Daily Honolulu press. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1886, 1885-09-23
WEDNESDAY,. SEPT. a3, 1885
sANIrARY CONDITION OF HONO-
LULU.

SANiTAhf CONDiIiOr VT
LULU.
Yesterday we showed,o tried to show,
from the writings of men who have
made such matters lifelong study
the absolute need of cleanliness in our
daily surroundings-the absolute Ger
tainty that those who violate Natures
law in this regard, sooner or later must
pay the penalty for every infraction Of
her benefcent laws, and in this matter
ignorance of the rules serves not for
an excuse. Recently we have had our
attention turned to the condition Of
our city, and after a patient and pains
taking investigation We propose to lay
before our readers matters as they really
exist With an apathy which seems a
part of this climate we, in common
with a vast majority Of our citizens,
we're content to believe that matters
were no worse than they seemed on
the surface that, as we had hired and
paid health officers, whose business it
was to look after such matters, that Of
course they did all that was necessary
to be done.
Starting out on our first tour of OBJ
servation, under the leadership OF an
experienced guide, we went first to the
Fish Market, and from there went
westerly into the district known by the
natives as Pnukoln.
To the right of narrow pathway we
first come to- nest of Chinese poi
factories. The buildings fronton Mauna-
kea street and at the back are in
close proximite to most crowded
native quarter. The whole neighbor-
hood was redolent with anything but
the fragrance Of June roses. Large
quantities of water are necessary in the
matter Of poi manufacture, and no pro-
vision being made for drainage, the
fluid containing much waste is allowed
to run of through cracks in the floor
and dispose of itself as best it may.
Going still further in the same direction
at less than two hundred feet distance
from our startiug point, we came to the
place where the poi makers deposit the
skins of the taro from which the poi is
made, together with all the other debris
of the neighborhood. 1t is a fes-
tering mass Of filth. The large quantity
deposited in this one spot has built up
lot out into the harbor, on which
some enterprising person has erected a
residence not only that, but the house
is put on posts raised slightly above the
filthy mud and ooze A number of
hog pens salute our noses with their
malodoerous presence, together with a
number Of privies built in the same
way.
With all this filth left to decay for
years in position which leaves it so
that the sea can carry away only small
portion Of the lighter parts OF this de-
caying mass, imagination may possibly
convey slight idea of matters as they
stand. We heartily wish every thought.
ful man and woman in Honolulu
would visit this neighborhood. Our
guide said we ought to be there when
Kona was blowingj we were fully con-
tent to be away from there at such a
time.
From this spot We found our way
through an alley 26 inches wide, in
places widening out to 3 feet, through
such a maze and labyrinth as we had
not the slightest idea could possibly
be in place no larger than Honolulu.
Our guide constantly pointed out open
cesspools on each side of the way.
many OF them not to exceed 3 feet in
depth originally, and now so full that
'heirputrifing contents exuded through
the cracks in the rotten flooring. This
whole neighborhood was swarmine
with humanity Finally we emerged
on King street near the bridge, whence
turning our faces to the east we in |
spected that long two story building
occupied by Chinese, principally, makai
Of the street. The building presents
an unbroken front, except for the nay-
row slley-ways between the stores, which
lead to the courts in the rear, which are
about 80 feet wide and about 60 feet
opg At the rear OF each of these
sonrts are crowded a few little pits with