The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1911-07-31
TOURIST GIRL WRITES OF THE
VOLCANO AND LOCAL SCENERY

Gongales CCal) Tribune: Below We
publish two highly interesting letters
written by Miss Grace Widemann, who
is touring the Hawaiian Islands with a
party of friends. They are to her
mother, Mrs. Fred L. Widemann, and
were not intended for publication, but
nevertheless will make good reading.
Eva, Hawaiian Islands, June IS, II.
My Dear Mother: Well, I've done
something tonight that you didn't do
went to church. And the church here
a. Eva cannot go the Gonzales church
one better, for there were but fifteen of
US, including the minister. l wond-
cred what Mr.. Hatch would do if we all
waved our palm leave fans in church.
I wondered why the people did it, for it
didn't seem hot to me, but l soon dis
covered that it was to drive away the
little bugs attracted by the lights. I
don't mind the heat here at all, for
there is most always cool breeze
blowing which is right off the ocean.
think perhaps it is little warmer in
Honolulu than it is here in Eva.
We had to get up early on the boat
Friday morning. When | first looked
cut land was in sight. l was surprised
at the ruggedness of the island, but
there as many small valleys between
the mountains. We had breakfast be-
fore six and soon the health officer
came aboard and we all met in the
social hall where the roll was called
according to the printed list that l
sent dad. The doctor only looked at
us as we passed out. When that was
over the boat landed at the dock very
quickly We decided to stay aboard
and watch the greater part of the
crowd get off, for it is the Hawaiian
custom to decorate their friends with
wreathes of flowers. Mr.. Hiser, who
happened to be down at the pier, dis
covered us and came aboard. It seem
ed very nice to see someone we really
knew among so many strangers. He
escorted us off and sent us whirling
away to the hotel in an automobile
SC we had quite a pleasant beginning
to our trip. We rested up a bit then
before we walked out to see the sights.
The city is not so unlike other large
towns except that the trees are more
nuremous and so many of them have
beautiful blossoms. There are few
very large buildings and the streets,
especially the sidewalks, are very mar
row. 1t is not at all hard to find ones
way about and we saw the people who
were on the ship at every turn.
Agnes came to the MOTEL soon after
II and we went down to the office to
get our tickets to the other island
(HawaiD, where we will visit the
volcano. We start Tuesday and will
be gone ten days. She thought it would
be best for us to go now while we
were still used to the water, for it is
rather rough crossing over. l believe
it takes about eighteen hours. We
had lunch together and then she and l
went to the markets where meats,
fruits and vetegables are sold. 1t is all
and amusing to barter with
the Chinese and Japanese merchants.
Then we took the 2:30 train for Eva
Edith stayed at the hotel in town but
came out early in the morning and
spent the day with us. The ride out
here is so interesting. The native
trees are so different from ours. Then
there are the great fields of sugar cane
in all stages of growth and rich, too.
The rice is cultivated by Chinese en-
tirely by hand, They cut it with small
scythes and pile it up, after which
It is tramped out by water buffalo.
They are used because most of the
v ork in the rice fields must be done
in water and other animals could not
stand it. Then there are banana and
papai trees, besides fields of taro and
small terraced Japanese vegetable
gardens.
Papia has the appearance Of musk
melon inside, but grows on tree.
don't care much for it but they say one
cultivates a great liking for it.
Taro is an edible root which is some
thing like potatoes but lavender in
color when cooked. 1t is very good.
NIonqos another native fruit. are