The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1909-06-12

Press of March 6, there is given de-
scription of Hawaii as nature has treat
ed it. 1t is my intention to show here.
and perhaps in a later paper, what
person could expect if he intended to
take up ranch life here.
To understand Hawaii we must have
one thing in mind-that is. sugar.
Wherever land can be planted to cane,
cane is grown. Where the soil is not
suitable, the land too broken by
gulches, or the moisture conditions un-
favorable, other things may be raised.
but sugar cane s first of all. Although
we see photographs of rice patches, CO.
coanut palms, and so on, these repre-
sent only the infrequent conditions
What we see usually is large fields of
sugar cane, hardly broken by tree,
and bounded by the ocean none hand
and the mountains on the other.
This cane is raised entirely on the
plantations. The home seeker and far
mer has to take the land that is left
over and content himself with some
other crop. In former times many of
the plantations were small and owned
by individuals. Now, whenever pos
sible, they are consolidated and owned
by companies, till at last it is said that
dozen men have controlling interest
in the bulk of the plantations, and by
their influence direct the policy of the
others. Practically all conditions not
due to nature and climate are the re-
suit of this control Of sugar interests,
and all problems are solved as to their
effect on sugar. Thus, in spite of the
wishes of the natives the monarchy was
replaced by a republic. For the sake
of secure free entrance of sugar into
the United States the republic gave
way to annexation, again in opposition
to the natives, who then composed over
so per cent. of the voters. Now, as
before, land exchanges and all other
official actions are always for the bene-
fit of the corporation and not of the
territory.
This is not said to intimate that a
hopelessly corrupt government has been
the result, but simply to show that
all things have been made to work for
the welfare of one industry. For in
stance, State money was appropriated
to import Oriental laborers, the effect
of which was to lower the wages of
citizens and to build up a foreign pop
ulation. This, of course, was done be-
fore annexation, but it is typical or
what can go on now.
The control of irrigation water, trans
portation facilities and commerce and
agriculture generally has also resulted
In some places the plantation owners
are jealous of the entrance of capital
and independent residents. In other
places there is the opportunity for the
development of the pineapple, rubber,
coffee, or similar industry and person
with some capital and DESTROYS of
pleasant climate might do worse than
to come down to look for a home and
good investment. The new settler
will not find very large white pop
ulation to associate with. The rough
labor is done entirely by people of
other races, and Americans and Eu-
ropeans, except those required to super
intend plantation work, are found al
most exclusively in the cities and
towns.
These islands were originally much
more heavily populated than they are
now. Owing at first to interisland wars
and later to the demoralizing influences
of civilization the Hawaiians are now
of special Importance only in voting
strength. They are far outnumbered
by others, and in a few decades will
be almost gone. Of popu alton of
100000 the Hawaiians number only
about $4,000.
At first they did the greater part of
the work on the plantations. Always,
however, new laborers were sought for
and brought from the four corners of
the earth Although the Hawaiians
would work well when they could be
hired, they wanted too much spare time
and in many ways were unsuitable for
the work. Then, too, they were de-
creasing in numbers very rapidly.
Among the first foreign laborers to
take their places were the Portuguese
from the Azores. These form the bulk
of the white population, and if Occl-
dental ideas are to be dominant, will
probably continue to do so. The island
Portuguese differ from their coast rela
tives in usually having a much falrel
skin and lighter hair and eyes. Lighi
hair and light blue eyes are very com
monty seen among them. Usually they
make peaceful, industrious, law-abidlnE
and generally desirable citizens.
Although other races have often set
tied in the cities and towns, these hv'
mainly in the country. Many still
work on the plantations, but many NOR
| are small farmers and own their owl
houses and lands.
In the hunt for cheap labor Chin
was also drawn upon. Twenty year
ago the Chinaman was the main plan
tation laborer. Now he is seldom foun
| there. The Chinese are running ric
plantations or have drifted into town
and established themselves in shops Q
other trades. A large part have eithe
died or made their pile and returne
to China. Not many children are bt
ing born, and in the time to come the
will not be very important facto
in number or influence.
From China the planters went t
Japan, and the japanese now outnun
Der any two of the other races. Th
greater part are now in the fields, bl
the japanese have also gone into trad
market gardening and the skilled occ'
pations.
There has been talk of too muc
= japanese competition. but the Anne
lean population seems to be increasin
white stores still thrive, and aithoug
| the American mechanic has almost dl
, appeared, nobody else seems to be mut
poorer Much money is now going