The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-07-22

SANDWICH ISLANDS, North Pacific Ocean, Kay 9, 1856 /
Interesting Particulars from Ne Aands-D cscyl,sios Of
Cahn-Raroor Of Honolalu- What ne King looks LEs
His VGI 70 the John Adams-Scasery Of tie Island
-Food Of iAe Nastpss-Taoae Eiqlste-Sandeich Island
Grog-Cimase and Productions Commercial and Marine
Observation-Disclosures
r<rs, de-
had the extreme pleasure of writing you on the LIST
instant from this port the early departure Of the
mail from these islands for San Francisco precluded
the possibility Of my giving you any detailed account
respecting them and their importance the United
States every year becoming more and apparent
and desirable have much pleasure in forwarding you
the following brief descriptive account OF visit to
the port Of Honolulu on the island Of Oahu.
The Sandwich Islands, termed by all navigators and
explorers the ogarden OF the Pacific, account Of
their beauty saubrity OF climate, &c. are eight in num-
ber and embrace superficial area of six thousand
hundred miles. The central position of these islands in
the vast North Pacific is highly favorable to their
mercal growth Their extremes Of latitude are from Is
degrees 80 minutes TO q degrees so minutes north, and
Of longitude from l54 degrees So minutes 70 100 degrees
Is minutes west from Green wich.
During say, avaied myself of the opportunities
afforded TO visit the objects Of interest to the
stranger, which OF such nature as to afford me
much pleasure and amusement The Island Of Oahu at
present the most important of the sandwich group is
OF the most beautiful have seen, and its ap
pearance from ship board you approach II from the
sea, is magnificent The harbor Of Honolulu, the prin
cpal and most frequented is situated on the southern
coast Of the island and at certain seasons Of the year.
crowded with the ships Of all nations, which seek these
ip~ abs c 1 Of their crew. The Gland being sur
rounded by natural breakwater, formed Of the coral
rock, is approached with caution, and the hsrbor Is
seldom entered without the aid of pilot The town of
Honolulu very pleasantly situated and laid out in very
good style. The valley in which it lies Of
passed grs ndeur. The houses built the Gothic
and Eizsbethan Styles and painted white surrounded
by shrubbery and verdure OF varied hues nterspersed
with trees Of beautiful foliage and the back ground
rise maestcaly the lofty volcanic mountains for which
the group remarkable, the whole presenting view the
most sublime and picturesque few days past ] visited
the Royal Palace Of the present King Kamehameha
w. large stat ely edhce, well lifted for palata
residence and the home Of royalty II is situated in the
OF the town at the foot OF mountain commanding
beautiful uninterrupted view OF the and tina. part
Of the island, also the broad expanse Of which
surrounds IT, could not but admire the courteous and
well hammered department OF the royal servitors that
thronged its halls, who, upon my expressing wish to
the palace, procured me ccerone whose gentle
manly bearing and interesting explanations accompanied
with historical sketches of the late kings pleased
exceedingly. The present King, kanehs meha ~. is
a dne noble looking man. with marked features and
about twenty three years Of age Educated in Europe,
he possesses all the attributes OF the polished gentleman
and is well acquainted with the diplomatic school, On
his accession to the Hawaiian throne the death Of
the late King, Kamehameha H., in January OF last
year. he addressed the people in very appropriate and
model speech which gave much satisfaction He Is the
of bis ncelicncy Kekuoaoa, the present Governor
OF Oahu, and an adopted son Of the late King. His
mother Kinau, chief woman, Of very high
rank, who died in 1889. lie is young man OF decided
ability. which he has displayed in the discussions
Of the House Of Mobiles du ing the past two year:
ships OF war in the harbor Of Honolulu, and during
his stay on board the John Adams, dincd with
most gorgeous and costly manner, and he decora.
