Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1853-06-02
The Sandwich Islands.

As these islands are destined to become a
part and portion of this republic, either by the
proposal of the present native government or
the stubborn decision Of the Anglo Saxon will
OF the American population, the following facts
CLEANED by the editor of the Cleveland Plain
Dealer from various sources, will be read with
interest -
The Sandwich islands are Ten in number.
Eight of them only are Inhabited. They
are called Hawaii. Oahu, Molokai. Maui,
Lanai, kahoolawe, Kivai. Ninau. The area
OF these eight is estimated at six thousand
square miles. The area of The largest is
land Owyhee, Tor more properly HawalD is
four thousand three hundred square miles,
being more than half that OF the entire
group, and by far the largest island in Poly
nesia.
Honolulu, in Oahu, the capital of the is
lands, has been termed the halfway house
of the Pacific. 1t is distant from Shanghai
(China) 4,470 miles Panama, Ago miles I;
Sidney, 1880 miles and vessels bound
from San Francisco 10 either Of these places
touch at Honolulu. The harbOr is safe and
large. 1t is easy of access, and vessels are
subjected TO but little delay in entering
Almost every wreck upon that coast, for
many years, has been of ships bound OF, and
which did not wish 10 come inside. Wood,
water, and ballast, of the best description,
can be readily had in any quantity. Homo
lulu, in short, possesses all the advantages OF
a large commercial depot for the North Pa
cific, and especially for California and Ore
gOn.
The population Of the Sandwich islands
ia 1850 was S0,64l. OF these, l,7S7 were
foreigners, the larger portion of whom are
Americans. The natives have a dark COM
p!exion, and are gloomy and reserved; but
are yet remarkable for their attention to the
arts of industry, and have distinguished them
selves above all others by their efforts 10 in
troduce European civilization.
The commerce of the country is extern
sive. In 1850 the Imports amounted to 81
053, 05S 20. OF this sum $3059l3 % were
from California; 1888, O37 40 from The Suites;
Great Britain, $63,987 60 I; British colonies,
$1l4,782 IL; France, 81 ,633 48. The
principal exports for the same year were as
follows: Sugar, 750,23S lbs moIasses,
$3.50 gallons, coffee, 208,423 lbs; goat
skins, 24,9S3; pine apples, 1890. The
gross receipts nj the custom house in Homo
lulu for 1850 were $l,ll6.l90 60, being an
increase Of $50, 1897 03 over those OF 1649.-
The amount of spirituous liquors, which paid
50 a gallon duty al the custOm-house in
Honolulu, for 1850 was $3.50 gallons; Of
which 6,4S9 10 gallons were brandy.
The whole number of vessels that visited
the islands IN 1850, was, merchant ships
469, whalers 237, vessels of war, -. The
supplies furnished 10 them amounted in the
same year, to $4,000. Almost tile whole
of these supplies was raised from the soil,
and consequently their value was so much
added TO the ability Of the people to pur-
chase the imports of the merchants and TO
increase their own comfort.
The schools upon the islands are in a
Furnishing condition. The amount expend.
ed for educational purposes in 1850 was
$43, l46 50, or about 50 0S 10 each Of the
taxable male population. The number of
schools in 1850, as reported by missionaries.
was 1858; number Of scholars 1892, of
whom 42l studied English. The average an
nuai cost Of each school has been SAT g.
Average yearly wages Of each teacher S37 80.
Average yearly cost of each scholar ST. 90.
Besides the public schools, there are five
semlnaries, in which, in 1850, there were
200 students. In 1919, 90 Of those gradual
ed were sent forth as teachers.
Religious progress upon the islands has
been indeed wonderful. Christianity was
introduced by the American missionaries in
1890, and il is now the religion of tie State.
The following facts we gather from the re-
port for 1850. The number Of stations is
20. Members in regular standing, % S3l
children baptized during the year. 462; on
examination at the same time. 1894; mar
riages, 1,094. The largest number added to
one church was 369-to The first church in
Honolulu. The whole amount of conlrbu>
lions 10 benevolent purposes from fifteen
churches, for 1850, was $7,2l3 IA.
The climate is mild and even, ranging from
IS TO so degrees during The entire year
The soil is fertile, and the agricultural pro-
duc,ions combine many Of temperate zone
with some that are peculiar TO the torrid.