Oahu Cemetery
Encyclopedia
The Oahu Cemetery is the resting place of many notable early residents of the Honolulu area. They range from missionaries and politicians to sports pioneers and philosophers. Over time it was expanded to become an area known as the Nuuanu Cemetery.
industry, discussion had started in 1836 on the need for a new burial ground that was not associated with a specific church. The 4.38 acres (1.8 ha) site was purchased for $300 and $350 granted for a house. The money was raised by selling subscriptions on 59 plots of $12 each. Later another 3 acres (12,140.6 m²) were purchased from Gerrit P. Judd
to expand in 1860. Rev. Samuel C. Damon
served on the cemetery association in the early days. The first recorded burial was American sailor H. Wolley, for $2.50.
In 1906, the first public crematory
in the Hawaiian Islands
, designed by architect Oliver G. Traphagen
opened at the cemetery. After the attack on Pearl Harbor
in 1941, all paper currency on the islands was withdrawn and replaced with Hawaii overprint note
s, in case the Japanese would invade. Faced with the task of quickly destroying $200 million of cash, the crematory at the cemetery was used to burn it, instead of risking transport to the mainland. However, progress was too slow, so the larger furnace at the Aiea sugar mill was also used.
An area called the "Seamen's Lot" contains many unmarked graves for sailors, provided by the Honolulu Sailor's Home
. Another plot is dedicated to firefighters, marked by a monument 15 feet (4.6 m) high. Two dozen were killed by strafing in the December 7, 1941 attack.
Oahu Cemetery is located at 2162 Nuuanu Avenue, at the base of the Nuuanu Valley at coordinates 21°19′27"N 157°51′1"W. In 1863 King Kamehameha IV
built the Royal Mausoleum of Hawaii
across the street for the Hawaiian royal family. In Punchbowl Crater
(to the south) the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific
was founded in 1948. Just north of the Royal Mausoleum, the "Nuuanu Memorial Park" was added in 1949 with its own Funeral home
. In 1958 a Japanese cemetery was added on adjacent land called "Honolulu Memorial Park". In 1964, two Columbaria
(buildings to store cremated remains) called the Kyoto Gardens
were constructed.
One of the buildings is a replica of a Buddhist temple. They are listed on the National Register of Historic Places
. Strictly speaking, the original 1844 cemetery is called "Oahu Cemetery", although the extended area is often called "Nuuanu Cemetery" after the area.
In 1989 a funeral for Ferdinand Marcos
was planned at the mortuary, but instead the body was kept refrigerated at the Byodo-In Temple
until it was flown back to the Philippines
in 1993.
History
It was the first public cemetery in Honolulu, founded in November 1844. Due to the growth in the whalingWhaling
Whaling is the hunting of whales mainly for meat and oil. Its earliest forms date to at least 3000 BC. Various coastal communities have long histories of sustenance whaling and harvesting beached whales...
industry, discussion had started in 1836 on the need for a new burial ground that was not associated with a specific church. The 4.38 acres (1.8 ha) site was purchased for $300 and $350 granted for a house. The money was raised by selling subscriptions on 59 plots of $12 each. Later another 3 acres (12,140.6 m²) were purchased from Gerrit P. Judd
Gerrit P. Judd
Gerrit Parmele Judd was an American physician and missionary to the Kingdom of Hawaii who later became a trusted advisor and cabinet minister to King Kamehameha III.- Life :...
to expand in 1860. Rev. Samuel C. Damon
Samuel C. Damon
Samuel Chenery Damon was a missionary to Hawaii, pastor of the Seamen's Bethel Church, chaplain of the Honolulu American Seamen's Friend Society and editor of the monthly newspaper The Friend.-Early life:...
served on the cemetery association in the early days. The first recorded burial was American sailor H. Wolley, for $2.50.
Crematory
A crematory is a machine in which cremation takes place. Crematories are usually found in funeral homes, cemeteries, or in stand-alone facilities. A facility which houses the actual cremator units is referred to as a crematorium.-History:Prior to the Industrial Revolution, any cremation which took...
in the Hawaiian Islands
Hawaiian Islands
The Hawaiian Islands are an archipelago of eight major islands, several atolls, numerous smaller islets, and undersea seamounts in the North Pacific Ocean, extending some 1,500 miles from the island of Hawaii in the south to northernmost Kure Atoll...
