Saturday press. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1880-1885, 1882-02-11
The Luau at H. R, H. Ruth Keelikolani's

On Thursday, the 9th inst, 'uan was given to
n multitude of invited guests at the residence of
II. Il. ii. II. Keelikolani, on Emma street, it being
her birthday and the occasion of the formal open
ing of her new and elegant residence. A large
lanai with canvas roof had been erected in the
grounds extending from the makai entrance of the
building to the fence. This was beautifully deco
rated with large and small Hawaiian flags and
streamers, palm leaves, festoons of male, ferns
and other plants-a profusion of grenery blended
with red, white and blue. The decorations were
arranged tastefully and admired by all
Grass strewn the ground floor and n
number of long, low tables had been erected for
the feast.
Before 12 o'clock majority of the invited
guests were on the grounds and many inspected
the new residence, and the hostess who stood on
the verandah, extended to all kindly welcome
Shortly after noon the people began to congrcgate
around the tables and remained standing, await
ing the arrival of the King and Her Highness
keelikolani; by some unfortunate misunderstand-
ing the people were directed to sit down before
they arrived and thus disarranIed the programme
somewhat. When the royal party came all stood
up, the band playing " Hawaii Ponoi."
Plates and glasses were set before each guest
and on the tables was plentiful supply of poi,
imn, pork and iuan in III leaves, fish and baked
boiled sweet potatoes and other Hawaiian dishes
Several kinds of cake were also on the tables.
People continued TO arrive on the grounds and it
was long after O'Clock before all had toasted
Owing to the majority of the people having seated
themselves before the royal party, they had fin
ished their meal while the latter were still eating
and several of the foreign ladies and gentlemen so
far forgot themselves rs to gather around the
royal table and make rude remarks about the
persons there and the dishes they were eating,
loud enough to be distinctly heard, and which
were understood by those who were thus the unex-
pected and unwilling subjects of scrutiny and crit
clsn and who, ON account of what was said by
some OF those looking ON, arose and left the table
sooner than they otherwise would have done.
When in Rome people should do AZ tho Romans
do; and those who were not accustomed TO par
taking Of tue yiands set before them. should at
least have had respect enough for the lady who
invited them to be present, and for those around
her, to have abstained from making uncompli-
mentary remarks concerning them until they had
returned To their homes, where their thoughtless
words could have mortified no one.
The iuan was attended by the bost people of
Honolulu, and to judge from the numbers present
few failed to avail themselves of their invitations
and Notwithstanding the many present there was
enough and 10 spare. The Hawaiian Band WAS in
attendance and played several airs. Everything
was done that could be done for many to make
1t n success, and II was perfect success. On
Saturday another inau will be given for natives
only. In the evening huiabnia performance was
given at which number OF foreigners were pre-
sent. This concluded the programme for that day.