The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1876-07-29
The Centennial of the Discovery of
Hawaii.
Am Address.

Whilst the United States of America cele-
brate the centennial of their political birth, we
of these isles, should prepare to celebrate the
centenary of our most important historical
event-the first introduction of this Archipel-
ago to a knowledge of the world, the first dawn
of civilization upon Hawaii, the discovery by
Capt. Cook.
L do not propose this commemOration in order
to glorify Capt. Cook; although 1 am satisfied
that his claim as first discoverer of the Hawai-
ian Islands is not invalidated by any testimony
of which a candid historian can take any cog
nizance.
L do not propose such a celebration as a ju-
bilee, as no doubt the people of these isles have
much cause for mourning as well as rejoicing
in the contemplation of the past hundred years.
But / propose a national exhibition of what
Hawaii was and is at the beginning and close
of our era, in order TO illustrate an event of
immense consequence TO a race, and of great
interest to the world, and also in order to de-
rive from such cOmmemoration the inspiration
of a new and beneicent departure in progress
for this country.
The Archipelago will have an interesting if
not a brilliant retrospect in the contemplation
of her past cycle of civilization and though
Z Alt1 OAhh AhNC
when contrasted with the commemorative
splendors of the American jubilee, yet she may
in some particulars draw some parallels be-
tween herself and the Continent, in which she
may not appear altogether at a disadvantage.
She, restricted within her narrow ocean bounds,
cannot point TO any widening lines of continent
tai expansion, nor teeming millions flowing in
from an older world, but she can present her
once barbarous aboriginees, taught and organ
lied and built up into an enlightened national
ity, and she can offer the example of a warrior
and a patriot whose fame, when his opportu-
mites are considered, will hardly be dimmed
by contrast with the most illustrious the world
has ever produced.
A nations chief glory and chief worth to the
world lies in some great human example. The
power of Christianity is eyermor in the life of
its founder. The prime value of Greece is IN
her men like Epaminondas, of Rome in her
Fabricus and her Gracchi, of England in her
Alfred, of America in her Washington-and so
the world is indebted to Hawaii for the pro-
duction of a man, who though an utterly ig-
uorant barbarian and heather, presents the ex-
ample of eminent abilities resulting in the or
ganiZation and nationality Of his country.
Therefore the people of these isles should after
a hundred years of knowledge, celebrate their
great chief Kamehameha, who like his cotem-
porary the great American Father, sis first in
war, first in peace, and first in the hearts Of his
countrymen."
We, who are of the soil, and We who have come
here to find a home, should illustrate, at the close
of our era, the nation, the great chief founded, and
the country he organized. We should, at our eXhi-
bition, present as near as we can, an illustration Of
the exact condition of Hawaii, when the first ships
of discovery in ITS startled the wondering island
ers. We should produce the ancient costume, the
garments of tapa, the feather cloak, and feather
helmet, the bone pointed and serrated spear, the
club, the sling, the ancient drum, the nasal h2geolet,
the maika balls, and all the Of The
maika game, the costumes and implements of the
old wrestlers and bone breakers, the priestly wauds,
the s%acrifcial implements, the insignia Of the places
of refuge, the common utensils, the mortars and
pestles, aud stone lamps and AIDES; and so place
before modern eyes the ancient Hawaiian as chief,
as warrior, as priest, and as serf, in the war canoe,
in the hale, and in the heiau or temple; and associ-
ated with what we can produce of the costumes
and rites of the pre-discovery state of Hawaii.
Then we should contrast this ancient order with
the condition of the Hawaiian of the present day
and exhibit our translated Bibles, books and news
papers. We should present the Hawaiian printer
at his case, and illustrate our schools. Our children
would melodionsly ohaunt our progress in culture
and art and of course our musical taste and skill
would be fully illustrated by our Hawaiian band.
Then we should make an array Of the many