The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1906-04-05
To REWARD
LIFE SAVER
Public Thanks will Be
Given the Maui
Boy.

Public thanks are to be given TO
Kekuewa, the brave Hawaiian OF
Maui who lately saved the lives of
several japanese fishermen at the risk
of his own The steps 10 this end
have been taken by Acting Governor
Atkinson. and the letters directing
that this be done have gone forward
TO Maui. as viii be seen by the cor
respondance printed herewith The
Acting Governor, indeed, has been
anxious, ever since he heard of the
some appropriate manner the senti-
ment of the community Of Hawaii
with regard TO the dauntless action
1t viii be remembered that during
the great storm that ragged along the
Maui coast on March one OF the
japanese fishing feet 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 w1'eckage and in grave danger
OF drowning. It was at this time that
Kekuewa. who is little more than
boy. jumped into the breakers from
the wharf and swan out to the as
sistance Of the endangered men. He
brought in one, and went out q sec
ond time, having to swim a mile and
a quarter. but he succeeded in getting
a second man 10 the shore. He then
this time other natives had got a boat
into the water and saved the third
man. The fourth japanese vas
drowned
This was not the first time that the
boy Kekuewa had done Iife-saving ser
vice, as ne performed a 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 win be seen in this letter from the
japanese Acting Consul to Governor
Honolulu. t H. March 90, 1906.
Hon a. L c. Atkinson, Acting Gov
ernor. Territory of Hawaii, Homo
lulu. T. H.
Sir: On the seventh inst, when sew
eral japanese fishermen at Lahaina
were in danger of being drowned in
the "a ging storm. brave Hawaiian.
Kekuewa by name. who is said TO have
nobly rescued man in former
case. seeing various attempts TO rescue
fail jumped into the breakers and
after a daring struggle with the waves
saved the drowning men. indeed two
man. With much pleasure and high
l hear this event Of no
bic and self-sacridcing heroism. At
the same time, I take special Interest
in this case. as showing friendliness
and harmony between the several d.
ferent races resident here
After communication with the Japa-
nese community here, I wish TO ex-
press my high appreciation Of the ac-
ton referred 10, and I take the liberty
To ask you 10 convey my thanks 10
the brave Hawaiian through the prop
er channel. Very respectfully yours.
fSfgneC) 4 MATSCBARA
Acting Consul for Japan
To this letter Acting Governor At
kinson replied IS follows:
March so. 1906.
Hon. K Aatsubara. Acting Consul for
Japan. Honolulu Oahu
Sir: / have the honor 10 acknowl- !
edge the receipt of your favor Of /,
March -. referring 10 the heroic con- |
duct OF Hawaiian. kekuewa by /
name. who saved two Japanese fisher /
men from drowning at Lahaina, on the |
tn instant
I need hardly say that it affords me /
much pleasure 10 learn Of your high /
appreciatian of this act Of noble and /
self-sacrifcing heroisn, which also in