Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-01-31
Our Own Pacific Islands.

To enjoy tropical and semi-tropical
views in volcanic, coral-encircled islands
one no longer needs to cross the equator
or to go outside the United States The
troplc north seas are as interesting and
fascinating as the trOpic south seas.
There is a torrid zone north as we'll as
south of the equator. The typical tropi-
cal volcanic island is eXemplified 70 per-
1ectlon In our own Hawaiian group, as
Well as in our South sea Samoa. In
Hawaii there are the same volcanic, YER
dure-clad islands rising mountainous from
the ocean, surrounded by barrier reefs Of
coral. as in the South seas.
Honolulu boasts all the attractions of
Papeete. Avarua and Suva. It's noun
tains. like Olympus, rise 1900 feet in the
background of its picture. It's green hills
extinct craters. like the Punch Bowl and
Diamond Head, rise in the Punch Bowl
behind the roofs and spires and blossom
ing gardens of the city, while Diamond
Head, now strongly fortified, projects as
headland into the waters of the lagoon
NO more varied and beautiful foliage is
seen anywhere. The tropical and semi
tropical trees and shrubbery include the
Hamboyant and bougainvillea. royal and
cocoanut palms and ferns. There is the
same interesting diversity in populations
and OF costumes and customs through the
presence of thousands of Japanese, Chi
nese and Portuguese. The Hawaians are
closely akin to the Polynesian South sea
Islanders and do not yield to any i'm In
terest and attractiveness.
The native Hawaiian surf riding at
Waikiki at. lightning express speed while
Standing erect on d tiny board is figure
never to be forgotten. There is no adorn-
ment in the south sea islands more at
tractive than the wreaths Qeis) of native
MOVERS so profusely worn by the
Hawaiian.
Nor are the Hawaiians denied the pc
interest which fp mn ro
pophagous ancestry. The latter are
credited by tradition with eating not only
their dusky associates of the native tribes
but also the famous Capt Cook. their
discoverer. The present-day Hawaiians
concede the killing but Indignantly deny
the eating of Capt. Cook or of any other
white man by their ancestors. If canni-
pals "a all they ate only the dark meat.
Interest in our islands is not confined
to Honolulu and the island of Oahu. On
the island of Hawaii rise snow-capped
peaks nearly 14.UOU feet high and Hawaii
and Maui have the vastest craters of all
volcanoes on earth, extinct or active. The
nre-pld or Halemaumau with its lake of
molten lava nclOsed in the vast black pit
OF kflaueas crater is one of the sights
of the world.
In October when l visited Honolulu two
men were conspicuously in the limelight
Duke Kahanamoku, whose swimmin,
achievements had upheld the honor of the
American flag in the Olympic games "a
Stockholm. and Secretary of the Interior
Walter l.. Fisher. recently here on "a tour
OF investigation, who, wonderful to relate
instead of junketing, worked: who held
the mirror of truth before those concern
ed in Hawaiian affairs, who elected minor
admissions of faulty system from officials
and the withdrawal of serious accusations
by aSSailants and who caused the
themselves TO develop clearly
the real needs of Hawaii, the necessity of
harmonious cooperation among Hawaii
ans to satisfy these needs, and the dis
position to sink prejudice and to forget
grudges in order to cooperate heartily
and helpfully for the islands welfare.
There was nothing that l saw in my sum-
mer's wanderings in ;opsyturvydom more
unique than official inVestiga ton
which in the mere process of making and
irrespective of it's future findings instead
of intensifying bitterness quoted recrimi-
nation, harmoniZed combatants and set
every one to work to promote the general
welfare.
To the American the two distinctive
points of interest in New Zealand are its
natural scenery and its progressive legiS-
latiOn. But New Zealands geysers as
well as New Zealand's unique laws are
worthy of special and separate consider
alton.