The Hawaiian gazette., 1901-03-26
At
MOANALUA


lua" was the signal which iluttered
from the halyarus Of the giant nag stan
ON the estate of Hon. S NJ. Damon on
sa .ruay afternoon, over which hoatcd
a magnificent "Old Glory" straining at
its fastenings and dying Stewards.
Long before the special train Of five
cans which bore two hundred and fifty
Shrinors and their fair guests arrived
at the beautiful country estate Of Mir.
Damon the code signal could be seen
in conspicuous relief against the sky.
The special train which left Honolulu
at $50 o'clock was in charge of Mobiles
l.. r. Grant and Andrew Brown Of
Noha Temple and carried the larger
part Of the visiting Shrners. Imperial
Potcntate Lou b. Winsor and caval-
cade Of about thirty-hve Mobiles and
ladies of the Imperial Pilgrimage were
not with the party, being at that tim
on the briny deep on their return from
the volcano.
The train was met at the estate sta
ton by Mr. Damon, who delivered over
the keys, grounds, flowers ana hospi-
talitv of Moanalua to his guests. 1t
was gay party that alighted from the
train and at once visited the grass hute
which once sheltered scions of ka-
mehameha dynasty. The guests were
taken by surprise at the sweeping eX
panse of the grounds and the quaint
buildings which dotted the lawns here
and there with picturesque abandon,
the splendid gardens and the ponds fill
ed with varied species of the tinny tribe
and beautiful water plants.
Mr.. Damon's open-hearted hospitality
won the Shriners at first greeting and
they Immediately proceeded to carry
off sections of the estate piecemeal-in
their kodaks. 1t was a veritable kodak
army At every turn one was greeted
by Polyphemus-eyed cameras and Mr..
Damon himself was the recipient OF
much of their attention.
The grass huts and the bedroom of
one of the Kamehamehas furnished as
he left 1t, were constantly filled with
the Shrlners. Near the residence was
"A marquee, beneath which and the
shade of many trees nearby refresh
Iments were served throughout the aft
ernoon. Solomon's quintet club early
began to hypnotic the visitors and
drew them unresistingly toward the
pavilion used for dancing. The beau
tiful Chinese cabinets, tables and set
tees of ebony inlaid with mother-of-
pearl were moved to the sides Of the
pavilion and soon the Shriners We're
revealing in the waltz and the deux
temps to the strains of the native love
songs and the hula. The afternoon
wore n pleasant aspect and not until
the visitors were about to embark upon
their train late in the day did the
heavens open and send down cooling
showers. Mr.. Damon pointed to an
arching rainbow which seemed like a
frame for the pretty picture of Moan
alua extending from the sea to the rug
ged ridges, which he sad never failed
to appear when Moanalua was in gala
attire.
Dainty refreshments of tutti-fruttt
ice cream, sandwiches coffee and soda
We're provided. When tired OF dancing
the marquee was favorite retreat tc
which finally the musicians came and
sang the prettiest of the Hawaiian love
songs. Some splendid photographs OF
the entire group were made at this
place. Those who visited the gardens
and groves brought back huge cocoa
nuts in the husks and spent much OF
the afternoon in inscribing them with
appropriate remembrances of their
visit.
When the hour for departure came
there We're many signs of regret from
the ladies OF the party and one and all
thanked Mr.. Damon for the rare OPP
portunity extended them to roam over
the most beautiful estate in Hawaii AS
the train was about to leave the little
station three rousing cheers and roar
ing tiger were given for Moanalua. for