The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1902-04-19

nine-tenths of them wearing only a
smile and a lava-lava Ca strip of cotton
prinO from the waist to the knees.
Some of the women supplemented this
by short bodice, without sleeves,
many being content, however. to salts
~ their sense of modesty by a necker-
chief tied loosely around the neck, fall
ing over the bosom. No shoes, of
course. And not shoemaker am
told in town. No need of one so far as
the natives are concerned, save the
half whites, who are as ambitious TO
dress as foolishly as white people in
this tropic land.
There are no wharves at all; small
landings only. A score or more ma
tlves are close by one of them, pulling
laden scow into the deeper water.
chanting with deep and high voices a
refrain as they work.
''Nau la ii a lie e. fau ia e."
1t sounds as primitive as a Japanese
solo, but is musical withal.
On shore another large group is
marching along, chanting a war-like
melody, with the same deep-sea boom
ing bass and high treble; marching in
couples, each pair with a pole on their
shoulders, from which is suspended a
full basket made OF fresh leaves from
the cocoanut palm. They are singing
because they have plenty to eat in the
bundles.
Strong muscular fellows they are.
erect and tall most of them, but gen.
orally with ankles and calves too large
to be other than roughly graceful. Yet
there is a gracefulneSS about them as
they sturdily march on with swinging
arms.
Most attractive perhaps of all is their
hair which ha a thing OF
special care and culture with both
sexes. The poetic auburn tint seems
well to suit their taste. To effect this
/ they smear their naturally black locks
with lime prepared from coral present
ing a very picturesque appearance,
seeming to wear white and cream col
ored wigs. The hair on the top of the
head is closely cut; the height of per-
lection seeming to be attained by a
curling pompadourish fringe, extend
ing from front to back.
Another peculiar thing is, the full
grown men are all tattooed from the
waist to the knees in very artistic
manner; giving each a nice .tght-ht-
ting pair of blue drawers.
II features they are somewhat like
Hawaians, though the half-white girls
are not a all so pretty Many of the
men, strange to say, have faces like
the women, and vice versa. Often L
have had to look at the subject twice
to be sure of the matter The confu-
sion is easy in that most women wear
short hair. like the men-and lack of
togsTasx f4efttfantf-sifrfffe=
1t is said the women are cold In their
natures? At any rate they appear
blandly Indifferent to curtailment in
dress; or. may there not be a scientific
explanation in this strange resemblance
to each other of many men and wom-
en-, that they are not so strongly sexed
as the average mortal? Quien saDe?
Like the HawaiianS. thew cOur- !
teous people, with genial manners and
soft tongues; and the way in which
they lisp you a ''Talofa" good day., is |
charming. But civilization is spelling
them l fear, for great as is their reput- !
ed hospitality, where they have had
much contact with the whites, 1T Is
based on dollars and cents, shillingS
and marks and pennies; another little |
fault being Cat least in Apia) of lying
like the devil, as well as pilfering inf(
small way. /
They are not naturally fond of work, |
and perform their tasks in truly ma |
hope style, and will fire the boss II ne |
so much as frowns. But they chant SO |
merrily, dance their sivas (hulas), |
have so much sunshine in their ma
lures, and are such big good-natured |
children, you forget their faults A
number of them are building a stone |
church away up the road. AS they |
work they break now and again into |
one of their silva chants, telling how
they fight and love.
The foliage is delightful. Such volup-
tuous verdure, composed so very large
ly of tropic fruits, L never before saw.
Even on the main street the houses
are uncovered in il, back of which are
several good roads, with native houses
picturesquely scattered here and there;
in places a little village with its few
score inhabitants; and oranges, bread
fruit, mangoes, pears, bananas and
papayas are growing profusely every
where. Nature seems TO be sitting |
here with open palms. filed with choic
est gifts, sInilingly inviting you to par
take of her bounty.
Thus Samoa is on the surface By /
and by we may see what is in the |
heart of things.
p. MAURICE M'MAHON.