The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1868-09-23
Cabinet Work.

Cabinet Work.
THE native woods OF this country furnish
as handsome material for cabinet and furni-
ture work as.can be found anywhere else in
the world. The koa, ko, kawili, cocoanut,
and even the kukui, finish up elegantly, I'M
der French polish, and show a splendid grain
and color. We saw at Williams's, the Cabi-
net-maker's, the other day, the coffin pre-
pared for the late Mr.. Lawrence II was
made of koa, and polished with all the skill
of the makers art. The dark color of the
koa, and its elegant grain, make it finish
up equal to mahogany, or the other much
esteemed woods for ornamental and furni-
ture work. We saw, also, at the same shop,
a bowl, turned from the kukui, that showed
curled grain, and contrast of colors very
remarkable for single block of wood. 1t
was made from a knot, or eXcrescence,
rather, which grows upon the kukul tree,
and which adheres so slightly that it is easily
knocked off. 1t may almost be called a par
isite, attached to the tree The kukui, ITSELF
is soft wood, and unfit for furniture polished
work. This tree seems to be more valuable
for its parasites than for its own wood. The
pepeiao, or fungus, is gathered from it, which
is esteemed such delicacy, by the Chinese,
for soups, and to supply the taste for which,
thousands of pounds are annually sent to
China from these Islands. 1t is a tough,
leathery substance, when dried resembling in
shape the human ear whence its native
name-a most unpromising thing in its ap-
pearance for human food, but under the skill
full manipulations of the Chinese cuisine,
constituting delicacy appreciated by their
epicures. We have tasted the fungus as pre-
pared for the table, but can not say we were
particularly delighted with its flavor, and it
has never become popular with Europeans
here, as an article of food. 1t needs trans
portation abroad to be appreciated. During
1867, 167, 666 pounds were exported.
The LEPERs-The active measures of the
Board of Health to make another thorough
examination of the Islands, for the purpose
vi cplNdu vi ltllOSl. mas at
tracted public attention to what is being
done, in this matter of the public health.
As the settlement at Molokai becomes thor
oughly organized, and its comfortable pro-
vision for the lepers becomes better known,
there is less dread and less unwillingness on
the part of the suspected, to report them
selves for examination. With perseverance
in the course adopted, the lepers throughout
the Islands will soon be all gathered in and
disposed of in the quarters assigned for their
future residence.
1t was believed, some three years ago,
when the first active measures were adopted
by the Government, that there were about
800 lepers scattered through the population,
who ought to be segregated. Up to the
opening of the Assembly, the report of the
Board of Health shows that III persons
were examined, of whom ia proved to be
lepers, and were sent to Molokai. To the
4S In the Kalihi hospital, at that time, IS
more have been added, and of this total g.
have been sent to Molokai, making a total of
confirmed cases of 23S.
The Hospital at Kalihi, organized to place
present IS patients, while there are Sc cases
on the books, not yet restrained of liberty,
who are obliged to report themselves every
month, until the nature of their malady de-
velopes itself beyond doubt
The percentage of the cases presented for
examination, and popularity supposed to be
leprous, but who really prove so, is very
small; and although the evil is serious
enough, we decidedly disapprove of alarm
lists magnifying it so much beyond it's real
extent.
OF the Ga cases lately sent to Molokai, IS
were from the other Islands, and 90 from
Oahu The examination of this Island has
not, until now, been so thorough as the
others, and hence the present cases can not
be taken as basis Of calculation, TO reach |
general result
1t is difficult to detect this insidious dis
ease in its early stages, SO that even medical
men, unaccustomed to note its obscure symp- |
toms, may not reach the truth at once in de- |
termning what the disease Of the patient |
examined may be- Hence the wholesale de- |
privation of liberty, in cases where doubt
exists, would be unjust and unreasonable |
Concealment has been great obstacle in the |
way of the Boards operation, and when one
leper has been detained he has informed on
the others. The operation OF this natural |
instinct to have all served alike will, in the
end, place all leprous persons under the cog
nizance Of our authorities So far as reason |
able industry, and perseyering intention to
combat and exterminate the leprosy, and |
the employment of wise means and agencies
for this purpose are concerned, we think the |
Board may challenge the structures Of all the
carping writers in our community.
ORANeEs.-This delicious fruit is now COM
ing in season, and despite the blight which
so seriously affects the trees, particularly in
Kona, We learn that the crop will be very
large We notice some very fine large ones
from the Kohala district. !