2007 Voyage Photos

Oceanic

Originally built in 1871 for the Liverpool to New York crossing, the Oceanic was chartered by the Occidental & Oriental S.S. Co. for San Francisco-Yokohama-Hong Kong service in 1876. King David Kalakaua traveled on the Oceanic from San Francisco to Tokyo in 1881.

King David Kalakaua

King David Kalakaua was elected to rule Hawai'i by the Hawaiian Legislature in 1874 and reigned until his death in 1891.

In 1881, after sailing from Hawai'i on the City of Sydney, Kalakaua boarded the Oceanic in San Francisco; twenty-four days later, on March 4, he and his traveling party landed at Yokohama in Edo (Tokyo) Bay, where he was greeted with a 21-gun salute and a military band playing the Hawaiian National Anthem. The king and his party were astonished that the band had learned to play their anthem. The houses of Yokohama displayed Japanese and Hawaiian flags. (Emperor of Japan: Meiji and his World, 1852-1912 by Donald Keene [New York: Columbia University Press, 2002].)

"King Kalakaua wrote back from Tokyo on March 15, 1881, 'Our reception has been most cordial and pleasant with the Emperor [Meiji]. He extended the hospitality of being his guest during our stay in the City of Tokio, occupying the same buildings that General Grant did when he was here and other distinguished guests, Prince Henri of Germany and the Duke of Genoa.' The subject of possible Japanese emigration to Hawaii received some consideration by the Japanese officials. And on February 8, 1885, the first group of Japanese immigrants (676 men, 159 women, and 108 children) came to Hawaii. Major credit for this successful endeavor was due to 'the personal friendship of the Emperor of Japan for King Kalakaua,' commented the editor of the Pacific Commercial Advertiser." (from "A Hawaiian King Visits Hong Kong, 1881" by Tin-Yuke Char at http://sunzi1.lib.hku.hk/hkjo/view/44/4401330.pdf)

During his visit to Tokyo, Kalakaua also secretly discussed with the Emperor the possibility of forming a league of Asian countries to oppose the domination and oppression of European countries. Kalakaua said that he would propose the league to the leaders of China, Siam, India, and Persia on his world tour, if Meiji would agree to head the league. Meiji was understanding, but pointed out that China wouldn't join if Japan was leading the league; but he would consider the King's proposal and send a response. After conferring with his cabinet, Meiji declined the offer of leadership for the initiative. (Emperor of Japan: Meiji and his World, 1852-1912 by Donald Keene [New York: Columbia University Press, 2002].)

Emperor Meiji

Emperor Meiji reigned from 1867 until his death in 1912. He was the 122nd emperor of Japan according to the traditional order of succession from the sun goddess Amaterasu.

Isaac Harbotttle, Nainoa Thompson's great grandfather

Subsequent to his visit, Kalakaua started Hawai’i’s first study abroad program and sent young Hawaiian scholars to Japan (and China, Britain, Scotland, Italy, and America). The two students he sent to Japan were James Haku’ole and Isaac Harbotttle, brothers, 11 and 10 years old, who grew up in Kipahulu, Maui. Isaac (1871-1948) was the great grandfather of Hokule'a navigator Nainoa Thompson. The two boys arrived in Japan in 1882 to study the Japanese language and culture at Gakushūin University, also known as the Nobles School (Kuwazoku Gakko), with the aim of using their knowledge to aid in international affairs and the establishment of an immigrant worker program. Harbottle attended this school from 1883-1888.

In 1887, a group of haole businessmen took control of the government of Hawai’i and presented Kalakaua with a new constitution restricting his powers. The students in the king’s study abroad program were summoned home the next year.

Isaac Harbottle and Prince Yoshihito (Emperor Taisho), schoolmates

From 1887-1888, Isaac Harbottle attended Gakushūin school with Prince Yoshihito, who later became Emperor Taisho:

"As a youth, Yoshihito attended Gakushūin (also known as the Peers' School). There, in an interesting way, he encountered some of the internationalist atmosphere that became a hallmark of his reign years. A classmate in 1887 and 1888 was Isaac Harbottle (1871-1948), whom King Kalākaua of Hawai'i had chosen to go to Japan for study. Harbottle and his brother, who accompanied him to Japan, were descendants of Hawaiian ali'i (nobility) and were part of Kalākaua's plan to draw knowledge from abroad so as to strengthen his kingdom and profit from the international experience of future Hawaiian leaders (Quigg 1988, 170, 196)." (Japan's Competing Modernities: Issues in Culture and Democracy, 1900-1930. Contributors: Sharon A. Minichiello - editor. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 1998. Page 5.)

Emperor Taisho

Emperor Taisho reigned from 1912 until his death in 1926. He was the 123nd emperor of Japan according to the traditional order of succession from the sun goddess Amaterasu.