Death of Moses Kuaaea1 Nakuina—115 Years Ago.
Cover Image: Masthead of Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, printed on August 11, 1911. (Digitized from microfilm.)
Aloha Nūpepa Monday!
You might know Moses Nakuina (7/12/1867–8/3/1911) as a civil servant, or as a politician, or as a member of the clergy, but he was also a collector and teller of stories. All this in a lifetime of 44 years.
Image: “O Moses Kuaaea Nakuina Ua Hala,” Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, August 11, 19111, p. 4. (Digitized from microfilm.)
MOSES KUAAEA NAKUINA HAS PASSED.
It is a something normal, and we are all familiar with the deaths of our intimates and our friends, but as for the death of someone who participates in efforts to do the righteous works of Christianity in this Territory, his death becomes something that is regretful and something spoken much about, like Moses Kuaaea Nakuina.
The Kuokoa has spoken of the many acts of assistance by Mother Rice2 of Kauaʻi during the days of her life; so too with H. P. Baldwin3 and his widespread assistance to the churches of Hawaiʻi as well as to education offices and those for progress in the land, and furthermore, here is this Hawaiian dedicating part of his life to efforts to pull lost and delinquent souls back to the bosom of the loving Father, from He who comes strength and life.
A part of Moses Kuaaea Nakuina’s life was spent performing jobs that benefited the body; he worked in government offices. However, during the latter days of his life, he took part in the occupation of a fisher of men, and it was by this work that his strength was seen until he rest in peace.
Do recall that the people of old of Hawaiʻi became famous because of their deeds, and good outcomes came about due to their efforts. There are traders and people of great wealth who became famous ones because of how they put their wealth to use, like those who passed on prior to Moses Nakuina. However Nakuina lacked wealth and money; he lacked prestige; all he had was the strength that God gave him, and the power to convert people, from the big folk to the small folk. And today, there exists in Hawaiʻi’s churches, Christian Endeavor Associations, memorials to him in this world.
In this way, he is recognized as a famous man, being that for endeavors that money and wealth could not accomplish, they could be established through the tireless efforts of Moses Nakuina. And with the passing of people of this nature, gained is a fine example for those he lead to pattern their lives after, to bless him, and to grieve after him.
Image: Christian Endeavor representatives at St. Paul. Left to right: Judge A. S. Mahaulu, Moses Nakuina, Peter N. Kahokuoluna, and Judge William Werner. Bishop Museum Archives, SP 37501
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Nakuina published two stories. “Moolelo Hawaii o Pakaa ame Ku-a-Pakaa” and “Moolelo Hawaii no Kalapana.” He saw the value in publishing kaʻao as books for in his preface to “Pakaa ame Ku-a-Pakaa,” he states:
Image: Excerpt from “E Aloha Auanei!” from “Moolelo Hawaii o Pakaa ame Ku-a-Pakaa,” April 1902.
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Some years ago, as a result of searching for very old Hawaiian stories by asking of the oldsters, I saw their value should they be published in books as educational material for the Hawaiians of this age. So I collected, gathered, selected, and edited the story of Pākaʻa and Kūapākaʻa his son, and that is the first story that I am introducing to you all. And if it is taken up with enthusiasm, then I will publish some other stories.
This story has many mana (versions), and I collected all the different mana that I found, and selected, and edited with great care, and wrote in the true Hawaiian language of the old age.
Some people say that this is simply a kaʻao, and that it has no value. They are mistaken, for this story is very important. First, it has been written in the true Hawaiian language of the old days. Second, the mele, the paha (impromptu chants), and the kau (sacred chants) that have disappeared, and will disappear, they will never be found again should they not be published in books. Third, the wind names of the different islands of the Hawaiian Archipelago, or Teritory of Hawaiʻi now days. Fourth, the thing more important that the other three stated earlier, that is the true aloha Hawaiians had for their Aliʻi in times past all the way until these days.
Therefore, O People who have true aloha for their Aliʻi, People who have true aloha for their Lāhui, Hawaiʻi of Keawe’s people, Maui of Kama’s people, Oʻahu of Kākuhihewa’s people, and Kauaʻi of Mano’s people, here are Pākaʻa and Kūapākaʻa looking for you. Recognize them should they peer in your door; call out to them and welcome them to your homes.
MOSES K. NAKUINA
Writer.
Honolulu, April 1902.
Image: First page of Nakuina’s “Moolelo Hawaii o Pakaa ame Ku-a-Pakaa.”
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Two years later, in the June 18, 1904 issue of Ke Aloha Aina, Moses Nakuina’s version of the Pākaʻa and Kūapākaʻa story begins, with a note: Because of the kind permission of our friend, Mrs. K. Nakuina, we republish the “Moolelo o Pakaa a me Kua-Pakaa”…
1Also seen as Moses Kuaea Nakuina, Moke Nakuina, Mose Nakuina M. Nakuina, and also as “Kuku.”
2Mary Sophia Hyde Rice (10/11/1816–5/25/1911)
3Henry Perrine Baldwin (8/29/1842–7/8/1911) …
This post is part of He Aupuni Palapala: Preserving and Digitizing the Hawaiian Language Newspapers, a partnership between Bishop Museum and Awaiaulu with assistance from Kamehameha Schools. Mahalo nui loa to Hawaii Tourism Authority for their support. Learn more about this project here.
