Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1898-07-28
The Women Of Hawaii.

tradition saying they came over the
sea in canoes a thousand years ago.
Their features are regular, hair very
black, stature noble, the women es-
peciallv so. Their manner Is unat-
fected to simplicity and they have all
the characteristics Of tropic dwellers
to wit-they resemble some Chris
tians, being certain that while they
rest cOnteutedly the Lord will pro-
vide.
Nature is their friend. To engage
in agricultural pursuits would not oc-
cur to them while nature provides
breai-fruit pineapples, fish and taro-
poi. The "taro" Is vegetable in
taste like our sweet potato. This poi
is the Hawaiian's bread, and will
keep for days.
These people always take then
meals sitting upon the floor. Their
POI is served in calabashes, and fam
lily sitting upon the floor in a circle,
with freshly netted fish, in sea shells,
and their POI in its calabash, feel hie
happy estate They will abandon
much to appease civilizations de-
mands, but their mode Of eating-nev-
er.
A Hawaiian counts his neighbors
hospitality certain thing. If he Is
hungered, and tired, he Just watches
his friends meal time, walks in and
helps himself.
Besides everyone in Honolulu and
thereabouts are really related. So it
is, after all, an informal family affair
The perfect climate, with rains soft
and plentiful Tor iertlIizihS' Shauy
trees and thick grass upon which to
lie, these children of the tropics lead
an ideal life. 1t is always summer
and they are ever gay.
The native women wear long, How
inc robes. hair free and unconhned,
brows adorned with wild flowers oft
times, and about their necks wear
chaplets Of leaves of shaded green
if they are fond ofadornment natural
" they form a classic picture thus be-
decked. The island girls are great
horsewomen, wearing white robes and
riding as though Tam o Shanter iu-
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 gos-
sips happy hunting ground-even
there. Their Sunday-best gowns are
always white and their hats panama,
trimmed with evergreens and flowers
They care nothing for fashion but
much for quality-the cling Of their
robes and their good-wcaring quail
ties.
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 surf riders. Both sexes
bathe together merrily.
The women go down to the sea
in ships. Their canoes are fashioned
from hollowed-ou trees and are beau
tifully made in every way. The wo-
men are quite fearless, and go from
island to island in the bark canoes.
Dancing is another pastime, and is
with them fine art. Little time is
spent indoors. The sun and groves
invite them out-and they go-hap-
py as children, care-free as the birds
Of the air.
The national dance is still practiced
in Honolulu and interior villages oc-
casionally. 1t is very yoluptuous,
and the performers wear little cover
ing to hide their charms. Missionar-
les have discouraged it-not vainly,
as it is not nearly 80 frequent as form
erly.
In Hawaii they are most hosPitable
to strangers. Meeting a stranger,
they say aloha" Uove to yon).
They ask nothing Of travellers, expect
nothing, and if a gift is left treasure
it always. They are receptive in
learning and quick. The government
compels attendance at public schools.
Higher education is not attempted.
They read newspapers eagerly, the
native papers giving them a general
outline Of the worlds doings.
They are beautiful pen artists and
writer's and skilled needlewomen.
They are loyal to their race, proud Of
their Oriental pedigree, and while
many of these women marry foreign
residents f.w ever attain afterWard