The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-08-13
DYING FOR FIREWooD.
How the Kanalkas OF the Hawaiian
Coast FIJI the woodbox.
tFrom he YoNtht Companion.l

From the foths C0Wpdnton.l
Boys whose most distasteful task 10 to
keep the wood box filled. or who are ex-
pected to split the kindling- wood every
night, would undoubtedly enjoy living at
Hawaii. Firewood there Is not only very
scarce, but they get 1t out OF the water,
another feature of the matter which should
probably appeal to such of the boys as de-
light In "goin' swimmin'."
Upon the shores of Hawaii hrewood 10 a
scarce and precious commodity The pre-
sent forests do not grow near the sea, and
the labor of bringing wood from the dis
tant timber is great, especially as roads
are few. Practically all the hrewood OF the
natives, and much that is used by the Eu-
ropeans in the towns. is drift that Is
brought down periodically from the uplands
by freshets that follow heavy rains.
There is nothing strange In all this. but
what is strange is the way the natives
gather wood. Pick It up on the beach?
Not at all; at least. very little is obtained
in that commonplace manner.
Much Of the island timber Is extremely
heavy, and instead of floating in orthodox
fashion, as wood should do. 1T promptly
sinks to the bottom AS the freshet gath
ers Roadway, down come the heavy tree
trunks and branches. dashinS hercely
against the rough lava sides Of the stream
and humping against the bottom till all
semblance of their original shape is lost,
and they are bruised into shapeless blocks
or split into kindling
The current carries them we'll into the
ocean, where they settle into the sand. The
first stage OF their journey is over; now for
the second. In a day or two the ocean
rises in its might, and sends in huge break
ers upon the shores. which catch the logs
and splinters and roll them over and over,
still on the bottom, toward the beach.
Here is the natives chance. He has been
waiting long for Just such an opportunity.
Down to the shore come the Kanakas in
troops. No one is left behind save the sick
and the blind Men. women, and children
are all on the beach, having an eye both to
business and to pleasure.
The women are clad in old, loose holakus,
a garment may best describe by likening
It to the original Mother Hubbard" The
men doff their garments and don the eco
nomical malo. or waistclOth, The children
follow suit. so far as dofing goes and don
well, to tell the truth. most Of them don
nothing. and If they are satisfied. you and
| need not complain. And now for it.
The men dash into the breakers. diving
under the big combers and rising on the
crcsts OF the smaller ones till they are out
shoulder high; then they feel around with
their feet till they find a piece OF wood-it
may be only splinter. or 1t may be log
SO large as to require the aid OF rope to
pull it in; but. large or small, no matter.
Down dives tho Kanaka head foremost to
seize the prize
The women and children wade In little
distance to catch the smaller pieces that
get past the men. and soon the piles on the
shore grow from nothing to cords
A hardy native will stay in the water,
wading and diving, for couple OF hours,
and then come out, pretty thoroughly
chilled to sun himself on the beach in
readiness for another bout with the waves,
meantime solacing himself with the inevita-
BILE pipe or cigarette.
Hard work is this wood gathering by
diving what between the buffetings OF the
waves the cold and the labor OF Juggling
the logs ashore. But for all that shouts
and laughter fill the air, and one might
suppose the occasion VAS summer picnic,
Whatever his faults. the Kanaka has not
added to the gloom and discomfort OF the
world. He endures disappointment and
misfortune with equanimity and when The
clouds pass and the sun shines he Is ready
10 laugh and be glad.