The Hawaiian gazette., 1910-05-27
LIQUOR ISSUE
ON BIC ISLAND
Sidestepping the Most Prominent
Feature, Just Like in
Honolulu.

HILo, May 1.-THE Tribune says:
According to reports received from
prominent local Hawaiians, some of
whom themselves have an inclination
towards prohibition, the path Of Nh.
kOokoo, president of the Hawaiian
Prohibition League has so far contain.
ed more thorns than roses. Nako6lioo
came to Hilo little over a week ago,
acting as a delegate of the league of
which he is the president, it being his
declared intention to organize the pro.
hibition movement among the Hawaii
ans on this island. He stated that it
was his purpose first to establish a club
in Hilo, and then to take trip around
the island, establishing prohibition
clubs in every district of the island.
According to the reports mentioned,
Nakookoo has really established a club
in Hilo. At least some officers have
been chosen, John Manuia having been
selected for president, while 2. Mahai-
ula is another officer. The difficulty
came, however, when the effort was
made to secure members. AS they did
not seem to come around by themselves,
it was decided to have membership lists
taken around for signatures of intend
ing members. Representative Keala-
waa was given the job of taking these
lists around for signatures, and he
started on the rounds. After short
time, however, the Honorable Kealawaa
became convinced that he had been
handed a lemon, and he soon returned
bringing it back with him. The Ha-
waiians to whom he had come with his
petition, had not only declined to sign
it, but they had told him that if he
continued to take such an active inteS-
est in prohibition he would be signing
his political death warrant. Kealawaa
is more interested in being elected to
the House than he is in anything else,
so he declined to take further honors
from the prohibition camp.
The job of passing around the mem
bership roll was then rendered to Mali
mu, the well-known old Hawaiian, but
that gentleman foxily sidestepped and
another victim had to be found.
In the meantime much interest seems
to be taken by the Hawaiians in the
outside districts in the proposed actions
of Nakookoo, and there seem to be some
breakers ahead. At least, the editor
of the Malamalama, the Hawaiian
newspaper, has received several letters
from Hawaiians along the Hamalua
coast, stating that they are waiting for
the arrival of Mr.. Nakookoo, when they
intend to tell him thing or two.
During the latter part of last week
| Nakookoo was working in Puma, and it
is expected that he will soon start on
his trip around the island.
1t must be remembered, however,
J that at present considerable work is
being done in the prohibition cause in
the Hawaiian churches, and that while
politicians who take up the cause may
be warned off, there can be no doubt
but that some of the work of organiza'
ton done by the prohibitionists will
bear fruit.
The local Democrats held one of their
periodical meetings last Thursday even
ing. 1t had been reported, before the
meeting took place, that the prohibition
question would be taken up. However
when it came to a showdown, the un
terrified ones proved to be as nimble
at sidestepping the issue as their Re
publican brethren. No one opened his
mouth about prohibition, and the dis
cussion of the issue was conspicuoui
only by its absolute absence.
In the meantime it would seem quite
probable that the liquor ISSUE would
come up in Democratic circles in tn,
near future. 1t is generally understood
that David Ewaliko, the editor of thu
Democratic organ and one of the mos
prominent Democratic leaders, has de
cded views ON the matter, and tina
these views are on the side of prohi
bition. At least, considerable stir ha
been created among the Hawaiians b.
the fact that David short time ag,
delivered a strong lecture on the evil
of intemperance to class of younI
lpeople which he has in charge on Sun
days. Ewaliko is still neatly balancing
, on the fence, politically speaking, blu
it is rumored that when he does fall
it will be into the prohibition camp
and it is predicted that he will try t
take his following with him.