The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1898-05-25
ADVERTISE.

The necessity of advertising the Is
lands is very clear. and Mr.. Macfar-
lane, who has been pushing forward
the plans for having them well eN-
plotted at the Omaha Exposition, is
really doing good work. We have had
far too little done in this way. The
efforts instead of being continued and
well organized, have been spasmodic.
A fit of advertising fever would come
on, then would die out again; and we
have by no means made the best of
our opportunities.
The annexation treaty and the dis
cussion for and against, have done an
immense work in bringing the Islands
before the public, and have naturally
reused much curiosity and attention,
but that political interest needs sup
plementing with information about
the group and the means of reaching
the Islands.
Literature of this sort should go
forth in shoals. 1t should find its
place on every overland train in the
United States, it should be in the cab
ms of the principal steamers and in
the Hobbies and writing rooms of the
principal hotels. 1t is not thous-
and copies or so that will do any good,
but the distribution should be done
by the tens of thousands.
How little we do to advertise our
selves can be seen when we compare
our own efforts with those of other
places. Even Japan does far more
advertising for tourist purposes than
we do. OF the value of advertising,
many of the places in Southern Cal
ifornia are an example. In this mat
ter it is the people who should help
themselves. Though government aid
should be given, all classes should as
sist, for tourist travel is of value to
everyone in the community. Money
which comes into country is bound
to filter into many pockets which dc
not seem to have any direct connec
ton with the actual travel. Prosper
ity of the one is bound to lead to the
prosperity of the others
In connection with this scheme OF
advertising it would be well if the
proposed bureau of information were
started. There needs to be some one
who is well informed about the Is
lands, whose business it should be tC
supply information to those seeking
it. There is not a business house il
stantly coming from strangers desir
ing information about the Islands
they want statistics, they want &c
know what business chances the,
are, in fact there are a hundred ant
one things which are inquired about
Sometimes these letters are answered
and very frequently they are not
They come to busy people, who hav,
not the time or inclination to attend
to them, and in many cases the infor
nation asked for would involve con
slueIdDle lIOuDle W pIOCuIt. anu 81
the letters are cast aside and forgot
ten and an opportunity of spreading
information about the Islands is lost
But if we have someone whose duty
it is to supply information, the letters
from the various firms would gladly
be turned over to the official and tn,
questions would be answered in full
Once get such bureau in working
order and it will be surprising how
much information will be called fol
and how much will be disseminated
If men in their private business fine
their advantage in advertising, ant
spend money freely upon it, knowing
that it is a good investment, so mucl
the more should a country find it
advantage in wholesale advertising
and should reap ample dividends from
the investment it makes.