Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1904-08-25
FROM THE ORIENT
Continued from last week. J

Almost the first thing that attracted
our notice were what are known to
travellers as "wharf rats" These are
Hawaiian boys from IL to Is years old
who are great swimmers and have
learned that they can pick up quite a
few nickles when boats arrive. They
swim around in the water for hours at
time affordlng much amusement to
the passengers by diving and scramb-
ling for coins that are thrown over to
them aud dare say that not one coin
is ever lost. We stayed in Honolulu
two days while the ship was being
coaled and found that the stories that
| have heard OF the beautiful scenery
In the vicinity OF the city have not
been overdrawn. | did not have time
to visit all OF the intesesting places, so
| devoted the greater part Of my time
visiting those places that are consider
ed to be the most interesting. A drive
up the mountain to the north of the
city over macadamized road that
winds up through valley to the pail,
meaning precipice In the Hawaiian
language) was as historic sight as
saw. The distance is SIX miles and at
point 1000 feet above sea level, the
road comes to an abrupt stop where
looking straight downward one Is con-
fronted by 1900 feet OF vacant space.
This drive at one time would not have
been prudent as there Is always a
strong wind blowing from seward and
it gathers such force as 1t passes up
through the valley that people and
even horse and carriage have been
forced over the precipice. This dan
ger has been obviated by the building
of strong fence few feet back from
the brink OF the precipice. l also went
up to the ''Punch Bowl" which Is a
large basin, resem bling bowl, in the
top OF mountain and hsace Its name.
This place was reached by electric cars
which make a round trip from the city
every hour in the day,
Other places visited we're the mar
kets, bathing beach. Waikaiki resort,
Bishop museum and the Kamehameha
preparatory school for the natives, l
found the natives TO be very hospit-
able class Of people, ell seeming anxi-
Gus To show every courtesy in their
power. They look on the Americans
as being their brothers and benefac-
tors and treat them accordingly. Hav-
ing friends there that are teaching at
the Xamehameha schools, 1t added
much to the pleasantness OF my stay
for from them leatned and saw much
more of the place than | woald have
otherwise. They drove me around to
the principle points Of interest and be-
fore leaving, through their kindness,
/ was given the opportunity OF partak-
ing OF meal consisting entirely OF pa
tive products. among which were pei,
the pri lcipie article OF diet OF the ma
tives) made from the taro root, green
EOCOduub anu TIC Wdecs tNm SdnC,
manRoes, pspsia, fried bananas, rice,
oranges. fish and strawberries and
cream. did not relish all the dishes
but enjoyed the ssyelty OF the meal
very much.
1t would be q lengthy task to write q
description OF the country so that when
read person might be able to form In
their mind an idea OF its grandeur. but
II you imagine a place OF sunshine and
flowers, having pretty drives amid
mammoth palms and where tropical
fruits grow In abundance In yards ana
along the roads you will have some
idea OF what presents itself TO one visit
ing the city OF Honolulu. Fields OF
rice, sugar cane, and pineapples are
other sights to attract ones attention.
/ spent the two days admiring the
scenery and almost regretted having
to go on board to continue my journey
Our course after leaving Honolulu was
a few degrees north OF west and after
six days we arrived at Mid.
way Island, a landing place OF, the Pa
cific cable. There are only nine peo-
pie on the island, they being employees
of the Gable Company. The island be-
ing so small we found nothing OF any