The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1912-05-14
OF
HONOLULU
tContinued FROM PAGE NineI

the bracelet of gold and Jade, the slim
beringed fingers, all bespeak care with
Che toilet care Of appearances. About
these girls there is an air of reserve
and self-respect; they do not suggest,
are not, the painted ladies'" of civili-
cation.
Occasionally on the street may be
seen a little-footed woman. Not long
ago | noticed one that was Fastening
to catch our car, and as the conductor
and motorman made unusually long
halt for her accommodation, they in
dulged in appraisal of her appearance,
concluded that she was real cute"
She certainly was gotten up regard
less, bright blue silk, richly embroid-
cred, and pearls for her jewels. A
passenger said that probably she was
wife number one and that the plainly
dressed woman with her, attired in
what looked like cheap black silesia,
probably was wife number two, a sort
of handmade for the former. What
ever their relations, they consorted
together very amiably on this occa-
sion, appeared to be enjoying their
outing with zest. 1t is only of late
Chinese women have begun to appear
on the streets of Honolulu with any
thing like the frequency of women Of
other races. And this, I am told, is
significant of the increase of freedom
Chinese women are enjoying in the
homeland, a freedom that has spread
to the colonists.
The Chinese in Hawaii have been
from the start most Jealous in the
revolutionary movement in the Flow
cry Kingdom; hundreds of thousands
of dollars have been contributed, and
the women have worked away earn
estly for the cause. 1t was of inter
est to see the quiet little things mod
estly making their way in and out Of
the Chinese business houses on the
mission of gathering funds and sup
plies for the Red Cross relief work in
their disturbed land. All classes were
represented in this woman's effort,
from the wife of the lowly duck-farm
man to the silk-robed mate of the
prosperous merchant. Side by side
they labored for their country; rolled
bandages, made garments, and made
plans at their central club house on
King street. AS one saw them hasten
ing hither with the red-cross badge
on the arm, one turned smilingly to
contemplate the Chinese woman of to-
day. =
Everywhere about the center of Ho
nolulu now waves the flag of the anti
Manchus; every day the town wears a
festal air with these Haunting ban.
neRs so numerous and so gay.
Turning from China and her revolu.
ton to shoes, would speak Of foot.
gear as a feature of the Hawaiian
capital. One is early impressed by
the Cinderella nature of the footwear
worn by femininity in Honolulu. Such
ridiculous feet were not intended-as
matter of fact are little used-for
walking. They seem to be designed
chiefly for display, wherefore are shod
in silks and satins, in beads and
bronze, in suede and embroideries, in
delicate tints, extreme soles and heels
No matter how many stone the white
woman many weigh, no matter how
exuberant the avoirdupois of the ma
tive girl, the feet that peep beneath
the gown are, as a rule, small, and
laborately shod. The average WON
an from The States" the athletic
girl used to shoes for service, finds
| it almost impossible here to renew
her stock of footgear by anything that
promises utility. Black velvet or white
satin may be had, but not much that
is less frivolous. The newcomer won
ders whether in time she herself will
go in for pretty, idle pedal extremi
ties and increasing bodily weight, OIL
send for sensible shoes and strive fol
slimness.
In addition to the Cinderellas ant
their futile finery, there is other foot
wear on the streets and in the shops
that holds attention. In muddy wealth
err the Jap women keep their snow
white stockings immaculate by wear
ing a wooden sandal raised high from
the ground, which protects the kimon'
ladies admirably and is a decided i'm
provement on our "rubbers." Contrast
ing with the clatter of these II
the soft football made by the wearer
of straw sandals The boat-shape,
slippers of silk worn by the Chimes
are very coquettish, though even tn
betrousered ladies are beginning t
show preference for American shoes.
Jumping to another subject as IN
related to shoes as shoes to a revolu
ton, let us speak Of the novel featur