The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1902-04-25
HUNT SHELLS THE
LIVELONG DAY
Natives Seek Enameled Univalves
In Debris of the
Oredssr.

Down by the Honolulu Iron works
where a couple OF hundred yards OF
pipe connected with a dredger is trans
ferrine tons OF good American soil from
the bottom OF the harbor to what was
formerly a desOlate expanse OF evil
smelling mud, hourishes from dawn to
dark a strange industry.
The spot is makai of the road which
leads TO the Channel wharf, and only
recently was the home of countless
crabs and other forms of sea life which
exist and multiply wherever mud and
coral furnish them with hiding places.
At low tide an unsightly waste was re-
yealed, hideous in its nakedness, but at
high water the limpid tide took COM
passion on the ugly spot and touched 1t,
and instantly the erstwhile naked
masses of seaweed spread out thou
sand verdant branches and the frag-
ments of coral which shrunk for very
shame at their own unsightliness into
the dun-colored ozone, took to them
selves a profusion of wonderful colors.
These conditions existed two months
ago. Today, held in by retaining walls.
the output OF the dredger has covered
the spot to depth of nearly three feet
with coral earth on which in q few
months will be laid the foundations of
warehouses and other structures.
All day long and all night long the
iron jaws OF the dredger tear up the
floor OF the harbor, and the stuff
brought up in its NAV goes a-rattling
and a-clattering down the pipe, ending
its journey within the confines of the
reclaimed territory.
Persons passing to and fro along the |
wharf road, if they cast their eyes sea-
ward, will notice a number of boys and |
girls, and men and women, too. for
that matter. searching among the coral
debris near the pipe, turning it over
with a stick, and occasionally bending |
down and picking up something which
they place in their pocket or a basket
which they carry with them. As many
IS a score OF persons may thus be seen
hunting at one time.
Their quest is shells. and their field
y operations yields a rich harvest. The
hell most priced varies from a quarter
% a half an inch in length, and ranges
n color from bright yellow to n rich
brown. This shell is covered with a
enamel. which, despite the in
'alculable time it must have lain at
he bottom OF the harbor, has been pre-
eENeu intact
This shell. when mounted. makes a
andsome cuff link or stick-pin head,
nd is accordingly much sought after.
me searchers among the coral sell
heir treasures to Oriental jewelers. and
ourists. for from ten 10 twenty-fiveI
ents a handful.
These shells are not TO be picked up
or the mere looking for. but take a !
reat deal of finding. as on account of
heir minuteness they generally manage I
D get covered over with the large
ieces OF coral which come through the
ipe. Besides these small enameled ,
hells. larger ones OF grotesque shape
re to- be picked mp. but as they are {
lmost always in a fragmentary con-
Ition. they are but little sought after. I
As soon as the sun Is high enough
aid them In their enterprise. the shell i
unters are on the ground. They are
ostly natives who prosecute this gen. 4
g industry. but occasionally a haole ,
iay be seen grubbing among the
'cks- Many OF them bring their fru- \
nj lunches with them and partake OF
leir fish and poi in sight of the pipe. I
Two handsful OF shells II accounted a
bod days work. but as a rule the wa
mes and keikis wend their way home
ard with much smaller cleaning
ian this.