New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-03-28

/ mountainous character OF the lsiaHus' tio '""'
| winds and the currents Inc mountaihs'
| rising in Oahu on which is located Honolulu. to
| 1000 feet In height and on Hawaii 10 l4"H 1eet'
| afford by their elevation marked changes In tenn
| perature and also have an important influence on
IN. rainfall On the northeastern or windward
side Of OAHU for instance. the rainfall Is heavy
! the wind strong and the mountain slopes are well
| wooded while tho western s.opes and coast line
have warmer and drier climate with less exuper-
ant vegetation. The rainfall greatly varies In tho
different islands. and even at different points on
the same island. mainly influenced by the noun
tein formation; at Honolulu the average annual
rainfall is about three feet, while at Hilo on
Hawaii Il is sometimes as great twenty feet;
The trade winds from the northeast prevail for
the greater portion of the year. imparting de-
lghtful freshness and vlgor to the atmosphere. only
occasionally interrupted by a south wind bringing
moisture and heat. The ocean current setting down
from Behring Sea surrounds the Islands with
water temperature at least 10 degrees lower IMAM
that Of other regions OF the same latitude These
causes combine 10 create equable temperature,
which maintains average maximum OF 70 de-
grees In winter and So degrees in summer. II may
thus be that the claim made for the Hawaiian
Islands the Paradise Of the Pacific is we'll
founded one.
Much of the of the islands u.s. because OF its
mountainous character sterile and not susceptible
OF cultivation The arabic lands are for the most
part along the coast line and the we-watered
mountain valleys; but Of late years 1t has been
found that abundant supplies OF water can DC oo-
tanned from artesian wells. and large areas OF
hitherto barren lands are being brought under Gull
t,vation as sugar plantations thus adding largely
to the productive wealth of the country. All tho
products Of the sub-tropical temperate zone may
be cultivated The fruits Of the tropics are in
mos. profuson though il Is possible to grow those
of the temperate zone the elevated lands. sugar
rice tropical fruits and coffee the chief articles
of export. but in the early days OF the California
gold era wheat in considerable quantities was
raised ground into flour and shipped TO San Fran
THE HAWAIIAN ABORIGINES
The aborcines belong to the Polynesan race
and doubtless came from the Samoan group. which
seems 10 have been the centre whence the race
populated the various islands with people pos
sessing a kindred language religion, customs and
traditions OF this race the Hawaiians were the
nobest and though in a state OF most debased
barbarism they had many traits worthy OF COM
me ndation. Though possessed of few available ma
terals they showed considerable skill in art and
manufactures. they followed systematic methods
of agriculture such the construction Of irrigat-
Ing canals and, already noticed they were ex-
pert navigators understood something Of astrono-
my ard possessed a good calendar. They are
kindly disposed. gentle, generous ana hospitaoe;
but they lack thrift. are yielding In temper and
without stability OF purpose. Their religion was
Of mos: superstitous and idolatrous type, includ-
ing human sacrifice in their rites but they were
not canniba,s The common people were under
most abject subsection to their chiefs and the
priests. and their lives were freely taken at the
caprice Of the one tho other. Polygamy was
practsed. the marriage tie loose. infanticde
generally prevalent. no parental discipline wss
observed old age despised. the nfrm and
frequently put to death. and the social
state was one Of indecency and RIGHTEOUSNESS.
At the time OF the discovery by Captain Cook
and for many generations previous the govern
men,s OF the different Islands. and even OF parts
OF the same island. In the hands of petty
kings and chiefs. who held title to all tho lands
by a sor: Of feudal!sm But toward the close OF
tho last century the whole group came under the
sway Of one ruler. Kamehameha. who by force of
arms brough, all his rivals into subsection. He
was not only mighty warrior but Of
great administrative ability. and was quick to
avail himself OF the white mans instruments and |
methods of warfare While he possessed many Of |
the faults Of his race, he was both morally and |
mentally greatly superior to his predecessors and |
he did q great work for his people in putting an |
end TO the petty which had hitherto prevailed.
in consolidating the kingdom and founding a |
dynasty.
Tho succession Of his son as Kamehameha II. in |
1919, synchronizes with tho departure from Boston
Of tho first missionaries, sent out TO Hawaii by |
the American Board Of Missions OF tho Congrega-
tional Church They arrived in the islands at an
opportuns time The concentration OF government /
in one person to have weakened the tyranny
OF the priesthood or at least TO have shaken the
faith OF both rulers and people in their dolarous
worship for upon their arrival the missionaries
were permitted freely to enter upon their work.
and the inhabitants extended to them hearty
welcome They from time 10 time reinforced
by the Home Board and in a few years were able
to report great progress toward the remuneration OF
idolatry and the acceptance OF Christianity. I do
not propose rehearse the story Of their labors
and successes suffce II TO say that. in addition
to imparting q knowledge Of Christianity. they
gave the people written language. founded
oh 20 he of both adults and chill |
dren labored to rescue them from drunkenness
and RIGHTEOUSNESS and induced them 10 adopt thu
dress and comforts OF civilization. They also be-
came the advisers and guides OF tho kings and
chiefs instructed them In proper methods Of gov
ernment. brought the people out Of tho state OF
servituds in which they had lived for ages and
gradually created civilized nation out of a bar
barous race.
But unfortunately the Hawaiions have also had
contact and intercourse with civilization Of a dif-
ferent type Soon after the discovery by Cook the
ships Of various nations chiefly American and
British. began 10 visit the islands. This inter-
course brought trade in intoxicating liquors.
which eagerly received by the natives, and
but for tho influence Of the missionaries, they
would have become nation OF drunkards, the kings
and chiefs apparently yielding NEST readily to tho
habit cannot publicly discuss of the most
destructive influences brought about by the inter-
course OF the crews of vessels so shameful in It's
details and which has provsn Of tho greatest
factors in the rapid dminuuon OF the native race.
Other imported diseases las the smallpox measles
and leprosy) have contributed to swell tho death
rate which added to other causes growing in great
measure out Of contact with civilization, seem to
threaten the not distant extinction of this interest
ing people
THE DECLINE OF THE RACE.
Captain Cooks estimate Of the population 100000.
in his day. may have been exaggerated. but tho
first census taken in 1892 after terrible plaques and
ravages OF disease. showed population OF 10000.
In four years the census marked a decrease to 1Oo
800; in 1850 the inhabitants had diminished TO $4,000;
in 1853 73OO in 1850 to 500, and in 1872 to 5000
Soon after this latter date the Government. under