The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1901-08-23

The civilization of the white man is
not always boon to the savage; II
means, sooner or later his doom. The
red men are nearly gone, the aborigines
of Australia are passing, and the Ha-
waiian race is rapidly melting away be-
fore the sunlight of civilized enterprise.
In 1858 there were 7l,0l9 Hawaiians in
the islands still, even though foreigners
had already begun introducing civiliza-
ton In 1872 the native population had
dwinded to 1904 to which must be
added LAST part Observation-Disclosures of a
Hawaiian mother and "a foreign hus-
band.
The next twelve years saw a further
drop to 1914, and an increase of part
Hawaiians to 4,2ls, while in 1890 there
We're only 4,436 Hawaiians and 6,1S6 part
Hawaiians. Six years later the Hawai-
ians number 3l.o1s and the mixed popula-
ton S,iS5. The latest census brings to
light the fact that not only has the pure
native population continued to diminish
hut the part Hawaiian numbers have de-
creased from S.4S5 to 1885. The Hawai-
ian population is now actually only one
third the number of the Japanese i'm
| migrant: there have been 29.S34 to over
61,evJ Japanese. In fifty years there will
be scarcely any Hawaiians left to inhabit
| the Hawaiian Islands.
NEW AMERICA.
one of the first sights which greets
| the eye of the visitor in Honolulu Is
| the spectacle of native boys swimming
near the steamer, anxious to dive for
coins. This sight gives "A pleasurable
| thrill of delight. since II looks quite nat
ural an. unspoiled by civilization Every
body knows that the Hawaiians love the
water, and are able to swim before they
can walk. But, alas. the illusion of
pristine naturalness is soon dispell,d 10y
cries from the boys of Right here! + ght
here" and a closer inspection shows that
outraged civilization has insisted upon'
clothing the young savages in bathing
suits. 1t is well, perhaps, that the
| awakening should come so early in the
day--the fact could not be disguised AS
soon as the visitor lands. Honolulu is
| typical American town, with American
houses and stores, though possibly with
more trees in the gardens than in Amer
ica-and as 1t is with Honolulu, so it is
in varying degree with the other towns
| In the islands.
The old customs and habits of the Ha-
waiians are dying out faster than the
race Itself 1t is very unusual to find IA
real Hawaiian grass house on the Island
| of Kahoolawe, though there are "A fair
number on the larger islands as yet.
he grass houses are being replaced by
wooden frame houses of orthodox shape
and construction. The change is GER
tainly not artistic, nor it is very much
more comfortable suitable to the
climate. However. .the grass hut has
passed SO completely, that there is to be
"A specimen erected in the Bishop Museum
in Honolulu to enable people to learn
what the old houses looked like.
NATIVE GENEROSITY DIES HARD.
Two features of old Hawaii will prob
ably remain until the end. One Is the
native generosity to absolute strangers
"a generosity which has been con-
sistently abused by foreigners since the
earliest times. A Hawaiian gives away
land, food, or any possession most readi-
ly, and on many occasions where 1t has
been found impossible to induce an old
chief to sell land, he has turned round
and given the land in question to some
friend of his absolutely. The two lead
ing rich Hawaiians-Prince David and
the Hon. Sam Parker-have both given
away endless amounts of valuable pos
sessions almost Unfortunately. Anoth-
er distinctive feature of Hawaii is the
dress of the women, introduced by the
missionaries as "a tribute to Western
! ideas This dress is simply Mother
Hubbard" flowing freely from shoulder
to feet and uncohtined to the waist.
These long Mother Hubbards" are to be
seen in all colors, and are worn even by
the rich Hawaiian ladies'. The costume
is undoubtedly suitable to the climate,
and In the summer months the women
go bathing in them, allowing their wet
garments to dry In the suns rays after
the bath. The Japanese women of Ha-
. wall often adopt the Mother Hubbard"
and present most ungainly and weird
objects-their figures not being built for
long. flowing gowns.
The old riding habit has almost dis
2 appeared, and now the appearance of a
rider clad in gay garment at once at.
. tracts crowd. The Hawaiian womc.
all ride astride on a mans saddle-u
course rendered necessary by the dan
gerous mountain roads to be traversed