, designed by architect Oliver G. Traphagen
Oliver G. Traphagen
Oliver G. Traphagen was an American architect who designed many notable buildings in Duluth, Minnesota during the late 19th century and in the Territory of Hawaii during the early 20th century. Among his most famous landmarks are the Oliver G...
opened at the cemetery. After the attack on Pearl Harbor
Attack on Pearl Harbor
The attack on Pearl Harbor was a surprise military strike conducted by the Imperial Japanese Navy against the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on the morning of December 7, 1941...
in 1941, all paper currency on the islands was withdrawn and replaced with Hawaii overprint note
Hawaii overprint note
A Hawaii overprint note is one of a series of banknotes issued during World War II as an emergency issue after the attack on Pearl Harbor...
s, in case the Japanese would invade. Faced with the task of quickly destroying $200 million of cash, the crematory at the cemetery was used to burn it, instead of risking transport to the mainland. However, progress was too slow, so the larger furnace at the Aiea sugar mill was also used.
An area called the "Seamen's Lot" contains many unmarked graves for sailors, provided by the Honolulu Sailor's Home
Honolulu Sailor's Home
The Honolulu Sailor's Home is non-profit lodge for international merchant seamen. The home was incorporated in May 1855 with a lot obtained by a grant from the Kingdom of Hawaii...
. Another plot is dedicated to firefighters, marked by a monument 15 feet (4.6 m) high. Two dozen were killed by strafing in the December 7, 1941 attack.
Oahu Cemetery is located at 2162 Nuuanu Avenue, at the base of the Nuuanu Valley at coordinates 21°19′27"N 157°51′1"W. In 1863 King Kamehameha IV
Kamehameha IV
Kamehameha IV, born Alexander Iolani Liholiho Keawenui , reigned as the fourth king of the Kingdom of Hawaii from January 11, 1855 to November 30, 1863.-Early life:...
built the Royal Mausoleum of Hawaii
Royal Mausoleum of Hawaii
The Royal Mausoleum of Hawaii, known as Mauna Ala in the Hawaiian language, is the final resting place of Hawaii's two prominent royal families: the Kamehameha Dynasty and the Kalākaua Dynasty.-Description:...
across the street for the Hawaiian royal family. In Punchbowl Crater
Punchbowl Crater
Punchbowl Crater is an extinct volcanic tuff cone located in Honolulu, Hawaii. It is the location of the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific....
(to the south) the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific
National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific
The National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific is a cemetery located in Honolulu, Hawaii that serves a memorial to those men and women who served in the United States Armed Forces...
was founded in 1948. Just north of the Royal Mausoleum, the "Nuuanu Memorial Park" was added in 1949 with its own Funeral home
Funeral home
A funeral home, funeral parlor or mortuary, is a business that provides burial and funeral services for the deceased and their families. These services may include aprepared wake and funeral, and the provision of a chapel for the funeral....
. In 1958 a Japanese cemetery was added on adjacent land called "Honolulu Memorial Park". In 1964, two Columbaria
Columbarium
A columbarium is a place for the respectful and usually public storage of cinerary urns . The term comes from the Latin columba and originally referred to compartmentalized housing for doves and pigeons .The Columbarium of Pomponius Hylas is a particularly fine ancient Roman example, rich in...
(buildings to store cremated remains) called the Kyoto Gardens
Kyoto Gardens of Honolulu Memorial Park
The Kyoto Gardens of Honolulu Memorial Park is a cemetery located in the eastern half of the Honolulu Memorial Park, 22 Craigside Place, Honolulu, Hawaii. Its three-tiered Sanju Pagoda, the Kinkaku-ji Temple, and Mirror Gardens are fine examples of Japanese traditional-style structures and gardens...
were constructed.
One of the buildings is a replica of a Buddhist temple. They are listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places listings in Oahu
This is a list of properties and districts on the Hawaiian island of Oahu that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Oahu is the only major island in Honolulu County. The location of the city of Honolulu, Oahu is the most populous island in the state. There are 149 properties and...
. Strictly speaking, the original 1844 cemetery is called "Oahu Cemetery", although the extended area is often called "Nuuanu Cemetery" after the area.
