The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1878-05-11
TEE PACIFIC
Observation-Disclosures
A IL.

~ IN A 4 -h<1 =
The readers of this journal will remember that
in the concluding paragraph of an article upon
the decrease of the native population of these Is
lands, published two weeks ago, we expressed
the hope Of soon being able to give some inter
esting statistics upon the subject from a reliable
source. This we do in our present issue, and we
are sure they will be read with pleasure by every
one who feels an interest in the welfare Of the
Hawaiian people. Our remarks are founded upon
the official Report Of the Board Of Health, pre-
sented to the Legislative Assembly, now in ses-
sion. As the figures are compiled from returns
to the Board, and carefully collated by the Sec
rotary of the Board of Education, the facts de-
veloped may be regarded as authentic, and ac-
cepted without hesitation.
Under the head of Births and Deaths, the Re
port states that for the year 1877 the deaths ex-
ceeded the births by &c. The excess of deaths
for the biennial period, 1876 and 1877, has been
only 3O5. We ask careful attention to the fig
urges of the first and last periods, beginning
with 1868 and ending with 1877. The number
Of deaths for the first period was 6,879, or l2l
short of Z 900; while the number of births for
the same period was 4,267; showing the fright
full excess of deaths over births, for that period,
of 2,G12i The deaths for the period ending
1877 were 4,295, and the births 1890, or an ex-
cess Of deaths of only 305! The deaths at the
leper settlement amounted to 18l, for this term,
and for the Island Of Molokai, 303, while the
births numbered 104. Excluding the lepers, the
deaths on this Island exceeded the births by
only Is. As the excess of deaths has steadily
l.-.:zIzJ r.. 1000 % 1917 49, G-,,o, &c ~
latter year which denote a turning in the tide,
have a peculiar interest. Four of the Islands
show an excess of births in 1877, namely, Ha-
wall, three; Oahu, one hundred and three; Ka-
uai. one, and Niihau, one.
The following are the figures of each of the
five biennial periods, covering the last ten years,
and can be accepted as the most complete Of any
before published. Deaths at the leper settlement
on Molokai are included.
Total number of deaths in 1865 and IS69............. 6,S79
births " ........-... 1867
Excess Of deaths for the two years.......... 26l2
Total number of deaths in 1870 and 1s71............. 1921
births -.---.--.- 4,972
Excess Of deaths for the two y349
Total number of deaths in 1872 and Is78.-...-..... GIG
births -.-'.-.... 4,12o
Excess of deaths for the two years.............. 1899
Total nuHiDer d deatnS IN 10 t ana loI0.--..-...-... oy3Oo
births " ..........-... 1883
Excess of deaths for the two years............. 1884,
Total number Of deaths in 1876 and 1S77............. 1926
d" births " .............. 1890
-
Excess Of deaths for the two years............. 3O5
We see in these figures good grounds for hop
ing that our downward course has come to an
end, and that the next two years will show a gain
on all the Islands. Let the sanitary laws be
carried out, without fear or favor,-andt the long
wished for, long-prayed for, blessed era will be
sure to reward us for all our sufferings and sacri-
fees, at last. Our friends abroad will rejoice
with us and even the timid nnes nmnnn ~ will