Halewai? Walakahausi? Walakahauki? Who?
Cover Image: Masthead of Ka Nupepa Kuokoa published on October 19, 1872.
Aloha Nūhou Monday!
When foreigners came to Hawaiʻi, many times they found themselves being called by alternate names. It is important to know these names if you are doing research on these people.
The following three articles from the Hawaiian language newspapers all speak of the same person, but call him by different names. Can you figure out who he is? Find the answer below.
Image: “E Nana mai i Keia!,” Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, May 4, 1872.
Look at This!
O People Passionate about Clothes!
KEONI T. HALEWAI.
Established 1851.
It is there you should go to purchase clothes that are reasonable
Very Economical! Very Economical!
When you read this come at once.
To see the prices of his clothes, all of the latest fashion.
Leg of ham and groceries.
Iron furnishings and sharp tools.
Saddles and bridles.
Paint, Oil, and Hats.
Fine Salmon from Columbia.
Musical Instruments.
Carpenter’s supplies
and all things wanted by men, women, and children can be found at the Shop of
KEONI T. HALEWAI.
(Kuokoa, 5/4/1872, p. 2)
Image: “Ua hoohuiia ma ke ahiahi…,” Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, October 19, 1872, p. 2.
Local News
Oʻahu.
Joined together this past Thursday evening at the residence of J. T. Walakahausi Esq. of this town was the Hon. W. H. Rice of Līhuʻe, Kauaʻi and Miss Mere Walakahausi, the daughter of the wealthy one whose name is above.
(Kuokoa, 10/19/1872, p 2)
Image: “Ua hala aku nei…,” Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, October 15, 1892, p. 3.
The Hon. C. R. Bishop has left on the steamer Australia of this past Wednesday for San Francisco. And also on board for the journey was J. T. Walakahauki makua and Hanale Walakahauki.
(Kuokoa, 10/15/1892, p. 3)
Keoni is the Hawaiian equivalent of John. Halewai is a direct translation. Hale being house and wai, water. Therefore, the name of the proprietor in the advertisement is John T. Waterhouse. In the second article, he is called J. T. Walakahausi. The name is based off of the pronunciation. In the third article there is a slight difference in the spelling and he is J. T. Walakahauki, with “makua” following his name meaning “Sr.” Nowhere in these three articles will you find the name Waterhouse. If you simply search for “Waterhouse” in the Hawaiian language newspapers, you would miss much.
Image: Portrait of John Thomas Waterhouse, in carte de visite format. Photo by W. F. Kilborn (Cedar Rapids, Iowa), Bishop Museum Archives. SP 210554.
Image sharing on social media is welcome. For all other uses please contact Archives@BishopMuseum.org
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.
