The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1876-12-06
Hawaii at the Centennial.

The following is taken from the Scientific
America, of New York. 1t fails to notice some
Of our choicest products which were shown in
the Hawaiian department,
We continue below notes the various OBJ
jects Of interest. a. The Sandwich Island Exhibit
contains large number of very curious articles but
owing to the lack of necessary descriptive labels the
visitor is unapprised Of their remarkable features
For instance. spread out in glass Is cape or
tippet. which close inspection seems to be made
Of bright yellow feathers. As few birds wear such
intensely yellow plumsge, it would naturally be sup
posed that the feathers are dyed. The reverse how
ever, is the case. The cloak is termed the kehels,
and the piumes are obtained from the mamo or royal
bird under each Of the wings Of which single yellow
feather grows. Now in the cloak there are perhaps
thousand Of and hence the number cfbirds
which must have been killed to the requisite
quantity must have been enormous. Add to this the
fact that the birds themselves are becoming very
rare, and The difasulty of producing the garment
accounts for the circumstance that it is seldom found
out Ofthe possession Of Kings. The cape exhibited
belongs to Queen Emma, and was loaned by her for
display. Il is about ten inches in BREADTH and quite
SNORT yet It's value u AoOut SopO a relic OF toe Gays
when human flesh was considered Wholesome food is
shown in q spittoon inlaid with human bones. Arti-
ces connected with the reign Of the founder Of the
line Of KamehAme5a are relgiously preserved, and
KAmehameha the First's clubs form part Of the
exhibit. There is also . cane made of n larcewood
spear which also belonged to the same doughty
warrior. fiber, little known here, called oiOna,
may prove 70 be worthy CT further experiment as
rival Of hemp even OF fax. It is the inner bark
Of shrub which at the age Of three years is Of the
fine threads. which are remarkably strong A birds
nest is peculiar from the fact that it contains
vegetable or animal matter. II appears TO be made
Of horse hair but is made Of what is called pee's
hair. n form assumed sometimes by hot lava.
The highest point yet reached by vegetation, is
1900 feet, and at that elevation the silver sword
plant grove the flower Of which is on exhibition.
One large case the birds found the islands
They are not named. One red bird, as large
that constructs the nests from pee's hair. Castor
oil and candle nut oil is also exhibited the latter Is
made from mt bearing the above name.
The Oahu College sends collection Of land shells,
containing between 500 and 300 varieties. They
all found on the island Of Oahu and nouhare else in
the world. Their habitat Is under the MOSES and
chens attached TO the bark Of trees Many varieties
are not found alive and are believed to be extinct.
But few industrial products are exhibited, and
native Manufacturers appear 10 be of very print
tive nature Cloth ia made from the inner bark Of
The bread fruit tree by kind Of telling process the
fber Is steamed and then pounded with wooden NAL
lsts. whose surface grooves are cut cloak
made in this manner on the island Of Tahiti, ana
Ornamented with shells, is shown, and aso severRl
larger pieces Of cloth felt, quits thin and tough,
md o-nsmented with aoral designs.