The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-05-17
A SHORT VISIT TO HAWAII.
AN INTERESTING LECTURE
LAST EVENING.
H Thorp Tells Of His Experience
An the Paradise of the
Pacific.

There was an interesting lecture at
Weinstock & Lubin's last night Ito en-
ployes and a guest for each) by H.
Thorp, whose subject was his trap TO tie
Hawaiian Islands He showed hlnlSeil
q close observer and good taiker, anu
the audience returned him vote OF
thanks. He spoke for nearly an hour
and a half, so it is not possible TO give
more than part of what he sald. Al
ter describing the beauties OF the sea
trip, he spoke as follows of the last oay
at sea and what followed,
1T was almost with regret that we
watched the sunset of another day. Ior
we do not remember in our previous ira
vels such perfect days as these, or an az
tb 50 sublime nyad or the tired
business man can so successfully hide
from the cares and troubles of the MAIN
land. In fact, it may be truly sald, we
seem to have discovered the panacea OF
all the ills that flesh is heir to.
Suddenly this reverie comes to an enc
and we are aroused from our peaceIul
lethargy by the announcement that we
are nearing the island of oahu. "
caught the first glimpse of land ABOUT
a. m, just at the dawn of day, and one
cannot imagine more beautiful morning,
nursed in the sunshine of a tropical sun,
than it was our lot to enjoy. After near
ing the island with its native hutS almost
hidden by the forest of green, we catch a
glimpse of the lighthouse and in a few
We Head sboae on
fish, leaping in the air, shine like silver
in the morning sun, and as we glide
round this sentinel of the Pacific we come
in full view of a landscape teeming with
interest and beauty.
ITO go into details of this picturesque
scene would take too long. Such piano.
rama as lay stretched before us, with its
famous beach of Waikiki and Kap'iolani
of Diamond Head, tropical vegetation
lending a perfect touch of color to the pic
fure. and the russell slopes of Old Punch
Bowl silently standing guard over a scene
that can never be described.
Tall bending cocoanut trees rise ma
5estically throughout the valley, church
steepleS and lofty stone towers peep out
above the rest, and like fringe, on the
ocean, rise the crowded masts of the ships
at rest in the peaceful harbor of Homo
lulu.
Native canoes dart in and out from
shore like so many living things. Three
stalwart Kanakas row the pilot out to
the narrow channel that leads to our des-
tination. AS we near the wharf nine or
ten brown-skinned native boys are seen
sporting about in the emerald waters be
low, like so many fish waiting to be fed
A rive or ten-cent piece thrown in any
direction sets them in rapid motion. They
dive like fish and never fail to catch the
coin thrown careleSSly to the winds be-
fore it touches the bottom.
being loved tH an tn tbe WE wbaT are gradqa a
of dock crowded with dark-eyed Ka-
nakas, some Chinese and Japs, and lib
eral sprinkling of respectable looking
shore We We're recognized by several old
time Sacramentans, and it only a few
seated in an easy-riding carriage with In
structions to the Kanaka driver to deposit
us at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel.
Here commenced a new era of never
ending surprises. but we shall he hrief for
fear of intruding on your valuable time
We cannot well proceed from this point
islands intelligently without first under
standing something of it's geography. The
hawaiian group consists of eight islands.
namely, Niihau, Kauai Oahu Molokai.
Maui. Hawaii, Lanai and KahoolaWe
Honolulu is situated on the coast of Oahu.
and az not; as is often supposed. on the
group comprises an area of about T0O0
square miles, and the total population is
about 600. consisting of 4O,0oe natives,
2U0Ou Chinese, 5000 Japanese, Is. 600 Portu-
guese and 10000 foreigners, including in
those classed as foreigners about 4OOO
Americans.
On entering the city the stranger finds
the street scenes very interesting. In a
stroll up Fort street. or any of the main
streets. one sees many of the men clad
IN spotless white suits and broad brimnae d
Panama hats. The ladies' that is Ameri-
cans and the better class of Hawaians,
Dress much as the people dress here on a
hot summers day. with the exception that
a great many wear the native grass hat
similar in shape TO a large walking hat
win dented crown and a white scarf
With colored ends jauntily twisted around
Ihe middle and lower class natives can be
seen swinging along down any of the
streets with bare brown feet and a loose
moving holaku. Their free and easy man
ner OF walking and the peculiar wav in
winch they swing themselves along is al
ways interesting to the new conner
Another feature which makes one
stand IN anazement is the horsemanship
OF the native women. They ride astride.
wearing a pau, or calico garment like a
divided skirt. almost reaching to the
ground, and as they come pel-men down
the main street and dash around corners
IT fairly takes ones breath away
The Hawaiian is found EMPLOYED in
almost every store and works at every
known trade, AS a rule he lacks the
power to control, but always makes a re
liable employe. In fact, it may truthfullv
be said that there is no other race of peo-
pc who have made the same progress in
the Hawaiian.
The. national food is poi and fish, both
OF which are served plenteously at the
hotel. AT first l enjoyed both. but later
on happening to see a dark-skinned Ka-
naka making poi for a number of others.
l suddenly changed my mind and next
morning when the Chinese waiter said.
Poi. Mr.. Thorp? | quickly answered
No. John; not to-day
There are two kinds of poi The com
mon KIND has sort of violet tinge: the
other which is seldom seen. is pink and
was only prepared for royalty.
me naliVes are very eonfiding. coed
natured, but still stuperstitous and when
seriously sick in the hands of a white doc
tor Will OFTEN engage the services of their
own haihunas, or witches. who are now
vigorously suppressed by law
Almost everyone who visits Honolulu
has an opportunity to see the native
dance: Many of those who were seen at
the Worlds Fair and also at tbe Mia.
winter Exhibition continue to take part