The Hawaiian gazette., 1914-10-20
OLD HOMESTEAD IS
. RICH IN ROMANCE
Appeal BY y. w. c. A. For Funds
TO Perpetuate Famous Bbdd-
ing Deserves Response

The Castle homestead In Kawaiahao,
for several years occupied by the Y.
W. G. A. as a home, has a history Of
local interest. The house was built
about 1882 BY Rev. +. W. Clark, who
occnpied II with his family tin they
moved 10 I4ahainaluna, on Maui. 1t
was then occupied by Rev. NJ. Tinker
tin about 1870, when s. N. Castle, with
his wife and child, moved in and it
continued the Castle home tin Mis-.
Castle removed to Mahoa, IN 1889,
whereupon Il became the Castle Hone
for Children and continued a. such TIL
February, 1908, when that institution
was removed to Puuhopua, Mrs. Castle 3
home In Manoa,, and in few weeks
the Young Womanis Christian Associa-
ton occupied the premises.
Many Additions Made ~
The original house consisted Of two
stored Il y built Of coral blocks with
a slate roof A cellaf vas dug and hay
mauka and makai under that part OF
the IL, lying that way. The addi-
tions 10 the house have been so numer.
Gus that 1t is hard TO recognize the
original building An adobe one.story
room was added TO the east side in the
forties and in that room all Of the sec
ond generation Of Castles were born,
excepting Mrs. Mary Hitchcock Of Hilo
whose birth was during the residence
Of the Castles, after their arrival In
| 1887. In the Ckamberlaih house. the old
coral stone building now standing In
the yard az the south corner Of King
street and Kawaiahao lane. Ten chill
dren were born to the Castles In the
old stone house, of whom ak are sur
viving, all residents Of Hawaii except
ing Helen, the wife Of Professor Mead
Of the Chicago University.
House Sees Important Events
The old house has silently witnessed
many important historical events, such
as the attempts of Great Britain in
1S43 and Of France in 1910 10 seize and
possess the country. The terrible cpl
demic Of measles which Is said to have
carried on a tenth Of the population
Of the country, invaded its precincts
but fortunately without fatal results.
So with the smallpox Of 1884, which
fortunately was almost absolutely con.
fined TO Oahu and was nearly as fatal
The house has passed through the reigns
Of four Kanehamehas,s including Luna
lilo, who was called 1.-THE last Of the
Kamehamehas, and KaIakaua and Iii
liuokalani. II saw the revolution of
IlS93, the establishment of the Republic
Of Hawaii and thu settlement of the
national status by annexation TO the
United States in August, 1898.
Hospitality Always Abundant
The house has always well deserved
reputation for Hospitality. II was ne
eessary in the early days when hotels
were few and poor, and II was neces-
sary because the host and hostess were
! possessed of the spirit Of unbounded
hospitality and loved to entertain
strangers. To officers Of the Wilkes ex-
ploring expedition in lS42 II became
home ashore and Il has also housed
notable men and women Of the. nations,
| poets and writer's, preachers, teachers,
and many othersl nearly all of whom
have passed beyond. But Its hospital
| ity was not confined 70 the n0tables:
known to fame, have enjoyed its free
dom, and remember the simple life and
cordiallty Of its hosts with ever in
creasing pleasure.
Building Should Re Repsired
This brief history has been written
to interest folk in this building so be
loved by many in the city. The build.
ing is much In need Of repair and the
association Of the Y. w. Q. A. is try
ing TO raise money with which to place
II In good condition. October - a
delieatessen sale will be held at nine
O'Clock In the Progress block, corner
Of Fort and Beretania streets The pro
ceeds will be used 70 repair The Home
stead. T5