The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1900-10-04
ISLANDS IN
0LDEN DAYS
Peter Conveys Tale Of
Honolulu.
HE WAS HERE BEFORE 1920
Curious Details of Life in Honolulu
When Kamehameha was
the Ruler.

The following interesting account of
the Sandwich Islands, as they appeared
over eighty years ago. Is taken from
Early Northern Pacific Voyages"
published by Thos. G. Thrum in this
city In 1896, being reprinted from the
London Literary Gazette of 1921.
Peter Corney, the author, was once
well known in Honolulu, and has a
number of descendants living here:
The Island of Woahoo is by far the
most important of the group of the Sand
wich Islands, chiefly on account of it's ex-
cellent harbors and good water. 1t is in
a high state of cultivation; and abounds
with cattle, hogs, sheep, goats, horses.
etc, as well as vegetables and fruit of
every description. The ships in those seas
generally touch at Owhyhee, and get per-
mission from Tameameah. before they
can go into the harbor of Woahoo. He
sends a confidential man on board to
look after the vessel, and keep the ma
tives from stealing: and, previous to en-
tering the harbor of Honorora Qonolu-
lu). they must pay eighty dollars harbor
duty, and twelve dollars to John Harbot-
tie. the pilot. This duty has only lately
been laid on, on account of the Kings
brig Taamano. having to pay for her an.
a cargo of sandal wood. in 1876 Tamea-
meah justly observes, that if his ships
have to pay on entering a foreign port,
1t Is but reasonable that foreign ships
should pay on entering his ports. There
are three close harbors on the south side
of Woahoo, between Diamond hill and
BARRIERS Point On rounding Diamond
hill the village of Wyteetee CWaikikD APP
pears through large groves of cocoanut
and bread-fruit trees: it has most beau
tiful appearance, the land all round in
the highest state Of cultivation, and the
hills covered with wood; beautiful plain
IeAtending as far as the eye can reach. A
reef of coral runs along the whole course
OF this shore, within a quarter of q mile
OF the beach, on which the sea breaks
high: inside this reef there Is a passage
for canoes. Ships frequently anchor In
the bay, In from sixteen to twenty faith
oms, over sand and coral bottom Sew
eral of the Kings old vessels are hauled
upon shore and sheds built over them
His Majesty formerly resided at this VII
lage, but of late years has preferred his
native place. Owhyhee. About four miles
To the westward of Wyteetee Is the vii
LACE and harbor of Honorora; Il Is the
largest on the island, as the natives COL
iect from all other parts to be near the
shipping. The harbor Is known by a deep
ard remarkable valley over the village
through which the northeast trade wind
SiN W. N'iS StiOHS. Inc lSldnQ Is not
more than five leagues across at this part
The best time to get into the harbor is
early In the morning, before the wind set 8
violently In contrary direction; the
CHEF generally sends a number of large
double canoes TO tow the ship in, as the
entrance of the harbor is not more than
quarter of mile wide. Small vessels
wben about to enter run close to the east
SIDE OF the reef, where hundreds of the
natives are collected, and, by throwing a
rope TO them, the ship Is pulled up to the
anchorage. Ships can moor close To the
shore, so as to have a stage from thence
anc be as safe as If they We're in the Lon
dor Docks. A fine round battery on the
southeast nat, or point, mounting about
SIXTY guns, protects the village and har-
Dor. The fort occupies about eight acres
OF ground: the facing of the wall Is stone,
about eighteen feet high, and about the
SO NE breadth on the top gradually Sion
ms to make n base of about thirty feet
II Is constructed of hard clay and dry
grass and sand well cemented together.
on the top of this wall are embrasures
built of the same materials. without
stone; the guns are mounted all round
anc are from four to eighteen Founders.
the heaviest guns facing the sea. The
magazine is under ground and we'll Sc
cured; and in the middle of the fort
stands a Flagstaff, on which the island
&C Tors are displayed consisting of a nm
u
each island. Round the flagstaff are the
|chiefs' houses, and barracks for the SOL
diers. The strictest discipline Is observ-
ed; the guard relieved very regularly in
the night, and the word "All is well
sung out in English every ten minutes :
The Americans supply them with nowder
and stores, for which they get sandal
wood, rope, hogs vegetables etc The
village consists of about 300 houses reeu-
ls riy built. those of the chiefs being larg-
/ er and fenced in. Each family must have
three houses, one to sleep In. one for the
men to eat in. and one for the women
the sexes not being allowed to eat togeth-
ell. Cocoanut, bread-fruit and castor oil
NUT trees form delicious shades, between
the village and a range of mountains
which runs along the island In a north
west and southeast direction The
ground is laid out in beautiful square
patches. where the tarrow grows. round
(Which they plant sugar canes and Indian
Icorn. They have also a number of fine
hsh ponds. In which they keep muilet and
fish they call ava. On the northwest
side of the harbor is a fresh water river
where ships long boat can go up about
two miles and fin the water casks In the
boat. About three miles to westward OF
Honorora Is second harbor, easier of
access and superior to the other in every
Prospect. except the want of watering
place. There are but few farmers and
4
this reason, 1t is not frequented; In fact.
few ships know anything of it. About
SIX miles to the westward of this harbor
is Wy Momi, or Pearl Water This inlet
extends about five leagues up the country
In northerly direction; 1t Is about four
miles across in the widest part. and at
the entrance about half a mile. There is
not more than fifteen feet of water on the
trar or reef at high water, and inside from
5S 10 eighteen fathoms mud and sand.
1here is an island about two miles in cir
lcEmference In the middle of this inlet
pelonging to Mr.. Manning Oon Marin)
a Spaniard, who has been here for many
years. 1t is covered with goats. rabbits
anc hogs. belonging to him. At the head
tol inc inlet Is a run of very fine fresh
water, and provisions are here cheap and
lpientiful There are many divers en-
lpioyed here. diving for the pearl oysters
which are found in great plenty. We saw.
led them much trouble and labor bv nre.
serting the King with an oyster dredee
we had on board, with which Tamea.
meah was highly delighted. The reef
or nat. extends from this inlet to Bar
hers Point which &c oh