The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-06-24


Hawaiian Islands are situated in the
Northern Pacific Ocean. n little over 2OOO
miles from the port Of san Francisco.
There are eight islands in the Hawaiian
group; tbat is to say, there are eight
islands which are capable of cultivation.
The rest are mere rocks of no value TO
mankind at present. These eight islands
are named Niihau Kauai, Oahu, Molokai.
Lanai, Kahoolawe, Maui and Hawaii.
The areas of these islands are as follows;
Square miles. square miles.
Nilhau ............. % Lanai ............. lS0
Kauai .............. $50 kahoolawe ........ 63
Oahu :............ go Hawaii. ..... 42'O
Maui. 200 Total al..........G .G749
The area of the eight islands is larger
than Connecticut. but smaller than Massa-
chusetts The island of Hawaii is the larg-
est in the group, and presents great vari-
cites of soil and climate. The windward
side which includes the districts of North
Kohala Hsmakua, Tilo and Puma, is
copiously watered by rains, and In the
II Ito district the streams rush impetu-
ously down every gulcb and ravine. On
this island are now situated numerous
sugar plantations. Coffee is extensively
cultivated. There are several hundred
owners of coffee plantations, some OF them
cultivating only n few acres, and some of
them having as high aS 200 900 trees.
There are thousands upon thousands of
rich coffee lands still uncultivatea. Maui
is also very fine island. Its has
manv sugar plantations and the raising of
coffee Is being taken up rapidly. The
western slopes of Haleakala, the princip al
mountain Of Maui, are covered with small
farms, on which potatoes, corn, beans and
pigs are raised.
Honolulu, the capital city OF the Hawaii
an Islands, Is located upon the Island OF
Oahu. Ii has a population OF about 20, 900,
and is pleasantly situated upon the south
eide of the island. Every house is located
in a garden, and the wide spreading
palms upon the streets make the prospect !,
beautiful Some Of ths houses are Of very
handsome architC cture.
The city Is lighted with electric light; !;
there Is n very complete telephc no ~ tam !;
and tram cars run at short intervals n long
the principal streets and continue out to
"a sea- bathing resort and public park.
four miles from the city Ihore are
numerous stores where all kinds of goods
can be obtained. In this particular
Honolulu occupies position ahead of
any city Of similar size. The public
buildings are handsome and coInmodious.
There arc numerous churches, schools, u
public library OF over 10, 600 volumes.
Y Nj. c. a. hal, Masonic Temple, Odd
Fellows Hall and tbeoter There Is
frequent steam communication with san
Francisco, once month with Victoria,
B. c., and twice month with New
Zealand and the Australian colonies.
Steamers also connect Honolulu with
China and Japan. There are three even.
ing daily papers published in English,
one daily morning paper and two week
lies Besides these there are papers pub
lished in the Hawaiian. Portuguese Japa-
nese and Chinese languages, and also
monthly magazines in various tongues
A line Of railroad has been constructed
which at present runs 30 miles along the
coast from the city aud IL Is proposed to
extend this railroad completely around
the island.
Kauai is called "the Garden Island" it
IL so we'll watered and so luxuriant in
vegetation. Sugar and rice are its prin-
cippl products at present.
he story of the overthrow Of the mon
arc ~ ofLiliokulani aud the estalli 'hment
of republic Is too well known to need
repetition. The resident of the republic
is elected for SIX years. The Legislature
consists of a Senate and House of Repre-
sentatives all members being elected by
popular vote. The Senators are elected
for term of six years, and voters for
Senators must have real property worth
$500. or personal property worth $4,000.
or an income of not less than 5000 per
annum. The vote for Representatives is
based on manhood suffrage.
All males between the ages OF 20 and
go pay ~ personal tax of 50, viz. Poll
tax, 81; road tax, So; school tax. 81.
Land pays tax of ] per cent on the
cash value, and personal property sim
liar rate Carts pay -. brakes 50, car
riages s., dogs 81, female dogs 50. From
the above it will be seen that the taxes
are not heavy, as compared with other
countries; moreover, there are no local
taxes of any kind.
There is an excellent system OF free
schools. in which the language is used.
The teachers In many cases have been
imported from the United States. Tho
school system Is modelled after that OF tho
public school system OF the United States.
Education for all persons born on the
island Is compulsory.
The various Christian denominations
are represented and all forms of the Pro
testnnt denominations are chiefly con
durted by Hawaiian pastors, the Roman
Catholic by French and German priests,
who are mostly good linguists and speak
Hawaiian. English and Portuguese be-
sidies their mother tongue. Wherever
there Is 10 large collection OF English
speak ing people Protestant church is
usually supported ly them. In Honolulu
thore Is large number of churches. Con-
greaationaL Roman Catholic. Episco-
pAllnfl. MttntulNt anu shbIilDn. NtIt
Is a sunday law, and all work which is
not absolutely necessary Is prohibited on
that day Rational outdoor amusement
is not prohibited, such as riding, boating,
shooting, etc. and government band plays
at the public park at WAIKIKI every
sunday afternoon.
Tho population of the Islands. according
tn the census of 1890. was 81 99i. or in
round numbers $1,000. A census of tho
population was taken In 1868. 1t
showed thv population as follows:
Hawaiians ..................... $1,000
Part liawaiians. s..................... 10 coo
Chinese OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. III. 600
japanese ..................... % 600
Portuguese ........................ 5000
American and European .......... H,OO0
Total. Observation-Disclosures. lOa 600
The vessels flying the Hawaiian flag
number 81, aggregating 81, 6'S tons They
are divided as follows:
Tons.
TVoptv- throa ef0anarc O,-n