Editor’s note: On Dec. 3, the Kaua‘i Museum celebrates its 50th anniversary. Museum leaders have chosen 50 stories from exhibits, collections and the archives of the museum to share with the public. One story will run daily through Dec. 3.
Editor’s note: On Dec. 3, the Kaua‘i Museum celebrates its 50th anniversary. Museum leaders have chosen 50 stories from exhibits, collections and the archives of the museum to share with the public. One story will run daily through Dec. 3.
LIHU‘E — It is interesting how a simple act can have such long-reaching consequence.
In the museum stands a wooden figure of an 18th century sailor holding a spyglass.
He has spent the past 25 years or so overlooking the gallery on a koa stand.
He had stood vigilance atop the eaves of the Lihu‘e plantation-owned store, in its many incarnations, for over 100 years.
Even in his current location he has not moved more than a quarter mile since being placed on the eave of that first building to the closure of Kaua‘i Stores in the 1980s.
How did he come to be there?
A stranger from one of the whale boat anchored in Nawiliwili took ill and Mrs. William Harrison Rice took him in and did much to ease his last days.
As a token of his appreciation, he presented her with the carven figure which he had made himself. She had him placed atop the plantation store.
Even when the cement building was put in, a niche was reserved for him. His image became the logo for Kaua‘i Stores which opened in the new Lihu‘e Shopping Center.
Around him are numerous images of the plantation store.
In nearly every one, he can be found.
