The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1896-10-13
AN HISTORICAL CANVAS
LIZ BRETON'S CONCEPTION OF
BATTLE OF NUUANU.
Large Painting Now on Exhibition
Army of Kamehameha-AleN
History Gave the Theme.


In the window of the Pacific Hard
ware Company was displayed this
morning the large historical painting
by Lee Breten of the battle of Nuuanu,
the downfall of kaiana and the con-
quest of Oahu. the last of the eight
islands to that time not under the rule
of Kamehameha. The painting is very
large and shows the whole battle
ground. OF the painting Mr.. lie Bret
en- wrote at the time it was executed,
as follows:
alexander, in his history of IIa-
waii, says: 'Kamehameha at this time
was siNty-two years of age. Kameha-
meha saw that the time had now come
to conquer the leeward islands. He
ordered levy of all the fighting men
and war canoes of Hawaii. He had
sixteen foreigners in his service, of
whom, Young, Davis and one Peter An
derson had charge of his canoes Of
late years there had been growing
jealousy and suspicion between the
four old Kona chiefs and the turbu-
lent Kaiana. As he was not invited to
council of war held at Kaunakallai
he concluded that his ruin or death
had been determined upon. Accord
ingly, during the voyage to Oahu he
and his brother, Nahiolea. separated
| from the main fleet with their follow
ers and landed at Koolau. whence they
crossed to Nuuanu and joined Kalani-
| kapuke. Kamehaueha marched up
! Nuuanu where Kalanikapule had
1 posted his forces. The Oahu troops
made a brave resistance until Kaiana
was killed by cannon ball. when they
gave way. They were closely pursued
up the valley, some escaping up the
ridges ON either side. while others
were hemmed in and driven over Nuu-
anu Pail. Kalanikapule for several
months wandered in the Koolau noun
tains. until ne was captured above
Waipio brought down and offered in
sacrifice to the conquerors war god at
Moanalua. April 11o5.'
"This is the subject ! worked on
With it too he has left description
of the picture, which indicates clear
~ the principal figures in it and the
relative positions of the various
forces. This is in the artists own
handwriting and is as follows;
"THE DEATH OF KATANA IN NUU.
ANU 1795..
In the center stands Kamehameha
and the Kona chiefs Kaana the high
chief lies on the rank grasses, his heaC
resting upon his wife's breast, who
has followed him in battle. At hel
side kneeIs Kamehameha's queen, Ka
humauhu. who defends Kaian;
against the charges of desertion anC
treachery.
, "The dead belong to Kalaniliupulet
army. The wounded white man is on,
of the sixteen foreigners in Kameha
, meha's services.
"John Young. cutlass in hand
stands in the center of the group urg
ing his fellows to renewed action am
victory. while Kamehameha's nativ
troops arriving, some crossing a noun
tain running stream in the attemp
to capture the Oahu king and chief
as they stand rallying their fleeing
forces.
LIE BRETEN."
lie Breten is a French artist an
writer, who has been on n visit to tn
> Islands during the present summer
He was stopping with Mr. F. Holme
at Lahaina when the work was don,
In a private letter to a friend here h
= apologies for the ohia trees in tn
? background, which, he says, are ne,
: essary. however, to clearly set off tn
: distances. Crowds of natives hay
f viewed the picture during the day.
JAPANESE NAVY.