Our Grandfather, Hugh Kaleihaleopuna Montgomery(1872-1953) was for many years Kauai's jail keeper, first at the old Nawiliwili jail, once located atop the bluff overlooking Nawilwili Bay, where the bulk sugar storage warehouse presently stands, and later at the jail that replaced it in 1936, nicknamed the "Montgomery Hotel, located across the Wailua golf course.  The jail was demolished in the 1978 and replaced with the current Kauai Community Correctional Center.

Prior to taking on the job of Kauai's jailer, Montgomery, who with his cordial smile and sparkling eyes was a most unlikely looking jail keeper - had played clarinet with the Royal Hawaiian Band that had toured the U.S. mainland during 1895-1896.  Founded in 1836 by Kamehameha III, the Royal Hawaiian Band was led at that time by Prussian born Henri Berger, a naturalized Hawaiian subject and close friend of Lydia Dominis, even before she became Queen Liliuokalani, Berger and his 38 musicians sailed from Honolulu to San Francisco on June 15, 1895.  Upon arrival, they played for business magnate John D. Spreckels, who paid for their passage, as well street concerts, charming those in attendance with their beautiful music.  They also played at fairs, alternating with the world famous composer and conductor, John Phillip Sousa, renowned for his military and patriotic marches.  They also played in Dallas and several other cities and finally worked their way back to San Francisco with the Ringling Brothers Circus.  They returned to Honolulu on December 22,1896.

Credit: Oahu Publications

To access the above information, go to the internet: wwwpukanaokanialama.com and download Section II Kahanu for genealogical information about the Kahanu bloodline.

Our Mom was born on January 2, 1908 , Kauai, Kingdom of Hawaii.  On February 4, 1928, she married Nane Kalei Montgomery in Lihue, Kauai.  Edene Kauhi Montgomery, born 1929, died 1935 and buried in the Anahola Church cemetery; William Kaumuali'i Montgomery, born 1930, died 2018 and buried at the Veteran's Memorial cemetery in Kaneohe, were the children from this marriage.

Her husband allegedly was lost at sea in 1930 and was never found.  Several years later, she married George Montgomery (Nane's brother) and children of that marriage were: George, Junius, Harriet, Timothy and Lot.  She lived on Kauai, primarily Anahola and Kapaa for many years, then moved to Oahu.

She for the most part of her life, was a very hard worker.  She learned the ways of the ocean as a means of providing food and income for her family.  She took advantage of what the ocean had to offer and had great respect for the ocean.  Picking opihi and limu kohou, especially in the Moloaa area on Kauai was a favorite place.  Later in life, she took advantage of picking Ogo and Manuwea to sell at the open markets.  She gathered the dry kukui nuts in various areas on Oahu, baked them and would grind the results to form Inamona, which is a delicacy that is used in a variety of Hawaiian foods.  She found all kinds of way to earn money to provide for her family, to numerous to mention here. She always had time for our children, no matter how tired she may have been, she was always there for them.

She taught us sibling all that she knew about the ocean, to never give up when times get tough, to always take care each other and our children, to pay homage to Akua in our own way and to always be proud of our heritage.  She may not have had a formal education, but as far as I am concerned, she had a Bachelor's degree, a Master's, a Doctorate, PHD, Noble Peace Prize candidate and she earned all that from the University of Life......We love you Mama!

Our Dad was born on September 25, 1906 in Niumalu, Kauai, Hawaii.  His area of birth is near the Nawiliwili Harbor which can be seen as you are flying into the Lihue airport.  As the aircraft is banking to the right upon approach, you will see the harbor and just beyond that is the Niumalu area.  From what I remember of my Dad, he was a quiet guy, kind of a loner, worked for the City and County of Kauai (Road Crew), good throw net fisherman, lived a very simple life.

Dad was a very heavy smoker, generally he would use the tobacco from a small bag and roll it into the brown paper used in today's generation for pakalolo.  He was very good in rolling the cigarette with one hand, licking the edge of the paper then seal it.  I also saw him once adding a green substance with the tobacco before sealing it.  I think it may have been some additive that helped with his breathing because he had a bad case of Emphysema.  Like I said previously, he was a very simple guy, I never saw him angry, I remember when he disciplined me, it was very casual and soft, nothing harsh. 

He was a good throw net fisherman, knew the fishing areas in Anahola for certain kinds of fish that we wanted to eat.  He also would mend his own net when there were holes in it.  Generally, it would only take one throw to catch the kind of fish he was after.  If he caught more than he needed, he would share with the neighbors.

When he retired in 1959, I believe, he took a trip to Los Angeles where he visited Aunty Moki and I think Uncle Junius and Nane and their families.  It was in L.A. that he passed away on November 20, 1960 and laid to rest at the Westminster Cemetery.  Many years later, he was brought back home and buried next to his Dad, Mom, and siblings Hannah and Eddie in the Lihue C&C cemetery in Lihue, Kauai.