The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1871-05-27
The Hotel Project. !

the ground has at last been actually broken on
which to erect a hotel in Honolulu, and the ma
terials are being prepared of which to build the
walls. The location, as our readers are aware, is
the large lot between Hotel and Beretania streets,
known to old residents as the .'Hooper premises. >
1t is, perhaps, as eligible a situation for the pur-
pose as any, being within a few minutes walk of
the business portion of the town, and a roomy
lot. But we have a few remarks to make on this
Hotel project, as it is now presented to the public
consideration, which although they can have no
possible influence in controlling any future ac-
tion in the matter by those at the head of the en-
terprise, we nevertheless deem it meet should be
here put on record.
In the first place, the plan of the building is on
a scale far too large for the present or even very
remote necessities of Honolulu. Instead Of three
stories two would be more than sufficient. Were
the forty odd sleeping rooms finished to-day that
are contemplated, how many would be occupied?
Where is the large travelling public to come from
that is to occupy this grand caravansary, and to
give employment to the numerous force of SOUL
lions, cooks and walters necessary to carry on
such an extensive establishment? And having
found that rdra driS, a man that can keep a
hotel, how long would he carry on such an ex-
pensive concern, allowing even that it was fur
nished and fitted to his hand,-without going
into hopeless and irremediable bankruptcy? To
carry out the building plans as commenced, will
require the outlay of all Of fifty thousand dollars,
exclusive of twenty thousand for land and furni-
ture, and we very much mistake the public ofthese
islands if they will allow themselves to be per-
suaded into contributing that sum, or anything
like it, towards providing a gigantic elephant.
About S35 900 is the amount as we are in
formed, that has been subscribed for the enter
prise. 1t may be asked, what is the nature of
the combination, in a legal point of view? And it
might be pertinent to inquire at this stage as to
the liability of stockholders to assessments in the
future, and whether or not those liabilities are
limited. In the hands of a crafty lawyer, what
now unthought Of complications may be made to
result from the " subscription paper?"
Again, the issuance of government debentures
is calculated to give a phase Of safety to the adj
vancement of funds but these debentures are as
yet unauthorized by the Legislature, and may
never be sanctioned. 1t is quite possible, and
indeed probable, that honorable members coming
up from remote districts, with their pockets full
of petitions for the making of roads and bridges,
will fail to readily appreciate the policy of ex-
pending the funds raised by the taxation of their
constituents in building a grand hotel for the ac-
commodation of foreigners. This difficulty, how
ever. may be obviated with some, by a timely
promise of free board and lodging, billiards and
the run of the bar.
To suppose, as a result to the whole proiecs,
that which from the preposteroufly dispro 3
toned beginning is foreshadowed,-i fails G e
end desired, or in other words, is closed NJ "a
sold out as bankrupt-who are the owners 'of
the wreck? The lot of land is safe, at all events.
That, is held in the names of two individuals, at
present members of the Cabinet, who hold it by
deed of purchase and not as trustees of anybody.
Who are the leading men in this hotel scheme?
Let us revert to a little matter of history. Once
upon a time,-as the story-boOks say-a certain
party went as envoy to a neighbOring government,
to work a big scheme. He staid some months,
and spent a considerable amount of public and
no little private money, in endeayoring. to make
the foreigners sec it as he did but failed utterly,
and returned d~iscomftted to the dear public
had paid his bills. Now this certain party
had a friend, who had been true to his absent
patron, and who desired to revisit his native land.
A happy thought struck the said patron, the re-
turned envoy, and ne called before him the lead
ng men of the dear people, and told them how
near he came to the attainment of the object he
lad sought that a little more manipulation, and
.hen victory would surely perch upon his banners.
he suggested that somebody should be sent
% complete the work, and that to put it in train
! petition should be sent to the King, praying
hat another envoy be sent. and to avoid any APP
oearance of dictation to His Majesty, it would be
not to nominate himself, the late envoy.
The leaders of the dear people thanked him for
lis arduous labors in behalf of the public veal,
md bore willing testimony to the confidence re-
posed in him by the dear people. So the petition
vas drawn, numerously signed, and forwarded.
n a little while, the cOnfding public were in
ormed that an envoy was to be SENT, In the
,crson of-the late ENJOYS friend. The too con-
public got angry, chow ungrateful y and
old the late envoy that they desired and had fully
,elieved that he would be sent to finish the job SO
luspiciously commenced that they didn't want
lis friend to go; that they could make a better
themselves. The late envoy Strengthened
lis fair proportions to their full altitude, and
boxing benignantly down upon the representa-
ives of the dear people, with a smile so child-like
md bland, said You flatter me, and l wish that
could 90 but you see, my Royal Master cannot
pare me, and as you did not nominate any
,erson for the mission, why you see, His Majesty
vas compelled to make a selection, and We have
oncluded to send my friend. You-ah-perceive,
h? The dear public said-We are ButIered and
nade a quiet exit, doubtless Illuminating on ways
are dark and tricks that are not vain.
The friend of the late envoy, it may be added
Y way of sequel to this bit of history, went, saw,
nd did not conquer, but safely returned. after
oending a few months abroad and a few thou
lnds of the dear peoples money.
The moral is left to the readers apprehension.
If the nnblic mind were pOlled TO-DAY, an over