In 1989 a funeral for Ferdinand Marcos
Ferdinand Marcos
Ferdinand Emmanuel Edralin Marcos, Sr. was a Filipino leader and an authoritarian President of the Philippines from 1965 to 1986. He was a lawyer, member of the Philippine House of Representatives and a member of the Philippine Senate...
was planned at the mortuary, but instead the body was kept refrigerated at the Byodo-In Temple
Byodo-In Temple
The Temple is a non-denominational Buddhist temple located on the island of O'ahu in Hawai'i at the Valley of the Temples. At 47-200 Kahekili Highway, the Byodo-In Temple is a replica of a 900-year-old Buddhist place of worship at Uji in Kyoto prefecture of Japan. Inside the Byodo-In Temple is a...
until it was flown back to the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
in 1993.
Burials
- Captain Alexander AdamsAlexander Adams (Hawaii)Captain Alexander Adams was a Scotsman who served in the British Royal Navy and then came to the Hawaiian islands and served in the navy of the Kingdom of Hawaii. Known to the Hawaiians as Alika Napunako Adams, he claimed to have originated the Flag of Hawaii.-Britain:Adams was born December 27,...
(1780–1871) Scottish sea captain - R. Alexander AndersonRobert Alexander Anderson (composer)Robert Alexander Anderson was an American composer who wrote many popular Hawaiian songs within the Hapa haole genre including "Lovely Hula Hands" and "Mele Kalikimaka" , the latter the best known Hawaiian Christmas song.-Background:Anderson was born in Honolulu, Hawaii...
(1894–1995) Composer - Lorrin AndrewsLorrin AndrewsLorrin Andrews was an early American missionary to Hawaii and judge. He opened the first post-secondary school for Hawaiians called Lahainaluna Seminary, prepared a Hawaiian dictionary and several works on the literature and antiquities of the Hawaiians. His students published the first newspaper,...
(1795–1868) Missionary, Publisher, Judge - Andrew AuldAndrew AuldAndrew Auld was a native of Linlithgow, Scotland. He was the best friend of Captain Alexander Adams, who commanded Kamehameha I's navy. He was a ship's carpenter and wheelwright. He arrived in the Hawaiian Islands in 1816. and became a close friend of Adams for 40 years and is buried next to...
(1799–1873) Scottish ship builder - Joseph CampbellJoseph CampbellJoseph John Campbell was an American mythologist, writer and lecturer, best known for his work in comparative mythology and comparative religion. His work is vast, covering many aspects of the human experience...
(1904–1987) Philosopher - George R. CarterGeorge R. CarterGeorge Robert Carter was the second Territorial Governor of Hawaii, serving from 1903 to 1907.He was born December 28, 1866 in Honolulu. His mother was Sybil Augusta Judd , daughter of Gerrit P...
(1866–1933) Territorial Governor - Alexander CartwrightAlexander CartwrightAlexander Joy Cartwright, Jr. is one of several people sometimes referred to as a "father of baseball". Cartwright is thought to be the first person to draw a diagram of a diamond shaped baseball field, and the rules of the modern game are based on the Knickerbocker Rules developed by Cartwright...
(1820–1892) Baseball pioneer - Samuel C. DamonSamuel C. DamonSamuel Chenery Damon was a missionary to Hawaii, pastor of the Seamen's Bethel Church, chaplain of the Honolulu American Seamen's Friend Society and editor of the monthly newspaper The Friend.-Early life:...
(1815–1885) Seaman's Missionary - Benjamin DillinghamBenjamin DillinghamBenjamin Franklin Dillingham was a businessman and industrialist during the late Kingdom of Hawaii era, throughout the period of the Republic of Hawaii, and during the first two decades of the Territory of Hawaii.-Life:...
(1844–1918) Industrialist - Mary Jones Dominis (died 1889) mother of Prince Consort John Owen DominisJohn Owen DominisJohn Owen Dominis was an American-born statesman. He became Prince Consort of the Kingdom of Hawaii upon his marriage to the last reigning monarch, Queen Liliuokalani...
- Kenneth EmoryKenneth EmoryKenneth Pike Emory was an American anthropologist who played a key role in shaping modern anthropology in Oceania. In the tradition of A. L...
(1897–1992) Anthropologist - Elizabeth P. FarringtonElizabeth P. FarringtonMary Elizabeth Pruett Farrington , usually called Elizabeth P. Farrington, was publisher of the Honolulu Star-Bulletin and an American statesman who served as delegate to the United States Congress for the Territory of Hawai'i. She was the wife to Joseph Rider Farrington, whom she had succeeded in...
