Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-10-31
KAnAKAuA,s KINGDOM.
Talks with Traveller from the Sand
witch Islands.

Yesterday a reporter encountered at ID
State library Mr.. James Simmons, witt
has spent the last five years in Honolulu
Haw allan islands, and from him obtaine
much interesting Information regarding
That far away part OF the earth. MIR. sim
mons is a handsome, vigorous man, IN Tn
prime of life, and a fine type Of the en-
terprising American. ASIDE from I'M
interest always attaching to the con
versation of an observont traveller, hit
description of the life and customs OF the
islanders possessed more than ordinary
Interest. as be is an Intelligent ano
cultivated gentleman and mas humorous
method Of description purely American
Mr.. simmons Is on his way TO Visit MS
sister in Charleston, $. c., whom he mas
not seen i0r many years, and by mistake
an changing cars here was detained ID
Nashville tWeuty-iour hours.
In 1850 sir simmons, VINO had pre-
yi0uely lea an adventurous life in Central
America and on the Pacific coast, sailed
Tor Honolulu, whore he has since been
engaged SIS superintendent Of "a large
planning mill, and in other enterprises.
The following Information was obtained in
The course OF conversation with him;
The Hawaiian OK 5andwish group consist
0ftWelNG islands. which form a curve from
northwest tos0utneast $50 miles in length
between Mexico and China, and about
seven days by steamer from san Fran
cisco. Only seven OF the islands are in
a8biled. HLey are Of volcanic origin, and
Kil8uea, on the island OF Hawaii (from
which the whole group takes its nance is
tue largest active volcano in the world.
The islands fI0m a kingdom. under King
kalaAaua, who. it will be remembered,
visited This country a few years ago.
Formerly ii was an absolute monarchy,
but IN 1872 was changed INTO cOnstitu-
t0na form OF government, and the legisla-
tive power rests with tue King and
Parliament of fourteen mobiles and twenty
Eight commons, or representatives. Of the
people. Suffrage is limited by educa-
tonal and property qualifications, the
voter beng required go nave at least $40
income and he able TO read and write.
Most or the business enterprises OF the
Islands are Ina the hands OF Americans,
and many important public positions are
also niled by them, among them the high
and mighty Offices OF prime minister ana
lord chief jus ice. The constitution and
penal ANA evil code were framed by Judge
VIM T.. Lee, an American, and are mod
eled alter our own. IN no country is the
low more respected than ia the Hawaiian
fewer criminals. Education is wonder
funy difused, every Hawaiian adult
being able to read and write his own lam
guaZe.
Besides most Of the tropical fruits and
pre- cl0us woods, the islands produce a
very fine quality Of coffee, but sugar is of
late years the principal product. The
windward coasts receive the northeast
trade winds and Intercept the rains, and
are Ia consequence densely wooded while
the leeward coasts, almost rainless, are
barren and destitute Of vegetation. The
hills, Of course, are not cultivable, but
The valleys and strip Of country on the
wind ard side OF each island is extremely
fertile, The volcanic sCOriB, which soon
dlsintegrates, forming a rich black soil.
The labOrer7 are native "hanakas" and
imported Chinese coolies, besides
considerable percentage OF Portuguese.
Wild cattle are still sometimes found in
the mountain districts, the descendants
of cattle introduced by Vancouver IN
1898, and, with the exception Of wild
ducks, plOber and a few other birds
are the only game to be found on the IS
lands.
The Hawaiians are a brown race, not
halays, but closely allied TO the Papuans,
and, although 5000 miles away, can
readily understand the natives Of New
zealand, VINO belong to the same race.
The Hawaiian language is very soft and
musical, every word ending in vowel.
The American missionaries reduced the
language to writing in 1920. only twelve
letters being required, which are A, 4, 1,
y, y, Il, X, l., III, N, Z and w. The Ha-
wallan ear readily detects nice vowel
standings, but the consonant distinctions
are often confused. The language is very
pictorial and expressive Tor natural OBJ
lects, but is deficient in abstract words
and general terms, though it abOunds in
nice distinctions and grammatical ao-
curacy. They have no verbs expressive
OF being, existence, possession, or duty, or
any OF the subjective qualifications OF a
more complex language.
The climate Of the islands is charming,
and so equable tnat there IS no word in
the Haw allan language which means
weather, and the iend who further az
gravates the temperature of our summer
by his idiotic query: lis IL hot enough
Tor yOuW is unknown in these blessed is
lands. Mr.. Simmons says that there Is
not snake TO be found on any Of the Is
lands, and not tramp, and Hawaii would
be indeed an Eden were il not for the
swarms OF mosquitoes which abound.
The natives are all nominally Christians,
and literally contribute toward the SUP
port OF the various religious bodies, but
IN reality cling to many heathenisn
customs aud practices. In 1881, Mauna
loa, one OF the largest volcanoes OF
Hawaii, which had long been quiescent,
suddenly began to pour out Irresistible
Hoods OF molten lava. Hour by hour the
m ghty stream, which was a mile wide,
came nearer the city of Hilo. The King
called council Of ministers ana they
sent commission OF engineers who, with
tons Of powder and dynamite, blasted great
trenches, hoping thus TO divert the fiery
mass TO the sea. But the trenches filed
up and still the horrible sea of melted lava
moved onward toward HIlO. The church
bells rang out and all the faithful fell
upon their knees and implOred the white
mans God 20 arrest the fiery food, but to
no purpose, for still 10 came, relentless as
fate. At last when the lava had reached
the suburbs OF uilo, 81 miles from the
volcano, Princess Ruth helekalani. the
last descendant OF the ancient kings, and
Whom the natives regarded as beng the
only person possessing the royal and
supernatural power 70 deal directly with
the gods, called Anew old retainers around
her who still held TO the ancieat belief,
and going out cast into the advancing
lava pig and bottle Of palm wine a.
prOpluatOry offerings 20 the goddess Pele.
who Is supposed 10 rule the volcano, and
chanting the ancient eXorcism or mele.
implored the mighty goddess 10 stay her
anger and arrest the flood aud. strange to
relate, the Hood advanced no further from
that moment, for, as the kanakas say,
Pele WAS appeased.