The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1896-10-09

against it may be tersely summed as
being land greed.
Mrs. Nakuina writes as follows
Mr.. EDIToR: Let me as a Hawai-
ian add my entreaties to those
already put forward for the conver-
sion into park and playground OF
the reclaimed lands on Nuuauu
stream banks, lately occupied by the
uusightly wash houses.
There are many natives among
the dock laborers, hackmen, etc,
who are living in hired rooms in the
cheap lodging houses on King
street, Hotel street, below Nuuanu
street, around Smiths bridge and
the locality known as Kikihale.
These rooms are generally upstairs
above Chinese and Japanese shops,
and in one instance known to the
writer, over stables. Tho poor
children OF these people have no
other playground than the streets.
The gradual absorption OF kule-
anas by the rich, the prudent or
enterprising foreigners, have forced
many elderly natives to follow the
folks to town, so they can be sup
ported by the younger generation.
To such, as well as to the children,
whose natural habitat are the green
fields Of lovely Hawaii, as much so
as to any half tanned wild creature,
a park of easy access, provided with
benches for use in damp or rainy
weather, but covered with a thick
manienie turf where, luxury Of
luxuries, an old body could lay down
and sun ones self without fear or
care for the too critical gaze OF the
well-dressed members Of the upper
four hundred, would be boon in
deed.
A few trees scattered here and
there, an occational plot Of sweet,
bright or gay flowers, and an adjoin-
ing playground where, after school
hours, tho children amuse Themselves
at base ball or any other innocent
and shealthful'games, while the old
kupnnas could look on at the gam
bols Of their descendants, dreaming
and hoping that they may acquire
the knowledge and ability to cope
with the more enterprisiug and ac-
quisitive stranger,
Such aplace would be real haven
of rest to some Of my poor, bewilder-
ed race, to whom the rapid march
OF recent events, the hustlirg OF |
them by the newcomer, the over.
turning OF what to them represent
the majesty and power OF stable gov
ernmeut, has been sort OF moral
cyclone. Their religious beliefs, as
taught and accepted from the white
man, have received rude shock.
Many waver between return to the
belief and practices OF their an
cestors and skepticism engendered
by generation OF unbelief in such.
Rightly or wrongly, many have
learned to look on foreigners iu the
as natural enemies, who
impatiently await the day when the
sod shall have been turned over the
last Of their race, that their breat h
may not contaminate the air the
favored children OF earth breathe.
Their moral condition is indeed
pitiful.
An open green, breathing space
as it were, whore they can 60 and
sun themselves, meet their friends
and pass away Time, cannot possibly
Fail to impress them with the idea
hat whatever government we now
i've under the powers that be recog-
nized their needs and are disposed
% ameliorate their hard condition
where possible.
And now for the msnomer of Pa
anna Park. Palama proper is almost
! mile away from this place. Aala is
n the vicinity. Aala in the verna-
,ular means fragrant, odiferous.