The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-01-17
HAWAII OF TO-DAY
A Glimpse of the Islands
and People,
A HospitabIe, Pleasure, Loving, Rather
INDECENT Race are the Latter.
How They Passed Under
Our FIaq.


To the Editor: On my way over from
my former home in the Hawaiian Islands
| haze met with a number of people who
know very little of the Hawaiian Islands.
/ thought the following might be inter
esting to the readers of your valuable
paper.
The Hawaiian Islands occupy a place in
the middle OF. the North Pacific Ocean, and
consist OF group OF eight inhabited is
lands, viz: Hawaii, Mani, Oahu, Kanal,
Nolokai, Lanai, Nuhau and Kahoolawe
Hawaii the largest of the group, has
an area of 4,210 square miles. 1t contains
the highest mountains which are Mauna
Kea and Mouna. Loa both having an ele-
walton of IA 900 feet above sea level. Two
of the largest active craters, Kllama and
Mauna Loo are also on Hawaii.
Mani, the second in size, having an
area of 76O square miles. On the eastern
slope is the largest extinct crater in the
world, Haleakala (The house of the SUM,
being from q to 80 miles in circumfer-
ence, about three thousand feet deep, and
10000 feet above sea level.
Oahu, the third in size, has an area
of 600 square miles, Honolulu, the CAPT.
tai city. contains the largest and import
ant public buildings IN the group. The
city is lighted throughout with electricity,
has an excellent telephone system, electric
cars. good roads and splendid equippages.
Waikiki beach is famous as bathing re-
sort throughout the year. The foliage is
beautiful and the sunsets are truly grand.
1t is truly an ideal group of islands, and
deserves the name, 1.-THE Paradise of the
Pacific
The climate is mild, being tempered by
the northeast trade winds, blowing nine
months of the year, The surface of these
volcanic formation.
The Hawaiian people are very hospitl-
able and-a pleasure-loving race, rather in
clined to be indolent, are very fond of
music and dancing. In the olden days
they worshipped idols and the Goddess OF
Fire. Pele, and threw roasted hogs and
fowls into the volcano to stop the wrath
of Pele. They also believed in human
sacrifices, when a chief or chiefess was
sick, also for violating certain rules OF
taboos.
In constructing their houses, their cut
ting tools were made from hard fine stone
or sharks teeth, the frames were then
covered with long grass. Their clothing
was made from the inner bark of the
paper mulberry, which was beaten until
it resembled thick flexible paper. This
was called tapa. For lights they used
the oily nuts of the candle nut tree. For
food they had the roots of the taro (colo-
casia antiquoum), (Which was boiled, then
beaten into a pasty like substance), sweet
potatoes and yams, also bananas and SUI
gar cane.
The Republic of Hawaii was proclaimed
on July 4. 1894 Sanford 3. Dole was
appointed President.
In June 1897 a new treaty of annexa
ton was negotiated and sent to Wash
ington, and passed the Senate July g. 1898.
the President signing it the next day.
The news was brought by the S. s. Coptic,
which was received with burst of ap-
plause and cheers from the people who
formed a procession, headed by the gov
eminent band, and marched through the
streets.
The raising of the flag took place on
the 18th OF August. Many people from
all over the islands were present, while
the regular and volunteer military forces
of Hawaii, Citizens Guard, Mounted Re-
serves and the sailors and marines from
the T. S. S. Philadelphia were present for
the occasion. S. B. Dole was elected Gov
error.
Going back to the first of June we wit
ness the arrival of the first of Uncle
Sans soldiers, some $500 in number,
from all parts of the United States, on
their way to the Philippines. They We're
received with great enthusiasm deega-
ton of citizens and the band chartering
the tugs, and proceeding out to escort
them into the harbor. Next day the
homes and purses of the people were
Hospitality opened to entertain the Boys
in Blue" who were escorted to the execu-
tive grounds, to partake OF the feast pre-
paired by the citizens. Some 21,500 more
were treated in like manner. The ladies
turned out decorated with badges in nom
or of the occasion and helped to serve
and entertain the Boys in Blue On
departing the soldiers were giver all the
fruit they could carry away The year
OF 1898 will ever shine brightly IN the
annals of Hawaii
In the year of 1899 Honolulu was visit
ed by the Bubonic Plague, which was
mostly situated in the Asiatic quarters
Part OF Chinatown was completely swept
by fire in an effort to externninate the
dreaded disease, which was finally under
control the later part of July of the same
year.
MRS. J. W. MADEIRA.
1T cod NJ ~