Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 8, Number 5, 1 May 1991 — Molokaʻi homesteader recalls pioneer days [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Molokaʻi homesteader recalls pioneer days

Editor's note: The identity of the Hawaiian homestead family featured on the cover of the March issue of Ka Wai Ola O OHA has been revealed. Mahalo to the 'ohana of David K. Pa, Sr., who called the Ka Wai Ola O OHA office when they recognized their family in the photograph, whieh was lent to the newspaper by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. The story is told by the oldest surviving daughter, Aliee Pa Aiwohi:

The family of David K. Pa, Sr. moved to Molokai in 1925 to take possession of their 40-acre agricultural homestead lot #40 at Hoolehua. While Pa built the home, the family lived with his aunt, Emily Maliu at Kalamaula. They moved into their new home as soon as he put up the corrugated iron for the windows and the door. It was hard work, to survive on the land at that

time, says eldest daughter Aliee Pa Aiwohi. She remembers the photo being taken when she was 14 years old while they were harvesting corn for ehieken feed. Now 79, Aiwohi moved back to Hoolehua in 1985 with her husband Edward Joseph Kawai Aiwohi, 84, onto his five-acre lot. She teaches Hawaiian language for adult education programs on Molokai and teaches fourth and fifth graders from Kaunakakai School and Kilohana School. She teaches for love, and does her work for the people. She also interprets land deeds in Hawaiian. She remembered her seven children didn't want her to move back to Moloka'i, but she was determined to get back onto the land before it was too late. She considers it a blessing to be back on the land. The Aiwohis moved onto the homestead on April 1, 1990. For a home, they bought a

shipping container found by her nephew Conrad Pa. He helped her to convert the container into a comfortable home, with windows and a door. Today she says there are over 20 containers as temporary housing for homesteaders on the island. The Aiwohis later added a bathroom and cesspool. Aunty Alice's early upbringing made her accustomed to the homestead lifestyle. Not to be stopped by the laek of a telephone or indoor plumbing, the Aiwohis at first used an outdoor toilet. They still haul water to their home and piek up phone messages at the home of a friend, where they have their appliances. She does have plans to build a small permanent home. As a child on their family farm, Aliee worked as hard as her brothers. They planted vegetables, helped raise animals, and walked to school. She was one of the first graduatesof Hoolehua School,

and says only three are now left, herself, Harriet Ah Ne and Meala Meyer (formerly Sara Maile Benjamin). She only got as far as an eight grade education, but spent the rest of her life learning on the job and has turned to teaching others in her later years. She left at age 22 for Honolulu, eager to see the world. She got another job in Honolulu and lived at the old Magoon estate from 1934-1959 until the building of the Straub Hospital on the site, at corner of Beretania St. and Ward Avenue. During the war her husband Tom Beckley, a Hawaiian Electric employee, died. She remarried John Kema in 1943 and in 1947 was hired as a cleaning women at Straub Hospital. Because of her quick intelligence and determination, Aiiee Kema became a licensed practical nurse to Dr. continued page 18

These are members of the David K. Pa, Sr. family, shown before their home at Hoolehua homestead lot #40. The photo appeared in the 1927 Hawaiian Homes Commission annual report. From left to right: David Kalauhala Pa, II (in back), David Kalauhala Pa, Sr., William Kalahiki Pa, Leslie Lani Pa, Aliee Pa (now Aiwohi), Harriet Haleaka Pa (now Amundsen), Virginia Kauanoe Pa (now Lawrence), and mother Katherine Rowan Pa. The Pa's raised 16 children, including hanai children. Surviving chi!dren today include sisters Aliee Aiwohi and Harriet Amundsen (shown at right) and brother George Kahinu.

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Pa family from page 4 Strode and was taught her duties by him. She was one of the very few Hawaiians working at Straub at the time and was determined not to be the last. By 1964 there were 52 Hawaiian women there. She advised them to "bust your ass" and that if they did, Straub would take good care of them. She became well known as an energetic hard worker at Straub.

After retiring from Straub, she worked as an interpreter at Bishop Museum, under Martha Hohu, from 1965-1969. Today, she teaches Moloka'i youth "mai ukauka" don't be afraid to work. "It will be your mother and father in life," she tells them. Aunty Aliee remembers her mother, Catherine Rowen Pa, as very immaculate, a good

manager/organizer and a wonderful teacher of how to work and do things. Mom taught her daughters how to care for their future husbands. Her dad taught all the kids how to "pay your share." Today she is grateful for this good teaching. They were a respected family who did a lot of things together. Aunty Aliee feels the first group of homesteaders had a hard time on the land. She talks to 'opio today about working for what they want in life, about how families should support eaeh other.

She believes "Hawaiian people are intelligent people, how could they have survived all these years if they were not?" She is living proof that Hawaiians are resourceful and ean take opportunities to leam new skills and expand their knowledge.