Ever wonder where some of our street, school, or building names come from? The answer can probably be found here. There are so many notable people resting here there could be a book about them (there is and it is outstanding). Founded in 1844, Oahu Cemetery reads like a "Who's Who" of 19th and 20th century Hawaii influencers.
Blaisdell, Borthwick, Campbell, Damon, Dillingham, Dominis, Dowsett, Farrington, Frear, Hemenway, Judd, Kennedy (Kennedy Theater?), King, Lowrey, McCandless, McInerny, Monsarrat, Mott-Smith, Robinson, Straub, Thrum, Thurston, Wilder, Wilson, and (Alexander) Young are all names you will see here, as well as six former governors and five former mayors.
Twelve WWII veterans and several HFD workers that died on Dec. 7, 1941 are here, as are Union and Confederate Civil War veterans, and the first from Hawaii to be killed in WWI, John Rupert Rowe. Lucinda Parrish, Titanic survivor, is also here.
Among the well-known are:
- Alexander Joy Cartwright Jr., the "Father of Modern Baseball". Babe Ruth apparently visited his grave in 1934!
- Ethnologist Kenneth Emory (PDF), who's findings form the basis of many Bishop Museum collections, was the subject of a Bob Krauss book.
- French painter Jules Tavernier, a highly regarded member of Volcano School.
- World renowned mythologist Joseph Campbell.
- Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame honoree Sonny Cunha. Read about his house here, or listen to his music here and here.
- Notable local composer Johnny Noble. Listen to his music here.
- Botanist Joseph Rock.
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| Kenneth Emory ca. 1935. Photo credit: Hawaii State Archives. |
There are incredible women here:
- Louise Dillingham, President of League of Women Voters and the Outdoor Circle;
- Helen Cassidy, first female swimmer from HI to qualify for U.S. Olympic Team, went to Antwerp with Duke Kahanamoku (his second Olympics);
- Mary Frear, founder and president of YWCA, UH Board of Regents member, poet;
- Irene Ii, Director of Palama Settlement and involved in leadership of many local organizations;
- Cherilla Lowrey, teacher, Outdoor Circle founder, Women's War Council president, and more;
- Mary Jane Montano, teacher, composer, dairy farmer (Kaiaipu), helped organize Honolulu Dairymen's Association;
- Emma Nakuina, scholar, commissioner of private ways and water rights, curator of Hawaiian National Museum;
- Martha Root, well-known journalist and Baha'i leader, her inscription is in Arabic;
- Harriet Stibbard, hula dancer, teacher, and halau founder;
- Julie Swanzy, helped found several organizations for children's education and recreation, restore Queen Emma Summer Palace and Hulihe'e, and donated land for Swanzy Beach Park;
- Emma Taylor, writer, scholar, Hawaiian historian, ali'i descendant; her burial marker is a book;
- Lucy Thurston, author of "The Life and Times of Lucy G. Thurston", an account of early missionary life;
- Margaret "Mother" Waldron, teacher, policewoman, the reason Mother Waldron Park exists (a refuge in rowdy Kaka'ako for at-risk youth in its day);
- Margaret F. Waldron, painter, jewelry designer, craftsman, teacher; and
- Elizabeth Woods, princess (married to Prince Kuhio), instrumental in women's suffrage, political activist.
This is only the tip of the iceberg. The oldest date I can find is that of Isaac Davis who died in 1910, possibly for tipping off Kaumuali'i that Kamehameha the Great was after him.
There are also many unique headstone markers you will not see elsewhere.
According to Wikipedia, the crematory building was designed by Oliver G. Traphagen, who designed several other buildings in Hawaii such as the Judd Building on Merchant Street Downtown and the Moana Surfrider Hotel in Waikiki.
The Mission Houses Museum occasionally hosts historical re-enactments here that bring to life some of the characters that lie in this cemetery. A unique local experience, admission includes pupus and drinks. Check their event calender on their website for upcoming dates.
Don't forget to check out the Royal Mausoleum nearby where Hawaiian royalty rest (including the Kamehamehas; limited hours, M-F).