The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-08-20
KANSAS NEWS.
A Native of Honolulu Visits
Manhattan.
Accompanied by Wife, Niece and
Daughter.
TELLS OF THE ISLAND.
Says Chances For Young Ameri.
cans Are Good.
Well Acquainted With "Rose Of
HilO," Topeka Queen.

Manhattan, Kan, Aug. 20.-Wiilfam
r. Castle Of Honolulu stopped in Man
haitian a few days on a visit to his
uncle, William Castle, one of the oldest
inhabitants of this city. He was accom-
panied by his wife and daughter and
niece, all of whom have been visiting
IN the east for some time. 1ney let
Sunday evening for San Francisco
where they will take ship Immediately
for the Sandwich Islands.
Mr.. William r. Castle is a lawyer OF
Honolulu and has been closely identified
with the struggle of the islands for re-
publican form of government and an
nexation to the United States. He was
prominent in the establishment of the
Dole government and during the trouble
with Queen Lii in her effort to get the
United States to place her back on the
throne, during President Cleveland
last administration he was minister of
the republic at Washington urging that
the United States take the Islands under
its wings. The effort al that time was
unsuccessful, but Queen LII received so
much encouragement from the admin
istration that a native revolution was
narrowly averted.
Mr.. Castle was born in the Sandwich
Islands, his father being one of the early
missionaries who carried the Bible to
the simple natives. When a boy he was
sent to Ohio and received college ed
ucation there, graduating from Oberlln
college. He has seen all the changes
which have taken place in those Islands
and has been part of them. He talked
very entertainingly of his island home,
and besides being an interesting talker
adds something of the smooth, liquid
Kanaka pronunciation to his English
which gives it special charm.
That he is proud of his Islands, and
thinks that the United States should be
alive to the Importance of the valuable
acquisition is evident in the enthusiasm
with which he tells of their products.
Sugar cane is the principal crop, and
the yield per acre there is the highest
in the world Great advancement in the
cultivation of the cane has been made
during the past few years. Irrigation
has been used with great success and is
becoming very general among the large
planters. With the improved cultiva-
ton a yield of from ten to fifteen tons
of sugar per acre is possible. Without
irrigation from six to eight tons is an
average. The water for irrigating is
lifted by huge pumps sometimes from a
depth of over two hundred feet 1t
takes sixteen months to mature a crop.
Besides the sugar cane they have
nearly all the tropical fruits Oranges,
lemons, lines and bananas and an album
dance of wild fruit. Indeed. the album
dance of fruits and vegetable food makes
a living so easy that the native Kanaka
fails to see the necessity for exerting
himself to any great extent SO long as
he has enough to eat.
When asked as to the climate, Mr..
Castle smiled as he waved a fan back
and forth in the vain effort to coax a
refreshing breath out of our Kansas
breeze isn't this Kansas weather ter
rible,' he said. Il just received a, let
ter from Honolulu saying that the high
est temperature there this year is 80,
which is the highest in four or five
years Last year the highest was 81,
and that for only one day.
What are the chances for a young
man in Hawaii? Well judging from
the number who have already succeeded
there should say they were very good.
Since the annexation we have been re-
ceiving large number from the states,
a number from Kansas" Mr.. Castle is
acquainted with Mr.. Case of Topeka,
who is now in the islands. He is also
personally acquainted with Miss Anna
Rose THE Rose of Hilo," who was
Topeka's Carnival Queen in 1898. He
spoke very highly of Miss Rose and of
Topeka'S enterprise in sending so far
for queen from among the inhabitants
of our new possessions.