The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1885-05-11

thus borne in honor Of the high chiefs Of the
Hawaiian Islands.
Passing out Of the main hall where these
kahi!is stand, one emerged upon near
veranda where are grouped number Of
those who, at stated times, relieved the
mute attendants ranged on each side of the
bier.
WHERE THE KAHILIs WERE MADE.
In a small room off this veranda were
those who prepared the kahilis for service.
These were old women, for the most part
who, in their youthful days, witnessed
| scenes of wild orgies on such occasions as
this. They were crouched upon the floor,
and as their shaking hands TREMENDOUSLY
arranged the delicate feathers that have
been so skilfully cared for through many
years that they are still glossy and bright of
hue and graceful Of form, one sees that
their still deft fingers are tattooed with
rings Of blue, and that here and there
Joint is wanting, sacrificed, was the
ancient custom, to some dead and gone ali
While they work they Groom over some
ancient mele, or song, that recalls the tri-
umphs and loves of former chiefs, their
shrivelled lips working cOnvulsively over
the shrunken gums from which, at the
death of some of the late Queens ancestors,
they drove the strong white teeth in token
of their grief.
HOW THE KAHILIs ARE MADE.
These old women have about them many
packages-boxes and small bundles-Of
feathers, which it is their special care to
preserve from moth and decay. They are
provided with slender wires about foot i'll
length, and selecting one Of these tuft of
feathers is bound fast to one end by wind
ing it and the length of the wire with fine
Irvine When sufficient number are thus
prepared, they are taken and singly bound
by about one inch of the end to the circum-
ference of slender poles. The wire is then
bent so as to stand at right angles to the
pole, and, great care being taken to place
each feather tuft in exactly the right posi-
ton, the effect, when the whole are assem-
bled is, as has been said, to form cylinder,
or, in some cases, according to the design,
sphere, or cone. The base of the group of
feathers is then finished by a conical shaped
covering of silk or satin, Bound with rich
ribbons and, on funeral occasions, with
Grape.
KAHILI POLES.
Many of the poles on which the kahili
feathers are borne are made from the long,
heavy spears of dark wood used by the old
Hawaiian warriors in battle. There is one
called " Kaneonco.' that SIS built up of
human bones and this is held in high
respect by the people. There is hardly one
of these old spears but has history, and
most of them are far too heavy and long to
be welded as q weapon by any Impractical
hand.
HERALDIC EAIBLEMS.
In the main hall of the building, thanked
on either side by these symbols Of ancient
Hawaiian rank and power, hung the coat of
arms of the family in which the late Queen
was an adopted daughter. This was the
family of the late DIR. T. G. B. Rookie,
who were connected with the Essex, Eng
land, family of that name. Their coat of
arms is as follows Argent on a chevron
ingrailed between three rocks sable, chevron
sable charged with three chess rocks of the
first. The crest is a mailed and gauntleted
arm holding fusil or pistol. The motto is
Deus Pascit Corvos, which may be trans
lated &c God feeds the Ravens
ABOUT THE HOUSE,
Where were assembled these emblems of de-
parted greatness, the guards paced slowly to
and fro, their orders being to admit none
save those whom business brought to the
spot. In the yard at the rear of the dwell
ing were daily collected groups of sOrrowful
Hawaiians, many Of whom had come from
the other islands. All were dressed in
decent sober black, and bore on their
breasts, yelled with bit of Grape, small
ribbon on which was miniature photo
graph of the late Queen, surmounted by
small crown in yellow metal.
Each night there was the sound Of wailing
and the chanting of ancient meles. There
was, too, sweet, pIaintive airs sung by i'm
provisitores to the accompaniment of softly
struck guitars, and on all sides were mani
tested mute signs of grief.
HIS MAJESTY THE KING
Was a frequent visitor to the house of
mourning and was very thoughtful in direct
ing that all due honors should be paid to the
dead Queen. The Hon. John Cummings,
who is Marshal of the funeral procession,
came from Waianae, and gave the necessary
instructions for the guidance of those who
were to take places in the procession. His
Excellency the Governor of Oahu caused the
programme of the funeral TO be published,
and Mr.. W. C. Parke attended to the many
details of the occasion.
REMOVAL OF THE REMAINS To KAwAIAHAo
CHURCH.
In view Of the fact that very large mum
Der of people were DESTROYS of paying, by
their presence on the day appointed for tie
funeral, respect to the memory of the late
Queen, it was decided to accept the invita-
ton extended by the Rev. Il. H. Parker of
Kawaiahao Church, to hold the funeral
services within that spacious building Ar
rangements were therefore made to remove
the remains from the residence to the
church, and last Saturday night, between
and o'clock, the bier was placed upon a
four-wheeled platform and escorted byathe
military, detachment of police, and large
number of torch bearers, was taken to the
church.
DESCRIPTION OF THE COFFIN.
Previous to the removal, the collins in
which the body had been laid were placed
within magnificent one made by Messrs. C.