Char, Tin-Yuke

eVols at University of Hawaii at Manoa

S.P. Aheong, Hawaii's First Chinese Christian EvangelistTin-Yuke CharThe first significant source of manual laborers to be brought to Hawaiiunder the contract labor system was China. The first group of Chinesearrived in 1852 under the auspices of the Royal Hawaiian AgriculturalSociety, a private organization of officials, planters, businessmen andother interested people. Thus was inaugurated the policy of importingforeigners to work as contract laborers on the sugar plantations ofHawaii. And thus arrived S. P. Aheong who became Hawaii's firstChinese Christian evangelist and colporteur, a distributor of religioustracts and books.The social and economic influence of the New England missionarieswas strongly evident during this period. As late as 1870, the contractsestablished between plantations and their Chinese laborers stated: "Nolabor shall be exacted upon the Sabbath, only in case of emergency, whenit shall be paid for extra." During this work-free day, the Chinese inplantation camps looked to their fraternal lodges and clubhouses forrest and recreation. Some Chinese were attracted by Christian churchactivities, and there was a sincere missionary effort toward their spiritualand social welfare. S. P. Aheong was intellectually curious and respondedto the call of the church. He became a convert, and later was designatedthe first Chinese colporteur in Hawaii.S. P. Aheong's surname or family name was Siu (variously spelled asSau, Siao, Hsiao) and his given name was Pheong (variously spelled asFung, Hung, Phong). S. P. Aheong was a garbled varsion of Siu Pheong,mistakenly giving initials to his name and then taking the heong portionand making it into a last name with the added A for the sound effect thatwas common in Hawaii and in the Cantonese dialect. Mr. Siu himselfalso used Samuel P. Aheong as his name.Tin-Yuke Char, an advisor to the Hawaii Chinese History Center, is the author ofThe Sandalwood Mountain: Early History of the Chinese in Hawaii.69Aheong was an educated man, not an illiterate peasant. His father wasa school superintendent in the Ch'ao-An district in the northeasternsection of Kwangtung province near the Fukien border. Swatow, about150 miles northeast of Canton, was the nearest seaport. During theTaiping Rebellion of 1850-64, Aheong was separated from his familyand compelled to seek employment at one of the seaports. In Hong Konghe met an agent of labor recruiter Pierce W. Graves and in 1854, whilestill less than 20 years of age, came to the Hawaiian Islands on a 5-yearcontract. On his arrival he worked for E. E. Torbett at Ulupalakua andMakawao on the Island of Maui. Later, he was a clerk in the plantationstore. At Makawao, he became a pupil of the Rev. Jonathan Green,studied after plantation hours and was converted to Christianity. Oncefree of his labor contract in 1859, he moved to Lahaina and there hemarried Naukana Hikiau, daughter of Moses Hikiau of Huelo, Maui.Aheong became a shopkeeper in Lahaina and was active in the WaineeChurch at Lahaina under the Rev. Dr. Dwight Baldwin. After almost adecade of church work in Lahaina, he came to Honolulu as a churchdelegate to the August 1868 annual meeting of the Hawaiian EvangelicalAssociation and made a great impression there because of his speakingtalents and ability.1The Rev. Elias Bond made this report to Boston:It was a new feature in our meeting to see a pure Chinese with us as a Delegate fromthe church in Lahaina. He is a young man, not much beyond 30, able to speak twelveChinese dialects, a good singer and player on the melodeon, perfectly at home in whatinterests our Hawaiian Zion and speaking on any topic brought before us with intel-ligence and unaffected Chinese attachment to our work. You will hear of this manthrough others and of his engagement to devote a year as evangelist to his fellowcountrymen scattered throughout the islands.2This last reference was to the fact that Aheong had been appointedcolporteur at the August 1868 meeting of the Hawaiian EvangelicalAssociation, to start November 1, 1868 at an annual salary of $800.Although not licensed or ordained, he had already been doing volunteerlabor among Chinese and Hawaiians, speaking and writing English andHawaiian as well as Chinese.Aheong was diligent in his new religious work. He visited the fourmajor islands of Hawaii, Maui, Kauai and Oahu, including rural areas,before returning to Honolulu and the Bethel