tons which adorned the person OF the King were in
iniiabe for elegance and costiiness He was re-
thrice repeated, which the battery Of this ship boom
ed forth in acknowledgment Of the royal visit. His
.1f,l
which characterized his visit impressed me deeply, and
could not but remark the beneficial influence Of the diff
freshng results do We witness and how great the transit
ton from savage 70 civilized life. The time can still be
called to mind when the natives Of the Sandwich Islands
bowed in alteration 10 mortal man. and Frustrated them
selves to gain the good viii Of Captain Cook Now the
descendants Of the great chiefs visit the imperial homes
OF royalty in foreign realms, and command sceptres
whose power kings and queens acknowledge and whose
prerogatve the descendants OF the great Alexander
seek not TO question The armed representative Of the
Honolulu hNbor Numbered forth the compliments OF the
Emperor OF France on the visit Of the Hawaiian King on
board that ship and IT, b NJ ship Alarm echoed Abion's
aluations the visit OF his August Majesty TO that fri
gate.
ratng rides horseback and passing through the dense
VIII Oh the outskirts Of the town, could not
but admire the foliage OF the tees which hled them
The wchng and enchanting scenes around liz up by the
svery nge reflected from the orb OF night as that u
minatng planet pursued lis heavenly path enhanced the
beauty Of the scene and the in its tidal
aved It's waters upon the coral reef which ped them
inward TO the land In sheets OF FOAM and came rushing
nd gugng in all their fury past our horses feet want
but the expanse OF IN view 10 complete
panorama which mocks the artists pencil and arrests
the pen that fain would be able to describe IT, The Sand
wich Islanders commonly called kanakas) are OF the
Malay race with broad Noes and wide mouths and
very exJ ert hor.emen The females, with souls above
the pride OF appearances and inclined 70 comfort sally
forth Their caarsoned seeds not as the daughters OF
Saxon blood but In days OF yore using two spurs and
stirruIs Their legs forgive my speaking OF THESE fs
coors mostly red and yellow their heads adorned with
black low crowned and bread brimmed Bloomer hats
from which flows lofty plume OF ieathered STUFF, and
their bocies scloptd in the Spanish "poncho,n and
thus attred presenting very pretty and romantic As
ven a. Ioole Appearance. IN eempany WIN par,y 9.
in admiration nj the beauty u the scenery and pctur
sequences Of The country through which passed Tho
beautiful roads level n course, and extending
from eide Of the island 10 the other surrounded by
lofty mountains OF volcanic origin and emitting the
MOI MOI agran pg o r :, oe 90 nv, wn n
could reach the tall and graceful cocoa tree the majestic
and lofty mountain cabbage scattered here and there the
distant valleys a. they appeared 10 view-verdant and
clothed In vegetation Of the choicest kind, and green
The emerald from Monte Crso cavcs-thc sky and
cloudessSo brilliant in has heavenly path, the gay and
happy laughter q party at some Of my nara
tons Of adventures AT the fcjee Isauds--all tended
10 soohe and place Ne 10 OF that harmony 80
desirable.
The manners and customs Of the sandwich islanders
very original, and SAVIOR somewhat Of Indian lie.
They are real philosophers IN their way, eating when
hungry and drinking when necessary regardless Of the
hour. Their principal food Is poe which Is made from
The tarro "a vegetable similar " the yam, and AKIN -
the potatoe which being beaten into Jelly, Il then de-
posted In vessels made out Of the caabash and allowed
70 remain ,r some hours When reqsred for any meal
y brought oct and little water being added u is then
stirred round with the fingers by one OF the Hawaiian
family, and the q b. which is always eaten and steep
IN vineoS being produced they set 70 work 70 sstsy
nature Knives aud forks here unknosn, (that n
among the natives but you that IN this
ignorance Is bliss they would Of very little
Natures cutlery well ada pied for their purpose and no
other would answer the description Of food upon which
the natives 1--we.
The evening previous 70 my intended departure for San
Francisco received invitation from young gentle
resident at Honolulu, 70 accompany him short
inland he informed me that Q native doctor
about 10 visit Of the wives OF Chief residing about
two miles out Of town, and as the ceremony, was
formed, was somewhat novel 10 stranger, determined
10 be present. Mounting . horse which my friend had
provided for me- rode etsurey along and Just the
sank INTO the horizons lap, we arrived at the house
o the invslds. We respectfully invited 10 enter,
and while conversation ensued between my friend
and the chief had time 70 take cursory glance around
Tie house, built of rush and palm leaf with wooden
rafters, two doors, and without windows, square,
and about thirty feet WIDE tho floor OF which covered
with Indian mating In the upper corner sat two native