The Hawaiian gazette., 1906-04-06
TO REWARD
LIFE SAVER

Maui who lately saved the lives OF
several Japanese fishermen at the risk
of his own. The steps to this end
have been taken by Acting Governor
Atkinson, and the letters directing
that this be done have gone forward
to Maui, as will be seen by the cor
respondence printed herewith. The
Acting Governor, indeed, has been
anxious, ever since he heard of the
herosm of this man. to signify in
some appropriate manner the senti-
ment of the community of Hawaii
with regard to the dauntless action.
II will be remembered that during
the great storm that ragged along the
Maui coast on March one of the
Japanese fishing fleet was caught out
side the harbor of Lahaina, and then
turned turtle by the big waves, nine
of her crew being thrown into the
sea. Five of these were cast on shore.
but the others were drifting about on
bits of wreckage and In grave danger
of drowning. 1t was ut this time that
Kekuewa, who is little more than
boy, jumped into the breakers from
the wharf and swan out to the as
sistante of the endangered men. He
brought in one, and went out a Sec
ond time, having to swim a mile and
quarter, but he succeeded in getting
second man to the shore. He then
started out for third time, but by
this time other natives had got boat
into the water and saved the third
man. The fourth Japanese was
drowned.
This was not the first time that the
boy Kekuewa had done lfe-saving SER
vice, as he performed somewhat sim
liar feat two years ago when one of
the Kinau's boats was swamped.
The saving of the lives of the Japa-
nese was appreciated by the Japanese
officials and the Japanese community.
as will be seen In this letter from the
Japanese Acting Consul to Governor
| Atkinson:
| Honolulu, T. H., March 30, 1906.
Hon. A. L. c. Atkinson, Acting Gov
! ernor, Territory of Hawaii, Homo
| lulu, T. II.
Sir: on the seventh inst, when sew
eral Japanese fishermen at Lahaina
were in danger of being drowned in
the raging storm, a brave Hawaiian,
Kekuewa by name, who is said to have
1
case, seeing various attempts to rescue
| fail, jumped into the breakers and
after daring struggle with the waves
saved the drowning men. indeed two
men. With much pleasure and high
appreciation, l hear this event OF no
BILE and self-sacrificing heroism. At
the same time, / take special interest
in this case. as showing friendliness
/ -. n
ferent races resident here.
After communication with the Japa-
nese community here. l wish to ex-
press my high appreciation of the &C
ton, referred to, and take the liberty
to ask you to convey my thanks to
the brave Hawaiian through the prop
err channel. Very respectfully yours.
(Signed) X. MATSUBARA,
Acting Consul for Japan.
To this letter Acting Governor At
kinson replied as follows
March 80. 1906.
Hon. X. Matsubara, Acting Consul for
Japan, Honolulu. Oahu -
Sir: / have the honor to acknowF-
edge the receipt of your favor ff
March 30, referring to the heroic cot-
duct of a Hawaiian, Kekuewa by
name, who saved two Japanese fisher
men from drowning at Lahaina, on the
eth instant. =
/ need hardly say that 1t affords me
much pleasure to learn of your high
appreciation of this act of noble and
self sacrificing heroism, which also in
dicates, as You say, showing OF
friendliness and harmony between the
| several different races resident in Ha-
| wall.
A copy of your letter will be sent to
Hon. A. n. Kepoikai, Judge of the Cir
| cult Court of the Second District and
the highest Federal official on Maui.
who resides at Waiuku, and / will
ask him to take the opportunity of
handing IL to Kekuewa in some public
manner
| copy of my letter to Mr.. Kepoi-
kai is enclosed for your information.
| / have the honor to be, sir, your
| obedient servant,
(Signed) A. L. c. ATKINSON,
Acting Governor of Hawaii.
The letter to the Acting Japanese
Consul, with the reply, was forwarded
in the last mail to Maui. with the
| follOWlnB letter from tne AVtilS boN-
ernor to Judge A. n. Kepoikai OF the
Second Judicial Circuit:
March 80, 1906.
Hon. A. N Kepoikai, Judge, Second
judicial Circuit, Waikiki. Maui
Sir: / have the honor to enclose a
letter received today from Mr.. X.
Matsubara. Acting Consul for ia
pan, together with copy of my reply
thereto. These are sent TO you as the
highest Federal official on the island
OF Maui and l would ask you. in such
capacity. to hand this correspondence
TO MIR. Kekuewa in some public man
ner. assuring him of my hearty en-
dorsement OF the remarks made by
Mr.. Matsubara, and OF my apprecia-
| ton OF his act OF bravery, which is a
credit 10 the Hawaiian race and an
example to all OF our citizens II -
such deeds that tend to cement he
friendly relations existing between ma
| lions,
have the honor to be, sir. your
obedent servant
(sgned) A. l., G. ATKINSON.