The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1877-05-16
An Interesting Chapter.
AN INTERVIEW WITH THE U. S. CONSUL TO THE SAND
wICH ISLANDS. ..-


wICH ISLANDS.
DR.. Scott, native of this county, and now q.
S. Consul at Honolulu, Sandwich Islands, is in
this country leave OF absence. He visited
his friends in this city last week. and while here
we interviewed him as follows, relative to the
Sandwich Islands:
Qnestion-Where are the Sandwich Islands
situated?
Auswer-ln the Pacific Ocean, 2,l00 miles S.
w. OF San Francisco, between ATTITUDES l9 and
% north OF the equator. --a.
How many islands are there is the group con-
shutting the Sandwich Islands?
Tweee-Eight OF which are inhabited and
arabic; the other four are simply islets.
What is the climate
The climate is un excellent one, the mercury
ranging the year round between 6S and IS, con
sequentiy we have constant summer Negeta-
ton grows the year round. .tlI
W bat are the products of the island?
Sugar, rice, taro oranges bananas, and all the
other tropical fruits. Iaro is the nationa food
OF the inhabitants. 1t is species of lndiau-tur-
nip, and is grown in patches under water like
rice. When prepared tor use it Is called poi"
and is about the consistency of paper hanger S
paste, and is very pleasant food. even to foregu-
ers.
How does the sugar-cane grow on the islands !?
1t grows luxuranty, and gives a larger yield
than IN any other country in the world-as high
as six tons TO the acre having been produced
annually on some of the sugar fields. The aver
age product OF Louisiana is only about one ton
per acre.
Have they schools on the islands?
Their school system is very perfect. Fifty
seven years ago when the American Missionaries
landed Oh these Islands the inhabitants had no
written language. 4 written language was
given them by the missionaries, and now SO per
cent OF the natives between the ages Of 10 aud
40 years can read and write either 10 that or the
English language. Few countries can boast Of
SO great a per cent who can read and write.
They bave good colleges, semnaries, academies,
aud common schools IN all the Inhabited islands.
Have they churches GU the islands, aud how
are they supported?
They have very fine churches in all parts of
the islands. Their architecture is after the style
of New England. In some of them services are
conducted in the English language and others in
the native language. The Congregational form
Of church government prevails. Almost all the
natives belong 10 church or attend church SER
vices, and the Sabbath is more strictly observed
on these islands than in any part of this country
The churches OF these islands are no longer sup
ported by the foreign missionary society OF this
raise about $4,000 annually for the support of
missionaries IN the other islands of the Pacific.
What is the form Of government on these is
lands?
1t is constitutional monarchy. They have u
King Kings Cabinet, Privy Council, and a
Legislative Assembly. The Judiciary is fast
taking rank with that Of other nations. Lille
and property are as safe in these islands as in
any other country in the civilized country.
What do you say about the King?
He is gentleman about 40 years Of age in
tegent and well educated He speaks fueutIy
the English aud native languages. He was en-
throned about two years ago, and controls the
public affairs OF bis kingdom to the entire salts .
faction Of his people. He visited this country
two years ago, and much pleased with the
country and the consideration shown him by our
government and people.
Are there many Americans on these islands Z?
The Americans constitute a larger proportion
OF the population than any other foreign nation
atty, except the Chinese and control a large
amount of the active capital and business of the
islands.
What are the commercial relations of these is
lands with the United States?
Almost all the products exported from these
islands are shipped t0.ttshss--T.S s., mostly San
inportations into the islands
are mostly from tie U. S, since the passage of
the treaty Of recent date between the two cOuu-
tries.
learn you have volcanoes and earthquakes on
these islands?
Yes They have three volcanoes in active
operation, one of them the largest in the world /;
but these are not thought by the inhabitants Of
the islands to be disturbers of their future quiet
and peace They attract sight-seers from all
parts of the world. Earthquakes are not by any
means frequent, and when they do occur of a
very moderate character. They are not of the
violent character experienced in South America.
see by the papers you have leprosy on your
islands?
Yes; leprosy has had an existence in the is
lands for some 30 or 40 years, supposed to have
been brought from China. Few foreigners ex-
cept Chinese have been effected with it. As
soon as a person is known TO be effected with the
leprosy he or she is removed by the government
to the island MOlokai. part of which has been
set apart aud Isolated as au asylum for these un-
fortunate beings. None of them ever get well.
BY this old Bible system OF isolation the govern
ment, | think, will very soon relieve the islands
from this dreadful malady.
You say that the "taro is the national food
OF the natives. Do the foreigners live on taro?
No. A large number OF the natives, while
they use the taro eat other food and live in as
good style the English or American people.
The Chinese live principally on rice. The Eng
lish, Americans and other foreigners supply their
tables with great variety, ii not greater.
than load the tables eff England or America. |
have never seen better beef, mutton, fish and
other meats anywhere than is offered in these is
| lands and there is no season in the year when
there cannot be found upon the tables of the
Sandwich Islanders all kinds of vegetables just
| from the gardens,-green corn, watermelOrs,
Strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, cucum.
| bers, etc., etc.
| How is the government supported?
The government is supported by duties on i'm
ports and taxes levied upon real and personal
property. Taxation is much lighter there than
here: the levy is only q OF per cent on the
assessed value of the property.
Have you many or very nice hotels :?
Yes We have. wherever necessary. There is
one hotel in the city of Honolulu built by the
government, that will compare favorably with
many of the large hotels in the cities Of U. S.
What are the means Of communication be-
tween the Islands and the United Statess
There ia very fine line Of monthly steamers
running from San Francisco and Australia that
touch at the Islands and quite number of fine
sailing vessels running between San Francisco
aud the Islands.
Is that a good country for invalids to resort
to?
Well. / think for that class Of invalids who
are effected by severe winters, it would be n
good country. Persons pre.disposed to con-
sumption who have gone there have been bene-
! fitted, and the development of their disease