The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1892-07-29
HlLO LETTER.
Graphic Description of Luau
> In Honor of Punahou.

IslcndruSou ana hapal TO the HQna-
hou teachers and classmates was the
event OF the season. 1t was given
at Halekainehe their seaside resort
on the mainland opposite Cocoanut
Island. There is no place more at
tractively situated for a seaside
home on the islands than Halekai-
nehs (the house by the murmuring
sea). Sheltered from the storms
that occasionally blow from the
north while open to the refreshing
trades, empowered in cocoanut
palms, it provides from its position a
number of resources for amusement
or for rest. A cove for bathing in
with its carpet of white coral sand
is most tempting. The capacious-
Hilo bay for boating is unsurpassed,
while directly opposite that far
famed resort, Cocoanut Island, with
it's towering palms and shading pan
danus groves lies like a gem in its
sapphire setting of deep blue.
On the left the rising shores Of the
mainland with the towering noun
tains of Mauna Kea, with still yes
tige of snow in midsummer on its
peak, and Mauna Loa rising solemn
and grand in its massive and sombre
greatness.
The picturesque town of Hilo
slumberipg in its shade of foliage
nesting low by the waters edge,
while Immediately in our front the
blue waters Of the bay are dancing
and ripping in the sunlight. All
this combines to form picture I'M
surpassed in beauty the world over
and TO make of this place an ideal
seaside home.
On approaching Halekainehe the
first evidence of festive scene that
caught our eye was Hawaiian and
American flags flowing from the
lofty cocoanut trees, but on entering
the broad lanai where we were
greeted by our hostess and decked
with leis of roses and ferns we found
q truly tropic scene. The fresh
young fronds of the cocoanut palms,
ferns and other green plants were
most artistically used to hide all
trace of the regular habitation
Above our heads long streamers OF
bunting, red, white and blue, were
stretched and suspended from the
roof and on the front of the veranda
broad screens furnished that de
lightfnl shade that was SO comfort
able to rest in and enjoy the COO
trade breezes.
Az the time for the luau approach
ed the lanai was cleared and thu
feast spread on it. Most OF the
guests had their curiosity excited by
the opening of the 'imu" or over
and focked 10 see it. As the cover
inc was removed odors were ex
hailed that whetted the appetites, al
ready sharp, Of those present. Whei
the last covering was removed tner
lay the "puaa kalua" (roast pigl wit
ia BODY filled with steaming rock
while neatly done up in packages Q
Ii leaves were the "puaa laulau
fsmall pieces of pig and chicke
- mixedl. Some such savory scene q
This must have excited the epicuria
sense of Charles Lamb, when he wa
manfred to write that famous articl
ON the "Origin of Roast Pig"
Bv the time the feast was al
nonnced. the majority of those pre-
emit felt great aching void within
and there was no hesitation IN con
ing forward at the proper time an
taking their places. Native mats
: fine iauhala covered the floor, an
upon a white cloth, on WHICH we
spread ferns, was laid the feast. II
beauty of the scene was now note
The ladies in their light SUNNI
dresses. gentlmen in light suits
Aannels. all bedecked with leis
roses and ferns, the artistic decor
t;ons. and before us the savory al
bountiful feast. / found directly
front of me a dainty calabash I'LL
nearly full with pink poi. The ca
bash was a beautiful and mgr
polished cocoanut shell. A steaml
package of leaves, which upon ops
ing, contained number OF pieces
pork and chicken, giving off a tia'
that would set gourmet wild w
ioy. BY It's side, in small purl
leaf of a banana flower, were
relishes, salt and ''inamona," ma
from the nut of the kukui TT
Baked sweet potatoes (uala kalrr
roast pork (puaa kalua), roast CT
ken trnoa hoolua), fish ia kawa
seaweed Qimu), Chill pepper sa
(nioi lawalu), fern tops lhoio). 81
water and water melon. Biscuits I
cakes were passed around for tn
not vet feeling zest for Hawai-
food. and last of all that most de
ous dish kulolo native pudding
combination of cocoanut, meat
taro, which likewise would send
epicure into the seventh HEAVIER
bliss. The feast is so tempting
all eat to a surfeit. j.,
IL however there is one drawn
to feast that Is worth consider
it is the position you get into, sit
SQUAT on the floor. You are usu
cramped, and rarely comforts
BIT when you arrive at the poir
getting up, is the supreme MOI
of discomfort. You attempt to
of your own exertion, but the p
has departed from your limbs
YOU fail back to the floor;
effort, with assistance, few
49, -. --o,,r .oboa and main