Prison at Paradise!
Everytime I fly to Hawaii, usually from LAX, as the plane lifts off, people were usually happy and greeted each other. Cabin crew were usually happy as well. As we touch down in the islands, people were happier, often there were claps around the airplane. For someone who air travels a lot, these are unthinkable events these days. As air travel typically equates to unhappy passengers and glum cabin crew, at least in the US. So why Hawaii is different? Well, because you are likely going on vacation to paradise. Even if you are going to work, it is still relaxing.
Recently I have visited Maui, for the 10th time, I think; and as my older daughter was surfing in Lahaina, I had some free time to walk around the old town Lahaina, which was the main port and defacto capital of Maui in the 1850s. I had nothing to do, so I am glad I took a historic walk around town and came across this prison from 1850s called HALE PA‘AHAO prison. HALE PA‘AHAO means "stuck-in-irons house"; the place is now a museum, and I had a great and amusing time walking about the grounds.
This is the inside of the ground and the actual prison. There is like 8 cells, rather nice and comfy if you ask me. In one of the cell there is an mannequin placed inside one of the cells with a few other replicas (rather childish really), but with a voice reading parts of the journal of William Mitchell Stetson, crew member on the Bark Arab, 1853-1857. There is no one present when I visited. There is no staff that tends to the museum. There is no fee to enter this place. So I had the place and the afternoon to myself and I am laughing as my stomach cramps! Why? because our prisnor from 1850 is saying, and I quote:
“But within the white washed walls of the Lahaina calaboose, we were not destined to undergo much hardship. The first person who greeted us upon our entrance was Kirby, the man who in the morning had warned us not to go too far from town and now he had the laugh on us for our disregarding his advice. A dinner of excellent poe and fish were furnished us by some of the kanaka prisoners, and we made a hearty meal of what we had been looking for all day where we least expected to eat it. We then had a comfortable smoke and layed ourselves out on the greensward in the prison yard to await the issue and see a little prison life.”
Well that is high-life if you ask me, especially if you consider 1850s!
This is supposedly him in one of the cells. Rather nice. Yes, that's a rat, but what's the hell ships were full of rats back in those days.
Hardship of Penal Code in 1850s Maui!
But hey, law was harsh back then, and I suspect since the population was small and arms of law was longer.
So let us look at some of the crimes in 1855, 1856 and 1857 from 3 of the adjacent islands.
No surprise at #1 crime! You were a bunch of sailors, you hit land after a while you would drink!
Women, especially Hawaiian women are world famous both for their beauty and forwardness, no surprise at #2!
But #4? Seriously! Furious Riding? Come on! Where and how you are going to do furious riding! Isn't that a bit harsh?! Well, considering the jail I have shown you, maybe it is easier to find food and comfort there compared to a nearby inn. Perhaps jail was a bit better, as it was free! :)
You are welcome to ponder over the list and make whatever you want in the comments for fun, I think it could be a good exercise.
Oh! I am happy to report Cruelty to Animals was considered a crime, and there were only handful of records! Phew! Also I am happy to report, due to these drastic measures of law enforcements, the overall crime was on the decline!
Such an wonderful place and time!
