The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1902-01-01
= OCIAI- LIFE
I'm HONOLULU

civilization were not merely American,
but strongly and impressively Ameri-
can.
The first settlers in Hawaii were
New England men and women who
came not only as missionaries of the
Gospel to the heather, but who
brought and planted their strongest
American traditions. So unyielding
were some of these traditions that
their architecture, for instance, regard
less of climatic conditions, presented
not only the cellar, but the steep roof
and narrow porch, as is shown in the
old coral dwelling next Kawaiahao
Church, and the wooden dwelling be-
side it, rather than the spreading roof
and broad lana. of modern style. There
was no architecture here to serve as
example, the rude hut of the native
being the only structure; hence Homo
lulu soon deserved it's title of trans
planted New England" But while the
character of the people and their
homes was strongly that of New Eng
land, conditions here favored a closer
intimacy than that in the settlements
at home, and the small circle Of friends
grew into a large and well-called fam
ily-circle, with always a welcome and
a hearty one for the stranger
Few now are left of those who bore
the honored title of Father" and
Mother" throughout the community,
the "malahinis' far outnumber the
"kamaainas," and now the old resident
is often himself a stranger among
strangers.
With the growth of numbers and
the introduction of new ways the old
simplicity and informally Of the life
have fast disappeared. Residents of
only two years speak of the great
changes they have observed during
their stay here. No longer is a dish
of strawberries with white sugar a
mark of ceremony due the invited
guest Ladies no longer go out to
spend the day with friends, arriving
before breakfast and staying to tea
The American rush is upon US.
For the last few years as many as two
OF three entertainments may have been
given in the same evening:
The calling day has become estab-
ed, each district having an assigned
day.
Dinners and luncheons, and these
increas ingly elaborate, are now CHAR
acteristfc form of entertainment. But
informally still holds its own to a
certain extent. A hostess receives
without gloves, and usually meets her
guests without the intervention or
servant at the front door or on the
lanai Receptions, at homes, card par
ties and dances prevail here as else
where For many years the presence
of men of war of different nations in
our harbor was a marked feature or
n.
ments on board and on shore made So
otatv CAV indeed Since annexation
these visits of war vessels have been
infrequent, and as yet the army post
and naval station have not become
the social centers that they are else
where.
While American customs and Ameri-
can hours for business and for recrea-
ton have given the place one general
characteristic the climatic conditions
have necessitated a second, that OF
outdoor life with all that accompanies
it.
Save for the fact that our returning
travellers and our tourists bring with
them the clothing suitable to a cooler
climate. the dress of the islanders is
usually white, both for men and Tor
women, and the large hats of Hawaii
an. South American and Philippine
manufacture, are much worn.
The horseback riding of former days
is, since the general use of bicycles
much less common, although always
popular for recreation, ladies rldlng
almost without exception in DIVIDED
skirts. The carr ages patronlzed by all
are beginning to diminish
in number in our overcrowded streets
since the arrival of the long-coveted
electric railway.