Honolulu Sailor's Home

The Honolulu Sailor's Home is non-profit lodge for international merchant seamen. The home was incorporated in May 1855 with a lot obtained by a grant from the Kingdom of Hawaii. Originally located on Bethel Street adjacent to the Port of Honolulu, it is now located one block away at 707 Alakea Street, coordinates .

History

The original grant included a clause "that no intoxicating liquors shall be drank on the premises", and "no women of lewd character admitted".[1] Hawaiian King Kamehameha IV laid the cornerstone for the home with "appropriate ceremonies" on Restoration Day, July 31, 1855.[2] In October of that year, the Reading Room was opened for public use. On September 11, 1856, the home was officially opened as lodging for merchant seaman.[3] The chairman of the Executive Committee was Rev. Samuel C. Damon, who published a newspaper called the Friend in the building.[4]

Sailors who died on the island without family were buried in the Oahu Cemetery, in a plot purchased for that purpose.

References

  1. ^ The Sailor's magazine, and naval journal. 27. American Seamen's Friend Society. March 1855. http://books.google.com/books?id=VtkZAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA219. 
  2. ^ The [Honolulu Hawaii] Friend, 4 Aug 1955, XII(13)50
  3. ^ The Polynesian, 13 Sep 1856, XII(19)75
  4. ^ Damon memorial: or, Notices of three Damon families who came from old England to New England in the XVIIth century. 1882. p. 141. http://books.google.com/books?id=aVBGAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA141.