Caldwell: The Unofficial Second-Home of the Luau

Thanks to the actions of Stephen Grover Cleveland more than 115 year ago, the history of Caldwell is forever linked to the tropical Pacific Islands of Hawaii.

Cleveland, whose is listed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places, is the only president born (and buried) in New Jersey. He is also distinguished as the only U.S. President to have served two non-consecutive terms and to have been married and have a child born in the White House.

But later this month, representatives from the Pacific Justice Reconciliation Center in Hawaii will travel to Caldwell to honor Cleveland for a much lesser-known distinction. In 1893, President Cleveland supported the kingdom’s sovereignty after the Hawaiian monarchy was overthrown. His bold actions made him a hero to some native Hawaiians, who for six years have sent representatives to New Jersey to mark the anniversary of Cleveland’s actions on what is known as Hawaiian Restoration Day.

The Second Annual Presidential Luau

For the second year now, the Hawaiian visitors will be welcomed with a . The festivities will take place on Saturday, April 30, from 5 to 9 p.m., at , which is adjacent to the Grover Cleveland Birthplace.

“Last year we kicked it up a notch,” said Caldwell Councilman Joseph Norton, who was instrumental in organizing the inaugural luau that drew nearly 100 people. “I thought to myself, take it to the next level and receive them with a traditional Hawaiian welcome.”

That welcome included Hawaiian music, dance, food and a roast suckling pig. It was, as Norton said, “a traditional Hawaiian Kalua pig – Caldwell style.” The 2011 luau will also include presentations in flame-throwing, hula dance and the art of self-defense. “This year, the buzz is out there,” Norton said.

The buzz just may keep growing with the chance luau-goers will have to win two big-ticket prizes – a trip for two to Honolulu for a three-night, four-day stay donated by NTN Vacation Travel in Bloomfield and suite tickets for a party of seven to a 2011-12 Devils or Nets game, including all food and beverages, courtesy of .

Shedding Light on Hawaiian History

The yearly pilgrimage to Jersey is mostly a chance for native islanders to educate mainlanders on some forgotten American history. The visit is “geared toward educating people on traditional Hawaiian values,” according to Norton. “They want us on the mainland to recognize their values.”

Led by Rev. Kaleo Patterson of the United Church of Christ, the group visits each year to celebrate Hawaiian Restoration Day. The day is believed to have been dedicated by Cleveland as one of prayer and repentance over the U.S. role in the overthrow of the Hawaiian government. Although Patterson along with other Hawaiian natives assert Cleveland appointed April 30 as a day of prayer for the Hawaiian people back in 1894, the date did not become an official state holiday until five years ago.

Cleveland was serving his second term in 1893 when American businessmen and sugar plantation owners staged a coup to overthrow Hawaii’s Queen Lili’uokalani. They declared Hawaii a republic and appealed to the president to annex the islands to the United States. After investigating, Cleveland refused, stating the Queen should be restored to power.

“It is unusual for a President of the United States to lay out a whole legal argument for a people like he did,” said Sharon Farrell, Caretaker of the Grover Cleveland Birthplace.

A year after Cleveland left office, Hawaii became a U.S. territory. Some 61 years later, in 1959, Hawaii became the 50th state.

Patterson and other Hawaiian natives question the way in which Hawaii was acquired and wish to shed light on the negative impact colonization has had on the islanders. They argue Colonization stripped natives of their rights to the land and decimated much of their language and culture.

“It’s a sad chapter,” Farrell said of this episode in American history. “I think it’s wise for them to hold on to as much of [their culture] as they can.”

New Jersey's President

Cleveland, though, was an unusual president on many counts. As the only president to serve two non-consecutive terms, Cleveland first served from 1885 to 1889 and actually won re-election by popular vote, but lost the electoral vote. He went on to win a second term in office when he ran again four years later.

Cleveland is also the only president to be married and have a child born in the White House (others were married and had children born during their terms, but not actually in the White House). His wife, Frances Clara Folsom Cleveland, remains the youngest First Lady ever, marrying the president when she was just 21-years-old and 27 years Cleveland’s junior.

Cleveland was also impressive in his political feats, rising from Mayor of Buffalo to Governor of New York to President of the United States in only three-and-a-half years. He was rewarded for his achievements by being pictured on the thousand-dollar bill.

Meanwhile, interest in Cleveland is on the rise. Last year, the Grover Cleveland Birthplace welcomed 6,000 visitors, a record number, who came to learn about the 22nd and 24th President of the United States and view the numerous original artifacts belonging to the family, including Cleveland’s cradle and original family portraits.

Norton said he hopes to see an even greater number of tourists in town. The short-term goal is 10,000 a year. Ticket sales to the luau can help make that vision a reality. Proceeds from the event will benefit the museum and the renovation of the visitors center in hopes to make the birthplace and downtown Caldwell a .

“It’s something special that no other town in New Jersey can say they have,” Norton said. “Out of 566 municipalities, we’re the only one to have a presidential birthplace.”

The Second Presidential Luau will be catered by in Caldwell. Luau tickets are available at Caldwell Borough Hall, 1 Provost Square, and the . Tickets are $35 for adults or $25 if purchased in advance. Seniors and children 12 and under are $15. Students with I.D. get $5 off adult admission.

And don’t forget to dress in your Hawaiian best.