Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1889-11-07
Beautiful Honolulu.
THE AMERICAN MINISTER'S IMPRESSION OF
THE HAWAIIAN CAPITAL.
u, Eannahac Innr,,st

THE HAWAIIAN CAPITAL.
Letter to Kenpebec Journal
Leaving San Francisco In the fine steam
er Australia" commanded by Captain III.
G. Houdlette, a native of Dresden on the
banks Of the kennebeC, our voyage on the
great ocean was unvexed by storms. and
made in six days and seven hours, twenty
one hundred miles We had bright suns
and nearly cloudless skies vet the Pacific
did not prove entirely pacific as we had
been led 70 suppose. The roll of the
steamer, the pale looks of many Of
the passengers, and the vacant places
az the dining table tended strongly to
prove that the sea Is never at rest. and
that the Wanted calm of the Pacific aud
the roughuess of the Atlantic are relative
terms, which should not be construed too
literally
The appearance of these islands linked
with the fame and fate of Cook aud the
American missionaries, a. We approach
them from the sea, is strikingly impress
~ive and affords pictures Of beauty and
grandeur which do not readily pass from
memory. Few cities in the old or new
world have a more attractive and com
mauding position than Honolulu A chain
Of lofty hills. running from northwest to
land, aud these lying in crescent line
form protecting barrier around the larger
portion of the level area on which the city
i, built, giving a highly picturesque appear
ance as approached from the sea. 4 sharp
peak. called Diamond Head looms up
with striking aspect when viewed from
The town or tue harDor, Al the foot OF
these mountains spreads out = fertile plain,
ten miles in length and nearly two In
width. The remarkably striking forms Of
the mountains, divided by raytnes and
green valleys as well As the adjacent plain,
clearly indicate the work of the volcanic
agencies by which they were produced.
The city covers somewhat extended
area consist. of Well laid streets, has many
tiue residences. built for a tropical climate.
which have novel appearance To strangers
from colder climate Many Of these hous-
e. Of wood or stone, surrounded by broad
yrranda~ stand amid gardens Of perpetual
'rriurr and flowers. adorned and shaded
hy stately palms the algcrola. mango and
other beautiful trees Thus the city stands
amid forest Of luxuriaut vegetation,
where prior Ia the advent Of Europeans
and Americans was little less than an arid
and trcelcss plain.
striking feature Of Honolulu, with a
present population ~ nearly 20 UOO Is that
1t j. built without a single chimney though
- streets ayr Well lIgAted with gas and
tie, trlCj'y, aud ar" covered by network
Of ram cars and telephone wires II j. a
cheerful city under brilliant sky, the blue
sea living AT it, feet with si!yery line Of
breakers showing their fosmy beauties in
the golden sunlight on the reef sufficiently
n"Ar to strike the naked eve and add 70
the attractiyrut>~ Of the city'- surround
iug-,
Among ths most conspicuous buildings
in the town are tho rOyal palace and the
rdihcr for the cab net Offices and the rooms
of INV Ave supreme judges The former
: wci, planned and stately building Of
>tuuc. Of modern design and sufficiently
large fnr official and social purpose, Ii
j. occupied ny the KIN. and his household
the basement story being Nidcd into the
necessary ol'icc rooms The other govern
m,n, rd.hcc named stands At consider
auir distance from and IN front Of the pal
arc ant j. admirably adapted ID the u~t~
of the cabinet and supreme court, whose
powers and dutie, have a controlling i'm
portauct In the affairs OF this little king
ipm
There arr few ~ the European capitals
Wllch afford more striking and beautiful
views than the panorama which the eve
takes Ia a. one stands between these two
governmental edJFcc>, which include the
mountains IN the near background and
the harbDr in front. whose beauty Is en-
hauCrd hy the brilliant sky and the rich
cnlnring Of the tropical clouds. And this
picture ~ the appurtcnances Of modern
civilization ami public order IL where but
few decades since were repulsivr barhar-
Ism and it, agencies. \ more orderly city
We have rarely seen, both day and night.
A. We'll A. oH lhr sabbath Thi. holds a.
to The HawaiAn- and The numerous Chin
esq A. we'll A. Nth the other population
ihu~ far since our arrival here "" have
scrn nh rowd yl,m IN any part Of the city,
amt path> arc more rare than even in our
Maine cities au5 large towns
For our residence we have had the good
fortune u secure house fAvurahly Iocat-
rd ~ receive the cooling brctzes which are
here - grateful 1t is located on q street
IN the famous Nanana valley, so often de
~Crihcd by tourists. which runs in right
line with deep gorge In the mountains.
through which the winds pass from sea 10
sra and the grounds which surround our
residence are covered with luxurious
plants and flowers which grow and bloom
throughout thr year, and the royal palm
amt other tropical trees serve as ornaments :
and shade. Like everybody else here We
are brought near all parts OF the city ty
the telephone.
Honolulu october 10, 1858.