Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1896-04-23
LETTER FROM HAWAII.


J
As we have short vacation at present
| will endeavor to write little for tho
HERALD readers.
believe promised to write about oui
productions and mode of living. In earl,
days the principal food plants were talt
(colocasia antiquorum) which was (and is
yet, to a great extent,) the Hawaiian
''staF OF life," the sweet potato and the
yam. The principal fruit trees were the
bread-fruit, cocoanut, banana, guava,
ohelo, ohio, and several kinds OF berries
Many other kinds OF fruit are now grown,
for most any tropical fruit grows we'll
Sugar cane, the principal production at
present, was indigenous and grew luxur.
iantly. The koa, kou. lehua, kauwila
and other forest trees supplied the natives
with an abundance OF timber for useful
and ornamental purposes. Much OF the
island wood is very valuable at present.
Koa takes on most beautiful polish and
| is used in making fine furniture aud orna.
mental woodwork.
Rice, coffee, corn, potatoes, oranges,
pincapples, and many other fruits and
vegetables-other than those namcd--are
now raised. There are many valuable
rice fields. The islands produce great
amount OF coffee; and many people are
going into the industry, especially on this
island (Hawaii). This is much the
largest island Of the group, and seems to
be best fitted for coffee culture.
There is one plant here which wish
to warn people in the United States to
not experiment with. 1t is lantana. 1t
looks rather nice when in bloom; the
flowers are red and yellow and the ber-
ries, when ripe, look trif1e like null
berries, but are much smaller. Dopkeys
are about the only animals which will
eat the plant, and they much prefer
other food. Chickens and turkeys will
eat the berries. 1t il one of those plants
which "neither fire nor water will kill"
grows to most any height; will grow on
high or low, wet or dry, rich or poor
land; cannot be drowned cut, and will
stand most any drought. 1t is taking
possession of much valuable pasture
land, and grows so thick and fast that it
is killing grass and fruit trees. This is
very hard on the natives, for they do not
fancy hard work and the lantana is about
to crowd some OF them out. There used
to be wild bananas, bread-fruit, pine
apples, papais, tomatoes, coffee, ETC., and
all the natives had to do was to 90 and
pick what they wanted. In many places
these products have died, and in others
they have given way for the large plan
tations; so the natives cannot live as
easily rs in former times.
Most all kinds OF domestic animals are
raised here. Chief among these are
horses. cattle, sheep, hogs, goats, don
keys and mules. and fowls.
In parts Of the islands there are good
roads, and carriages may be used, but in
most parts pack animals must be used
instead OF wagons. Donkeys are usually
used for this purpose, as they are easily
kept and are very strong. A donkey will
live where a horse would starve. II there
is anything which can live on "faith and
brush" l think it is donkey. The little
things carry very heavy loads. Some.
times, about all that can be seen Of them
are their heads, tails and the lower parts
Of their legs.
Horses are used mostly for riding and
driving. They are not tough enough here
to stand heavy work long. Mules and
oxen are used to do heavy work on plan
tations, etc. The greater portion of the
blowing is done with large steam plows
have mentioned the chief uses OF
several animals, but none are used fol
any one purpose exclusively. All Of
them are ridden. My pupils come te
school on horses, mules, donkeys and
calves-those who are fortunate enough
to own such. People in this country dc
not believe in walking; il they have but
half mile to 60, they saddle their jack
and put large pair Of spurs on tleil
heels.
There are many fish in the ocean here
and Hawaiians are experts at catching
them. There are various kinds Of fish
and many of them 60 in schools, and the
Hawaiians usually know when a schoo
is near shore. 1t is quite grand sigh
to see them making haul. Seveia
canoes usually work together when (
large haul is being made, and everything
is done in perfect order. The men look
much like brown statues, as they stant
in their canoes watching the fish alt
their seine. Ii the seine gets caught OF
tangled, down dives man and fixes it
in short order; and, perhaps, he vii
come up with fish in his mouth.
1 noticed the account in the HERALI
Of the wrecking of the steamer Poin
Iona. My first experience on the deer
blue sea" was aboard her. l tried hcl
three times and she made me very SICK
each time; but as other vessels make mt
sick also, forgave her and am sorry tt
know OF the wreck. All the harm l wisl
the captain is that he may be placed il
command OF better vessel.
N. +. LENNON.