Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-08-17
Correspondence.
THE SANDWICH ISLANDS.

July 22d, 1870,
To the Editor Of the journal:
These Islands, short time ago, seemed to
a dweller in America one of the most remote
and inaccessible of all places ON the earth. 1t
is but very few years since it took six months
, or more to come from Boston to Honolulu;
now the journey may be made in sixteen days
of actual travelling time. A fine steamship
running once a month each way between San
Francisco and this port, together with a line
of commodious packets, and many transient
ships, join this mid-ocean kingdom to the
great living world. The voyage from the
coast at this season of the year affords plea
SAINT taste Of life at sea, but however kindly
the Pacific may justify its name and however
pleasing the company with which one may be
associated, there is WEAKNESS of the con-
finement and unvarying scene that makes the
first view of landa most welcome sight. The
aspect which first greets the eye is far from
confirming the expectations of tropical ver
dure. Headlands of volcanic rock, destitute of
shrub or tree, jut out into the sea, but when
having passed Diamond Head, the city comes
into view, charming picture is presented.
The city appears embowered in trees, while just
behind are the cloud-capped mountains, with
beautiful valleys opening up into them, cloth
ed with rich yerdure. 1t is only short time
since here was a naked plain, occupied with
collection of straw houses, with narrow foot
paths running between. Now there is a city
of substantial and elegant buildings, well con-
structed roads, and under the magic influence
of water brought down from the mountains,
the desert has been converted into garden.
The public buildings are not of much preten-
sion, but large number of most charming
private residences are to be found. The city
embraces a population of ten or twelve thou
sand, of which number the foreign element
may. make one-sixth. There is a comming-
ling of all natonaities, Chinese, French,
English and American, with smaller repre-
sentations from almost every land. The
American element predominates, and is in
creasing most rapidly. The Chinese have
come generally as Coolies, and having obtain
ed by term of service little capital, have
engaged in petty trades. They are quiet,
industrious and provident people. The ma
tives of these islands exhibit all shades of
color, from light olive to an Ethiopian
black, with hair black and straight, and fea-
lures generally dull and heavy. There are
some fine looking specimens of manhood, and
among the females, especially those OF mixed
blood, are some that exhibit high degree of
beauty. They are an indolent people, will
ing to labor only as necessity compels them,
and content to live in the rudest manner. "A
grass house for shelter, a mat to lie upon,
and po, Ga preparation from the root of the
taro plant) to eat, make up all that the COM
mon Hawaiian desires of physical comfort.
The race is rapidly declining when discov-
cred by Captain Cook less than century
ago, the islands were estimated TO have
population of four hundred thousand. Now
the number is reduced to less than sixty thou
sand. @Ns
The men dress like Americans, except that
their attire is often more scanty, frequently
consisting of only single garment when they
are at work. The most common dress of the
women is loose robe flowing free from the
neck to the feet, often of black material, but
m ,re frequently of some bright color-blue,
yellow, green or scarlet. 1t is very becom-
ing costume much better adapted to their am
pie forms than close fitting dress. Both
sexes are fond of ornaments, and wear
wreaths of bright blossoms around the neck
and the head. You may often see a ragged
boy, profusely decked with flowers, or green
leaves, if nothing better can be had. Every
native seems to own horse, fact not i'm
plying large accumulation of money, since
these useful quadrupeds may be bought for
FIVE or ten dollars. A creature of the equine
shape is sold for even fifty cents. Everything
to be transported is in some manner put on
horses back, for few have either vehicles or
harness. Their chief use is to convey their
owners. who delight to gallop as fariously as
their salutary fear of the law will allow. The
females all ride mar-fashion, and often have
wrapped about them bright-colored cloths, the
loose ends of which trail upon the ground or
fly in the wind. 1t is very common for two
to mount the same beast. Sometimes it is
the mother holding child, with, it may be, q
dog (the object of equal afiection) standing
erect behind the saddle. All are expert RI
ders, and the sight of merry cavalcade n.y.
ing over the road is quite exhilerating. The
foreign population of Honolulu embraces
large number of persons OF refinement and
culture. Few communities of equal size sur
pass it in this particular. The s'Pine Tree
State" has contributed full share Of men
who worthily occupy positions of trust and
honor, and of women who grace society.
There is here freedom of social intercourse,
a cordial tone of manners, which Is exceed
ingly attractive. The stranger properly in
troduced receives a warm greeting and pro-
fusion of friendly attentions that make him
i feel at once that he is among friends. The
soft air and warmth OF these sunny isles have
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