Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1898-09-23

NlOlphai iiiV-iO "'S 49, -"
foreigners and is visited least often o
any. The northern coast is very
precipitous, and the western part @
the island j. used for p~asturing sheer
and cattle; though having but slight
rainfall, its appearance Is somewhat
barren.
GA the north side of MOlokai Is q
peninsula comprising some 5000 acres,
surrounded on three sides ny the ocean
and shut in on the fourth 10y IA steep
preclpice from 1000 to 5000 feel high.
This is the site of the leper settlement
which was established by an act OF the
Hawaiian parliment in 1860, since
which time complete isolation has been
maintained. About 1000 lepers are
supported here by the government. nj
an annual cost of 800 1000, including
the expense of the receiving station on
Oahu. The leper settlement has neat
houses, churches and schools, and l.
said TO present quite an attractive ap
pearance. The location is healthful
and pleasant, and every thing is done
for the care and comfort of the untJr-
tunates thus separated from home and
kindred. This segregation of lepers
and watchfulness OF those officials who
see to the transportation of all infected
with the disease. is gradually control
ling the progress of this dread scourge'
which in 1864 was increasing with
alarming rapidly. Barring the fact OF
there being Il leper settlement, one
knows no more of leprosy IN Hawai-
than anywhere ia the United States,
Notwithstanding some of the startling
magazine articles published on this
subject during the annexation excite
ment.
Lanai Oah-ni) is also devoted to
sheep raising. II is the least fertile OF
all, though the hills are covered with
grass.
Kahoolawe (kah-hoo-lah-va is one
of the smallest inhabited islands, hav
ing an area of but Ga square miles; but
there is IA good harbor and plenty OF
p%asturagc. A large cattle ranch l.
established here.
The sea surrounding the islands is
fu of fish and Is 1.-THE field
which the people CLEAN" At least
fifty varieties are found in the fish
markets of Honolulu; fish, taro Cah.ro)
and loi (poy) form the principal food
of the natives.
In olden times, a little taro patch
was the accompanying feature of every
grass hut, and it is so productive and
nutritious that an entire family could
subslst on the product of n acre.
Latterly the Chinese have usurped this
industry, as also hat of ~poi-making.
How belt. the somewhat indoleut native
seems only too willing TO let this labor
devolve upon John Chinaman; for as II
rule the native Kanuka cares most foi
labor hal is in some way connected
with the sea or the handling of horses.
being an expert sailor Or fisherman
and a daring, accomplished horseman.
Still there are few occupations IN
which the natives do engage some
what and they form quite II proportion
of the compositors and press men in
Honolulu printing offices, while in 1880
there were 996 native mechanics.
Taro is a species of the lily family,
and grows wherever the soil is kept
water. soaked. There is also "a species
called playground taro that grows on
moist sell. The root resembles a long
beet, and when cooked tastes like an
inferior sweet potato, IN color remind
ing one of stewed slate pencils. 1t is
very healthful food and one of our new
American industries is the manufacture
from taro of a flour known as
''taroena," for the use of invalids.
Honolulu is headquarters for this
Taroena Co. Poi is made from taro as
follows: The root being baked and the
outer skin removed. it is beaten by poi
stones into a pasty mass called pai-ai;
it is then mixed with water and allowed
to ferment.
Poi is served in calabashes, or poi.
bowls, from which the natives eat il
without fork OF spoon, a mouthful be-
ing wound about the finger by a dex.
ferrous twist of the wrist. Ii is styled
one finger, two-tinger or three-iinger
poi according to its thickness and the
number of fingers consequently re.
CURED to dispose of it gracefully. |,
looks like thick Yeast and is considered