Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1916-05-04
L. w. de Vis-Norton Points Out
Difficulties Which Must
Be Reckoned With

he suggestions made Dy Mr.. marc
Klaw with regard to the men engaged
as chauffeurs to the Volcano are I'M
doubtedly good" said L.. w. de Wis
Norton OF the Hawaii Publicity Com
mission, when interviewed by Star
Bulletin man, but / for one would
welcome them more IL they had the
merit OF being new.
Mr.. Klaw, with the quick percep-
ton of his profession. has hit upon
one of our most difficult problems,
and. in part at least, | heartily agree
with him. But he, in his enjoyment
OF the beautiful drive from Hilo to
the Volcano. may not perhaps have no
ticed that the road Ii full OF difficult
ties, and even the most expert chauf-
feur, who was continually turning his
head to reply to the thousand and one
questions asked by tourists, would
probably find himself and his load in
the ditch on one of the sharp curves.
81 have been over that road many,
many times, and I would certainly
hesitate before entrusting myself to
driver whom / knew to be laxative.
] admit there are some drivers who
will carry on an intelligent converse
ton without ever taking their eyes
or attention off the road, but they are
very few and far between, and though
in Hilo we have some of the finest
drivers In the islands, do not know
Of more than two who would excel to
that extent. ..~.-a... H. -.
Wise TO Concentrate on Driving.
II think that Mr.. Klaw forgets that
~ III II IL Ar{xyn 81
over so miles of difficult road, and
that the return from the firepit to the
hotels is almost invariably made at
night along one Of the most crooked
roads In the world. Personally, /
think the drivers are wise to concen.
trate on their driving and not enter
into conversations. but notwithstand-
ing this the Publicity Commission has
made a very strenuous effort to get
all the drivers together under one ar
rangement In order that their educa-
ton might be taken in hand That
the negotiations fell through on the
eve Of successful contamination was
due partly 10 q lack of unity and In.
terest on the part of the drivers
themselves. and the move was aban.
doned with the greatest regret on our
side. ,.ss--s.--s--- g,...a.. :.
Il thoroughly agree with Mr.. Klaw
that the drivers might act as guides
on arrival at the firepit. and It would
entail but little extra work on their
part to take their passengers around
some of the nearer sights, but here
again Il must be remembered that
only q few Of them can speak really
understandable English, and also that
they work hard and welcome the wait
at the terminus OF the road as
chance to rest
Item Of Cost.
True. II might be possible to en-
ploy only white drivers on this trip,
but then II could not be done at the
same price, owing 10 the higher wage
demanded, and the tourist himself
would be the first to kick at the in.
creased cost. believe driver who
bestirred himself In the interests Of
his passengers would find II good
investment by reason Of the tips re-
ceiyed. but II is not easy to get the
average Japanese to set to work and
educate himself TO thorough knowl-
edge OF. the crater bed on the off
chance Of an occasional tip from an |
appreciative passenger.
mr.. Klaw's suggestion as to a com. |
prehensiye guide to the crater is an !
excellent one. have had one all !
ready, In manuscript, for many
months past. II deals not only with
the crater bed, but also with the en- /
tire neighborhood, including the Ii
other craters and such beauty spots |
as the Fern Forest and the Hawaiian
Bird Park. Unfortunately. the Pub
licity Commission has to cut its cloth |
represent the whole island, we are un-
able to give special attention to any
one part of 1t. We have not as yet
been able to afford to do many of the
things We are anxious to do for the
comfort and benefit of the tourist, but |
we are full Of hope and as soon as
the opportunity arises We shall GER
tainly 60 ahead"
Tourist Partly TO Blame:
"As matter of fact, the blame for
the lack of comprehensive guides to
each section must be laid at the door
of the tourist himself, for just so long
as he insists on being content with |
a 12-hour glimpse at one Of the most
wonderful districts in the world, just |
so long shall we have to wait for
even more generous support from the
interests which derive direct benefit
from his visit than We get at the
present time. When he once under
stands that there is enough in that i
district Of unique marvels to keep him
occupied IL hours a day for at least a
week, then we shall be able to do
something more for him than we do
at present.
In the meantime, and in thanking
Mr.. Klaw through the medium of the
Star-Bulletin fer his valuable sugges-
tons, can only express regret that
he did not take advantage of one of
the personally conducted trips organ.
lied by the Publicity Commission of
Hawaii to the Volcano. They. are a
new move, but have already been
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