Church there. In his reportfor ten months of religious work, Aheong stated that he had given 75sermons in Chinese, 58 in Hawaiian, and even a few talks in Japanese.News of Aheong's missionary tour was carried in both The Friend andthe Hawaiian-language newspaper Kuokoa. The Friend reported thatduring his Oahu tour he visited the sugar plantations, gathering his70countrymen for religious workship. "They gladly received him, andmanifested much attention in all the services, as he labored to bring thetruths before their minds." He then distributed testaments and tractsand conducted several sabbath evening services in the Bethel Church inHonolulu before leaving for Kauai on his religious rounds.3Aheong was lauded for his missionary efforts as an assimilated Chinese,but he himself lamented the fact that he was not receiving much assis-tance from the community. He had helped to establish schools in theHawaiian language for Chinese and to open a school taught in Englishin the Bethel Church in Honolulu. However, he reported only a fewconversions because "everyone tried to do their own business, to gainmoney and property, but they seem no care about how their soulswould be.4 While at the Bethel Church in Honolulu Aheong continuedto conduct Sabbath evening services for an attentive congregation vary-ing from 60 to 100 in number. In consideration of the mixed congrega-tion, these sermons were presented in three languages: English, Hawaiianand Chinese.5His written English was somewhat less fluent than his speech. TheHawaiian Mission Childrens' Society library has a folder on the ChineseMission which includes a manuscript report written on August 18, 1868from Lahaina to the Rev. L. H. Gulick:My work was commenced the same day which you pointed out and I hold a Chinesemeeting here at last Sabbath. 5 out of 13 Chinamen came. I gave them some books toread which know how to read. One of them says how can a man says that China'sidol are not the God because if a man say a bad word to the idol then he shall havepain in the whole body. I say to him that he has by all mistaking, for I am since thegreat many years refuse the idol: and speak bad work [word] to them but I do not painin my body at all, and I told him good deal about our heavenly Father is the trueGodLater that year, Aheong wrote from Hilo to the Rev. S. C. Damon:I am here this few weeks with Rev. T. Coan and family, and try to do my work ashard as I could among my countrymen and native also. I preach in Chinese and innative both every week since I commence to work. . . . I am glad to tell you about theHilo Chinamen. Some of them been in this country more than 40 or 30 years, andnever been to church since they been in these Islands, until I came here. . . .6In 1896, Aheong estimated that there were 1317 Chinese in Hawaii,of which 1201 were men, 76 were women and 40 were children.7Aheong had left his home village, Ch'ao-An, in 1854. Sixteen yearslater, in 1870, he made plans to return there with his Hawaiian familyto tell his Chinese kinsmen about Christianity. At the weekly prayermeeting at the Bethel Church on May 25, 1870, he expressed in Englishthis humble request:Perhaps this will be the last time I shall speak to you. I expect a ship from Californiato take me to China. I came sixteen years ago as one of the lower class of laborers. I wasa heathen man, but I learned about God, and the Saviour. Now I go back to see myfather and mother, grand-parents and brothers and sisters. They all heathen, and knownothing about God and our Saviour. I want to tell them about our Saviour. I want tosee my parents once more. Perhaps I come back. God knows; I don't know. I want youto pray for me and for my countrymen. There are 1,500 in this country, and morecome this year, perhaps two or three hundred. They come heathen men. I hope, brothersand sisters of this church, you will pray for me, and the millions of my countrymen inChina. I go and tell them of our Saviour.8Mr. and Mrs. Aheong, with three of their children, left for Hong Kongon the vessel Sumatra, May 27, 1870.9 With them were their three sons,Joseph Aki Aheong (born 1862), Benjamin Aming Aheong (born June7, 1867), and David Aseu Aheong (baptised by the Rev. S. C. Damonon April 3, 1870). Two daughters remained in Hawaii, Pokini with theRev. Amasa Pratt on Maui, and Julie Apoki with the Rev. HiramBingham II in Honolulu.10From Hong Kong, Aheong wrote to the Rev. B. W. Parker on July25, 1870:We took a very long