The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1871-12-13
Mani Correspondence,

these closing hours in telling You how we back
woods-men7 have spent the day. noticed by a
late New York paper that this day was 10 be the
national thanksgiving at the old homestead, by
the appointment of President Grant. Some Of
Us had made up our minds before the mail arriv-
ed, that Thursday. the Both Of November would
be suitable day for thanksgiving whether the
President appointed it or not, aud we concluded
to observe it as such. This Ne have done and
we are glad TO believe that our kindred and friends
/ in the United States have done so too The
item from New York confirming our impression
that this would be the day set apart By the Pres
ident for the public rendering of thanksgiving to
/ Almighty God for His goodness to US during an
/ other year. came too late-only the day before
to enable US to give public notice or to make the
slightest preparation for the usual festivities of
such an occasion. All we could do was to invite
our children and grandchildren Of the Kahae.
akala school 10 take breakfast with US. This
they did but left Immediately on their way to
Honolulu by way Of Waikiki. Ours was neces-
sary a family thanksgiving, and interrupted at
that; still, it was pleasant one and hope pro-
flable. Let me give you some reasons why this
Both day OF November might with much proprie-
ty be observed as a day of public and private
thanksgiving and if these reasons are valid, they
will be good for the yearly observance Of such
day by our countrymen and fellow citizens on
each Of the Hawaiian Islands. As a resident of
Maui, let me speak primarily of our obligations
to God for His dealings with US during the year.
We at Makawao. and on the island generally
have much cause for thanksgiving to our Heaven
" father for the goodness with which the year
hath been crowned. The pestilence which walk
eth in darkness aud ''the destruction that wait
eth at noon day. which, during the last two
years swept away manp Of our people, He hath
rebuked, so that few, comparatively few of them
have died and from Keokta to Huelo there
seems at present to be comfortable state Of
health. The Great Proprietor OF all worlds has
been gracious to this part Of His vast domain.
True. in February we were somewhat startled by
the severest shock of earthquake that We have
ever experienced since my residence on Maui,
but 10 particular injury, could learn, was suss
tanned by any one at Makawao or vicinity, not
even to the cracking Of eistern. OF the dam
age done at Lahaina and Lahainauua, you
have given an account through the columns Of
your paper. We were more shaken by the wind
on the 9Th Of August than 10y the earthquake.
This was a terrific gale Of wind, though Of short
continuance, and did us considerable damage by
prostraung school houses aud injuring our meet
ing mouse; the Eahaeakala Seminary for boys as
well as many private buildings besides destroying
many fruit and other trees. At Uiupalakua the
storm was much more severe than at Makavao,
and the loss in buildings, sugar cane and fruit
trees was very great Other than these vista f.
tions, the dealings of providence have been high
" favorable. The season for committing to the /.
earth the precious seed was good one, rs is the .
present season FOR ingathering the fruits of har.
vest. Rains have been timely aud copious the .
the Lord hath done HIS part, aud the earth has
not failed those who trusted in her in seed tine,
but generously rewarded their trust. am sorry
that cannot report the raising OF a single bushel
of wheat or oats \ fine crop OF Irish potatoes
have been raised at Keokea by native lowaiiaus,
and Indian Corn also in small quantities has been
raised in Kula. Where men have not been want
ing 10 energy and enterprise they have been am
ply rewarded. The fruits Of the past season have
been peaches, guava, custardapple, mango and
e., aud now the orange is producing abundantly,
We now rejoice over greatly improved roads par
ticularly in the district Of Hamakua Under the
superintendent Of Mr. Puawaina, we have at
length an excellent road from Alakawao to Huelo,
a distance of some twelve miles perhaps, and we
hope ere long to see the work carried through to
the line of Honuaula, where the enterprising pro-
with determination to carry the work through
his district, if indeed be has not already done So
Our schools are improving think most Of the
school houses Frustrated by the wind of August
9th have been rebuilt and are furnished with
very good teachers. The teachers Of the semina-
ries will doubtless keep you informed of the state
of their schools that / need not mention them.
The means of moral aud religious improvement,
both in Hawaiian and English have been employ
ed during the year usual, and but for the de-
crease Of the people by death and removal to
other localities we should be much encouraged
As it is we hope to SOW seed in the morn
ing and in the evening not to withhold our
hand, leaving the result with a higher Power on
whom all are dependent Tor success.
Such are some of the reasons we have at Ma
kawao for the observance of this day as one of
and praise to the Author of all good
for the mercies of the year.
We also sympathise with you at Honolulu in
the loss sustained in the Arctici and also with
our couutrymen and fellow-citizens in Chicago
Michigan and Wisconsin in the terrible loss of
possessions and life in the late fires by which
they have been visited.
Yours with much respect,
J. s. GREEN
P. S. Dec. G-Copious rains early this week.
Cool evenings with frosts on the mountains, bnt
we look in vain for snow as yet.