Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-07-18
THE WOMEN OF HAWAII.

The natives are Malayan race-tra-
dition sayir z they came over the sea
in canoes q thousand years ago. Their
features are regular, hair very black,
stature noble, the women especially so.
Their manner is unaffected to simplici-
ty and they have all the characteristics
of tropic dwellers-to wit they resem
ble some Christians, being certain that
while they rest cententedly the Lord
will provide"
Nature is their friend. To engage in
agricultural pursuits would not occur
70 them while nature provides bread
fruit, pineapples, fish and taro-poi. The
'',aro" is vegetable in taste like our
sweet potato. This 'poi' is the Ha
waian's bread, and will keep for days
These people always take their meals
sitting upon the floor. Their poi is
served in calabashes, and family sit
tipg upon the floor in a circle, with
freshly netted fish, in sea shells, aud
iheir poi in its calabash, feel life a hap
oy estate. They will abandon much to
appease civilizations demands, but
thtir mode of esting-never.
A Hawaiian counts his neighbors'
hospitality q certain thing. II he is
fingered, and tired, he just watches
MS t,iend's meal time, walks in and
hrps himself.
Besides everyone in Honolulu and
herenbouts are really related. So it
,s, after ell, an informal family flair.
The perfect climate, with rains soft
and plentiful for iertilizine; shady trees
aud thick grass upon which to lie,
,bese children of the tropics lead au
ideal life. 1t is always SIMMER aud
hey are ever gay.
Inc native women wear long, flow
ing robes, hair free and uuconfned,
GROWS adorned with wild flowers oft
lines, and about their necks wear
chaplets of leaves of shaded greer: if
they are fond of adornment naturally
they form a classic picture thus be-
decked. The island girls are great
norsewomen, wearing white robes and
riding as though Tam O'Shanter's
furies were after them.
Thy are fond of singing, and as
they are very religious and 60 to
their chapels every Sunday, some fine
music can be listened to in this land be-
yond the sea. Beside, the churches are
sossips' happy hunting ground-even
there. Their Sunday-best gowns are
always white and their hats panama,
trimmed with evergreens aud flowers
They care nothing for fashion but
much for quality-the "cling" of their
robes and their good 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 surf riders. Both sexes bathe
OGelher merrily.
The women go down to the sea in
ships. Their canoes are fashioned
f. ON hollowed-out trees and are beau
nfully made in every way. The WON
en are quite fearless, and go from isl
and to island in their bark canoes.
Dancing is another pastime, and is
with them fine art. Little time is
spent indoors. The sun and groves in
t. them out--and they go-happy as
children, care free as the birds Of the
ar.
The national dance is still practiced
in Honolulu and interior villages occa-
sionally. 1t is very volupluous, and
the performers wear 1ittle covering to
hide their charms. Missionaries have
discouraged it-not vainly, as it is not
nearly so frequent as formerl y.
In Hawaii they are most hospitable
to strangers. Meeting stranger, they
say "Aloha'w Glove to you). The ask
nothing Of travellers, expect nothing,
aud if e gif. is left treasure it always.
They are receptive in learning and
quick. The government compels at
tendance at public schools. Higher
education is not attempted. They
read newspap pers eagerly, the native pa
pers giving them general outline of
the worlds doings.
They are beautiful pen artists and
writers and skilled needlewomen. They
are loyal to their race, proud of their
Oriental pedigree, and while many of
these women marry foreign residents,
few ever attain afterward to perfect
m ,rital content. They are very child
rem until they die.
Beautiful and happy where they can
hear the music of the waves beating
upon their own shores; contented near
their own people. But take them away
and cloud appears; they grow listless
and weary-in short, are pining for
home and people.
EN,,nn pills