passage of 58 days from Honolulu to Hong Kong. . . . Thecaptain of our ship was an American. He is a gentlemen, easy and kind. Gave a cabinroom nice and clean instead of down in the hold dark hot and dirty. Every Sabbathmorning I hold meeting with the 8 Chinese on board. Arrived yesterday Hong Kong11 a.m. I found some friends here, they invite me to stop with them a few day untilI get steamer to go to Shartown [Swatow] my home.11One wonders whether his kinsmen at home were not disappointedthat he did not bring back the proverbial pot of gold.One year later he wrote to the Rev. J. F. Pogue from his home atCh'ao-An:Two months after my return home, my grandfather of 83 died. Since I got home,my health getting poor, taking medicine all most the times. We kept Sabbath meetingand daily prayer at home with my family. My mother is hard to hear any good wordsof Christ . . . but my brother [Ah Fan] he does not believe the idols now. My country-men is so hard as ever. I wish I could getting my health stronger, then I would try togo to work, see I can do something good to my countrymen, if God willing. My wifeis quite well, our boys are not healthy. . . . We do not forget the Islands all the times,and expecting to go back there soon. . . ,12Aheong had received an offer to do religious work in California at$100 monthly but he hesitated about going to any other place thanHawaii, which he considered a "healthy country and nice peoplethere."The same day he wrote to Rev. Pogue, he wrote also to Rev. S. C.Damon, who published his letter in the January 1872 issue of TheFriend.72Aheong never returned to Hawaii. He died in Ch'ao-An, China onJune 14, 1876.13 His obituary in The Friend of October 1876 said:He was a most genial and agreeable man; and speaking the English language withmuch fluency, it was delightful to converse with him about China and the Chinese—their history, religions and customs, and his conversion to Christianity. He leaves awidow and two children in China, and one child at Makawao.14It took three years for Aheong's widow and family to find a way toreturn to Hawaii; she and the children were to spend a total of nineyears in her husband's country. Finally, late in 1878, Rev. RudolphLechler wrote from Hong Kong to the Rev. S. C. Damon in Honoluluthat the sailing ship Crusader would be taking Mrs. Aheong and three"boys" of hers back to Hawaii, with the financial assistance of theHawaiian Consul in Hong Kong, William Keswick.15 By coincidence,the voucher for $200 sent to Keswick from John N. Kapana of theHawaiian Ministry of Interior to cover expenses involved in procuringpassage for Mrs. Aheong, was sent from Hawaii the same day theCrusader sailed, April 1, 1879.16The passenger manifest of the bark Crusader lists Mrs. Ahiong(Aheong) and three children.17 The names of the children were not given,but other evidence indicates that those returning to Hawaii were17-year-old Joseph Aki Aheong, 12-year-old Benjamin Aming Aheong,and Louise Nowelo Aheong, born in China in 1875. One son, 9-year-oldDavid Aseu Aheong, Hawaii-born, was left behind in China. Benjamin,who died in Honolulu in 1891, mentioned in his will his brother inChina.18 David was probably left behind to satisfy Chinese custom thatthe family line of Siu Pheong in China be assured.Aheong's property in Hawaii included real estate and personalproperty on Maui. Apparently Mrs. C. E. Andrews administered hisMaui affairs and served as guardian for his daughter Pokini. Includedin the probate of his estate is a Ledger Statement by Mrs. Andrewsdated September 1, 1875, showing $520 sent to him in China. Also inthe probate file is a copy of the June 2, 1877 appointment of John D.Haverkost as administrator of the estate and guardian of the minorchildren. Haverkost also was able to send some money to China to Mrs.Aheong. He continued as administrator and guardian until June 26,1890 when Naukana Aheong signed a receipt for $595 from the guardian-ship account and replaced Haverkost as natural guardian of her minorchildren. This meant only Louise, then 15, as David, then 20, was inChina.Little is known of the boys after they returned to Hawaii except thatJoseph became a contractor. Neither had a family.73More is known of the two little girls left in Hawaii.Pokini came under the care of Mrs. C. B. Andrews of Maui and wasenrolled at East Maui Female Seminary at Makawao. According to theprobate, the tuition came from her father's estate. She also attendedOahu