Hamakua Roads from 1880-1899: Firsthand Accounts
1890-1896
Carriage road was present from Hilo to Onomea, Honolulu Advertiser Jan 10, 1891:
Carriage road was present from Hilo to Onomea, Honolulu Advertiser Jan 10, 1891:
We have a good carriage road carriage road as far as Onomea.
Road condition complaints continue.
Evening Bulletin, Oct 18, 1890:
Evening Bulletin, Oct 18, 1890:
From Hilo to Papaikou the road is in fair condition. At Papaikou it is so nearly impassable that a portion of it has been fenced off, for over 2 months, in order to prevent accidents; this portion is still closed to the public use. Between Papaikou and Onomea, a large portion of the road is (in wet weather) from 1 to 2 feet deep in mud. From Onomea to Kawainui [Pepeekeo] it is in about the same condition; more rather than better.
Hawaiian Gazette, July 22, 1890, a letter from Laupahoehoe relates aftermath of bad weather:
We have had a heavy rainfall extending along the whole coast, and the streams have been very high. Two bridges are washed out between Laupahoehoe and Hilo. Kaiwihahilahi bridge, about 60 ft long, has completely disappeared, also one near Hakalau…The roads are almost impassable with landslides and washouts.
Honolulu Advertiser, Jan 11, 1892:
The road from Hilo to Papaikou and Onomea are in very fair condition. It is from Onomea to Hakalau that the road needs working the most... But we believe the new Road Board will attend to that at least a good solid horse road be put through from Onomea to Hakalau…
The road between Onomea and Honohina is in a fearful condition, Dr Thompson was compelled to leave his horse fast in a mud hole and walked some 4 miles to get help to get the horse out. Many animals have been badly injured and one had his leg broken in the mud holes in the country.
Hawaii Herald, Nov 12, 1896:
Many of the culverts between here [Hilo] and Hakalau are in a very rotten condition, some of them actually being in a dangerous condition to cross…The small wooden bridges especially need repairs.
Hilo Daily Tribune Dec 5, 1896:
The Papaikou Bridge is in a dangerous condition. The floor is full of holes. Road Boards on this coast get more aggressive and Government starts to move.
Evening Bulletin Oct 20, 1892. In this time North Hilo district was from Hakalau to approximately Ookala.
Emphatic Protest of [North Hilo] Road Board Against the Recommendations of the Public Lands Committee
We, the regularly elected Road Board of North Hilo, acting under the requests of the residents of our district, beg leave to protest against the recommendation of the Public Lands Committee so far as this district is concerned, as inadequate for our actual necessities, and in comparison with recommendations for other districts decidedly unjust and unfair, and showing that not a member of said committee have not the slightest knowledge of the existing state of affairs here as regards the numerous obstructions to travel. And we trust to the spirit of fairness that pervades the members of the House to right this wrong and place us at least on a level with our neighboring districts and allow us in the first section a sum that will cover the expenses that must be incurred in order to guard against life, limb and property.
It is probably unknown to a large portion of the Legislature that this district has, at the present time, no acknowledged thoroughfare from Hakalau to Kepehu [near Papaaloa], a distance of about 9 miles, as the trail has from time to time, as it became impassable, until it mostly traverses private property, and should the owners continue fencing, as some are now doing, and thus confine travel to the original trail, it would be absolutely impossible after even a moderate rain to make the journey.
We have about 30 streams in the district which contain water year round, an only a small proportion are bridged, while at least 3 others, each of which has caused the death of a number of persons, still remain as death traps, in spite of the attention government has been drawn to them, for several years past, and there having been most earnestly pleaded by the present Road Board without avail….
We think that any of the honorable members who are acquainted with this coast will agree with us when we say that Hakalau gulch, menaced as it is by both ocean and stream, with its precipitous approaches and unreliable footing, is the most dangerous gulch in any settled district of the Hawaiian Kingdom, and should be made safe without further delay. And that Ninole, whose innocent appearance as in the near past lured at least two to death, and Maulua, which every year adds a victim, should receive attention.
We do not ask for carriage roads as many of the other districts do, but will be amply satisfied with a horse path if it is only safe, and we think we have a right to ask for that much.
Honolulu Advertiser, Feb 11, 1892 :
…We congratulate Hilo on having a new Road Board in which the people have confidence, and we believe one of the first things the Board ought to do is to commence and prosecute faithfully the work on the road between Onomea and Hakalau. Until that is done and a good horse trail is made the whole distance, the other roads must only be attended to enough to keep them fit for travel.
Hawaiian Gazette, Aug 24, 1894:
It is gratifying the Government intends to begin at once to push road-building on the island of Hawaii. The gang of prisoners will be strengthened by additions from Oahu, which will there be decided into two gangs, one of which will begin work on the road from Papaikou to Hakalau.
