The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1901-08-21

The civilization of the white man is
not always a boon to the savage: it
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 1853 there were 1,019 Hawaiians in
the islands still, even though foreigners
mad already begun introducing civiliza-
ton. In 1872 the native population had
dwindled to 1904, to which must be
added 1,4S part Hawaiians-children of a
Hawaiian mother and a foreign hus-
band.
The next twelve years saw a further
drop to 40,14, and an increase of part
Hawaiians to APIS, while in 1890 there
We're only "a. 436 Hawaiians and g., 1856 part
Hawaiians. Six years later the Hawai-
ians number 31,019, and the mixed popula-
ton ,4S5 The latest census brings to
light the fact that not only has the pure
native population continued to diminish
but 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 % S34 to over
61,0vJ 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 it looks quite nat
ural ana 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 dispefled by
cries from the boys of Right herei right
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 a
typical American town, with American
houses and stores, though possibly with
more trees in the gardens than in Amer
ica-and as it 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 a
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 or 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 viii prob
ably remain until the end. One is the
native generosity to absolute strangers
la 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 ole
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 Hawaians-Prince David anG
| the Hon. Sam Parker-haye both giveI
away endless amounts of valuable pos
sessions almost Unfortunately. Anoth
| er distinctive feature of Hawaii is tn,
! dress of the women. introduced by TIN
missionaries a tribute to WesterI
| ideas. This dress is simply a "Mothe
| Hubbard" flowing freely from shoulde
| 10 1eet and unconnned to the waist
These long Mother Hubbards'' are to b
seen in all colors, and are worn even b.
the rich Hawaiian ladies. The costum
is undoubtedly suitable to the climate
and in the summer months the wome
go bathing in them, allowing their we
garments to dry in the suns rays afte
the bath. The Japanese women of Ha
wall often adopt the Mother Hubbard
and present most ungainly and weir
objects-their figures not being built 70
long, flowing gowns.
The old riding habit has almost di:
appeared, and now the appearance of
rider clad in gay garment at once a
tracts a crowd. The Hawaiian wome
all ride astride on a mans saddle
] course rendered necessary by the daI
gerous mountain roads to be traverse
The phrase used to describe 1t is rio
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