The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1899-05-02
WHY LIGHT WAS CHANGED ON TRIAL BEFORE JURY Mr. SEDS MISSION ABOUT POSTAL Matters
STEAMER CAPTAINS WANTED 4
GREEN BEACON.
Mr.. Rowel's Explanations of Why
Paukaa Light was Tempered With
viii Question Shippers Again.

The changing of the Paukaa light on
the coast of Hawaii from white to
green has excited considerable COM
ment in Hilo. 1t is there stated that
Mr.. Rowell made the change and gave
no notice whatever of III The Hawaii
Herald OF last week, referring to the
matter, says:
"Harbor lights are under the inn
mediate supervision of the superin-
tendent of public works. When he
visited Hilo months ago it occurred to
him that the Paukaa light could not
be distinguished from the mill lights,
so to suit his fancy he changed it
without regard to custom or common
sense. This light is on every chart in
the world and is the one used by ma
riners for their guidance in entering
the harbors. Suppose Il strange ship
should come here in the night and find
light not on the chart. The chances
are one in hundred that she would
reach her anchorage without disaster.
1T was Mr.. Rowells business to notify
the photographic Office at Washington
and Hawaiian consuls throughout the
world that on a certain date the light
would be changed. He has not done
so and if vessel should come in here
and pile up on the beach the govern
ment would be responsible and Minis
ter King, under whom is Mr.. Rowell.
blamed for matter in which he was
| entirely ignorant. 1t occurs to me
| that the government would be doing n
good act in changing some of its Off
! cials."
! The Tribune of last Saturday says of
the matter:
| 1T seems that since the completion
of the wharf shed Mr.. Rowell has
| found time to continue his work of
/ harbor and coast improvements and
! this time his skill has been shown in
! the changing of Paukaa light. The
gentleman is still in possession of all
his native modesty and the new i'm
provement comes unheralded and un-
spoken. The changing of color in an
established coast light is very often
effected, but heretofore the custom
has been to notify all proper authori.
ties of the intended change, and the
charts of navigators were changed tC
conform. The placing of green light
in Paukaa without giving notice ot
the change was a case of gross care
lessness or ignorance such as is of eX.
treme danger TO all mariners"
Mr.. Rowell was seen this morning
and made this statement concerning
the change: "Paukaa light is purely
an island beacon, set back on shore
and is not used as a guide by foreign
ships. Island steamers use it when
close to shore. The request to have
the color changed from white to green
was made by Captain Fitzgerald OF
the steamer Hawaii who has most ust
for the light. | understood from hin
that Captain Clark of the Kinau alsC
endorsed the change. The reason fol
changing the color was that it ha.
heretofore been hard to distinguish
the light from others in the immediat,
neighborhood on shore.
Soon after the change was mad,
Captain King was taken i'll. That j!
why notice of it was not given in tn,
papers. So much has been said abou
the matter that / have decided to asl
the captains of vessels once more i
they are favorable to the change o
light. If a majority are not now favor
able, / am willing to have the ligh
changed back again to white