The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1901-10-14
EIAIIERAlI y.

The deep sea hshing carried ON boy
the Japanese along the coasts off this
island BIS "a lesson ina Industry, skin and
ihrirt which is very striking, and opens
up the possibilities of building up am
industry of considerable Importance
which could employ a considerable
number of people and supply the city
with an abundant supply of cheap
food. The fishing alluded TO lis not done
with nets but my means of hook and
line.
The japanese and Chinese fishermen
in the Pearl Lochs are not to be con-
founded with the deep sea fisherman
OF Waialua. The former have done ac-
tual injury to the fishing in the Lochs,
and have had their will there through
the defect of our laws. The latter do
no injury to any one but point the way
10 a means 4 obtaining an abundant
and healthy food supply.
These japanese have quite a fleet Of
fishing boats at Waialua. From eight
10 a dozen go out between four and
five every afternoon, returning from
the fisheries in the morning and getting
To anchor usually between eight and
ten. though sometimes they are earlier,
when the breeze is strong and favor
able. The boats are built on the Jap
anese model, and are excellent sea
boats. OFF the coast Of Japan similar
boats can be met with three hundred
miles from the land. The Waialua
feet goes three TO five miles from the
Hand. Each boat has a mast and sail,
which can be stepped and unstepped at
pleasure. The other method of propul-
sion Is by sculling with a peculiarly
shaped oar, which reminds one Of the
steering oar Of the Greek and the RO-
man galleys.
These fishermen are extremely skill
ful in managing their little craft, and
there can be no pretuer sight than to
see the sparkling ocean dotted with
white sails as the boats come lacking
within the wished for harbOr. Arrived,
they land their hsh, which passes into
other hands. Part goes TO Honolulu by
train, and part is peddled round the
village Of Waalua and among the
plantation camps. In many cases the
men go TO the anchorage, put a tent up
in the boat, take their simple meal and
then go to sleep TN the next nights
toll calls them forth. They seldom
come ashore but live In their boats,
their wives, in many cases being an
integral portion Of the crew Of two
which each boat carries.
These facts have been stated at some
length to show what is being done with
success in deep sea fishing. That this
style Of fishino is In the hands Of Jap
anese should only be incentive 10 other
races to undertake the same line. The
Japanese make money and they GER
tainly deserve their reward, for they
earn it by sheer hard work and skill.
But others have equal skill with the
japanese and probably even greater
skill. What they lack Is the application
and the desire to do hard work
The fact Is that the waters contigu-
GUS to the coasts Of these Islands
swarm with excellent fish, and the fish
ing industry has been seriously neg
Iected. The coasts Of Molokai would
be a gold mine OF hnny wealth II they
were only properly exploited, but to
make fishing a true source Of revenue
Il must be carried on with energy and
regularity so as to establish firm and
stable market The lesson Of the Jap
heart.