The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-07-19
The Women Of Hawaii.

| Since Old Glory has acquired the RICH.
to float over the Hawaiian capital natu-
rally we feel interested in its inhabitants.
The natives are a Malayan race-tradi-
! ton saying they came over the sea in
| canoes thousand years ago Their fea-
| lures are regular hair very black. stat
IRE noble, the women especially So Their
manner is unaffected 10 simplicity and
| they have al the characteristics of tropic
jewellers to-wit. they resemble some Chris
t!ans, being certain that while they rest
contentediy the Lord will provide
Nature IS their friend To engage in
agricultural pursuits would not occur 10
them while Nature provides bread-fruit.
pineappies, fish and taro-poi. The "taro"
IS a vegetable in taste ike our sweet po-
tdto. This poi" js the Hawaiian's bread,
ard viii keep for days.
These people always take their meals
sitting upon the floor. Their poi Is serv-
ed IN cala5ashes. and a family sitting up
on the floor in a circle. with freshlynetted
fish, in sea shells and their poi in its
cAlabash. feel life a happy estate. They
viii abandon much 20 appease ciViliza-
tons demands, but their mode of eating
never.
a Hawaiian counts his neighbours hospi-
tally a certaing thing. II ne is anhun-
gered and tired. he Just watches his
friends meal time, walks in and helps
himself.
Besides everyone in Honolulu and there
abouts are really related So it is, after
all, an informal family affair.
The perfect climate. with rains soft and
plentiful for fertilizing; shady trees and
thick grass. upon which TO lie, these chill
dren of the tropics lead an ideal life. 1t
is always summer and they are never
gay.
The native women wear long, flowing
robes, hair free and unconfned. brows
adorned with wild flowers ofttimes, and
about their necks wear chaplets of leaves
OF shaded green; if they are fond OF adorn-
ment naturally. they form in classic pic
ture thus bedight. The island girls are
great hOrsewomen, wearing white robes
and riding as though Tam O'Shanter's fu-
ries were after them.
They are fond of singing, and as they
are very religious and go TO their chapels
every Sunday, some fine music can be
listened to in this land beyond the sea.
Beside, the churches are Gossips' happy
hunting ground-even there. Their Sun
day best gowns are always white and
their hats panama, trimmed with ever
greens and flowers.
They care nothing for fashion, but much
for quality-the cling of their robes and
their gOod-wearing qualities.
The girls in Hawaii are perfect ducks
by nature; they are the greatest water
lovers in the tropics. They fairly live in
the sea when children, and later are
daring riders. Both sexes battle together
merrily.
The women go down to the sea in ships
Their canoes are fashioned from hollow
ed-Out trees and are beautifully made in
every way. The women are quite fearless,
and go from island to island in their bark
canoes.
Dancing is another pastime, and Is with
them a fine art. Little time is spent in
doors The sun and groves invite them
they go-happy as children, care
free as the birds of the air.
The national dance is still practiced in
Honolulu and interior villages occasional
y. 1t is very voluptuous, and the per-
formers wear little covering to hide their
charms. Missionaries have discouraged !
t-not vainly, as it is not nearly SO fire. !
luent as formerly.
In Hawaii they are most hospitable to |
strangers. Meeting stranger, they say !
'Aloha!' Oove to you). They ask moth |
ng of travellers, expect nothing, and if /
4 gift is left. treasure it always They |
are receptive in learning and quick The |
government compels attendance at the |
public schools. Higher education is not |
attempted. They read newspapers eager |
v the native papers, giving them gem |
eral outline of the worlds doings
They are beautiful pen artists and wri- |
ers and skilled needlewomen They are |
oval to their race, proud of their Orien- |
al pedigree, and while many Of these |
women marry foreign residents, few ever
attain afterward a perfect marital con-
ent.
Beautiful and happy where they can |
lear the music of the waves bea ting up
m their own shores; contented near their
'wn people. But take them away and
| cloud appears; they grow Iistless and
yeary-in short, are pining for home and
people.