The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-07-17


Hawaii. Pearl OF the Pacific. viii soon.
very soon perhaps, be part and parcel
I OF the United States. From barbarism.
fetch worship. nudity and cannibal-
ism the Hawaiians have passed through
the evolution OF the century into civili-
zation, education and progression. III
/ is long way from the witch caldron
and the hoodoo fire TO the kindergarten
and the ballot box.
Captain Cook, the celebrated British
circumnavigator discovered the Ha-
waiian Islands in 177s and named them
the Sandwich Islands, i'm honor of his
patron. the Earl OF Sandwich. Official
ly they have always been called the
Hawaiian Islands. At the time OF the
discovery of the islands the inhabitants
were savages Cook was killed by the
Kanakas In February. 1873, 10 the bay
Of Kealakeakua, in Hawaii.
The inhabited islands are eight in
number. comprising an area of nearly
1000 square miles, running from north
west 10 southeast a distance or $50
miles, with various outlying uninhabtt-
ed islands extending some hundreds or
miles away from the main group. They
are OF volcanic origin and very noun
tainous. and the cultivated and inhabit-
able portions are mainly belt around
each island on the lowlands, though
there arc some fertile portions extend
ing up the mountain valleys and on the
tabelands.
The Hawaiian aborigines belong 10
the Polynesian race and doubtless came
from the Samoan group, which seems
20 have been the center whence the
race populated the various islands with
people possessing a kindred language,
religion, customs and traditions OF
this race the Hawaiians were the no.
blest. and. though IN state OF most
debased barbarism, they had many
traits worthy OF commendation. Though
possessed OF few available materials.
they showed considerable skill in art
and manufactures. They followed sys-
tematic methods of agriculture, such
as the construction OF irrgating canals,
and they were expert navigators, un-
derstood something of astronomy and
possessed a good calendar.
Their religion was OF a most super
stitious and idolatrous type, including
human sacrifice In their rites The
common people were under the most
abject subjection TO their chiefs and
the priests, and their lives were freely
taken at the caprice of the one or the
other. Polygamy was practiced. the
marriage tie was loose, infanticde was
generally prevalent. no parental disci-
pline was observed, old age was de-
spised, the infirm and insane were fire.
quently put TO death, and the social
state was one of indecency and licen-
fiousness.
At the time Of the discovery by Cap
tain Cook and for many generations
previous the governments OF the differ
e. islands and even of parts of the
g. ne island were in the hands Of petty
ktigs and chiefs. who held title to all
the lands by sort OF feudalism, but
toward the close of the last century
the whole group came under the sway
of one ruler, Kamehameha, who by
force OF arms brought all his rivals into
subiection. He was not only mighty
wa;fior, but man of great admins
.rative ability and was quick to avail
himself of the white mans instruments
and methods of warfare. While he pos
scssed many of the faults of his race,
he was both morally and mentally
greatly superior to his predecessors,
and he did a great work for his people
in putting an end to the petty wars
which had hitherto prevailed, in con
solidating the kingdom and in founding
a dynasty.
The succession of his son as Kane
bameha III i'm 1919 synchronizes with the
departure from Boston OF the first mis-
sionaries sent out 10 Hawaii by the
American board OF missions of the Con-
gregational church They arrived in
the islands at an opportune time. The
concentration OF government in one
person seems to have weakened the /
tyranny of the priesthood or at least
to have shaken the faith of both rulers
and people in their idolatrous worship.
for upon their arrival the missionaries
were permitted freely TO enter. upon
their work. and the inhabitants ex-
tended TO them a hearty welcome. They
were from time TO time re-enforced by
the home board and in a few years
were able to report great progress to-
ward the renunciation of idolatry and
the acceptance OF Christianity.
In addition to imparting a knowledge
of Christianity. the missionaries gave
the people a written language, found
ed schools for the education OF both
adults and children. labored 10 rescue
them from drunkenness and licentious-