The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1896-06-20
WAS MISS FIELDS LAST.
HER FINAL LETTER FROM THE
ISLAND OF HAWAII.
Was in North Kohala-Insight Into
Her Method of Work-Was Deter
mined to Get at the Facts
IChicago Times-Herald.l


North Kohala, Island of Hawaii,
May 4, 1896. Dear Mr.. Kohlsaat: -
You can't be more amazed than | am
that six weeks have elapsed since |
last wrote for publication. When l
left Honolulu l thought l could do
this island of Hawaii, the biggest OF
the group in about three weeks. No
body ever tells Il stranger downright,
essential facts on these islands, and
the result is that every tourist must be
more or less his own guide. Of course
this means a lot of the unexpected.
and that is just what l have been en-
countering.
The end is not yet, but, as there
are no railroads, very few roads, and
going back on trails takes as much
time as going forward, and accompl-
ishing what | set out fora tour
round the islands on horseback-you
would do precisely what l am doing
were you in my place-go on.
But one thing concerns me-fear
that you will be dissatisfied at my sill
ence and time given to really seeing
Hawaii and thus being master of the
subject. | am gathering information
worth thousands of dollars, and only
to be obtained by personal observa-
ton. | am glad to have undertaken
what no other person has ever done.
In 1872 Miss Bird (English) spent six
months in Hawaii and wrote book
which is read to this day. But it is
very superficial and very hifalutin.
She rode about a great deal but did
not stick to facts, and had neither
philosophy, politics nor annexation in
her minds eye. So | have the field to
myself.
Merely to sit down in Honolulu and
pretend to know about these islands
is absurd, and no Hawaiian would
give penny for my opinion did |
the people and congress of the United
States.
/ can't tell you how gratifed the
islanders are that l am roughing it
for their benefit. Remember that
there are no roads and no hotels.
was loaned an easy mare in Hilo, who
has brought me 100 miles in ten days.
1 have travelled from plantation to
plantation of sugar and coffee and
been well treated by whites of Amer
lean or British birth. / am guided by
the local police, who are natives, and
l see as many of the Hawaiians as
possible. l address the natives as an
American whenever invited, and make
friends for my country and annexa-
ton. Not one dollar will the planters
or the sheriffs take for entertaining
or caring for me, but, of course,
must remember them some way, and
fee the guides. You see, therefore,
that / am not squandering money.
Yesterday l rode twenty-five miles
from Waiameer in the mountains to
this settlement. 1t was the most
awful ride of my life. Equal to seven
ty-five miles on a level road. Imagine
hurricane and rain, up and down
hill more or less steep, at the foot of
Mount Kea (white) which is really
$4,000 feet high. The rain and wind
set in after we started, and, as the
journey had to be made, we went on.
Had the weather been cold it would
| hox III; a,,1 ~, &c l,+
itude there are no billiards.. Several
times l thought / would be blown OF!
my horse. However, we pulled
through, but my horse is very tired,
and 1 must wait until it is fit to
travel.
l am stopping with the family of
Rev. Dr. Bond, an old missionary. He
is bedridden, but his family are the
leaders here and / shall see every
thing. The old man is keen of intel
lect and rejoices to see me and wants
me- to stay. For the first time since
left Hilo / am where | can send a
letter to Honolulu. When this screed
will leave there is beyond my ken. If
1 don't send stuff for publication it is
because l have no time to sit down and
digest my notes. ! must be seeing
new things or meeting new people all
the time.
L am now getting what l have long
needed-a real outing. am in the
open air constantly, and, though some
of the travel is very hard, the trip will
do me lot of good physically.
Since started the volcano on Mount
Loa has broken out, and / shall make
every effort to ascend to it as soon as
get near it. l shall try to secure a
photographer, as my kodak is not
equal to a big thing. No news from
home since April 3. I wonder what
has happened. With regards to you
/ Cd.