces itself to the homes by the pattering it makes on the roofs as it falls.” (See entry No. 1575.)
- An ancient chief of Oahu. See entry Nos. 309 and 1772 in “ʻŌlelo Noʻeau”.
- God of sleep.