The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1911-02-09


the tract will be converted into a rice
field
From the beginning to the end of
his term, the quiet Celestial will be
laying foundations for a renewal OF
| the lease, and the chances are a hun
dred to one that he will get it long
before the first term is up. He may
think the owner is natal wahine Ga
fair woman and marry her, for the
native women do not dislike Chinese
husbands-they are good to them, and
let them have money and buy them
fish, poi and gin enough to keep them
fat and happy.
In the year 1898, shortly after the
islands were annexed, had occasion
to attend a session of court held at
Kailua. Kailua is on the leeward side
of the Island of Hawaii, and was, in
the early days, the capital of the
! group. It is situated twelve miles
north of the place where Captain Cook
was killed by the natives $50 years
| ago. It lies at the base of the great
mountain Hualalai, which rises S00e
| feet above the sea. The entire coast
consists of lava flows of varying age.
Here and there are tracts of rich soil,
where tropic fruits grow to their
largest size and richest flavor. A dry
air characterizes the place, which, be
cause of the bgoad, calm ocean, the
excellent fishing and splendid rolling
surf that glides in all day long has
always delighted the natives.
While we were there Prince Kuhio,
/ the present Hawaiian Delegate to Con
! gress, organized for our entertainment
fishing party of Hawaiians, and
score of the most skillful took part,
They were mostly of advanced years,
and the business was taken very Sc
riously. First, the net was cast. Then
they brought it slowly toward shore.
AS they neared the Land native swan
with a rope, one end of which was
fastened to the net, toward ledge
of rock over which the surf was break
ing with roar. Taking a wave that
was bearing in, he was carried by it
over the ledge for a distance of twelve
feet or more, and, as the wave return
ed, planted his feet firmly on the outer
edge, ana there he stood. holding his
ground and drawing in rapidly on the
rope The wave in the meantime re-
coded, leaving the top of the ledSe
standing several feet clear of the
water. Soon another giant wave came
rolling in. 1t washed the native OF
his feet again. But as the water went
back he got his footing and started
pulling in on the rope. The third
wave was bigger than the other two
It came up with such a sweep that
the native lost the rope, which was
carried back into the water below the
ledge. He dove after it, and sta.d
under an incredible length of time, but
finally appeared, rope in hand. shaking
his head.
Meanwhile some of the other ma
tives had got ashore through nearDy
cove and were scrambling down the,
rocks to help him. They got hold Of
the rope and pulled it in, till the net
was drawn into the entrance of the
cove. From there, with the help o.
the whole party, it was brought
ashore. The catch turned out to be
a fine one, Prince Kuhio was greatly
pleased, while some of us, who were
strangers in the land, were simply
amazed at the brilliant coloring and
strange appearance of the fish.
Just as the Chinese have taken over
the taro lands of the natives and the
making of their poi, so the Japanese
have monopolized the sea fishing.
Their little sampans may be seen any
morning skimming away to the fish
ing grounds or lying at anchor while
they cast the lines.
The Japanese of Hawaii are a cheer
full, industrious people, much inclined
toward clannishness, but close imi-
tators of good ideas. Aggressive and
ambitious, they never lose any advan-
tage that has once been gained Quick
to pick up the customs, manners, and
even habits of thought of the better
class of those among whom they are
sojourning, they quickly fall into har-
mony with their surroundings, They
are rapidly spreading out over the Pa
cifc, and they are there to stay
Destined to become serious factor
In the development of our outlying
possessions, we will do well to watch
their progress on all those lands;
whose shores are washed by the great
western ocean.