The Hawaiian gazette., 1877-06-20
kamehameha Nay ar Lahaina.

The above day was celebrated on Monday June
18th, with lively eclat. The 1ports altogether
native, and illustrated in striking to the
observation Of foreigners, the ancient skill and PROV
ess of Hawaians: The situation and all the sur
roundings of this place most favorable for the
display and observation of gaditorial action.
smooth and pleasant, yet gentle, banked up beach
enables spectators to stand on the very brink of
grand SURROUNDING tide, and this occasion all the
people of the ancient Hawaiian capital there to
witness, as foremost sports, a match of Hawaiian
swimmers. Four stout and ell-framed men, show
ing their glossy brown bodies and the swell and fold
of well-wrought sinews, stood up in line with grid
ed loins, like the " mamalahoa" special warriors
of the Conquerer, and a signal, they dashed into
the surf. and towards the "Nettie Merrill"
that lay about quarter of mile of shore. The
four heads kept about even line till they rounded
the schooner's stern, but one bushy head came
foremost out from under the Nettie's bow, and
recognized by the throng of people as a Lahaina
favorite, then the shouts ran along the shore. And
again as he along almost neck and neck with
stout contestant and the other two at his very heels
the outcries of friends and of excited multitude
drowned the roar of the surging tide. Now,
louder and louder was the human as the fore
most men, whose straining grim-visaged stare was
now plainly to be seen the shore, came in on the
great rollers hand over hand, and Paeoa the
favore struck the sand hardly arm 3 length be-
yond his stout competitor, there went up a shout
from the multitude loud and prolonged that must
have walked the memories of ancient contests on La
hainas shore.
The foot races, of both men and boys, spirit
ID ,,1 ,rau "a raj bah oh
enthusiasm. The climbing of the lofty flagstaff was
4 stirring illustration of Hawaiian daring. And the
donkey and bag races, with all their cOmcal mishaps
and incidents, convulsed well amused multitude
with roars of laughter.
But the surf riding the pre-eminent Hawaiian
sport, attracted earnest attention, the dignfed
Governor Moehonua had his chair planted, like King
Canute, in order to observe closely by the
marge, where the far tapping tide came to wet his
feet. POepoe, the champion surf rider of Hawaii,
took part in this contest, and there was a murmur
among the spectators this splendid athlete appear
ed the beach with his board that the judge of the
games might as well give him the prize at But
there another, and very special matter Of interest
in this contest "a woman was to contend with men
in this daring and dangerous pastme. Though past
which but slightly concealed by the scant pau.
Her long flowing hair, and well rounded limbs gist-
ened pleasingiy through the green translucent white
crested combers, through which she lightly made her
way seward, along W 18th three stalwart male com
panons till they reached the outer line of surf swell
This surf is grand ut times at Lahana and the old
gods wanted the old capital to have treat this day
The towering. combing rushed and Numbered
like an avalanche upon the beach. There alter
nations of greater and lesser Now those
bold navigators their tiny craft waiting for
great swell. Here it cOmes,-upward, the swelling
long liquid ridge arises. 1t towers aof aud rushe;
| onward to engulf the shore. And onward came the
children of old ming,-slidiug, and dane
! ing on her crests. Poepoe with outstretched arm:
like ancient warrior about to hurl spear, Gomez
erect on his swift flying keel but where is NakOokO
the woman ?-Keeping her tiny craft well asian
the insurging tide, she shoots like 4 flying isl
through the whitening foam, and as though Theft
would favor her daughter, she jUstles the champion
his wouted plank of victory, and so the flowing
hair and the rounded form in foremost amid til
Outcries of delighted multitude glad that the
had won.
Other amusements of song and dance, and mimic
ancient battle helped to fill out the interest of tn
day, whose entertainment did not close with day
| light. For when the dark of perfect blant
Lahaina night had fully set in, then there Al
cutlery behold the beacon Paupau p From
summit behind Lahaina there shot up a glare a
from fire kindled peak and it had barely shot it
first beams of light into the dark canopy above
when the people watching in the streets, cried
"behold the answering fire on Lanaiv' The bonfire Of
this island far surpassed that of Maui. The gulche
and ridges of Lanai, though ten miles distant
well illuminated to view. The broad beacon
like volcanic eruption, and reminding natives
the night fires of Pee, shot wide cleaning path
way of light across the inerning channel. Hawaiian
said, MS they gazed,-this is good day. Old time
are back again. And all of Lahaina will long rC
member this commemOration of their great chief,
this celebration of Kamehameha Day.