The herald., 1895-01-28
FEATHER WAR-CLOAKS.
INTERESTING TRAITS AND GUS
TOMS OF THE HAWAIIANS.
Some Thinxs That viii ne Seen ut the
Approaching Fissss-A Rscs OF Peo-
pie Who Sre stiih superstitious.

There are many people now living in
California who remember when Ka-
nakss from the Hawaiian islands formed
. considerable proportion OF the ship
crews Of coastwiss vasssls, snd there are
others who have visitad the islspds, and
to whom representation of the native
life at the approaching fiesta de Los
Angeles will be familiar. But to q great
majority of shoss who will witnsss the
spectacle it will be revelation.
The ancient supsretitiops of the nae
tives are even vet strong among she
islanders, and it IL not difficult to pro-
cure battle-soarrsd wsaponu and war
cloaks which have figured in many
bloody battles between the rival chiefs
before Kamehsmeha l. united all the
islsnds under mia energetic rule.
It was but few years before the ad-
mission of California to the Union that
the people of the Hawaiian islands re-
la2sed for time into semi-bar barous
condition, when idolatry waa resumed
and the cloak OF civilization was thrown
aside. Order was restored, but only
after the Widest scenes were enacted.
There are many yet living who rsmsm-
Der the incidents of this astonishing
period OF savage self-indulgence.
The uneasy struggles of the native Ha.
waiians toward civilization form wierd
end interesting history. From the DAYS
OF Captain Cock the civilized world has
manifested an extraordinary interest in
the inhabitants of the Pacific islands,
and particularly the Hawaiian group,
and the attention of the world 10 d.
rected toward their efforts for self-gov-
eminent.
The Hawsiisna at the beginning of
the century we're kindly aud hospitable
to strangers. and were yst warliks
race, and the wars bstwsen ohisfa were
conducted with vigor and discipline
that sstonishsd Europeans The intso-
duction of powder and bali made theft
battles more destructive. but even be-
fore that time their campaigns were
planned and carried out with consider.
able skill.
One OF the meet singular articles OF
stheir military equipment Was the msmo.
feather war cloak, made exclusively of
The war cloak OF the first Kamehamshs
WAS not completed until niue
generations of kings had assisted
in the work. II was iaur
feet In length and had spread of liz
feet at the bottom, A fms mating was
its groundwork, to which feat hers, less
than an inch In length we're skilfully
attached, The feathers were made to
overlap, forming a perfectly smooth sur
face. and around the borders were re-
verssd. The cloak IVES of bright vel.
, low hue. making it look like gold. The
birds from which the feathers were OBJ
tanned were found in the mountainous
parts OF the island and caught by snares.
After being secured, two particular
feathers were plucked from under their
wings and the birds released. The
feathers were highly priced and difficult
to obtain. Ths war cloaks of other
chiefs were less expensive and beauti-
full, being alternated with red and vel
low figures and lines. relieved with seq
tions Of dark purple or glossy black.
There was also q smaller kind. made
from the same materials, and worn BY
those whose rank did not entitle them
to the larger CLOAK.
The helmets worn by the chiefs were
exceedingly beautiful. They were sur
mounted by lofty crest. hometimss Or
namented with the tall plumage of trop-
ica. birds, and the whole thiokly
wrought with gloasy red and yellow
feathers. The helmets reaembled the
Greoisn casqus and. with the closks, set
off to advantage the towering 1gurss of
the chiefs.
Until Europeans touched upon their
shores the Hawaiians used spears, jsve-
Inns. daggers and clubs for war. The
clubs were made from hard wood.
highly polished, and we're a most effect
i've weapon. The spears were straight.
fatteusd to a point at one enc and were
from ~ to 20 feet in length. The jave-
Inns were SIMILARLY constructed, barbed
and about six fest in length, whils the
dagger WAS from 16 inches to two feet
long, frequently pointed ~ both ends,