Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1914-11-28
But They Were the Fairs of the
Natives, Showing Primitive
Handicraft in TapaS, Feather
CIoaks, Fishnets, Spears and
! Other implements of War
! and Peace
INDUSTRIAL RECORD OF
TERRITORY IDEA TODAY
Scope of 1914 Display Is Wide,
Both Big Plantations and
Small Farmers Being Repre-
Sented-WonderfuI Works
of the Goddess of the VOL
cano" a Picturesque Feature
BY =. A. CLOVES,
irnnan Incentive Committee,

According to the history books the
Wailuku river, near the point where
the Hawaii county fair is being held,
was remarkable a hundred years ago
for the fairs that were held on its
banks at intervals. We are told by
Ellis that up to the time Of Aiholiho
the people from Kau to Kohala used,
at fixed times, to bring their wares to
this center and exhibit them for the
purpose of barter. The products OF
native handicrafts in those early days
must have made beautiful and inter.
osting display. One can easily imagine
the various colored tapas, the fishnets.
the feather cloaks, the spears, the al
pa, and all the many products Of an
advanced stone-age civilization. These
fairs died an unavoidable death with
the revolution in industry brought
about by foreign trade.
In 1898 a very interesting exhibit Of
island products was held in Hilo,
which, however, was not repeated.
Later, previous to the Seattle exposi-
ton the schools had a fair and the
first poultry show was held in Hilo
last February. The coming fair is to
be an annual event and, being located
as II is. in the heart of one Of the
largest, richest and most densely popu-
lated sections of the territory, 1t is in
q district where much good can. be
accomplished.
Fairs have a very definite function
IN an agricultural community. There
IS no other single agency for the en-
arrangement Of better and more farm.
ing that reaches so many people at
one time. The attractions are of such
B varied nature that people of diverse
Interests attend and learn lessons OF
what can be done by the other fellow
BY seeing what he has actually done.
The 1914 fair at Hilo is given a
great variety Of attractions There is
large exhibit OF agricultural
Implements, farm supplies and various
sundries that country residents gre in
terested in. The College OF HAWAII
and the u. s. Experiment Station
prepared booths where the work Of
these institutions was brought before
the public and where experts were
on hand throughout the fair to give
Information In response to inquiries.
The Hilo High School, the Hilo Board
ing School. the government schools
and the Volcano road jail are putting
in exhibits for sale of furniture, koa
work, ukuleles, guitars, lauhala work,
sewing and various other articles, use
Iul and ornamental, especially in de-
mand during the approaching Christ
mas season.
The Hawaiian woman's .organiza.
LIONS prepared for a big sale of
Iauiau and various Hawaiian delicacies
and refreshments, the proceeds of the
sale to be used foT benevolent work.
Professor Jaggar, the modern priest
Of Pele, made fine exhibit of the
wonderful works Of the goddess of the
volcano. s
The Boy Scouts Of Hilo established
camp in the front yard to assist
IN the management Of the fair to
demonstrate some OF the mysteries of
scoutdom. There was large ex-
hibit Of feathered fowl, and other live
stock brought together by the owners
10 secure the coveted cups, medals.
cash and other prizes. The exhibits
of sugar canes, sugars, syrup, molas-
1es and other mill by-products made
great demonstration Of Hawaii's
chief Industry.
Not only the big plantations, but
mail planters as well are competing
Tor prizes for the best sugar cane,
There have been so many interesting
features that the mere mention of
them an would be tedious.
A program OF judging the horse
how and the auction sales was ar
ranged 50 that there would not be a
Gull moment during the two days OF
Ihe show.
The universal experience with fairs
~ this nature is that the chief bene-
~ IL derived from them only when
hey become regular occurrences
Zach years show brings forth greatly
Improved exhibits which demonstrate
re benefits derived in information
IIffnsed and encouragement given.
The 1914 fair is the first OF the
revived Wailuku fairs OF ancient
IImes t's@.ss