The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1895-11-12


Brewer d 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 differ
eDt name, and il result of the growth
through the changes of time and cir
cumstances rather than OF any one
definite act. II an exact date and q
single act are to be assigned, it 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 be founded his own Independent
house in Honolulu. He stated 1866
that be 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
returned home, leaving the business
in charge of Henry A. Pierce, who
had been q 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
lSl7-lS, money is scarcely mentioned.
SAT one time, said Mr.. Hunnewell-it
was in 1918, 1--WE were the only traders
on shore at Honolulu that had any
goods to cell. All our cash sales
amounted TO $104, and this was from
An English captain and officers" If
the present writer's memory is right,
he has beard that this was large
part of tue coin then in Honolulu.
B, 1920, sales were, on the other
hand, almost wholly for cash. Amer
lean goods of nearly all sorts were re-
eeived and disposed OF on consignment,
and ibis business was, for forty years,
a large one in the transactions Of the
house. To it, in time, vessels We're
consigned. Whalers, scarcely men,
toned in 1918, ale frequently noted in
1870
Before 1919, operations were under
the old native Institutions, and, in a
measure of course, affected by them.
In that year idolatry was abolished by
native action, AMI Dew order Of
things began. Christian institutions
were established, and the ussges of
civilization were, 10y degrees, adopted.
Churches and schools were soon -four
ishIDg, the language became a 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 Kaauimoku struck off the
first impression Mr.. LOOMS, the
printer, tn. second; aud James Hun
newell, the third. The old house had
3 hand in starting this engine of civ
ilization 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 constantly had friends
and helpers amoug men iu the house.
Genera aud unjust charges, 1t 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 "a the history of this
house from first to last demonstrates.
Mr.. Hunnewell 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 aud member
ship of the house have been rather
numerous, aud may bow be told.
About as many, II 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 HunneWelL, who, beginning
in 1917, had founded the house in 1926,
transferred the business on his return
home in November, 1880.
Henry A. Pierce then carried it on
in bis own name until 1884, when he
formed a partnership with Thomas
Hinckley, in style:
Pierce and Hinckley. firm last
ing about year, when i'll health
obliged Mr.. Hinckley to retire. He
left the islands aud died before he
reached home. Mr.. Hunnewe.l, from
whose papers these PARTICULARS are
taken, seems to have had full confid
eDce in him.
Captain Charles Brewer, who in the
course of voyages had become &C.
quainted with the Pacific, first arriv-
ed in Honolulu during the latter part
OF 1923, and settled there u dozen
years after. He knew Mr. Pierce,
and with him formed the firm Of
Pierce and Brewer, a firm lasting