The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1888-10-16

stream, though high colored like an
infusion of strong tea, was potable
and not offensive.
Since the deep drains have been
cut, the water that passes into the
stream by way Of the outlet is
muddy and offensive.
When grinding is going on at the
mill, a large amount of wash from
the mill ITSELF charged with a GER
tain amount of saccharine matter,
often in state of fermentation, is
discharged directly into the stream.
AT such time the carnations from
the stream are in high degree of
fensive, filling the air with sicken-
ing odors.
The Koloa stream is used by the
population, chiefly Hawaiian, who
live along it's borders below the mill,
for purposes of irrigation for domes-
tic uses and is perforce their chief
avail for drinking water.
The houses occupied by the plan
tation hands also are scattered along
the banks of this same stream, and
many of them doubtless resort to it
for a supply of drinking water.
The degree of its pollution at
times may be inferred from the fact
that when polutions from the mill
are discharged into it, the fish
principally oopu-that live in its
waters rise to the surface and die in
large numbers.
The Koloa Plantation. aware of
the necessity of pure drinking wa
ter for its own employees, has
within few months laid down three
small fumes which are filled from
the upper part of the Koloa stream,
and offer supply of excellent wa
ter accessible to all of their people
who will take the pains to go for it.
The large part of the population
of Koloa, however, including the
Hawailans and many of the planta-
ton hands, are so situated that they
must use of the polluted stream or
go thirsty.
The well-to-do foreigners have
been compelled to lay pipes to con-
vey clean water to their residences.
One considerable cause of pollu-
ton of this stream is that the cattle,
horses, and mules of the Koloa
plantation are allowed to enter into
it to drink.
I'd. Other causes of pollution: The
lay of the land in the Koloa district
is not favorable for drainage.
The result is that surface water
and liquid impurities of all sorts
that are not confined by banks,
walls or receptacles finally reach the
Koloa stream as the only outlet to
the ocean.
There is also considerable marshy,
undrainable land which detracts
from the health of the place.
This is especially true of the I'M
mediate surroundings of the Koloa
stream itself. At a number of
points its low banks spread out into
reedv swamps.
The general condition of the sur
roundings ofthe mill itself is I'M
clean and more than usually sour
and redolent of the odors of fer
menting molasses.
Anuisance that is much complained
of which makes strong impression
on the passer by, when the wind
blows favorably is number of cist-
erns of puddled earth that are used
to contain the waste molasses and
various impurities coming from the
mill. -
These are posted on a piece OF
high ground makai of the mill, and
west of the Government road lead.
ing to the landing.
At the time of my inspection the
cisterns numbered five, and they
contained a dark colored, seething
fermenting mass Of molasses waste,
the odor of which resembled bilgt
water.
am glad to say that 1 could fine
no evidence of pollution Of the Ko
loa stream from privy-filth. Tn,
Koloa plantation has in larg'
measure adopted the receptacle plan
1t is only necessary to add to thi
the use of dry earth, and the system
| will be nearly perfect and capabl,
of being managed without offense tt
anyone.
) 3rd. Food and general habits o
the people. After diligent lnquir.
and investigation became satisfied
that the food of the Japanese wa
insufficient for the maintenance o
such health and vigor as is neces
sary to withstand disease.
Inspection at the time of thei
midday meal in the field where
E was eaten showed their food to con
: sist of boiled rice, a dark salt
sauce called "soy," a very wea
g beer said to be made of rice, an
, now and then few onions.
l Two or perhaps three times
D month few of them would club to
gether and buy little beef. Other
q wise butchers meat did not form
part of their diet. Fresh meat
s was assured entered largely into tn
e food of the laborers of other nation
alities.