Richard Armstrong’s description of Waialua in 1841.
Cover Image: Masthead of Ka Nonanona published on September 14, 1841. (Digitized from microfilm.)
Aloha Nūhou Monday!
Dear Reader,
Descriptions of places at a specific time give us clues into changes of the area through time. Many of these descriptions can be found in the newspapers. Here for instance is Richard Armstrong talking about what he saw in Waialua on September 9, 1841.
Image: “Waialua,” Ka Nonanona, September 14, 1841, p. 3. (Digitized from microfilm.)
WAIALUA.
I was at Waialua today (Sep. 9), and returned home. I went around the area of the farm land, however I did not survey it at this time. The school is fine; there are 16 students, and they are agreeable with the work as well as with the schooling. They farm with oxen as well as with ʻōʻō; they weed the sugarcane, plant corn, plant beans, watch over the calves in the pasture, irrigate, do housework, and other jobs, so that they are doubly prepared in enlightened endeavors and knowledge. I saw the corn, it is excellent, so too are the beans. I looked out at the land, and I thought of the land that is farmed in America; they are nearly the same; and aloha welled up in me for my land.
The stone for the foundation of the new church at Waialua was laid; its dimensions are: 87 feet in length; 48 feet in width. The completion of the building will perhaps be quick, because the wood and mortar lay in heaps, and soon so will the stone. However, it is dependent upon the strength and the patience of the church members who put in the work. O Brethren of Waialua, be patient, do not be hesitant, and wavering, and lazy, but be courageous; and your church will be completed in no time.
The congregation on Sundays at Waialua has increased a bit now; the great carelessness there has been staved off, and some again have hope in the word of God.
It is said that there is much carelessness amongst the brethren at ʻEwa. So too here in Honolulu, the church is filled on Sunday, but the hearts of the brethren are not filled with the spirit of God. There is much sleeping, leisure, and actual lack of belief. Alas for us all; we dwell carelessly in Zion! Let us rise once again, trim the lamps, and be vigilant, lest the bridegroom soon arrives and we are left perturbed.
Limaikaika.
Image: Aerial view of Waialua; ca. 1925. Waialua, Oʻahu. Bishop Museum Archives. SP 115919
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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.
