The Hawaiian gazette., 1903-12-04
LIGHT AND PROTECTION NE :DtD.

The outlying parts of Honolulu need
more protection than they receive. For
example, the furthest part of WAIKIKI
and the makai side of Diamond Head
are virtually without any benefit from
! the government, except SO much re-
spect for law as resides in the hearts
OF the inhabitants. A great many re-
spectacle families, who contribute
heavily to the taxing power have their
| homes in that direction, where resi-
Dental settlement is speedily becoming
| thick. But, so far as light and pro-
lection are concerned, they might as
well be in the heart of the Colorado
desert, where indeed nature might sup
ply many of our local deficiencies.
Except for the occasional visits Of
the moon the road beyond the. terminus
OF the Rapid Transit line, that winds
around the base of Diamond Head and
skirts the ocean, is so darl: at night
that ruby on a woman's bosom, or a
glittering stud in a mans shirt or
cravat would slip into the hand Of a
wandering highwayman without the
probability of identification. People
in that vicinity must either stay at
home in the evenings or take the
chance of barking their shins, impaling
themselves on the sharp points of fen
ces, or falling into the arms Of any
prowler who might desire to relieve
them Of their valuables. 1t Is not
much better on the Eva side of the
terminus for a considerable distance,
except that some Of the grounds are
lighted and the cars scatter few rays
on either side of the track.
Not only are there many substantial
residences between the base OF Dia-
mond Head and the water, but there
re a few permanent camps of an in
ferior type, which occasionally make
the blackness at least vocal and half
scare the lives out of delicate women.
Bad whisky produces the same conse-
quences everywhere, and even good
whisky sometimes let's loose horde
of blue devils. In the suburb chosen
here as an illustration. orgies may dis
turb peaceable neighbors, but they are
never disturbed by the police. A
mounted officer, once in three or four
months, on a beautiful evening, rides
leisurely along the road. shifts the pure
air, fills his soul with the music of
the waves, and then, like the King of
that, two or three times a year, an Off
Ger on foot strolls into festive gath !
erings, where noses are broken and !
claret split, but that, on such occa-
sions, he is invariably captured and
learns from experience what he has |
been taught in lectures.
Altogether the Waikiki and Diamond |
Head situation Is decidedly bad and |
needs something more than perfume
tory notice. Within a few days three |
thousand American sailors and SOL
diers will be here and will naturally |
distribute themselves over the island. |
They ought to have the benefit, at |
least near the patrolled streets of Ho-
nolulu. of some electrical illumination |
and of some legalized assistance, when
called for. But permanent and repu-
table inhabitants, who pay taxes, |
should also be enabled to find their |
way along public roads and, in return |
for their contributions to the revenue, |
and to our local civilization. should not |
be forced to study rifle and shotgun
tactics for the protection of them |
selves, their wives and their children. |