David William Napihaa, 75, August 29, 1921

An Obituary From the Church of Mokulau, Kaupo, Maui

("He Hoalohaloha Na Ka Ekalesia O Mokulau Kaupo Maui", Nupepa Kuokoa, September 30, 1921)

On August 29, 1921, the angel of death silently entered the thresholds of the bodily home of the Iron Duke¹ D. W. Napihaa, our fellow laborer in the activities of the church, the Sunday schools and the C. E.² here in East Maui, and took away the pure life breath of the Iron Duke D. W. Napihaa. 

Many came to visit him, since even though he was weak from his illness³ he went to take part in the activities of the exhibition for East Maui in Kipahulu on August 2, 1921. Our last in-person meeting was on the 22nd. On the day referenced above⁴, we heard of the death, the passing on to the road of no return⁵, of our fellow laborer, Iron Duke Napihaa. 

He was a welcoming and kindly father. The door of his home was open to all.

He served as Sunday school superintendent for East Maui for many years.

He left behind a wife⁶, grandchildren, relatives and friends who are now mourning him in this life. His burden has been released. His work is done. He is returning to the everlasting place prepared for all who do His will. What great sorrow!

Therefore, be it resolved, we the pastor, elders, members, Sunday school students, and members of the C. E., through our committees, share the sorrow and pain placed upon you, Mrs. D. W., and your grandchildren.

Therefore, we pray to the Almighty Father to ease the sorrow and pain of grief for our beloved one who has departed this life. He gave, and He hath taken away⁷.

Be it further resolved, one copy shall go to Nupepa Kuokoa and one copy to The Friend⁸.

J. W. KAWAAKOA,
M. K. REUTER,
E. R. KEIKI,
The committee
Kaupo, Maui, Sept. 14, 1921.

Eulogy for D. W. Napihaa From the Sunday School Association of the Islands of Maui, Molokai and Lanai, Session of Sept. 1921

("Hoalohaloha No D. W. Napihaa A Ka Ahahui Kula Sabati O Na Mokupuni O Maui Molokai Ame Lanai Kau O Sept. A. D. 1921", Nupepa Kuokoa, November 25, 1921)

Mr. President and members of this association:—The words that have been delivered have come to pass: The silver cord is severed into fragments; the golden vessel is ground into powder; the pitcher of generosity is shattered at the fountain. No more words will come from you to assist with the activities of this association, since the turning wheel of life has met its end at the cistern. The dust shall return to the earth as it was, and the spirit shall return unto the One who gave it⁹. Praise be His name!

What sorrow! David William Napihaa, has passed away, vanished, our great fellow laborer. How great is the work of his beloved Lord. Regretfully, his features have disappeared from the cheeks of the earth’s skin and from the walls of this association.

On August 29, the angel of death called at the sacred threshold of our friend’s body, the one who steadfastly carried out the work of his beloved Lord, who tirelessly carried out his tasks without complaining, going here and there, all about, in the sun and rain, night and day, in the calm and in the storm, in sickness and health. He was unfaltering and now he is gone!

He was a fearless warrior for Jesus, taking on the spiritual battle for the side of the kingdom of heaven, paying no regard to the earthly sins surrounding him. Even though weakness settled on his body, the voice of the Lord stirred him to complete his final undertaking, at the Sunday school exhibition at Kipahulu¹⁰. What devotion!

And when he finished the work that his soul compelled him to complete, the inviting words of the beloved Lord came to pass: In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, then I shall summon you to stay with me¹¹.

His body was laid to rest in his birthplace to sleep the slumber of all seasons¹² together with his parents and family, waiting for the sound of the trumpet heralding the Resurrection¹³.

For many years, the position of Sunday school superintendent for East Maui rested on his shoulders. This association placed this title on him with the utmost confidence, and he served in this position with great honor. Now he has been released of his burden and is resting in eternal repose, to our ceaseless sorrow.

