The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1906-02-04

2
Pan riders are almost an unknOwn
element of modern Hawaiian life but
twenty years ago riding parties Of
women attired in the gorgeous yell
low. red and green skirts affected on
such occasions. were very common.
The Promotion Committee, the auto
peopIa and those generally interested
in the success of the Floral Parade
have determined that on WashingtOn's
birthday people here will have an OPP
portunity of seeing an old-time caval-
cade.
It seems a simple thing. putting on
several yards of bright-colored cloth Is
=. skirt and sitting in a saddle with
the ends of the cloth floating to the
breeze far behind the TANKS of the
horses. but there is an art in adjusting
the skirt. and a novice would be be
7yiIdered
Mrs. Kamaka StiIman, an aged Ha-
z,aifan lady weIl-known all over the
islands. whose picture is presented
herewith. is an adept in draping the
Pau skirt, ard Mr. Gartley has Sc
cured her services voluntarily offer
ed. to teach young women between
now and Washington's Birthday the
almost lost art. Mrs. Stillman lives
in School street, near the Nuuanu
bridge. She, with Mrs. Jennie Miles OF
Asvluno road. and Mrs. Holt of Pala-
' ma. will give instructions in the drap-
ing and the making of Pa-us at any
time
Mrs. stiTlman. although quite adj
vanced in years. is determined to r1de
once more in a Pau cavalcade- In her
prime she was considered one of the |
best horsewomen in the islands.
Mrs. E. NJ. Johnson of Palolo Valley |
is organizing a party for the parade; |
also Miss Myra Heleluhe, protege OF
Queen Liliuokalani, who will ride with |
Miss Bernice Cook Mrs. Wagner OF
School street is also organizing a !
I.arty and from various sections of the
city the committee is receiving entries.
There are a number of fine riders
among the young women of Honolulu,
and among them are the Mulch girls,
and who are understood to be avail |
able. Mrs Jennie Miles will see that /
party is organized Little Miss Clor-
linda Low and Master Frances Brown
are already entered.
The four pictures presented herewith
show some of the details of arrang- |
ing the Pau skirt. This particular |
skirt is OF turkey red cloth, and its
dimensions are twelve feet by nine
feet. The cloth is taken by the longest
way and doubled and wrapped around
the hips from the back to the front.
1t is knotted in front as shown in the |
'jrut The holoku is then gathered up
nd reaching down and under between
the ankles. the wearer draws the rear |
Afold OF cloth and raises it to the waist, !
as shown in the picture labeled Half
Way Adjusted" A kukui nut or
stone is used in the fold Of the knotted ]
cloth to hold it securely in position.
The additional fold of the cloth is then
dropped forward, forming a sort of |
apron. The dress then forms a sort of
divided skirt. The feet are directly on
the cloth and the ends trail out be-
hind II
A cloak is then thrown over the
shoulders, leis are adjusted over the
collar and some in the hair, which is |
often allowed to be let down unham- 4
pered by pins or combs. When mount |
ed the cloak is dropped over the pom
mel of the saddle and the reins are
held in the hands beneath the cloak 4
With anywhere from thirty to a hum
dred such riders the spectacle is pic !:
turesque. When Queen Emma made Il .
royal tour of this island in 1875 the /.
Pau riders We're described by Mr.. Cir !:
vim in his account of Hon. John Cum
Minis life, as follows:
after breakfast the cavalcade was !.
put in order. 1t consisted of one hun :
dred and forty women, riding astride, y
dressed in the brightest colors the 3
stores of Honolulu afforded. The Pau :
or riding habit of the women consists q
of a long piece of bright calico wrap Z
ped around the hips and extending | :
down to the stirrup, from whence it
flares out behind when the horse is in q
motion The impression as we swept .
through the streets on our dashing ::
horses must have been gorgeous. Her |.
Majesty and myself led the procession, .
followed by her mother and other :.
Oh lefs. The streets OF Honolulu We're ):
tmronged with people to witness the
grand sight, and it would appear that =
the whole city and many from the Z
country had turned out to see the de-