The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1905-02-03
Birthday Of Peoples
King" Observed
Yesterday.

Vt TOHl w AuNeTtlSeT.D
Yesterday was the seventy-third an
niversary of the birth of King Luna
lilo and the occasion was appropriate
ly celebrated by a luau at the Luna
lilo Home. Besides the inmates large
numbers of guests visited the home in
the afternoon, many of them being
tourists who beheld a luau for the
first time. All afternoon crowds of
visitors strolled through the grounds
which form a park little appreciated
by Honolulu people. The wonderful
collection of native and imported trees
was much admired. The home itself
was beautifully decorated. every room
being festooned with long leis. The
portrait of King Lunalilo, which hangs
In the entrance hall, was garlanded
with flowers and was surmounted by
a Hawaiian flag. Another interesting
thing was Lunalilo's certificate of
election as king which hung on the
wall. This was decorated with flowers
The guests We're received in the hall
and were shown over the building.
Many people came early in order to
see the roast pigs taken out of the
ground but most of them were dis
appointed. Last year a crowd of over
a hundred people gathered around the
oven but this year the Hawaiians who
had the cooking in charge stole q
march on the guests and took the pigs
out before the advertised time. They
seemed to think 1t great joke and
laughed heartily at the discontinue of
a crowd of people who came early to
peek behind the scenes
Punch and cakes were served in the
parlors to all the guests but the chief
interest was centered in the big din
ing room where the inmates of the
home sat down to their luau. The long
tables were covered with II leaves and
upon them was everything in the eat
ing line that delights the heart of a
true Hawaiian. Two big roast pigs
and one small one were required to
satisfy the throng. Great bowls of poi
and abundance of other good things
loaded the tables. Every window
were lined with guests anxious to OBJ
serve the Hawaiian method of eat
ing. After grace had been said
they We're given an ample opportunity
During most of the afternoon an
aged and blind Hawaiian sang an oil
to the memory of Lunalilo. He re-
counted the achievements of the Ka-
mehameha dynasty from the Con
queror" to Lunalilo nd then told of
the deeds and virtues of Lunalilo him
self. a large crowd of people listened
spellbound to the aged singer and gave
him enthusiastic applause at every
pause in the song. During the luau
and afterwards the Hawaiian Govern
nent Band gave a concert which was
much appreciated by both the people
Of the home and the guests. The Ha-
waiian songs by Mrs. Alapai and the
duet, Uncle Sammy by Mrs. Ala
pal and Mr.. Ellis were loudly APP
plauded.
A separate feast was set out for
hose Of the inmates who were unable
'n account of sickness to sit at the
'egular tables. They had their luau
IN the lanai of the hospital ward.
Happily there We're put few who could
lot go to the table and but one who
lad to partake of his luau In bed One
II the men played several selections
N a nose flute" much to the delight
II the audience. After the luau new
'Se''a'6 AOi tht NoihliB year WAS
lished to the inmates according to the
Usual custom.
STORY OF THE HOME.
King William C. Lunalilo, although
lie reigned but year and twenty-five
lays, probably did more of lasting
enefit to his people than any other of
he Hawaiian sovereigns. His CHER
monument is the Lunalilo Home for
Aged Hawaiians which was founded
" him and is still maintained by his
state. In his will he directed that
fter the death OF his father, to whom
lie left life interest in his estate, his
ntire property should be devoted to
he care of poor and aged Hawaiians.
according to the terms of his tesla
nent his estate was to be sold until
he sum of twenty-five thousand dol
airs was realized, and this was to be
invested in the erection of a building
II buildings on the island of Oahu. of
ron, stone or brick, or other fire-proof
for the use and accommoda-
ion OF poor, destitute and infirm peo-