Alexander Cartwright and His Lasting Influence on Honolulu

 

An Illustrated talk by Monica Nucciarone

 

The Hawaiian Historical Society invites its members and friends to its February membership program, Alexander Cartwright and His Lasting Influence on Honolulu, an illustrated talk by author Monica Nucciarone. The meeting will take place on Thursday, February 11, 2010, at 7:30 p.m. at the Kana‘ina Building (Old Archives Building). The program is free, and the public is invited.

Alexander Cartwright arrived in Honolulu in 1849, during one of the most adventurous and intriguing times of the nineteenth century. After traveling 3,000 miles from New York, and giving up on finding riches in California, Cartwright sailed to Honolulu, where he remained the rest of his life.

The hope of finding gold in California had hundreds of people traveling in and out of Honolulu’s port, and a treaty between the United States and the Hawaiian Kingdom was in the process of being signed and ratified. Article I of this treaty stated, “There shall be perpetual peace and amity between the United States and the King of the Hawaiian Islands, his heirs and his successors.” Honolulu in 1849 looked like an opportunity for goodwill and good fortune to Cartwright.

Though he was a staunch American who never gave up his American citizenship, Cartwright became one of the most influential people in Honolulu as it grew and developed into a prosperous and coveted region. Even before bringing his wife and three children from New York to join him in Hawai‘i, Cartwright became the chief engineer of the Honolulu Fire Department. Through his many business and social interactions, Cartwright either founded or co-founded many “firsts” in Honolulu, such as the first library and first chamber of commerce. He also was an officer or trustee of social organizations such as the American Club and Honolulu Assemblies. In spite of all this civic involvement, Cartwright is now best known for his contributions to the game of baseball.

Instead of focusing on Cartwright and baseball, however, Monica Nucciarone’s presentation will concentrate on Cartwright’s documented involvement with Honolulu institutions, many of which still exist today. Hear about the founding of Queen’s Hospital, the Honolulu Chamber of Commerce, the Honolulu Fire Department, the Honolulu Library and Reading Room, and many other organizations in which Alexander Cartwright was involved, one of which may surprise you. And, of course, a little bit of baseball will be discussed.