The National tribune., 1890-04-03


! MING hALAKAUA. Lunalilo, the last of
tho great dynasty of the Kamehamehas.
| kaiakaua was born in 1896, and is of pure
| Hawaiian blood being besides connected with
| the Royal family through his mother, Queen
| Emma, now dead who was niece of Kameha-
| ncha |. His Queen is Kapiolani but the
| heIress-apparent to the throne is the Kings
sister. Princess Lliuokolani.
kaiakaua began his reign with useful acts
anu benevolent resolves, and under his declared
noiicy immigration was encouraged with good
results. He entered into great many enter
prises Tor the Improvement of his people and
MS country. but admitted to his confidence one
walter Gibson. and under the influence of this
schemcr many projects that would have been
otherwise beneficial to the people were turned
TO the account of clique in the island, and the
enormous expenditures Of public moneys began
TO cause great discomfort among tho tax. payers,
VINO were by this time mostly whites, and,
finally. in 1887 bloodless revolution took place,
headed by tho Americans. new Cabinet was
formed, new Constitution was adopted and
tho long. pending reciprocity treaty with the
United States was signed. and since then the
country has prospcred and grown under the
dominion Of Kalakaua.
On the Island of Kauai Ia the country place
of tho King. Kauai lies between Niihau the
wcsernmost island aud Oahu. 1t is about $50
miles in area, aud its climate is almost uni
formly tropical. the soil being very fertile and
abundautly watered. It ia believed 10 he the
oldest, rs being first formed by the volcanic
| agency which has been transmitted eastward,
forming each island in succession, until now
it is to be observed only in Hawaii Thither
the King repairs after the adjournment of tho
Assembly and the Courts One day found
myself at Hanalc the only port Of impOr
tance, on tho north side There ! mounted n
sturdy. sure-footed native pony, and set ont
over the island, passing through rich sugar
plantations and green forests and along beauti
ful island streams. That night / partook Of
the hospitality Of n young planter and his wife,
who the next morning directed me to the resi-
dence Of the King. ! had never dropped in on
King before hut here was good opportu-
nifty. and ! determined to have an interview
with the monarch If possible. A ride of 10
miles brought me 60 his Maiosty's cottage for
cottage only IL turned out to be-thcro was
nothing palntial about IL. A wide veranda
covered with rushcs fronted the building and
a grass-roofed arbor extended into the grounds
surrounding IL. could see no one about tho
place. or any external evidences that the house
was the residence OF n King No one came TO
usher me into the august presence, and not even
n dogs bay broke the stiffness
/ was little at loss how to proceed, and
waited some moments for someone TO appear
before attempting admittance. but IL finally
became clear that should have To act ms mas
ter of ceremonies myself. so | mounted the
steps aud knocked. After another lengthy
wait, ! raped again. and soon the door was
opened by a fine-Iookue native woman, rather
haudsome featured and lighter In color than
the women ! had seen. | stated my name and
said had called TO see his Majesty. She i'm
mediately put out her hand and gave me n cor
dial clasp, welcomed me very prettily, and
volunteered tho intelligence that she was
Queen kapiolani. AZ snon as ! recovered from
the shock Of this pnconvcnlionality aud alb
Fsh- H.. l.
dor OF royalty, maragcd 20 express my pleas.
pre aud tho honor SfIt at meeting such dis
tnguiShed woman.
Al this moment became conscious of rcgu.
lar, lond. Int In this case not wholly unmusicai
sounds. apparently proceeding from the depths
Of the inner room which however fully
recognized when the Queen innoccntlv re-
marked that tho King was just then taking
his morning nap" but that it was time
for him TO wake az, aud that If | would wait
until he did. she bad no doubt he would be
pleased 10 see me. ] could scarcely repress my
tendency 10 laugh. The situation had its ridic-
uloun side. aud such contact with royalty was
rather novel The royal purple in no instance
betrayed itself No palace was there no obse-
quous fluniics no audience room. no throne,
no corem0n tes-nothinR, indeed, TO impress ono
with the fact that royalty was near, indeed so
near that as tho snorcs issued with increased
volume through the doorway, | was obliged 10
vigorously resort TO my handkerchief, 10 avert
disaster
However. until his mightness should deigu
to rouse himself. entered into glib con-
versation with his cousort. The little lady
entertained me-with impressions OF her recent
visit to the United States, and spoke in terms
Of high praise Of the attention she received
here, and found her Intelligent and well-n-
formed on general topics. She WAS dressed
simply in white linen. aud. though dignified,
was very gracious and easy in her manner.
The Qneen has no children, but she is much
loved by her people for her unseish interest
in the poor aud sick among them, 10 whom she
devotes much time.
Our delightful chat was interrupted by sud
den stir in the little room. and the entrance ofa
figure also dressed In white linen. The King
stood before us. He is of porily. commanding
form. with an intelligent, honest face. on which
he wore mustache and whiskers aud which
lighted up with cordial smile as he greeted
me. ! told him | was "A tourist from the
" States .; was much interested i'll his country