(1898–1984) Newspaper publisher - Joseph Rider FarringtonJoseph Rider FarringtonJoseph Rider Farrington was an American newspaper editor and statesman who served in the United States Congress as delegate for the Territory of Hawai'i.-Education and military career:...
(1897–1954) Newspaper publisher - Wallace Rider Farrington (1871–1933) Newspaper publisher
- Hiram FongHiram FongHiram Leong Fong , born Yau Leong Fong , was an American businessman and politician from Hawaii. He is most notable for his service as Republican United States Senator from 1959 to 1977, and for being the first Asian American and Chinese American to be elected as such...
(1906–2004) Senator - Victor S. K. Houston (1876—1959) Naval officer
- John Keoni Papa Īī (1800–1870) Educator and judge
- Gerrit P. JuddGerrit P. JuddGerrit Parmele Judd was an American physician and missionary to the Kingdom of Hawaii who later became a trusted advisor and cabinet minister to King Kamehameha III.- Life :...
(1803–1873) Missionary physician and diplomat - Lawrence M. JuddLawrence M. JuddLawrence McCully Judd was a politician of the Territory of Hawaii, serving as the seventh Territorial Governor. He was devoted to the Hansen's Disease-afflicted residents of Kalaupapa on the island of Molokai.-Life:...
(1887–1968) Territorial Governor - Oren E. LongOren E. LongOren Ethelbirt Long , was the tenth Territorial Governor of Hawai'i and served from 1951 to 1953. A member of the Hawai'i Democratic Party, Long was appointed to the office after the term of Ingram M. Stainback. After statehood was achieved he served in the United States Senate, one of the first...
(1889–1965) Governor and Senator - Parents of Duke KahanamokuDuke KahanamokuDuke Paoa Kahinu Mokoe Hulikohola Kahanamoku was a Hawaiian swimmer, actor, lawman, early beach volleyball player and businessman credited with spreading the sport of surfing. He was a five-time Olympic medalist in swimming.-Early years:The name "Duke" is not a title, but a given name...
(1890–1968) Champion swimmer and surfer - Lincoln Loy McCandlessLincoln Loy McCandlessLincoln “Link” Loy McCandless was an American cattle rancher, industrialist and politician from Hawaii. McCandless served in the United States Congress as a territorial delegate...
(1859–1940) Industrialist and congressional delegate - Paul Neumann (c. 1839–1901) royal lawyer and attorney general
- Joseph RockJoseph RockJoseph Francis Charles Rock was an Austrian-American explorer, geographer, linguist and botanist.-Life:He was born in Vienna, Austria, but emigrated to the United States in 1905 and moved to Honolulu, Hawaii in 1907, where he eventually became an authority on the flora there...
(1884–1962) Explorer - Martha RootMartha RootMartha Louise Root was a prominent traveling teacher of the Bahá'í Faith in the late 19th and early 20th century. Shoghi Effendi, the Guardian of the Bahá'í Faith called her "the foremost travel teacher in the first Bahá'í Century", and named her a Hand of the Cause posthumously...
(1872–1939) Bahá'í teacher - Ingram StainbackIngram StainbackIngram Macklin Stainback was the ninth Territorial Governor of Hawaii and served from 1942 to 1951.Born in 1883 in Somerville, Tennessee, he received his undergraduate degree from Princeton University and his Juris Doctor from the University of Chicago.Stainback, a well-connected Democrat, came to...
(1883–1961) Territorial Governor - Lorrin A. ThurstonLorrin A. ThurstonLorrin Andrews Thurston was a lawyer, politician, and businessman born and raised in the Kingdom of Hawaii. The grandson of two of the first Christian missionaries to Hawaii, Thurston played a prominent role in the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom that replaced Queen Liliuokalani with the...
(1858–1931) Businessman and politician - Asa Goodale Thurston (1827–1859) son of Asa Thurston (1787–1868) First missionary
- Jules TavernierJules Tavernier (painter)Jules Tavernier was a French painter. He was born in Paris in 1844 and died in Honolulu, Hawaii, in 1889. He studied with the French painter, Félix Joseph Barrias , but left France in the 1870s, never to return. Tavernier was employed as an illustrator by Harper's Magazine, which sent him on...
(1844–1889) Painter - Horace Worth VaughanHorace Worth VaughanHorace Worth Vaughan was an American lawyer, jurist, and politician.-Early life:Vaughan was born to George T...
(1867–1922) Texas Congressman and Hawaii Judge