The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1898-08-27
H|LO MEETS AND GREETS The COMMISSION
rlembers ElaborateIy Entertained
While On the Big Island.
Public rleetings Held at Which Addresses A
rIade On Behalf of the Citizens

Wednesday, August "a was a MEM
orable day for the residents of Hilo,
on Hawaii. This day was made event
full by four important incidents. The
first took place in the early morning,
when the Claudine, carrying the Con-
gressional commission, arrived from
Maui. The second event was the ap-
pearance of the u. S. S. Philadelphia
in the harbor of Hilo for the first
time. The big cruiser arrived about
noon with Admiral Miller and United
States Minister Sewall on board. The
third incident was the arrival of the
Kinau, late in the afternoon with ex-
Queen Liliuokalani and party. A large
and enthusiastic mass meeting, which
was addressed by members of the
commission, closed day which will
be long remembered in the town of
Hilo.
The Claudine left Kahului about
dusk on the 23rd. A quick trip to Ko-
ma was made, where a portion of the
party went on shore. The vessel soon
resumed her journey and at daylight
the next morning the steamer was
skirting the green and fertile coast
of Hamakua. Hilo was reached about
8 o'clock and after breakfast the mem
bers of the commission were transfer
red to shore and taken to the Hilo no.
tel under escort of a special commit
tee of leading citizens. In a short
linn tn h., inh hon N
plantations was arranged for and at
the same time the commissioners were
invited to address the people in pub
lie meeting.
The arrangement of the program
offered breathing spell and in the
meantime the cruiser Philadelphia
was rapidly nearing port. She dropp-
ed her anchors about noon and was
soon visited by Senator Cullom, Con-
gressman Hit, Judge Frear, Attorney
General Smith and Major Iaukea,
who paid their respects to Admiral
Miller and Minister Sewall. Later in
the day, Mr.. Sewall came on shore and
called on Senator Morgan. Admiral
Miller remained on board, kept there
by an injured foot.
Later in the day the smart little
to anchor on the Waiakea side of the
harbor. The neighborhood along the
shore and at the landing, was crowd
ed with spectators of all nationali-
ties. Newspaper correspondents were
as thick as bees and kodaks were as
plentiful A desire to see the former
ruler of the Hawaiian Islands was the
cause of the gathering. Her arrival
oh nj
Hawaiians built platform and fas-
tened it on two native canoes. This
platform was decorated with leis and
festoons. Four men manned each ca
noe. This improvised affair was pad
died to the side of the steamer and
the ex-Queen and her party were soon
seated on the platform. The voyage
to the landing was made without any
signs of enthusiasm on the part of
the Hawaiians. When Liliuokalani
stepped on shore, she was greeted by
a young Hawaiian woman, who placed
royal lei around the neck of her
former queen. AS the party drove off
which were given in a hearty man.
ner.
THE MASS MEETING.
When the commissioners arrived at
the hotel they were met by numerous
citizens and greetings exchanged. Rev.
s. l.. Desha was introduced to Senator
Morgan and in an interview the lat
ter stated that it was the wish of the
commissioners to meet the Hawaiians.
John Richardson joined in the CONVEX
sation and it was arranged to hold a
meeting of Hawaiians at Hilo church
at p. m.
This meeting was confined eXclu-
sively to natives and addresses were
made by s. L. Desha, John Richard
son and others. The speakers spoke
well of the United States commission
ers and impressed those present with
the Importance of pressing their
claims to territorial form of govern
ment and full franchise for Hawaii
ans. The meeting was harmonious,
and the audience listened with the
greatest interest to the remarks de-
livered. They were asked to be pres
ent at the Hawaiian meeting to be
held at the court house on Friday ev-
ening, where they would have an op-
portunity to hear the commissioners.
The meeting at Spreckels hall in
the evening was largely attended. Col
onel Little acted as chairman and in
troduced the speakers. Senator Gull
lom first addressed the meeting.
He said:
AN impression seems to exist in
some localities where we have been
on the islands that possibly this an
nexation was but a temporary meas
ure, brought about as result of the
war. That is a great mistake, an
nexation is for all time. That man