The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1904-04-29

and BITS OF Nuuanu avenue, Honolulu,
cannot boast OF well shaded street,
and still there is perhaps as great a
variety OF trees fitted for the purpose
as can be found in any country; it is
unfortunate that they are generally
fenced in.
Coming from the well shaded avenues
of the Mainland cities, one cannot help
noticing the lack in Our city. We have
beautiful avenues of palms on private
estates, and on the grounds of the
various Institutions but they do not
shelter or shade us on the public streets.
On l.unalilo street, VIM. r. Castle
and +. ]. Lowrcy have solved the prob
lem existing between trolley poles and
trees, by planting young trees just OUT
side the line of their lots. In few
years the sidewalks will be amply shaded
and the trees are set far enough away
from the poles to be easily kept from
interference.
Waikiki road from King street to the
point where the electric route exists,
offers broad unobstructcd space for a
well shaded drivewav and bride path.
Along the side of the trolley where rank
grass and weeds now exist, line of
trees might be placed with fine effect.
Our city is particularly favored by
nature i'll the possible vistas of her
streets, the sea on one hand. the noun
tains on the other. Most of the streets
leading to the mountains are unob-
structed and the everlasting hills seem
to beckon us from the busy thorough
fares to their cool and shady retreats.
Whatever is built in future on their
sides, should be so designed as to melt
into the back ground. or of such classic
proportions and dignity as to be de-
light TO the eye OF the artist. 1t seems
to me the beauty of Sugarloaf. that
splendid dome of verdure, is not inn
proved by patches of recent cultivation.
Three years ago there was a wondrous
beauty about that placid hill of velvet
green backed against the jagged noun
tains.
VISTAS FROM THE CITY.
We have several far reaching vistas
of the ocean from Our streets. How
refreshing it is to look down Fort street
and Nuuanu avenue to the open sea.
Richards street, one boundary of the
government grounds, leads the eye an
infinite distance across the booming
reefs, or if the view is INSTRUCTED it is
by noble ship. Lkelike street. bound
ing the same territory on the other side,
leads into the door of the Automobile
building. Wherever there is fine vista
it should be preserved, even at great
sacrifice if we would beautify our city,
and this leads me to the land at the
junction of King and Merchant streets.
/, NNnI.;1,. IL,
seems even i'll its present unadorned
state beautiful extension of the
"Grande Place" of this city. Imagine
the plat laid out, in the center foun-
tain OF two or three sections rising from
a large basin, surrounded by royal palms.
The blank wall at the rear covered with
climbing vines trained to the top of the
building, as they are in Paris, by the
aid of lattices, or wire, and against this
back ground brilliant shrubs, or, if the
owner must eventually build on the lot,
he may, at least, be induced to allow a
wall fountain at the junction of the
streets, over it niche for a bust or
statue. The whole to be built in keep
ing with the architecture of the build
ing, as the great fountain of Trevi
adorns the Palazzo Poll in Rome. OF
course. such scheme would have to be
carried out in much simpler way.
The old armory building was well de-
signed in the style of the Tudors, rs
far as the towers and battements are
concerned A few changes in the door
ways and windows to bring them more
in the style, and the walls cemented
would redeem the building and make
it worthy of preservation, if not for ac-
tual use. as a relic of the past
The adjoining space is extensive and
with its unlimited possibilities worthy
OF adornment
The flag staff surrounded by an orna-
mental base OF bronze to height of 10
feet would add greatly in monumental
way We all remember the beauty of
the standard poles in front of ST. Marks
in Venice. Our flag staff has one raised
platform. Wailuku has two, Lahaina
has threel and even this simple ar
rangement gives a touch of dignity to
the most important monument i'll a
city.
Honolulu outside of her natural beau-
ties of mountain and sea contains many
attractive spots which greet the eye Of
the stranger with interest. The old
plantation on King street. The peace
fu avenue of roval palms in the Roman
Catholic cemetery on the same street,
leading as it does to the pedestal bear
ing a cross of superb proportions. The
trees need at present some trimming
which will soon be done.
Haalelea lawn and the High school
grounds with their weather beaten walls
over which grand trees spread their
branches The restoration Of the old