Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1902-03-29

gether. An oven was made by digging a
hole and lining it with hot stones. II
this fire was built, which was re-
moved when the stones were heated 20
make way for the pigs These Were
closely wrapped in ''ti' leaves and COW
cred with hot stones and earth. After
several hours, they were diSnterred and
brought to the table, the crisp, tawny,
not roasted cracking of incompara-
bic flavor"
Fish were prepared in the same way
and served in the leaves in which they
were cooked. Others to be eaten with
poi, were served raw having previously
been cut into pieces and soaked in SAT-
water.
Liquid Refreshments.
In the matter of drink, the hostess
CONSIDERABLY catered to the taste of her
white-skinned guests and offered prod
uctS of civilization in the way of soda
water ana Pabst beer. The former.
though of the despsed schoOlpicnc va
riety. receives in the islands a popular
respect; inasmuch as very often its only
alternative is tank rain water.
1t took several hours for the guests,
handicapped as they were, to DO justice
to the feast. When ut last they were
ready to cry Pau in the language of
the natives, the calabash and towel were
again passed and hailed with delight
When all the guests had left the pavil-
ion, attendants made haste to clear away
the tables and benches. The plaintive
native air which the orchestra played
throughout the feast changed to up-to-
date waltZts and two-Steps, and the
luau concluded with dancing.
But, as has been minated. luaus are
not always elaborate. Some are as sim
At genuine Hawaiian luau 4
large lauhala mat is spread on the
ground, and on this are served, with the
least possible ceremony. the usual deli
cacies. poi. raw fish and roast pig-pcr-
haDs saltwater. Sometimes there are
individual calahasheS. but quite as often
half a dozen guests agreeably share one
in common.
Passing of the Hula Girl.
As there are no stated reception hours,
the guests in fresh leis and hclokus come
trailing through the guava bushes to the
festal board, at their own pleasure.
When they have been draped in more
lcis hy the cordial host, they squat
around the mat. and when grace has
been said they enter without convention
al restraints upon the enjoyment of what
has been provided. At these banquets
the Well-hrcd native. when eating poi.
draws his fingers from his mouth with a
resounding smack to express his relish
and appreciation. So everyone eats ana
smacks and grunts aud chatters and
sings songs and is good-natured and hap
by and care free. Musicians nearly HID
den under leis Strum guitars and ukuleles
and sing sentimental airs or rousing
"hulas." Until within Il few years ago
the writings of the charming hula
dancer" added greatly 10 the life of these
entertainments. and the fun not infre-
uuently became fast and furious. In pa
gan days the hula dancer played lead
ing part in the performance of certain re-
ligouS rites, hut in recent years she has
appeared as the star attraction of social
gatherings. So great became her popu-
larity under the patronage Of her civ
ilized brethren that Il righteous govern
meDt felt called upon To suppress her.
There is reason to believe that her day
has net yet passed. though since the
coming of her fair sisters from the states
she has lost prestige.
The 'hula-huln" girl could well be
spared; but there are few islanders who
would not regret the passing of the luau.
1t is the only institution, so to speak. in
which the native expresses naturally his
most distinctive traits and customs. He
seems rather i'll Mt ease and suhdued
amid the general signs Of progress about
him-the great caneheldS and the church
sociahles of the "heolcs.' But nj luau
he is himselfthe generous, irresponsi-
Bile. amiable, happy go-lucky Kanaka
that everyone likeS.-Nlargaret Rice in
the Evening Wisconsin.