Mexico weekly ledger., 1886-12-09
VIEWS FROM THE "DEyIL'S PUNCH.
BOWL"
Honolulu, and its SurrOundings.--A
Glance at the Customs and Diver
siOns OF the kanakas.
Correspondence of the Ledger.

after my arrival in this distant island
city, had the unexpected pleasure
OF meeting with Mexico boy, Mr..
W. o. Lakeland, and in conversation
with him, together with copy of the
Mexico LEDGER, which he presented
me, have been reminded of many
almost forgotten incidents connected
with my birthplace. Being inform
ed by Mr.. Lakeland that a descrip-
ton of some of the features of this
part of the world would be interest
ing to yourself and readers of the
LEDGER, 1 send you a brief sketch,
touching the more striking scenes
and incidents that have come under
my observation:
To the newcomer, Honolulu, capi-
tai of the Hawaiian Island, and its
surroundings, present many striking
and interesting features, which are
rendered the more attractive by the
long sea voyage that must necessarily
precede their observation. Its balmy
atmosphere, high, verdure covered
mountains, half encircling it, neat
residences with yards and lawns fill
ed with luxuriant shade rees,and the
kindly disposed faces of the inhabi-
tants, thoroughly convince the
stranger that he has landed upon a
friendly shore. The greatest draw
back to be met with is the too ardent
sunshine, which is apt to discourage
one from investigating the many at
fractions which present themselves
to the eye. The sun don't neglect
to shine for many hours of the day In
the region, although it may be briefly
obscured by passing cloud or an
occasional shower of rain. Still as
there is alway, gentle wind blowing,
the warm rays of the sun are temper
ed and refreshing GOODNESS pervades
all places favored by shade. Pass
ing through the narrow winding
street Of the city to its northern ST.
burbs, a Dumber of deep clear pools
of water are to be found, formed by
falls in the rocky beds of small
mountain streams, where may be
seen at all hours of the day, motley
crowd of bathers of both sexes, and
various colors, enjoying what is here
the chief diversion; although the
Kanakas predominant in numbers;
one sometimes sees a diversity of
race and color probably not to be
exceeded in any other part of the
world. On Sunday morning I saw
among lot of boys in one of these
bathing pools, two japanese, two
Chinese, one white, one negro and
about half-dozen natives composed of
various shades, from three-fourth
white to full blood kanaka. In an
other pool few hundred yards from
this one were dozen or so natives
girls and women, with several men
and boys of white, red, brown and
caste. The girls swan equally as well
as the boys, plunging off of high
rocks into the deep water and re-
naming under for an astonishing
length of time. The amusements
peculiar to civilization are very limit
ed in Honolulu; the theatre, circus
and higher athletic sports being
practically unknown. The Royal
Hawaiian band, however, furnishes
music at Queen Emma Square. a
small park near King Kalakoua's
Palace, two or three evenings in the
week, which serves somewhat to
break the monotony. All the parks
and yards are decorated with a great
variety of flowers and ferns; tall pal
metto, date and cocoanut palms,
while the wide spreading mango,
pride Of India, and bread-fruit trees
furnish excellent shade.
The Kanakas are fine looking
and well manLered people not over
moral, but intelligent and interest
ing. The women nearly all go bare
footed, and their prevailing costume
is loose calico gown and a straw
hat. They are large and fat, always
smiling, never get angry or scold,
and never seem worried about any,
thing. The Chinese are quite numer-
Gus here, and have monopolized
many of the trades as we'll as the
meat and vegetable markets. In
passing along the streets the obser-
vers cannot fail to note the contrast
of the two races from an industrial
standpoint Every Chinaman will be
seen busy working, either in the
capacity of servants or in his own
little market-place or shop, while the
kanakas will more frequently be
seen lying asleep in the shade OF
strolling lelsurely about. The China,
man, ,pale and haggard from incessant
toll, the Kanaka fat and Indifferent
present as great extremes in this de.
partment of human character as
could we'll exist. If the two races
were left to themselves, it is quite
evident that the toi'ing and enter.
prislng Chlnamsn would soon come
to possess everything of value, while
the liberal but nnamhitious native
would be found out of exisseI ce.
The Caucasian, however, is the rul
ing race, and though the city and