► Court News From Waimea, Hawaii

The Honolulu Star-Bulletin, Friday, January 23, 1959 - "Clarice B. Taylor's Tales about Hawaii"

     The Reverend Alexander O. Forbes and his wife Maria Jane Chamberlain were living in Hilo in 1878 when Mr. Forbes called to serve as a juror on circuit court cases.

     The Circuit court traveled in those days and held sessions in each important town. Natives could ask for a jury of all white men or half native and half white.

BUSY TIME
     At the end of the 1878 session Mr. Forbes wrote his wife:

     "This has been a long busy session of the court. Folsom was unanimously acquitted by the jury, on the charge of manslaughter - 

     "The case of Atai and the two other Chinamen taken up to Hilo last May for smuggling opium, was tried. One of the three plead guilty, and the other two where acquitted...It was a sharp dodge, for the jurymen have since said that they let those two off under the idea that the one who pleaded guilty exonerated them.

     "The verdict certainly was an unexpected one. However, they have already had six months imprisonment and it is hoped their opium den will be broken up.

     "Today the whole day has been occupied with a trial from Hamakua between C(harles) Notley and a native named Nainoa. It is the culmination of a series of difficulties going on between them for nearly two years past.

     "The verdict of the jury which was half native and half white was in Notley's favor - giving him damage of $100 instead of $1000 which he claimed.

FORTY CASES
     "Tonight they are having an evening session to finish up on the divorce cases - there were nearly forty divorce cases on the calendar - they have already disposed of a good many.

     "Although there have been between 60 and 70 cases on the calendar at this term - They have had two evening sessions, and this makes the third; working as late as ten o'clock each time.

     "I have got myself excused this evening as I have quite a cold - I am now using diluted carbolic acid for my throat."

     Next: A coal stove.

► The Riot at Election of Kalakaua

The Honolulu Star-Bulletin, Wednesday, January 21, 1959 - "Clarice B. Taylor's Tales about Hawaii"

     Another historic letter was written February 12, 1874, by Marie P. Chamberlain to her Hilo daughters just four days after the letter relating the death of King Lunalilo.

     "You have no conception of what we have been passing through yesterday and today. Indeed we knew all this week that Queen Emma was holding mass meetings with Pahu Kula for her spokesman & Philipo also. he made great promises to the people and gained largely in numbers and influence. Thursday the legislature met at the Court House and a majority of 40, was given favor of D. Kalakaua and only SIX for Q. Emma.

     "It was about 2 p.m. when the question was decided and Major Moehonua and another person were directed to convey the information to the King.

MOB FORMS
     "There was a tremendous dark cloud coming down over the faces of the people who has filled the yard, which instantly broke out into a mob, and when the appointed persons got into the carriage, the horse was seized by the head, the top of the carriage was twisted of, Major was pulled out and thrown over the fence and was considerably injured.

     "Then the mob rushed into the court house breaking everything before them and fell pell-mell  on the legislature, using clubs and stones, chairs and everything they could get hold of and broke the sash and windows all to pieces.

Honolulu Court House Election Riot, 1874

     "One man was thrown out the second story window and fell on an outside trap door and Mr. Tomm Martin in a effort to shield his nephew in (Maria Kekelia's husband) from being thrown out of the window, received a wound on his hand.

     "Mr. Kipa of Hilo is very dangerously hurt, and is feared fatally.

     "18th Sat. 3 p.m. I have baked and I have starched, and have just eaten dinner and must now hasten to close this letter.

     "If it had not been for a kind overruling Providence, in ordering the three men of war should be here just now, we might have had much more serious times that we have had.

FOREIGN AID
     "We are under foreign military protection just now.

     "Mattie and I rode down town yesterday p.m. to see the dilapidated Court House... On our way home I called up Mr. Moehonua's and left my aloha for him and Mr. Kipi. There is still hope for them.

     "I must now stop for it is time to dress and go down to the Nettle for we have made a cake for the Captain today.

     "I hope there will be no outbreaks at the other islands but may we all abide under the shadow of the Almighty."

► Pele Fights with Poliahu, Lilinoe and Waiau

Honolulu Star-Bulletin, Thursday, December 3, 1959 - Clarice B. Taylor's Tales about Hawaii

     Pele has had a fight with Poliahu, the snow maiden, for many centuries. The fight goes on today although the two have agreed upon a truce.

     Poliahu is the snow white maiden who lives most of the year on Mauna Kea. But Poliahu wanders. She often covers Mauna Kea, Hualalai and the crater of Hualalai and the crater of Haleakala with snow.

     Poliahu is always seen with a white coat and accompanied by the snow maidens Lilinoe, Waiau and Kahoupokane.
These three have homes on the top of Mauna Kea near or on the beautiful lake Waiau.

SLEDDING
     After making her home at Kilauea, Pele took over the mountain Mauna Loa s a portion of her domain. She loved to go sledding down the slopes of Mauna Loa.

     One day she was sledding down Mauna Loa when she ran into a group of beautiful maidens. The most beautiful was clad in a white cape. So Pele recognized her as Poliahu. Poliahu greeted Pele and the battle began.

    Some think that Pele was angered to have such a beautiful woman tresspassing on her domain.

Pele loosed the greatest flows the Island of Hawaii had ever seen. One of the flows from Mauna Kea which went to the sea formed the penninsula of Laupahohoe (leaf of lava).

     So great were the fires, the snow Maidens led by Poliahu, retreated to the top of Mauna Kea and remained there for a long time. Poliahu called the clouds to come and protect her. So they gathered about Mauna Kea and hid her and her maidens. The clouds dropped snow on many of the fire fountains and successfully extinguished them.

     Lava choked many of the flowing burning rivers.

     Poliahu returned to the battle years later. She has kept the valleys about the foot of Mauna Loa green and fertile.

MAKES TRUCE
     Pele has often risen to do battle with Poliahu. She particularly loves to renew the fight from the summit of Mauna Loa. From there she can send streams of Lava which flow to the sea. 

     Finally Pele made a truce with Poliahu. She agreed to confine her domain to the south of the Island of Hawaii and leave the north Poliahu.

     Some say that it is this agreement which keeps Pele from sending one of her flows to Hilo.

     Another legend says that Hilo is protected by an agreement which Pele made with Namaka, Queen of the seas. Hilo will always be protected from Pele but she suffers when Namaka sends a tidal wave into Hilo Bay.

NEXT: Pele's Dress