Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1913-05-24
Hawaii, Past and Present
BY w. R. Castle, Jr.

49, hts
Hawaii, Past and Present" BY
William R. Castle Jr., author of The
Green Vase" With illustrations and
a map. New York: Dodd, Mead and
Company; 1913.
Such is the title of a book Just pub
lished. bearing the dedication: TO
my father, lifelong friend of the Ha-
waiian people; foremost among those
who have labored for the upbuilding
of the islands-hiS unSelfish devotion
is the inspiration of his children.
1t is a book of composite nature.
which can not better be described
than by the following quotation from
the preface: This book has a double
purpose: to tell those who stay at
home something about Hawaii. the
youngest of American territories; and
to help those who are going there TO
plan their trip intelligently.
Many books have been written about
Hawaii-its history or It's commerce
oil its industry-but none has attempt
ed to give coneisely a survey of It's
history, it's present conditions and its
natural beauty. This book therefore
falls naturally into two divisions, the
first part explanatory, the second, as
well as may be, descriptive"
For the general information various
sources are acknowledged by the au-
thor, with special mention of Alexan-
ders history and Baldwin's geography.
even railway folders" having been
drawn upon, and the facts, he is sure,
are accurate Descriptions are largely
from his own observations. He tried
not to fall into the error OF exaggera-
ton so common in books OF this kind.
Declaring that his personal feelings
are expressed in his descriptions. be
goes on to say: And | hope the book
may do something toward stirring in
others an interest in Hawaii. an III
terest which with fuller knowledge
must Issue in something of the affee-
ton for the islands that is felt by all
Of us who have there spent our child
hood days. in acknowledging. aids
to his task the author saws: Most
Of all must thankH1y father, who has
read the manuscript and who, from his,
almost inexhaustible knowledge OF
Hawaiian affairs. has made sugges-
tions without which this book would
hardly have been possible.
There are twenty-fcur illustrations
and map in the work, the pictures
being well selected to give some idea
of the old Hawaiian domestic life, the
surviving national sports, the indus
tries of the present, the public build
ings. the natural scenery and the vol
cano phenomena.
The book is divided into twelve
chapters, viz: !, introduction; u,
The Hawaiian People; Ill, History TO
1898; w, Hawaii as Territory; v,
Commerce and Industry; VI, Homo
lulu; VII. Oahu; VIII, Kauai; TX, Molo-
kai and Maui; X. Hawaii; N, Vol
canoes; XII, Island Life 1t is with
deft and graceful touch that MIR.
Castle handles the historical aud IN
formative portions of MS work NO
small literary ability ms evidenced In
the packing of so much material into
so constrained space. Few OF the
main incidents of Hawaiian history
appear 10 nave DCCll lsoioISN'
telling of both past and present condl-
tions the author reveals the faculty
of being able to say a great deal with
out lavish expenditure of words.
With such literary ralcnt-a we'll
known family possession of the author
and his affection from childhood, as
has been shown, in the task, 1t was III
evitable that in his portrayals OF the
physical beauties. the social charms
and the natural marvels of these
islands Mr.. Castle Should have pre-,
duced one of the best pieces CT pro-
motion literature which have ever
come from the press. His comprehen-
sive survey of the Islands, individual
", as well as of Honolulu and the vol
canic area will equally charm those al
ready familiar with the scenes. and
those not yet so privileged.
Naturally, when a historian deals
with the recent past and the present,
he must occasionally trench on con-
troversial ground 1t can not be dc.
MED that Mr. Castle has done SO IN
some Neutrality-suspicious. too, where
il might better have been avoided, yet
as it is too soon for either him or any