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Accusation of rape and subsequent trial

In September 1931 Joseph “Kalani” Kahahawai, Benedict “Benny” Ahakuelo, Horace Ida, David Takai, and Henry Chang were accused of raping Thalia Massie, the wife of a Navy officer, in Waikiki. She alleged that on the night of September 12, while walking home from a party, she was dragged into a car, taken to a remote location and assaulted by a group of Hawaiian men. The five defendants enter a plea of not guilty. The assault trial of Territory of Hawaii v. Ahakuelo et al. began on November 18. On December 5, the jury reports it is unable to come to a verdict and is sent back to deliberation. After more than ninety-seven hours of deliberation, Judge Alva Steadman declares a mistrial.

Funeral procession

Joseph Kahahawai’s funeral took place at the Puea Cemetary in Kalihi-Palama, on  January 10, 1932. It had over two thousand people in attendance and was described as the largest funeral held for any Native Hawaiian not of royalty.