Unfair allocation of Government funds to Hamakua roads
Hawaiian Gazette, Mar 30, 1894:
Hawaiian Gazette, Mar 30, 1894:
DEAR EDITOR. ….never were these roads in worse condition than they are today. These remarks refer more particularly to the Hilo [to Hakalau] road, which is little better than a mud hole, and from Hakalau to Laupahoehoe just about impassable…. Now it appears to me that if the Government can spend such large sums on the Volcano road, which is mainly used by the tourist, it might in all reason do something for the residents.
Hawaiian Star, July 13, 1894- A petition claiming too much attention to the Volcano road in particular and other areas while the road between Hilo and Ookala.:
From Hilo to Ookala is a distance of 30 miles, only 6 miles of which, in a northerly direction from Hilo, can be driven over with wheeled vehicles… The building of a good road is a necessity. The benefit to be derived from it is not for one class alone; plantations will not be benefited any more than will merchants and small farmers and the holders of homesteads…. There are many of the gulches that cannot be passed by wheeled vehicles until grades are changed. Among them are: Luihapuna, Hanawi, Onomea, Kawainui [Pepeekeo], Honomu, Maulua, Laupahoehoe, Kaawalii, and many others. The road from Hakalau to Maulua, a distance of 10 miles, is almost impassable during the rainy season.
1897-1899
Before we get to the significant road improvements made in 1897 and the resulting increased travel, these reports are about the complaints which continued. Much of it related to the inevitable aftermath of big rain events, despite the improvements.
Before we get to the significant road improvements made in 1897 and the resulting increased travel, these reports are about the complaints which continued. Much of it related to the inevitable aftermath of big rain events, despite the improvements.
Hilo Daily Tribune, Feb 27, 1897
Mr F. Bento, in charge of the Honomu Store, was in town last Sunday, and to a Tribune reporter stated that the roads a several points were almost impassable, and dangerous to travel over in the night, as the customary light signals are not in place.
Hilo Daily Tribune, Mar 27, 1897:
The recent heavy rains have made traveling well nigh impossible over parts where the new road is being constructed. The Government would do well to make a bridle path around such places.
Hilo Daily Tribune, Jan 8, 1898:
Some of the bridges near Papaikou should be looked after. The planks are worn down so low that the nails stick outabout an inch, which is a source of trouble to the animals.
Hilo Daily Tribune, Jan 22, 1898:
It took an average 35 men at work for a week to clear Hakalau road from a landslide which occurred there last week…
Hilo Daily Tribune, Feb 12, 1898:
The Honohina road is in miserable condition. It has not been as muddy as it is now for the past 5 years.” … Waikamalo, Ninole and Maulua lands were opened up for homesteaders last week. There was a rush for the same …. Quite a portion of the new road near Wailea and Hakalau was washed away entirely to fully half of its width. This should be looked after as it is quite a dangerous thing.
Hawaii Herald, March 31, 1898:
The rain which has fallen everyday for a month seems to be general on the islands…. On Monday it was impossible for the Wilson’s stage to make the trip to Hakalau owing to the condition of the road.
Hilo Daily Tribune, Mar 26, 1898:
The bridge near Apana’s at Pepeekeo is reported to be in a very dangerous condition for traveling, owing to the sliding off of its embankment.
Hilo Daily Tribune, Nov 4, 1899:
The people from up country curse mightily over the condition of the roads and bridges in the northern part of the district. One is unable to tell exactly from the complaints whether the Road Board is to blame or the Interior Department. One thing seems certain, however, is that the roads, which were built at such expense, in order to open up the country, give communication with Hilo and Hamakua districts with tolerable comfort and without breaking their necks, are now degenerating into rocky trails through lack of repairs at the proper time.
Road improvements touted in 1897
Hilo Daily Tribune, Jan 16, 1897:
Hilo Daily Tribune, Jan 16, 1897:
The Pepeekeo jail prisoners are working already on the Honomu section of the Hilo-Hamakua road. A new cut is being made at Wailea just below Wo Hing’s store.
In addition to the daily stage that runs as far as Onomea, enterprising Jack Wilson, has put on a fast freight wagon which makes daily trips to and from Onomea.
There was a landslide at the Kolekole cut. Some of the road laborers were miraculously saved from certain death. The plantation has built a much needed fence on the pali side of the road, thereby giving security to the travelers over the newly made road.
The lower of the Honolii bridge, which caved in owing to the action of the sea waves, is being rebuilt by Mr Mills, while the bridge itself is receiving a much needed coat of preserving paint.
