The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1882-02-15
Festivities on the Opening of H. H. Ruth
Kee1ikolanis Mansion.
pEscRIpT1oN on LIE MANs1oN.

DESCRIPTION OF THE MANSION.
The entrance to this elegant mansion is gained
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 from the
rays of the sun or inclemencies of the weather.
Passing from the yerandah 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 groned roof
The Nestibule to the rear verandah stretches
sixty-hye feet III length by thirteen feet in width,
ornamented overhead by specimens Of the plas-
terers: and fresco painters handiwork. Artistic
fresco designs OF twnIng vines oak leaves, quatre-
foil. Three elaborate centre-pieces, of handsome
designs attract the attention.
To the right as 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 elaborate piece of work
manshIp, being nearly six feet in diameter, dis
playing on its surface conglomeration of various
fruits tinted and painted in imitation of the
natural colors. At each of the four of the
ceiGng of this room may be beheld the Hawaiian
Royal COat-Of-Arms in bassO TeiieU0 and in coors.
From the centre-piece is suspended u bronze siX
light chandelier, with argand burners, ana lighted
by means of air gas formed by the cOmbina-
ton 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
then merged into and seem as one. The rear
parlor is 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 same AS that of
the trout paror. The ceiling, decorations and
frescoing are like those already described but in
greater quantity. -Four bay windows offer oPpor-
tunities III this room Tor additional light and air.
This parlor contains two of tine chandeliers mem
toned and the twelve burners when lighted were
amply sufficient to afford all the light requisite.
Or the left of the entrance TO the hallway is a
room, which will probably be used as a bedroom;
it fronts on the verandah and is palmer in its de-
corations and ornamentatlons than the parlors
The room is twenty -four feet il width by twenty
one IN depth, and Of the same height as those al
ready mentioned. In the rear OF this room follow
two bathrooms and another bedroom. Return
ing again to the front of the house, a light car-
peted stairs offers access TO the rooms above.
These consist of four rooms evidently intended to
be used as guests rooms, and although we'll finish
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 il bv broad verandah Is another building
one story only in height, which contains the hall
of entertainments, kitchen, pantries, etc. The
dining hall IS spacious apartment being thirty
feet in depth, twenty-fOur feet in width and four
teen feet in height, it is capable Of accommoda-
ting a 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 to the observer.
THE LUAU.
Last week Her Highness Ruth Keelikalani, cele- !
brated her birthday and the completion of her
house by series of entertainments. The first |
of these was grand luau which was given on |
Thursday. A large lanai, near 200 feet long, had
been erected nalsai of the mansion, the side /
steps from the veranda leading directly into it. |
In this four long tables we're laid stretching almost
the entire length of the lanai. at the mauka end
close to the building, cross table prepared, |
this was reserved for the Royal Family, the diplo-
matte corps. the Judiciary and other notabilities.
The whole lanai was decorated with coacoanut 1
frOnds, fern lei, II leaves, and other decorations
of foliage: around the tables we're strewed rushes;
for the Alis table, soft Niihau mats we're spread /
around for seats. Behind the position allotted TO
BIS Majesty aud the hostess we're placed fonr
handsome kahllis. two Of these we're especially
curious as their handles were of the true Hawaiian
make, rings of bone iuterspersed with smaller
rings of the tortoise she'll exquisitely fitted to-
gether. The steps leading from the lanai 70 the
house we're decorated with efergreens and flowers.
Invitations had been issued to over thousand
people, and fully that number sat down to the
repast which had been prepared Great prepara-
ions had been made to supply this multitude
and also to make this thoroughly
typical native feast: there had been perfect
holocaust of bullocks, hogs, chickens, ducks, tur
Keys, DC. The sea had given its toll Ia tho shape
If quantities of fish and imu: the soil was indicted
n tgro, poi, sweet potatoes, cocoanuts and fruits
The long tables were covered with lengths cf tapa,
which must have been Of great value; some pieces,
I was stated, were more than one hundred years
I'D: such quantity of this cloth was In itself a
light worth seeing The food, cooked native
ashton, distributed over the tables before the
rrival Of the guests, and bowls Of poi, Of excel