Inoa Kapakapa, Pen Names.
Cover Image: Masthead of Ka Nupepa Kuokoa published on October 4, 1907.
Aloha Nūhou Monday!
While we do not limit our celebration of ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi to the month of February, we will not let go of this opportunity to say, “E ola mau ka ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi!”
Pen names are used in many situations as seen in the newspapers. It is the Figgs1 who is credited for mele like, “Ka Hanu o Evalina.” It is the Hualalai2 who translated over fifty hymns in the hymnal “Ka Leo Hoonani.” It is also the Hawaii3 who not only composed hymns, but also translated Poe’s “The Raven.” However, today’s post looks specifically at inoa kapakapa (pen names) of nane practitioners, that is those who compose riddles and solve them.
1King David Kalākaua is famous for using Figgs as a pen name.
2Ella Paris used Hualalai as her pen name when translating hymns in the hymnal “Ka Leo Hoonani.”
3Rev. Lorenzo Lyons often used Hawaii as his pen name.
Image: In a death announcement for Mrs. Kahaleki Hao (9/17/1833–4/17/1922), her husband John H. Hao reveals that Kahaleki published nane among the men, and she offered as her prize a train ticket which was won by J. W. K. Kakelamaluikaleo. The two subsequently met on 2/8/1914. Her inoa kapakapa was “Home Lauiwaiwa.”
(“Kuu Lei Daimana Ua Hala, O Mrs. Kahaleki Hao,” Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, April 28, 1922, p. 3)
Image: On the left is Mr. Enoka Kapoohiwi who is known as Palolo Boy. He solved the bird nane submitted by the man on the right, Joel K. Apuakehau, who is known as Kahuku Boy. The nane ran in the Kuokoa for a year unsolved. This photo of the two of them was taken at the request of Kapoohiwi.
(“Haawiia ka Makana no ka Nane Manu a Kahuku Boy,” Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, July 23, 1925, p. 2)
Image: P. K. Hipa placed a nane in the Kuokoa of 8/30/1907 which appeared under his pen name P. K. H. Aekai o Moanalua. The prize was a New Testament of the Bible. It was not solved for weeks until John K. Waihoikaea answered correctly. He is known as J. K. W. Makanikeoe. Here we see J. P. Hipa giving John K. Waihoikaea his prize. Both names were written in the book which would be an heirloom to be passed down through the descendants of Waihoikaea. [Does anyone know if this still is in the family?]
(“No ke Kii o J. P. Hipa ame John K. Waihoikaea,” Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, October 11, 1907, p. 4)
Image: Mrs. George Kawai, known as Ke Kilokilo Wahine o Kaladea [the Enchantress of Chaldea]. She was the first woman among the many nane solver to carry away such a great prize. The prize being this photo of herself.
(“Ke Kilokilo Wahine o Kaladea,” Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, December 18, 1908, p. 5)
Image: Sometimes the inoa kapakapa is all that you will find. Here, is one of the rare occasions where there is also a photo. Kahanu o Paineki was the composer of the nane solved by Ke Kilokilo Wahine o Kaladea. [He looks familiar. Does anyone know who this is?]
(“Ka Mea Nana ka Makana,” Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, December 18, 1908, p. 5)
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.
