Luther Stine Aungst

Luther Stine Aungst, businessman, Holualoa, Hawaii.  Born at Linglestown PA, Oct 26, 1862; son of Daniel and Amanda (Stine) Aungst.  Grammar school education.  Married Emma L Schoen at Hilo, Hawaii, Feb 1, 1896.  Three children Edith A, Elmer L and Wallace M.  Entered telephonebusiness, Des Moines, Iowa 1879-1882, similar work Philadelphia 1882-1886; San Francisco and Los Angeles 1886-1890; Hamakua, Hawaii, Honolulu and Kona Hawaii since 1890.  At present supt Hawaii Telephone Co.  Member Kilauea Lodge #330, F & A M, Hilo; Excelsior Lodge #1 I O O F, Mystic Lodge #2, K of P, Polynesia Enc #1.   He was on the grandjury for the October term of the US District Court for 1903. 

Known as the man who "wired" the Big Island, hired to improve Hamakua and South Kohala Telephone in 1890.  He used mules to drag telephone poles across lava flows.  Aungst installed a line from Hilo to Pau, and across Kona to North Holaha.  Secured franchise from government for Kona-Kau Telephone and Telegraph (1892-1932).  He retired in 1932 at the age of 70.  Kona-Kau Telephone & Telegraph merged into Hawaii Telephone Company. 

His description in Aug1889: 5'6" tall, sloping forehead, grey eyes, light hair, fair complexion.  The description is from a US Passport application.  He died 1953 and is buried at the Christ Church Episcopal Cemetery, Kealakekua, Hawaii, Hawaii County.