THIRD EDITION CAPTAIN COOK

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17228, 7 April 1930, Page 11

THIRD EDITION CAPTAIN COOK

CELEBRATIONS IN HAWAII MEMORIAL TABLET UNVEILED Echoes of the Captain Cook sesquiccntennial celefivatiori iii Hawaii in 1928, when the 150tH anniversary of the discovery of the islands by the great British navigator was observed, were heard in Honolulu in February, when a memorial tablet tot Captain Cook ‘ was unveiled. The tablet was presented to the territory by Theodore Hitman, artist, of Boston, U.S.A., at the time of the cellbHtlidn, blit the commission in chai’ge of tHe celebration delayed its placing and unveiling until the present time.

Behind the presentation of the tablet is a story dating back 150 years, and acting as a link to bind persons now in England, Boston and Hawaii. One of the most trusted chiefs of Hawaii at the time of Ramohamehu the Great, the man who united the Hawaiian Islands under one rule, was the lligh Chief Hoolillu, who, upon Kamohaineha’s death in 1819, was chosen for the important task of secreting the bones of the great chieitain. Hawaiian cugtom provided that the bones of a were bidden in an almost inaccessible place, and the selection of iioolulu was an indication not only of his ability to climb the almost perpendicular cliffs to the burial caves, but also of his integrity, for he was trusted never to reveal the secret oi where tlie Bones were placed. Hoolulu’s beautiful and charming daughter, Kinoolo, who was ol exalted rank, as she inherited chiefly honors from her mother, as well as from her father, fell in love with one of the fewwhite men in the islands, Benjamin Pitman, a merchant from Boston. Two children were born before the yonng chieftainess’' death, and the father returned with them to his American home. One of these children, who was not to see his native land for more than half a century, when he returned for a short visit, became the father of Theodore Pitman, the artist. DUAL RECOGNITION. Because Hoolulu had been reputed to have been on friendly terms with the early visitors to Hawaii, arid because his father tvas one of those to welcome Captain Cook on his arrival, Pitman conceived the idea of making the Cook tablet as a dual recognition of the British navigator and of his own chiefly ancestors Of the far away land. Hawaiian descendants of Hoolulu were present at the dedication exercises, and the British Government was represented by the consul, Mr. G. R. Phipps, and the vice-consul. Following the unveiling chanters of the old monarchy sang Hawaiian geneological moles of the descendants of Hoolulu, and flower leis, or garlands, were placed on the rock in which the tablet is embedded. A lei of roses was the offering of the British consul. Interest also attaches to a guard stonn placed in front of the tablet, for it .is said to be the ancient rock mentioned in classic legend of pre-historic Hawaii during the reign of King Liloa over the island of Hawaii. The rock, according to the tale, w-as a “forbidden -'threshold” in front of Liloa's abode. •Although it was believed to mean death gif anjtoM talked across it, it was passed by ari rMkncnfrn young' man, wht> then revealed himself as Umi, Liloa s long lost son. The rock was brought, to Honolulu about 50 years ago by King Kalakaua, and stood at his home until after his death, when it was moyed to the home of Prince Kuhio Kalananaqlo. Princess Kalanianaolo, now Mrs J. Frank Woods, presented ft to the territory for placement in front of the Captain Cook stone.