The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1857-12-10

HONOLULU can boast few sacred spots, such as
in other countries center about them a historic
interest-no ancient castles, whose moss-covered
walls and crumbling turrets recall the scenes of
former years, or the history of those who have
figured l. in them. The rude piles of stones, known
as heiaus, within whose enclosures human victims
were sacrificed, a spreading tree or overgrown
garden, planted by their hands, or beneath which
remind the stranger of the heroic exploits of for
mer kings, or the deeds of those who were their
companions.
Had Kamehameha the Great, or any of his
royal councillors, erected in their days, when
they held supreme control, some bold edifce or
monument, however rude, though permanent,
their posterity would have held it in sacred trust
from them, and yenerated the spot as sacred to
their memory. But though no such structures
exist, the very mountains and valleys of this group
will echo the deeds and name of Karnehameha
and his hero chiefs, long after their favored isles
may be peopled by another race.
A like oblivion attaches to the estates of the
few foreigners who figure in the early history of
these islands, subsequent to their discovery by
Captain Cook. Few traces of them or their eff
forts to civilize their royal masters now remain.
Among these early adventurers, none was more
prominent than Francisco DE MARIN, Commonly
called Manini,) the father of the gentlemen of
that name now living here. He arrived at these
islands about the year 1870, and continued here
till his death.
We have often heard that there existed he traces
of his garden in Pauoa Valley. And in company
with several gentlemen, including the present
proprietor of the place, R.. Gilliland, Esq, we
visited the spot a short time since. The garden
consists of fourteen acres, at the very head of the
valley, about two and a half miles from town,
at an elevation of perhaps five or six hundred feet
above the sea. 1t is a retired spot, seldom Wis
tied by foreigners, and being at the foot of the
high central ridge which separates the Koolau
from the Kona district, isshielded from the strong
trades. The white, feecy clouds can be seen
s~cudding past overhead, while it is perfectly calm
below. The road to the garden is anything but
frst-rate, as our horses in several places found it
difficult to keep their footing.
The first feeling that the visitor has on reach
ing the spot, is that of disappointment in seeing
what was once a garden of choice fruits and vege-
tables SO completely overgrown with grass, weeds
and shrubbery. 1t is only On closely examining
the locality and finding a variety of fruit trees,
that we find unmistakable evidence of its having
been formerly ir. a high state of cultivation.
Among the fruit trees noticed were the orange
and lime, several alligator pears, manages, Chinese
plums, the Tahitian vi, coffee, chocolate, and the
Tahitian banana, which bears its fruit with the
bunch upright, instead of hanging, as is common
here.
Perhaps the alligator pear is the most striking
object there. 1t is a tall tree, growing far above
the surrounding grove, to a height of fifty feet.
The trees bear fruit abundantly. but by those I'M
accustomed to it, the fruit is not relished. Some
of the trees now growing there must have been
planted forty or fifty years ago.
A mango tree, planted by Mr.. Manini in his
lower garden, where Mr.. Gilliland now lives, near
Mr.. Montgomery's, is one of the largest and
handsomest trees we have about Honolulu. 1t
covers a space of forty or fifty feet in width,
which being enclosed with ii and coffee plants,
makes a fine rustic enclosure.
These trees are almost the only existing memen-
toes of the industry of one of the first foreign set
tiers on these islands.