D. W. Napihaa was born in Haou, Hana, in the rain of the low-lying heavens¹⁴. Later, he made his home in the high waters of Keanae¹⁵. Because of his cleverness and wise way with words to move pebbles¹⁶ out of his path, his initials D. W. came to stand for the illustrious title of Iron Duke¹⁷ of Wellington Napihaa, supported by his way of being completely open-hearted, generous without bounds, and welcoming to those of the highest and humblest stature. His was a home for strangers who did not even need to ask. 

He leaves behind his beloved companion, his wife, grieving with tears raining down. Not just a wife, but a matron who tended to the needs of their beloved Lord wherever they were called to serve. You were a great asset to your husband. What sorrow for you, Akowai, the right hand of your dear husband in all matters. He has passed on, vanished. There will be no return. The bodily home has been broken. Friend, you will visit in dreams, always the same: You are soaring like an eagle on the celestial wings of eternal hope.

Thus, it falls on you, Mr. President and members of this Sunday School Association of the Islands of Maui, Molokai and Lanai, to shoulder the important work and serious thoughts of this steadfast fellow laborer and to bear on with the arduous tasks of this earthly realm.

Therefore, be it resolved that we undersigned, the appointed memorial committee of this session, join together with you, the widow who has lost a parenting partner, as well as the entire family and all others in praying for the Heavenly Father’s benevolence in comforting the hearts heavy with sorrow through the reassuring words of our beloved Lord. You who are weary and burdened, come to Him and He will give us rest¹⁸. Let not your hearts be troubled. Let us believe in God and believe in Him. Our Father’s house has many places for us to dwell¹⁹.

Be it further resolved: This eulogy will be sent to the Nupepa Kuokoa and The Friend²⁰ along with a copy to the widow.

We undersigned being the committee,

ISAAC D. IAEA,
MRS. ANNIE MAKAHIO,
MRS. M. P. WAIWAIOLE,
MRS. ANNIE MITCHELL,
WILLIAM E. SAFFERY

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Note: The age at death of 75 years is an estimate. In January 1920, Napihaa was 73 years old, according to census data.

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Below are the obituaries in the original Hawaiian:

HE HOALOHALOHA NA KA EKALESIA O MOKULAU KAUPO MAUI.

Ma la la 29 o Augate, 1921, i kipa palanehe ae la ka anela o make ma na paepae puka o ka home kino o ke Dukehao D. W. Napihaa, ko makou hoa paahana iloko o na hana Ekalesia K. S., ame C. E., o Maui Hikina nei, a lawe kohana aku la i ka hanu maemae o ke Dukehao D. W. Napihaa. 

He hale kipa ia no ka lehulehu, mamuli o ka loaa ana i na pilikia ma ke kino, o ia ka nawaliwali ma’i iloko no o ia nawaliwali ua hiki mai no oia ma na hana i malamaia ai ma na hana hoike, o Maui Hikina, ma Kipahulu, ma ka la 2 o Augate, 1921, i hala aku la, a ma ka la 22 ae ko makou halawai hope ana he maka a he kino, a ma ka la i hoikeia maluna, lohe aku la makou ua pau, ua hala ma ke ala hoi ole mai, ko makou hoapaahana Dukehao Napihaa. 

He makuakane heahea, oluolu lokomaikai, a he hamama ka puka o kona home, no na mea apau. 

Ua noho K. K. S.Nui oia no Maui Hikina, na na makahiki lehulehu i hala, no na K. S., o Maui Hikina nei. 

Ua waiho iho la oia he wahine, he mau moopuna a he mau pilikoko ame na hoaloha e noho kanikau kumakena aku ana nona i na la o keia ola ana, a ua kuu kona luhi, pau kana hana, a ke hoi nei i kahi mau i hoomakaukauia no ka poe apau e hana ana i kona makemake, me ka minamina nui ia! 

Nolaila, hooholoia, o makou o ke kahu, na luna kahiko, na hoahanau, na haumana K. S., na lala o ka ahahui C. E., ma ko makou mau komite la, ke komo pu aku nei me oe e Mrs. D. W. ame na moopuna e kaana pu i na luuluu o na haawina i kau iho maluna o oukou me ka ehaeha. 

