The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1857-07-02
Hmlahulas.


During the past two years these native exhibitions
have been slowly reviving around this city, until they
are now to be met with in nearly every village on
this island. They have not been revived yet TO any
extent on the other islands. It is well known that
under the reign of our late beloved sovereign, kaui-
keouli, they were so far done away with as to be prac-
ticed very rarely and only in the most secluded places
The natives who now practice these ancient dances
say that they have received license from the govern-
ment to revive them but this we cannot believe.
If there is an officer IN this government who is willing
to assume the responsibility of having countenanced
the revival of hulahulas, we will give him or her the
credit of it, as soon as. it is ayowed.
1t is not the mere act of dancing in these exhibit
tons tina. can call forth public indignation; but it is
the consequences following them. To such an extent
are they now being INDUCED in, that natives care lit
tie for anything else than witnessing them by day
and night. They are in fact becoming a nuisance,
fostering incidence and vice among a race which
heaven knows is running itself out fast enough, even
when held in check with all the restraints which civ
ilization. morality and industry can hold out. 1t IS
said that the motives which led to the encouragement
of a revival of them, was the idea that the natives
were held in too close restraint by a missionary dy-
nasty, and that the introduction of the huiahuta
would tend to restore the ancient vigor of the race.
But the truth is, the hrlnhula is not INDUCED in but
by q very few girls-the body of the people are only
lockers on. From all we can learn. ut leasto hun-
bred young females are now under daily training on
this island, in charge of aged kumus or mastez, -
they are called, and the sound of the ancient ~ipukaolo
Cor drum) is heard in almost every neighborhood. I,
As we said before, these exhibitions are becoming
q nuisance.g When such men as Mr.. Panl Manints
whose character is above the influence Of bigtkfy, and
whose motives can only be those of philanthropy for
the Hawaiian race, prays the Minister of the Interior
to exert his influence to stay the spreading contagion.
it is time to pause, and at least inquire into the mat
ter, and see if there be evil arising from it. Those
who know most about it declare that there is evil, and
ask that some proflibitive enactment may <beafaeeed
to check it. The Privy Concil have the power ~ +
the proper body to act.
Unless some measure is taken to xchtpA the syil,
and that soon, its consequences vi 4 ft6.J Ell n every
household, and on every farm-aM f1hatation, for 50
infatuated do males end femalesR<Sl ~ nlder it,
that it will be in vain to urge them Nl3tda4fy pr to
any efforts to raise them above brntessssaH4 IS t6s RICE i
to be encouraged by those in authority lis hstaza to
their ancient practices, better at once EgksseSthA
fdtu from intoxicating drinks and give SHa11nsths
Largest liberty, Their destruction in thee5ne cas-
would be sure and speedy; but hardly less sure.
though more nroloneed. will Il be in the {. ser.
~ &Aft