Mr Chas. Hitchcock is making a point of having all the better class bridges and especially the iron ones painted throughout.
Hilo Daily Tribune, Mar 13, 1897:
Bridgework is going on merrily north of town. The new steel bridge across Honolii gulch is completed, and Manager Ross and his wife was on of the first to drive across it. The bridge across Kawainui gulch [Pepeekeo] was started last Monday and the abutments for the bridge across Kapehu gulch is well underway, which lies between Pepeekeo and Honomu.
Hilo Daily Tribune, Mar 20, 1897:
The Government’s portable engine, now standing ready for use in town, will be hauled next week out to Papaikou to run the rock crusher recently landed at Pepeekeo, to supply macadam for the roads in that district.
Hilo Daily Tribune, Mar 27, 1897:
Work on a carriage road from Hakalau to Honohina has been started....
The Kawainui bridge was completed last Saturday and the stage is now able to go as far as Pepeekeo jail....
The road work at Laupahoehoe gulch is progressing. The new road is nearly an accomplished fact and people can now travel over it.
The Hawaiian Gazette, Mar 16, 1897:
Travelers toward Wainaku will appreciate the improvement being made near there by taking out the small bridge, which is on a curve and approached from either side by a decline. Workmen are putting in a culvert over which the road will be built. One can drive now through to Honomu and, before long, carriage will go on to Hakalau. The drive through Onomea gulch affords a treat to even the oldest inhabitants.
The Hawaiian Gazette, July 9, 1897:
The road from Hilo to Hakalau has been completed and is now open to carriage traffic. The early completion of this road deserves special notice, for in the past seven months nearly 7 miles of this highway have been built in a most substantial manner. Stone arches are in the smaller waterways, while no less than 8 new steel bridges span the turbulent waters of the larger streams. The road is a series of gulch crossings, and their approaches and the grades have been made as light as the country would admit, and are everywhere in evidence the skillful manner in which the road has been laid out. This work has been completed within the time and in the manner planned and, what is more, within the funds estimated.
Hawaii Herald, Nov 16, 1899:
The Maulua Road is pau and one can ride from Hilo to Ninole gulch in a wagon by the end of the week when the bridge at Pohakupuka gulch will be finished. This bridge is a steel span of 100 ft, and is being rapidly put in place by Contractor Lewis. This will complete four of the five sections of that long gap between Hilo and Laupahoehoe. Contractor Whitehouse started a crew to work on section five which is about 600 ft long. Government prisoners are at work on the north end while Mr. Whitehouse will continue from the south end and expects to have the whole section complete by the later part of January which will make it possible to travel the entire length of the island and over a fine carriage road. The public will then have no occasion to wait for delayed overland mails and tardy steamers but travel night and day with perfect safety where heretofore in meant danger to life and limb.
The completion of the carriage road from Hilo to Hakalau in 1897 generated a number of favorable reports about travel by carts and stages:
Hilo Daily Tribune, May 29, 1897:
Hilo Daily Tribune, May 29, 1897:
A new freight line of wagons will soon be put on the road, run by Portuguese, between Hilo and Hakalau.
Hilo Daily Tribune, June 19, 1897:
Messrs. Ross and Patten were the first to drive over the new road from Kolekole gulch to Hilo and back...
Two-wheel carts are taking the place of saddle animals out here and we welcome the change. Good roads will soon revolutionize the methods of travel.
Hilo Daily Tribune, Jan 8, 1898:
Mr. Marion Moniz, conductor of the “Hilo and Hakalau Stage,” will very soon have one more stage on the line. They are to start in opposite directions; one leaving Hilo and one Hakalau every morning.
The Independent, Jan 9, 1899:
The roads through North Hilo are in good order in spite of there being so very narrow. The traffic from Hakalau to Hilo is considerable at present, for there are many stages going backwards and forwards daily. This makes it very convenient for those who wish to traffic overland to Hamakua. A stage leave Volcano Stables daily for Hakalau. In Hakalau, it is possible to hire a brake to convey one to the end of the new road, about a mile and a half from Honohina store. Then comes about 5 miles of bad road which can only be traveled on horse or mule. From Laupahoehoe, where Judge Barnard has built a comfortable hotel, a stage leaves everyday for Honokaa. Were is not for the bad road on either side of Maulua gulch, and the gulch itself, one could drive with comfort from Hilo to Kohala.
Last word: This attempt was to organize firsthand accounts from the 19th century into a broad chronology and, within these time frames, into key subjects. Newspapers were the main source but Isabella Birds’ 1873 travels on this coast was such a keen account of what she saw and experienced, it deserved the space. Other sources, such as might be available in government archives, could fill in details about road and bridge building and maintenance on this coast in the 19th century.