Nolaila, ke pule nei makou i ka Makua Mana Loa, e hoomama ae i na kaumaha ame na luuluu i piha i ke kumakena no ka kakou mea aloha i haalele mai i keia ola ana, Nana no i haawi mai, Nani no i lawe aku. 

Hooholo houia, i hookahi kope i ka Nupepa Kuokoa, hookahi kope i ka Hoaloha.

J. W. KAWAAKOA,
M. K. REUTER,
E. R. KEIKI,
Na komite 
Kaupo, Maui, Sept. 14, 1921.

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HOALOHALOHA NO D. W. NAPIHAA A KA AHAHUI KULA SABATI O NA MOKUPUNI O MAUI MOLOKAI AME LANAI KAU O SEPT. A. D. 1921

Mr. Peresidena ame na lala o keia aha:—Pela i ko ai ka olelo i i mai ai: o ke kaula kala ua mokumoku liilii. O ke Kiaha Gula ua okaoka me he lehu la. Ua naha ka bakeke o ka lokomaikai ma ka punawai. Aole leo hou e pa-e mai ana nou a no na hana a keia aha; no ka mea; ua niniu aku la ka huila o keia ola ana, iloko o ka luawai o keia hopena. E hoi ana ka lepo i ka honua, elike me ia mamua, a o ka uhane e hoi aku ia i ka mea nana i haawi mai. E hoomaikaiia Kona inoa!

Luuluu wale! Ua hala o David William Napihaa, mao, ko kakou hoapaahana nui, ko’iko’i o ka hana a kona Haku aloha. Ua nalo loa aku kona helehelena mai ka papalina aku o ka ili o ka honua. a mai na paia aku o keia aha me ka minamina nui ia.

Ma ka la 29 o Augate i hala aku la, i kipa ae ai ka anela o ka make ma na paepae kapu o ke kino o ko kakou hoaloha, hoa hoomanawanui o ka hana a kona Haku aloha, hoa pauaho ole i ka hana me ke kunukunu ole, e hele ana i o a ianei, i ka loa ame ka laula, i ka la ame ka ua, i ka po ame ke ao, i ka malie ame ka ino, i ka wa ma’i ame ka wa ikaika. Ua hoomanawanui wale ia no oia a hala wale aku la no!

He koa wiwoole no Iesu, e hele ana i ke kaua uhane no ka hana o ke aupuni lani, me ka hopo ole i na mea ino o ke kino, e hoopuni ana iaia. Iloko o ka moe nawaliwali e kau ana maluna o kona kino, uilani ae ka leo o kona Haku iloko ona, he leo kahea no ke koena o kana hana ma ka Hoike Kula Sabati Hui o na Kula Sabati ma Kipahulu, aloha wale!

A i ka hoopau ana i ka hana a kona uhane i iini nui loa ai, alaila ko ae la ka leo kono a kona Haku aloha, e o ana: Ma ka hale o ko’u Makua, he nui loa na wahi e noho ai, ina aole pela, alaila, e kii mai no au ia oukou a e noho oukou ma ko’u wahi e noho ai.

Moe iho la kona kino ma kahi ana i hanau ai, e moe ana i ka moe kau a kau, me kona mau makua me ka ohana, e kali i ka leo o ka pu, no ke alahou ana.

Ua kau aku maluna o kona mau poohiwi i na makahiki lehulehu, ke kulana Kahu Kula Sabati Nui no Maui Hikina, a keia aha i hookau aku ai maluna ona me ka ewaewa oole, a ua hooko aku oia ia kulana me ka hanohano nui, a kuu iho la kona luhi, o hoomaha ana i kana hana me ka hoomaha mau loa, me ka minamina pau ole ae.

