Kealoha: A Life of Earnest Devotion

A Women’s History Month Exhibit
Baldwin Home Museum
March 1-31, 2020

In honor of Women’s History Month, the Baldwin Home Museum explores the role of Kealoha (teacher, children’s nurse, caretaker, companion and more) within Dr. Baldwin’s family and home. Follow the life that Kealoha led during her 31 years with the Baldwin family through the following quotes and photos.

You can also download the guide to the physical exhibit here: Kealoha: A Life of Earnest Devotion

Most of what we know about Kealoha comes from family letters and journals. Scroll through for some examples.
“Bro. H.’s fine little daughter, born March 13 ^ 1856, had not been baptized, & they had not fixed on a name. Bro. H. had proposed Jessie, the wife of Fremont – but Fremont had failed of being elected Pres. & they were doubtful about the name. So I proposed to give the baby a name to which they both assented, & brought me the Family Bible to write it down, in which I wrote, Charlotte Kealoha, the name of Mrs. B. & of a pious Hawaiian woman who lives in our family, & whose daguerreotype we had brought with us.” – Tuesday, Dec. 16, 1856. Travel journal of Dr. Baldwin 1848-1858
“As for myself, I am getting along better than I expected. Kealoha spreads her bed in the corner of the sitting room next to the bedroom. And several times during the night do I hear her voice in prayer, as faithful as ever.” – letter from Charlotte Baldwin to daughter Abbie
Kealoha is “a Hawaiian woman of noble exemplary Christian character, devoted to her daily cares and duties, and always it would seem with the spirit of prayer upon her lips. Beside her mending basket lay her Bible, from which at intervals through the day she would read passages of scripture.” – Excerpt from Dr. Baldwin of Lahaina, Mary Charlotte Alexander, 1953
“From the house a lane led down to a natural pier where the ocean spray dashed high into the air. The children spent hours watching the waves and playing with small black crabs which ran over the rocks. A few steps away was a sandy beach where shell gathering was another favorite pastime. Dr. Baldwin built a bath-house on a nearby pile of rocks with coral steps leading down into the water. Here Kealoha, the Hawaiian helper, taught the children to swim and took them regularly to enjoy the water.”
“Our dear old Kealoha passed away so gently & peacefully that we could hardly realize that she was gone. She showed signs of decline about Nov1 — Nov. 22 she was thought to be dying, because she did not pray aloud that morning as usual. She took her food regularly, when fed, till the 27. That morning her breath was labored — her mind was clear. She died at 12 noon. — funeral next day, 10 a.m. She was buried in the New Cemetery East of Punch Bowl.” – Dwight Baldwin to Abbie & William Alexander