GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STARBULLETIN.COM
An old soda bottle with a note bearing a simple inscription, "Elia Mahoe, February 25, 1910," was found on the site of the Kaumakapili Church renovation.
Old note in bottle
is mystery to be solvedNearly 100 years ago
a workman left his name
in a soda bottle
Workmen carry thermos coolers up the scaffolding on Kaumakapili Church for the hot job of tearing out and replacing crumbling stucco and termite-ridden lumber.
They tap into the work of the original building crew, one of whom left a little time capsule in a bottle of his refreshment of choice.
Elia Mahoe wrote his name and the date Feb. 25, 1910, on a scrap of paper tucked into a green glass soda bottle that was found recently when an electrician cut into the wall in a small side room that once housed the organ bellows.
The bottle label survived generations of termites and roaches. It identifies the root beer as a product of Arctic Soda Water Works in Honolulu, T.H. -- Territory of Hawaii.
Mahoe may have been one of the Kamehameha Schools students who worked at the original job site, said Henry Maunakea, a member of the Kaumakapili restoration committee. He may have been a youth whose name was found on the rolls of Kamehameha Class of 1917. Church members who are researching the history of the building have not determined if he was related to Charles Mahoe, listed in records as a church trustee at the time of the church's dedication in August 1911.
The congregation hopes to hear from the descendants of Elia Mahoe to fill in the story of the mischievous boy who left his personal footnote to church history. Did he continue in the carpentry trade? Was he ever a Kaumakapili member? Please call the church office, 845-0908, if you know.
The $2.5 million restoration is expected to be finished in time for Christmas services. The Kalihi-Palama landmark is actually the third church building for the congregation, which was founded in 1839. Both the original thatched-roof church and a second, twin-steepled structure stood at Beretania and Smith streets. The church was relocated after the second building was destroyed in the 1900 Chinatown fire.
