Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-02-25
HAWAn's OLDEST WOMAN,
KepoOIeIe Aqua Recently Died at the
Age of 121.


Age of 127.
Honolulu Correspondence st. Louis Globe Democrat
There died here few days ago a woman
of the age of 127 Years. The figures have
been verified by Professor Alexander the
historian; A. T. Atkinson, superintendent
of census, and Mrs. E. NJ. Nakuina, a Ha-
waiian lady of high cultivation, both in
English and her own language. The fol-
lowing account of a visit to the old woman
three years ago was prepared by Mrs. Ma
kuina, and is vised by Professor Alexander:
ION entering the house we found her sit
ting on the floor. She was attended by two
wctnen, one of whom was the wife CT
grandson. She was very deaf and could not
see clearly, though when / presented a dol
lar for her she held out her hand for it and
placed 1t in her pocket. This was at the
close of the interview, but l mention ii now
to show what the old lady's faculties were.
professor Alexander, after some pre-
Hminary remarks, in order not 20 alarm the
old lady, suggested number of historical
questions, which were put by myself. From
these We learned that she well remembered
the abolition of idolatry and the war in
that connection. She stated that she was a
married woman and an attendant of Kapio-
Iani when that queen descended into the
crater of the Kilauea volcano and iroke the
tabu against women being in that locality
The old lady said that in consequence of
this momentous event her own name was
changed by her people from Kepoolele to
Aqua.
1.-The old lady said that she rem embered
keoua being killed al Kawaihae This oc-
Cured in 1T91 and is described in Alexan-
der's History of the Hawaiian People
Becoming interested in the subje3t of
old events, the aged woman volunteered
the information that she remembered the
digging of the well in kau by Kamehame-
ha ], and that she was child at the time,
running about like a child of six or seVnp
This event occurred in 1881, and is de-
Soribed in Fornander's History
Il followed up another method Of investi-
cation, inquiring how many children she
had, tracing their descendants. This was
enabled to do to the fifth generation Al
lowing the ordinary thirty years for gen.
Grafton would give 100 years, and we can
easily allow for the fifth enough to bring
her out at the age she claims by an entirely
different method. We were satisfied that
the old lady had spoken the truth
What curious link with the past she is
She must have been little toddling child
when Capt. Cook came to the islands. She
saw the monarchy of Hawaii consolida ted
ment to the past"
The following may be accepted as TIL, his
tory of Kepoolele Aqua:
She was born at keahialaka Puma Ha-
wall and was about six years old in 1871.
The name Kepoolele was that of a high
chief of the time. This chief (aliD was ac-
cused of causing deaths by sorcary and pc
tition was made to the king to have his
head cut off, as he was considered an ex-
tremely dangerous person. Hence the name
Kepoolele Ghe discovered head. The name
Aqua means You will be eaten up" which
was the almost universal threat or prophecy
when kapiolani placed the women of Ha-
wall on a level with men by visiting the
sacred precincts of Pele, the fire goddess.
At the time this old woman received this
second name she was full grown.