College, Punahou School. She married Henry Robinson of Mauiand had nine children, the first dying in infancy. Many of the eightremaining and their descendents are well-known in Hawaiian society.Pokini was a gifted musician and hula dancer and was charminglycapable of managing the luaus for the Baldwins, her husband's employer.With Princess Abigail Kawananakoa she founded the Hale o NaliiSociety of Maui.Not much is known of Julia Apoki other than that she marriedDaniel Poki.Louise, after her return from China, was also enrolled at East MauiFemale Seminary and then was graduated from Normal School inHonolulu. She served as a teacher and principal at Pauoa ElementarySchool in Honolulu for 43 years and initiated the planting of manyilima and lokelani or cottage roses, on the school grounds. She marriedWilliam Lucas. They had no children.In Makiki Christian Cemetery at Pensacola and Wilder Avenues isthe family plot of the Aheong family, marked by several monuments.One is a large square stone pillar, standing in the center of the plot,with the following inscriptions:[front] [on right side] [on back]MOTHERNaukana Hikiau Jos. A. Aheong Ben A. Aheongwife of 1862-1921 BornRev. S. P. Aheong At Lahainaborn August 9, 1847 June 7, 1867died at Paia DiedJune 27, 1891 Aug. 31, 1891AHEONGAt one side is a smaller, flat marble stone with these inscriptions:LOUISE AHEONG LUCASFeb. 2, 1875—Oct. 31, 1938WILLIAM LUCASApr. 23, 1870—Sept. 24, 194474To the rear are three small, weathered stones with the words:MOTHER [this perhaps was placed before the large pillar was erected]Ake [Joseph Aki Aheong]Aming [Benjamin Aming Aheong]An Aheong Family Tree has been constructed for this interestingChinese-Hawaiian family. The author is indebted to Kulamanu Lyonsfor making corrections and additions to the following portion of herfamily's geneology.S. P. Aheong( I 8 3 8 ? - I 8 7 6 , June 14)AHEONG FAMILY TREEm.1861?Naukana Hikiau(1847-1891, June 27)DESCENDANTSJoseph Ake (Aki), 1862-1921Pokini,m. Henry P. Robinsonburied at Oahu Cemetery, NuuanuBenjamin Aming, 1867-1891, Aug. 31Julia Apoki, 1869?-m. Daniel PokiDavid Aseu, 1870?-Louise Nowelo, 1875-1938m. William Lucassingle, never married, listed in 1896Honolulu Directory as contractor; lived at112 Robello Lane, near Liliha and KingSts., as did sister Louise.Children:1) Henry P., Jr., died in infancy.2) John Adams.5) Henry P., Jr.4) Alice m. Lum Inn; their daughterKulamanu legally adopted by Pokini.Kulamanu m. Auwae N. Kepoikai"Splash" Lyons, Waikiki musician.5) Selden Hikiau.6) Alvin K. who adopted name "Aming"to play on Chinese Baseball Team.7) Thomas R. Foster who adopted name"Aheong" to play on Chinese Base-ball Team.8) Louise Naleileihua Onahena9) James Colville.Did not marry. Property given to brotherJoseph as devisee and executor.baptized April 3, 1870 by the Rev. S. C.Damon, in Honolulu; left in Honoluluwith Rev. Hiram Bingham II when Aheongwent to China, May 27, 1870.baptized April 3, 1870 by the Rev. S. C.Damon in Honolulu; left in China, 1879.teacher and principal at Pauoa Elementaryschool, Honolulu for 43 years; attendedMaunaolu (East Maui Female Seminary)and Honolulu Normal School; no children.75NOTES1 F, July 7, 1868. See also: Abertine Loomis, To All People (Honolulu, 1970); and"Chinese Christian Mission Work in Hawaii Begins 1868 A.D." an unpublishedmanuscript made available by its author the Rev. Dennis A. Kastens of Aiea, Hawaii.2 Ethel M. Damon, Father Bond of Kohala (Honolulu, 1927), pp. 210-211.3 F, May 1, 1869.4 F, January 1, 1870.5 PCA, July 16, 1869.6 F, December 1868.7 F, July 1, 1869.8 F, June 1870.9 Passenger Lists, May 27, 1870, Outbound, Sumatra (AH)10 Rev. A. Pratt to Rev. H. Bingham II, HEA mss., 1868-1873, Chinese dept.:Evangelists. (HMCS)11 Ibid.12 Ibid.13 Letter in Chinese from Aheong's only brother, Ah Fan, dated June 14, 1876, to theAndrews family, verifying Aheong's death. In Probate 778, 2nd Circuit Court. (AH)14 F, October 1876.16 F, March 1879.16 Kapena to Keswick, April 1, 1879, IDLD.17 Passenger Lists, April 1, 1879, Inware, Crusader. (AH)18 Probate 2754,1st Circuit Court. (AH) Also unpublished notes of Prof. Carl T. Smithof the Chinese University of Hong Kong.76

S. P. Aheong, Hawaii's First Chinese Christian Evangelist,

http://evols.library.manoa.hawaii.edu/bitstream/10524/310/2/JL11071.pdf

S. P. Aheong, Hawaii's First Chinese Christian Evangelist,

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

eVols at University of Hawaii at Manoa