Ua hanauia o D. W. Napihaa ma Hao’u, Hana, i ka ua lanihaahaa, a elike me ka nee ana o ke au o ka manawa, alaila hookahua ae la oia i kona noho ana ma ka Waikau o Keanae, a mamuli o kona eleu, ame ka piha noeau naauao ma ka olelo o kana hoonee ana i na pohaku iliili o kona alahele nomua, kapaia ae la oia ma ka inoa hoohanohano ma o kela mau hua kumu la ona D. W. o ia hoi ke Duke hao o Welinakona Napihaa, o ke kumu no ka piha me ka puuwai hamama, ame ka lokomaikai palena ole, e hookipa ana mai ke kiekie a i ka haahaa loa. He home no ka malihini me ka leo ole.

Ua haalele iho oia mahope nei he hoapili, kana mea aloha he wahine e paiama ana me na waimaka e hiolo makawalu ana. Aole he wahine, aka, he makuahine e kiai ana i ka pono o ka hana a ko laua Haku aloha, ma kahi a laua e lawelawe ana. He kokua nui no ke kane e pono ai. Luuluu wale oe e Akowai e, ka lima akau o kau kane aloha ma na hana apau. Ua hala ua nalo. Aole e hoea hou mai, ua naha ka hale kino. ka makamaka o ak moe e kipa mai ai, ua like a! Ua pii ae me he aeko la ma na eheu lani o ka manaolana mau loa.

Nolaila; ua ili iho maluna ou e Mr. Peresidena ame na lala o keia Ahahui Kula Sabati o na Mokupuni o Maui, Molokai ame Lanai, keia haawe nui ko’iko’i ame ke kaumaha o ka manao no keia hoapaahana hoomanawanui lua ole ka auamo pu ana i keia mau haawina ehaeha o keia ola ana.

Nolaila, e hooholoia o makou o na komite hoalohaoha a keia aha i koho ai, no lakou na inoa malalo iho nei, ke komo pu aku nei me oe e ka wahine kanemake i hooneleia i ka makua, ame ka ohana holookoa ame ka lehulehu e nonoi nui ae ana i ka lokomaikai o ka Makua Lani e hoomama ae i na naau luuluu a kaumaha, me ka olelo hoolana a ko kakou Haku aloha: Hele mai oukou e ka poe luhi ame ka poe kaumaha, a Nana kakou e hoomaha ai. Mai hookaumahaia ko oukou naau, e manaoio kakou i ke Akua, a e manaoio aku hoi iaia. Ma ka hale o ko kakou Makua he nui loa na wahi e noho ai.

E hooholo hou ia: E hoounaia aku keia hoalohaloha i ka Nupepa Kuokoa ame ka Hoaloha. a i hookahi kope i ka wahine kanemake.

O makou iho kou komite,

ISAAC D. IAEA,
MRS. ANNIE MAKAHIO,
MRS. M. P. WAIWAIOLE,
MRS. ANNIE MITCHELL,
WILLIAM E. SAFFERY,

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Footnotes

1. This nickname is explained further on.
2. Christian Endeavor Society.
3. Stomach cancer, according to his death certificate.
4. August 29.
5. A common poetic saying for death. See entry No. 420 in the book “ʻŌlelo Noʻeau: Hawaiian Proverbs & Poetical Sayings“.
6. Akowai Napihaa.
7. Job 1:21.
8. It appears that that The Friend did not publish this obituary.
9. Much of this paragraph is a variation on Ecclesiastes 12:6-7 with poetic embellishments.
10. On August 2, 1921 (see preceding obituary).
11. John 14:2.
12. A common poetic saying for death and a variation of entry No. 2168 in “ʻŌlelo Noʻeau”.
13. 1 Thessalonians 4:16]
14. A poetic name for Hana. See entry No. 1578 in “ʻŌlelo Noʻeau”.
15. A poetic name for Keanae. See entry No. 2447 in “ʻŌlelo Noʻeau”.
16. Likely a metaphor for obstacles.
17. This makes more sense in Hawaiian since the word for iron comes after duke and is written as one word (dukehao).
18. Matthew 11:28.
19. John 14:1-2.
20. It appears that that The Friend did not publish this obituary as well.