The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1901-06-17
NIGHT SCENES IN
THE HAWAIIAN CAPITAL

1t has beyn said that ''one-half of the
world does rot know how the other half
lives" This saying applies to Honolulu
as we'll as to the rest OF the world There
are districts in this city where the peo-
pie, who do not live inside its limits
have at best but vague idea of the
way in which the inhabitants therein
pass their existence. A most interesting
study of some of these different localities
is in relation TO the way they spend Sun
day
That portion of Honolulu that lies along
Beretania and upper Nuuanu streets eel
ebrates Sunday after a manner that
plainly shows the influence of New Eng
land origin, which, although transplanted
to a foreign cline, still reveals its sturdy
source. Here the day is spent in rest
or recrea tions of mild sort. The spirit
ual significance of the day is ever ap-
parent in mind, All worldly affairs are
suspended, and when night comes the
town is left in domicfliary darkness, save
for the occasional CLEAN of light, far
back among the tropical foliage, that in
dicates some family circle, or where
church sends its CHEEKY light abroad.
The streets are almost deserted save but
for the occasional foot passenger and the
hackman.
In that part of Honolulu lying between
Nuuanu stream and Dowset1 lane, and
along King street, may be found a world
as foreign it is interesting. Here it is
that the Chinese and japanese Of Homo
lulu live 1t is region of bright lights
and busy people on Sunday night, one of
strange sights, strange sounds and
strange smells. Unless one made a spe-
.cial study of this portion of Honolulu, he
might live here for years and know moth
ing of this unique locality except in a
general way.
To the people here the Sunday has no
sacred associations. such as are given
it elsewhere. To the majority of Chinese
and Japanese the day has but one pur-
pose-to enable them to contribute to
their temporal wants Crowded as the
streets are III this part OF the city dur
ing the suplit hours Of the Sabbath day,
it is at night when the thoroughfares of
King and Beretania become most inter-
esting. Then all that is poor and mean
is hidden under the cover of night and
the garish tinsel and cheap attempts al
ornamentation that are to be found in
the shops of this part of the city in such
abundant profusion are invested with
new and added charm that makes them
things of rare beauty and worth. Then
it is that the local color of the place
becomes most evident. Here you may
see your yard-boy, arrayed in a cutaway
coat that is so long the tails of his gar
ment flap about his heels, and looking
over standing collar of excessive
height. rubbing elbows with the Japan
csc gambler and roue, who struts about
in long kimono and whose only conces-
sion to civilization is the discarding of
the shaver head and in place thereof
huge football head of air The day
brings no spiritual lesson. To these peo-
pie il means only a time of recrea ton.
In front of every store may be seen
rows of colored bottles containing root
beer, soda water or ginger ale Restaur-
ants, bakeries, grocery stores, barber
shops and butcher stalls, are also fitted
ont with a refrigerator and ice-shaving
machine The customers of these refresh
ment stands are not confined to the
japanese and Chinese who inhabit the
place, but Hawaiians and whites are also
TO be found among their patrons.