The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-01-28
FEATHER WAR-CLOAKS.
INTERESTING TRAITS AND Gus.
TOMS OF THE HAWAIIANS.
Some Things That Will se Seen at the
Approaching Fissss-A Rsce OF Peo-
pie who Sre stiii superstitious.

There are many people now living in
Califorpia whp remember when Ka-
nakas from the Hawaiian islands formed
. considerable proportion Of the ship
crews Of coaatwise vessels, and there are
others who have visitad the islands, and
to whom representation of the native
life at the approaching fiesta de Los
Angeles will be familiar. But to a great
majority of thoEs who will Witness the
spectacle it will be q revelation.
The ancient supsretitions OF the nae
tives are even vet strong among she
islanders, and it IL not difficult to pro-
cure battle-soarred wesponu and war
oloaks which have figured in many
bloody battles between the rival chiefs
before Ksmehsmsha l. united all the
islands under his energetic rule.
It was but q few years before the ad-
mission of California to the Union that
the people of the Hawaiian islsnds re-
la2sed for time into semi-bar barous
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 remsm-
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 Cook 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 di-
rected toward their efforts for self-gov-
eminent.
The Hawsiisns at the beginning of
the century vera kindly aud hospitable
to strangers. and wsre vat warliks
race, and the wars bstwsen ohiefs were
conducted with vigor and discipline
that sstonished Europeans. The intro-
duction of powder and bali msde theft
battles more destructive. but even be-
fore that tims their campaigns were
planned and carried ont with consider.
able skill.
One OF the meet singular articles OF
'their military equipment Was the msmo.
. feather war cloak, made exclusively of
feathers, the kings color being yellow.
The war cloak OF the first Kameh amahs
was not completed until niue
generations of kings had assisted
feet In length and had a spread of liz
feet at the bottom. A fine Mating was
it's groundwo to which gathers, less
than an inch in length, we're skilfully
attached. Tho feathers were made to
overlap. forming perfectly smooth sur
face. and around the borders were re-
verssd. The cloak wss OF bright yels
low hue. making it look like gold. The
! birds from which the feathers were OBJ
tanned were found in the mountainous
1 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. Tbs war closks of other
chiefs were less expensive and beauti-
full, being alternated with red aud vel.
low figures and lines. relieved with seq
tions Of dark purple or glossy black.
There was also 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 we're sur
mounted by q lofty crest. sometimes Or
ica. birds, and tbs whole thiokly
wrought with glossy red and yellow
feathers. The helmets reaembled the
Grscisn casqus and. with the cloaks, set
off to advantage the towering figures of
the chiefs.
Until Europeans touched upon their
shores the Hawaiisns uaed spears, jsvs-
Inns, dasgers and clubs for war. The
clubs we're made from hard wood.
highly polished. and were most effect
i've weapon. The spears were straight,
fatteued to point at one end, and were
from IL to 20 feet in length. The jsve-
Inns were simiNrly constructed, barbed
and about six feet in length, while ths
dagger was from 16 inches to two feet
long frequently pointed ~ both ends,