The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1905-01-01


white men came to the islands, pines
were found as one of the table delica-
cies of the natives, and to this day there
are wild pineapples growing in favorable
localities on all of the islands.
Long ago, even before there was any
systematic attempt at the cultivation Of
the fruit, it was found that the pineap-
pies of Hawaii were much more juicy,
and much sweeter than those found in
any other portion of the tropical world.
This fact was noted by the first white
men who ate of the Hawaiian pines
and it has been noted since by experts
from different quarters OF the globe
where this delicate fruit IS grown.
1t was noted likewise, that the wild
pineapples of Hawaii were inclined to
larger growth than the wild pines found
anywhere else. The soil and climate of
the islands, and Of all the islands, seem
ed, indeed, to be especially adapted to
the highest development of this most
delicious of all tropical fruits. But it
is only of late years that there have
been found men in Hawaii sufficiently
alive to the advantages afforded by ma
ture here to aid by intelligent effort III
resping the harvest of wealth that is
always been grown, more or less, by the
natives of Hawaii-when they did not
spare themselves the trouble of produc-
ton by going out into the hill lands and
picking the wild fruit A few white
men, also, at their country homes and
in their gardens have grown pineapples
for use on their own tables, and it has
at all times been possible to pick up
pineapDles IN the city markets of Homo
lulu. But they have not Away been
abundant-flor, if the truth must be told
In large local demand. The Hawaiian
pineapple has been one of those home
blessings that was not appreciated be-
cause it was to be procured at our own
doors Doubtless, if the good people
of these islands had had to import the
product, the pineapple habit would by
this time have grown to something like ,
the proportions the character of the I
fruit would seem to deserve. The pine $
apple habit is growing, however, and Z
will continue to grow apace {
The growth of the pineapple indus q
try. like the growth of most industries I
in these islands, was attended with r
some considerable discouragements at !
the beginning But this was particular t
" true with reference to the pineapple \
industry 1t seemed that there was
rrlaiien fate attendant upon any project 4
to grow anything else bat sugar, in a E
lsssfisu1erciar way, although everything E
else would grow. AS a matter OF tact, v
when the Pearl CITY proj ect was start D
I'd, it was at least four years before any t
progress was made at all that looked E
like achievement
But the men who had faith in Ha- h
wall. and in pineapples, persevered. D
How well they have been rewarded, c.
LET the figures tell The beginning OF Il
the pineapple industry, as everybody c,
knows. was small. There was, in the i
FIRST oIace. the difficulty of getting land h
uoon which TO found the plantations IL
That was overcome, in more than one
place, after severe Encouragement fc
Then there was the difficulty of getting
nIants. but that. too, was overcome. is
,y .srs,, onlv overcome in a measure, hoy 81
ever. for there is still short supply II
and viii continue TO be, perhaps, Tor o,
many years. The men who have EN- til
parked in pineapple culture on large til
scale have still need of all the plants az
hat can be produced from their own es
took and are quite willing to buy at Isl
fair rates all that can be offered.
Lately. there has been the difhcuity
Of getting the product to market MAJ
<eti That is the pet bugaboo of all the
Silurians who would not have any en-
erprise started In the Islands, III an as
-icultural way at least, because that en-
ernr;se never has been carried on. Do
not plant anything, say the S1lur1ans.
You are too far from your market.
What is the good of growing anything
hat Won cannot sell? And, indeed, the
silurians are. right this far, that If IS
lot profitable to grow a thing that you
:annot sell. Where the Silurian calcu-
atoms fail is that they do not want
anybody to tr.r TO sell anything
The pineapple men, not being at all
,lurian, produced their article. SUI
Krior quality. and found their market.
n the beginning. frightened bit by
he Silurians, perhaps, III spite OF them
elves, no effort was made to market
nything but canned pineapples. OF
hese, it was soon found that the Amer
AN market, a rich market and freely
pen to the producers of Hawaii since
was quickly appreciative of
product of such excellence. It would
Ike all that was offered by the pine
ppie canneries of the islands, and
Tanted more.
For several years. the island produc-
rs were content with the exploitation
{ this market They had found, con-
.ary to the prophecies of the Silurian,
lat the transportation companies were
lad to ship all ther r,roduct that was
fered, anu they saw at last the golden
ronlise of reward for long years of
Dor opening before them. AS a mat
r of fact, water carriage IS the cheap
It carriage, and sea port need never
ant for means to reach the world
ith what it has TO shin. So long as the
inds blow over the sea, men will build
lips-and other men viii ind the
herewithal 70 load them.
pt,s IL. ,Je- IL
ibject The pineapple men, gaining
,nhdence from success, made one more
ng stride forward in their business.
heir canned product had been pro-
,unced immeasurably superior to any
ing that had ever before been offered