The Hawaiian gazette., 1882-02-15
Festivities on the Opening Of II. H. Ruth
Keelikolani's Mansion. 4
Description OF TIE a,ANsroN

DEoCAAfIlON Of 4hE HANSlON. "
The entrance to this elegant mansion is eained
by ascending flight of broad steps and the
visitor on reaching the top finds himself upon a
spacious and roomy verandah, enclosed by a
prettily designed and substantial balustrade ex-
tending the entire width of the front of the build
ing A lofty roof protects the occupants fvom the
rays of the sun or inclemencies Of the weather.
Passing from the verandah one is soon enter
ing within the vestibule, the attention is imme-
diately attracted by the loftiness of the ceilings
and the elaborate decorations. Looking upwards
it may be perceived that the roof of the vestbule
is plastered in imitation of a groined roof
The Nestibule TO the rear verdndah stretches
sixtyye feet in length by thirteen feet in width,
omameuted overhead by specimens of the plas-
terer's and fresco painters handiwork. Artistic
fresco designs of twIning vines, oak leaves quare-
foil. Three elaborate centre-peces, of handsome
designs attract the attention.
To the right one enters Is the smaller drawing
room, twenty-four feet by nineteen feet in size,
and sixteen feet in height. The ceiling of the
room is decorated: the warm cOlOrs used in the
frescoing and the elaborate ornamentations in
plaster strike the attention of the visitor. The
centre piece here is an elaborate piece of work
manship, being nearly six feet III diameter, dis
playing its surface n conglome ration of various
fruits, tinted and painted IN imitation of the
natural colors. At each of the four corners Of the
ceiling of this room may be behed the Hawaiian
Royal Coat-of-Arns in basSO Fsiiero and III colors
From the centre-piece Is suspended bronze six
light chandelier, with argand burners. ana lighted
by means of an air gas formed by the combina-
tion of gasoline and air. Folding doors separate
this smaller parlor from the grand reception room
and these doors when thrown open recede out of
the sight in such position that the two rooms are
then merged into and seem as one. The rear
parlor Is a magnificent room both in size and IN
ternal arrangements. The dimensions are forty
eight feet in depth by twenty-fOur feet IN width,
the height Of the ceiling being the that of
the front parlor The ceiling, decorations and
frescoing like those already described but in a
greater quantity. -Four bay windows offer oppor-
tunities in this room for additional light and air.
This parlor contains two of the chandeliers men
toned and the twelve burners when lighted were
amply sufficient to afford all the light requisite
On the left Of the entrance to the hallway is a
room, which Will probably be used as a bedroom;
il fronts the verandah and is palmer in its de-
cOrations and ornamentatiOns than the paTlOrs.
The room Is twenty-four feet in width by twenty
one in depth, and of the same height rs those al
ready mentioned. In the rear OF tins room follow
two bathrooms and another bedroom. Return
ing again to the front of the house, light car
petcd stairs offers access to the rooms above.
These consist of four rooms evidently intended to
be used rs guests rooms, and although well-huish
ed and decorated seem plain in comparison with
the lower rooms. Higher up is the attic and OBJ
servatory and from the latter splendid view of
the mountains and valleys Of Oahu, and the blue
waters of the Pacific, can be obtained.
In the rear of the main building, and separated
from it by n broad vcrandah is another building,
one story only IN height, which contains the hall
OF entertainment, kitchen, pantres etc. The
dining hall Is spacious apartment being thirty
feet depth, twenty -four feet IN width, and four
teen feet IN height, 1 is capable of accommoda-
ting goodly number OF guests whenever Her
Highness wishes TO give an entertainment. The
hall Is nicely decorated with plaster ornaments
and designs in fresco and presents a pleasing
picture 10 the observer.
THE LUAU.
Last week Her Highness. Ruth KeeIikalani. cele-
brated her birthday and the completion of her
house by series of entertainments. The first
of these was n grand luau which was given on
Thursday. A large lanai, near 20 feet long, had
been erected maEai Of the new mansion. the side
steps from the veranda leading directly into 1t.
In this four long tables were laid stretching almost
the entire length of the lanai. At the rnaukaiend
close to the building a cross table was prepared
this was reserved for the Royal Family, the diplo
matte corps, the Judiciary aud other notabiliiies.
The whole lanai was decorated with coacoanut
fronds, fern leis, Ii leaves and other decorations
Of foliage: around the tables were strewed rushes:
for the Aliis table, soft Niihau mats were spread
around for seats. Behind the position allotted to
Bis Majesty and the hostess we're placed four
handsome kahilis. two Of these were especially !
curious as their handles wer Of the true Hawaiian
make, rugs of bone lnterspersed with smaller
-ings of the tortoise shell, exquisitely fitted to-
,cther. The steps leading from the lanai to the /
louse were decorated with eTercreens and flowers l
Invitations had been issued to over thousand /
1eople, and fully that number sat down to the l
epast which had been prepared. Great prepara- /
ions had been made to supply this multitude I
and also to make this thoroughly /
ypicaI native feast: there had been a perfect /
holocaust of bullocks, hogs, chickens, ducks tur-
;eys, DC. The sea had given its toll in the shape
# quantities of fish and hmu: the soil was indicted
n taro, poi sweet potatoes, cocoanuts and fruits.
The long tables were covered with lengths of tapa,
which must have been of great value; some pieces,
was stated, were more than one hundred years
Id: such quantity of this cloth was in itself n
ight worth seeing. The food, cooked native
ashton, was distributed over the tables before the
rival of the guests, and bowls of poi, of excel