Jonah Kumalae
Jonah Kumalae (October 13, 1874 - May 6, 1940) was a Hawaiian politician, businessman, publisher and ukulele manufacturer and musician. Though most noted for manufacturing and marketing his 'Gold Medal' Kumalae Ukuleles from 1911 to 1940, he may be best remembered by local Hawaiians for his purchase and relocation of the Spreckels Mansion, former home to Claus Spreckels, sugar industry magnate.[1] In 1921, Kumalae purchased the three-story home with its noted square tower, and then had it relocated piece by piece to its final location on King Street, Honolulu.[2]
Ukulele Maker
In his younger years (circa 1894) Kumalae worked as a school teacher and agricultural farmer, and poi manufacturer.[3] Then in 1911, he began making ukuleles in earnest, having been a very accomplished musician. His ukuleles were made of Koa wood, brought over from the big island of Hawai'i. In 1915, Kumalae got a big break in his ukulele manufacturing and sales. He applied for, and won, a bid to display his ukuleles at the Panama Pacific International Exposition (1915), where his ukulele design won a Gold Medal.[4] This enabled Kumalae to market and sell his ukuleles to companies on the U.S. Mainland and, according to many ukulele historians, was instrumental in ushering in a 'new wave' of ukulele and Hawaiian music popularity.[1] He is also considered to be the most prolific ukulele manufacturer of his time, producing as many as 300 ukuleles per month at the peak of his business.[5]
Newspaper Publisher
Kumalae owned and published the democratic newspaper Ke Alakai O Hawaii until his death in 1940.[6] The paper was printed in the native Hawaiian language and was, for a time, the only Hawaiian paper in Honolulu.[7]
Political Career
A democrat, Kumalae had a long and distinguished career in Hawaiian politics. He served as a member of the inaugural Territorial Legislature from 1900-1904, and again from 1918-1920. He also served as Food Commissioner, director of the Hawaii Land Company, candidate for Mayor of Honolulu in 1923, and was on the Board of Supervisors from 1919-1923.[8] Kumalae was both active and controversial, known for championing the causes of his native countrymen, and for many clashes with the established government. In 1923, as a Board of Supervisors member, Kumalae alledgedly 'stole' a county vehicle. He claimed to have done so to prove the point that county vehicles were being taken home and used by county employees for things other than county business.[9] This claim is supported by the fact that he would later sponsor a bill requiring all government vehicles to bear the phrase, "For Official Use Only," a law that still stands today.
He is also regarded as the 'father' of the Act that made the Flag of Royal Hawaii the official emblem of the Territory of Hawaii.[10]
Life and Ancestry
Jonah Kumalae married Lena Ahana on May 28, 1901, and they had eight children. It has been presented by some historians that his ancestry can be traced to the Maui Royal family, and High Chief Kaehu Kuho'ohei Pahu Paki (known as Paki). He was the son of Moses Keli'ia'a and Laika Manuia, daughter of David Manuia. Manuia was the son of Paki and his first wife, Kaiwi.[11] As was customary at that time, Kumalae took the name of his adoptive family.
Kumalae was a Christian, and member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. His son, Jonah Kumalae II, was among the first graduating class of Hawaiian Mission Academy, a secondary education school founded by the Adventist church.
References
- ^ 'Tales About Hawaii' by Clarice B. Taylor as featured in the Honolulu Star Bulletin, 1961.
- ^ Honolulu Advertiser, October 1934.
- ^ 'Hawaiian Ukulele and Guitar Makers' by John King, 2001.
- ^ 'Hawaiian Ukulele and Guitar Makers' by John King, 2001.
- ^ 'The Ukulele: A Visual History' by Jim Beloff (Backbeat Books, 2003).
- ^ 'Johnny Wilson: first Hawaiian Democrat' by Bob Krauss, 1994.
- ^ 'Men of Hawaii' 1930, p291.
- ^ King, 2001.
- ^ King, 2001.
- ^ 'Hawaii Magazine' May 10, 1940 p3.
- ^ Taylor, Honolulu Star Bulletin.