Life in Hawaii Mary Dominis

washington place, honolulu. oil on paper anonymous artist, ca. 1850–1854

in honolulu, dominises started building mansion, on lands awarded king kamehameha iii. between 1841 , 1847, construction details largely attended mary since captain dominis away on voyages raising money building cost. in 1846 captain dominis sailed china on brig william neilson, intending purchase chinese-made furniture house nearing completion. ship lost @ sea, along american commissioner george brown, , mary became widow.

after reality of husband s death became apparent, opened washington place boarders support herself , young son john owen dominis. among these tenants anthony ten eyck, american resident commissioner hawaii, 1846 1849. while boarding dominises, room became united states legation in honolulu , named mansion washington place after first american president george washington. name officially approved king kamehameha iii. other tenants , guests included american diplomats luther severance, david l. gregg , elisha hunt allen , politicians william little lee , robert crichton wyllie.

on september 16, 1862, son married hawaiian high chiefess lydia kamakaʻeha pākī, future queen liliʻuokalani. small , quiet wedding held @ haleʻākala, residence of bernice pauahi bishop , husband charles reed bishop. ceremony officiated rev. samuel c. damon in anglican rites. king kamehameha iv , other members of royal family honored guests. newly married couple moved washington place her. through new wife , connections king, dominis later become governor of oʻahu , maui.

despite liliʻuokalani s royal status, mary dominis disapproved of marriage. according historian james l. haley, mary dominis arrant racist toward daughter-in-law. married life of dominis , liliʻuokalani troubled one, time of mary s death, had learned accepted her. in hawaii s story hawaii s queen, liliʻuokalani revealed little domestic difficulties:

as felt no 1 should step between , child, naturally i, son s wife, considered intruder; , forced realize beginning. husband extremely kind , considerate me, yet not swerve 1 side or other in matter there danger of hurting mother s feelings. respected closeness of tie between mother , son, , conformed own ideas, far could, encourage , assist husband in devotion mother. later in life mrs. dominis seemed realize there had been self-sacrifice, , became more , more tender , affectionate mother me days drawing close.

mary dominis died on april 25, 1889, , buried @ oahu cemetery in honolulu. after mary dominis s death, queen liliuokalani took down american flag had flown @ washington place during mary s lifetime. flag wouldn t raised again until april 1917 when liliuokalani raised in honor of hawaiian casualties in sinking of ss aztec german u-boats.

christmas in hawaii

mary dominis credited starting christmas tree , santa claus traditions in hawaii. christmas in hawaii had been introduced american protestant missionaries arrived in islands in 1820. however, celebrations never consistent or officially sanctioned until 1850s since puritanic origin of new england missionaries disapproved of non-canonical holiday. during reign of king kamehameha iv , consort queen emma of hawaii, christmas tradition received greater support under influence of newly established anglican church of hawaii. on christmas eve of 1858, mary dominis invited children of honolulu , parents washington place celebrate holiday. party, featuring first appearance of christmas tree , santa claus in hawaii, received significant coverage in local hawaiian newspapers: pacific commercial advertiser, polynesian , friend. advertiser reported:

christmas passed off in old fashioned style. eve ushered in assemblage of large number of children , parents @ washington place, mansion of mrs. dominis, santa claus had given out hold court...a magnificent christmas tree had been provided...and little folks gathered it...found lighted candles, , branches bending weight of gifts. prompt old father time ever was, bells heard @ windows...and in moment old santa claus stood @ door before youthful group, greeted him volley of merry shouts. dressed in garb in children love imagine saintly old elf...for hour bestowed gifts princely lavishness among 100 children present, creating 1 of happiest groups ever witnessed in honolulu...who long continue talk of santa claus of washington place.