The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1895-11-11

James F. Hunnewell OF Charles
town. Mass, gives the following
interesting sketch OF the house OF
Brewer ii Co. for publication in
Thrum's Annual for 1896:
The existing house OF G.. Brewer *
Co., Ltd, like many state or nation,
began at distant date under a differ
ent name, and il a result Of the growth
through the changes of time and cir
cumstances rather than OF any one
definite act. III an exact date and a
single act are To- be assigned, il was on
Monday, December Sth, 1917, when
James Hunnewell, officer Of the brig
Bordeaux Packet, agreed with Andrew
Blanchard, master, TO remain at
HonOlulu-where they then were
after the sale Of the vessel, and dis
pose OF the balance OF her cargo and
invest and forward the proceeds. This
was the beginning OF the long business
career of Mr.. Hunnewell connected
with the islands, and his first act in
settling there.
After two visits at home, in Charles
town and Boston, Mass, and after
acting as agent at the Islands for sun
dry parties, he, also acting for others,
Bryant and Sturgis among them, in
1926 he founded mis- own independent
house in Honolulu. He stated 1S6eJ
that he in 1926 bought the premises
still, when he wrote, occupied by G..
Brewer * Co. In 1880 he added some
land. In November, 1880, having
spent most of the time for fourteen
years abroad, he, as he was desired,
returned home, leaving the business
in charge of Henry a. Pierce, who
had been a clerk with him.
At first business was generally in
small transactions and by barter
SandalwOOd was the chief native pro-
duct of value in commerce, and in
deed, il almost made the currency of
the country. In the dealings through
1Sl7-lS, money is scarcely mentioned.
"Atone time, " said Mr.. Hunnewell-it
was in 1878, 1--WE were the only traders
on shore at Honolulu that had any
goods TO sell. All our cash sales
amounted to $104, and this was from
an English captain aud officers" If
the present writer's memory is right,
he has heard that this was a large
part of the coin then in Honolulu.
By 1920, sales Were, on the other
hand, almost wholly for cash. Amer
lean goods of nearly all sorts were re-
ceived and disposed OF on consignment,
and this business was, for forty years,
a large one in the transactions of the
house. To il, in time, vessels were
consigned. Whalers, scarcely men
toned In ISIS, are frequently noted in
1920.
Before 1919, operations were under
the old native institutions, and, in
measure of course, affected by them. |
In that year idOlatry was abolished by |
native action, aud n new order of /
things began. Christian institutions |
were established, and the usages of /
utilization were, by degrees, adopted. /
Churches and schools were soon flour
ishing, the language became n written .
one, and, on January 9TH, 1922, the
printing press issued its first page.
This act, an important one in any
country, was in the presence of many
persons, Hawaiian and American.
Governor kalanimoku struck off the
first impression; Mr.. Loomis, the
printer, the second; and James Hun
newell, the third. The old house had
a hand in starting this engine of civ
1lization in Hawaii, among others not
here mentioned.
a nation was transformed. Bust
ness, commenced under difficulties in
the days of smaller things, was en-
larged; it grew, indeed, with the ma
ton that has cons family had friends
and helpers among men in the house.
General aud unjust charges, IT may
be added, have been from time to
time made against the business class
at the islands, but ample defense and
facts for due tribute in their worth
exist, especially as the history of this
house from first 10 last demonstrates.
Mr.. HuDnewell wrote an account of
its early period that fills nearly twelve
columns of the Friend for January
and March, 1867. An Hawaiian poem
on his old blue sea chest is in the
same paper for April, 1857.
Changes in the style and member
ship of the house have been rather
and may now be told.
About as many, it may be added, {
have occurred in the capital or own [
ership, which has been also success (
lively held. The firm names will be =
given in italics at the head of the [
several paragraphs of the account.
James HunneIOeU, who, beginning (
in 1917, had founded the house in 1926,
transferred the business on his return '
home in November, 1880. I
Henry Il. Pierce then carried it on
in his own name until 1884, when he 6
formed a partnership with Thomas t
in style:
Pierce and HinckLey a firm last :
ing about year, when i'll health 8
obliged Mr.. Hinckley to retire. He
eft the islands and died before he !
reached home. Mr.. Hunnewe!l, from
whose papers these particulars are e
aiken, seems to have had full confid- /
eDce in him. r
Captain Charles Brewer, who in the
course of voyages had become ac- {
Iuainted with the Pacific, first srriv- b
ID in Honolulu during the latter part J
If 1923, and settled there q dozen Il
years after. He knew Mr.. Pierce,
md with him formed the firm Of
Pierce and BreIOeT, q firm lasting