The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1908-02-25
*.****** 1855
Island Recollections
Josephine cohn IN Examiner,
= = = So Z y : : $50

waiIans learned a written language
The first chant vas entitled, Luna
HOS Name Chant. Each chief had
his own name chant) could almost
tell by the old mans gestures. ana oy
the changes Of expression in his couh-
teuauce, what he was chanting about
(ChIefs always had their praises sung
at all their feasts) In this particular
instance the singer told Of how the
great king came from the skies of all
his good qualities of his excellent
characteristics, and Of how he finally
returned 70 the heavens above During
the entire recital Of this very long
chant. the performer kept up con
slant motion of the body, similar to
the hula dance. In his day he had
accompanied the hula dances with his
-tomtom (hula epu) and the sway Of
the body in conjunction with that per
Torrance appeared TO be necessary
part of the musicians act.
A HAWAIIAN LYRIC
was then given a Hawaiian lyric.
about Emma, one Of the Queens Of
the islands. in which he described her
tour around the Island Of Kauai. IN
this recital the old mans face was a
most fascinating study. AS the Queen
approaches the shore the tossing Of the
boat was graphically described by the
performer Then the gathered clans
welcome her and decorate her with
leis. The spray dashes over. her and
/ the high chief tells her that if she is
tired she may rest on his arm. She
then bataes IN the water. allowing the
waves to play over her at viii. They
then banquet her and care for her. II
nalIv they bid her farewell with alo-
has and more leis. These Ieis are the
beautiful necklaces Of flowers given
to departing guests. or Worn BY the
natives on festive. occasions.
Suddenly / noticed the old man be-
come excited and assume a savage st
titude He began a description Of he
chiefly and warrior-like origin OF. KING
j KaIakaua, and getting gradually calm
er. finally concluded with a CHANT OF
alteration in honor Of the last King Oh
the Hawaiian realm. As san Fran
ciscans well know. kalakaua died IN
our city.
At the conclusion Of an extremely
/ instructive hour. the matron usherei
! me into the dining-roon. where the
I inmates, in primitive fashion, were
/ enjoying their afternoon meal. Most OF
them had never known the use Of the
knife and fork, and were contentediy
eating their poi and fish with theiI
fingers.
Among the interesting old people Fl
the institution. there is a native by
the name of John Kaalele. one Of the
hands0mest and most characteristic
looking Hawaiians I saw in the IS
lands This mans face was SO attrac-
tive that q local artist OF Honolulu
made a portrait of it and entitled the
picture, The Lost Cause" X seems
that the mans life had been ruined by
the use of opium. and that what prom
ised TO be a successful career was IN
fortunately terminated in his becoming
an object Of charity and public pity
Hence the appropriate name Of the
painting. Another inmate Of the home
was the father Of twenty children, o.
whom there are four living, but not
one OF whom is willing TO contribute
a farthing toward his support.
The Lunalilo Home for Aged and
Disabled Hawaiians was endowed b!
King Lunalilo. the last Of the Kane
f7ameha dynasty. 1t Is beautifully 10
Gated on a tract of sixty acres, ant
the Hawaiian people are proud Of theii
institution On the grounds may %
found innumerable varieties Of trees