The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1925-10-22

THE COURIER-REPORTEl
day cruise under war time conditions.
Fortunately we won the battle from
the opposing Hawaiian detachments
of soldiers and submarines that
strove to protect the Hawaiian shore.
BY early dawn the entire fleet
peacefully berthed in the clear white
waters that calmly spread at the foot
of rugged rock-clad hills. the latter
appearing to be of volcanic origin.
The morning air proved fresh and
inspiring with its strange mixtures
Of fascinating oders, of tropical vege-
tation. Suddenly we were momentari-
" blinded by the first rays of the
morning sun as it Systematically dec
Grated the irregular outlines of the
neighboring hills. with strokes of
cleaning rays, which gave us our
first glimpse of Hawaiin beauty in
the wake of the early dawn.
The next morning found the fleet
weighing anchor and slowly cruising
| in safe distance Of the rugged coast
of the island of Oahu. TIL. arriving
in the vicinity of Honolulu and Pear
Harbor before noon. The larger yes
sells of the fleet anchoring in the open
roadsted opposite Honolulu while the
auxilaries and smaller crafts includ-
ing my ship the USS Affair slowly
wigwaged thru the narrow channel
that leads to Pearl Harbor where we
finally anchored.
Within an hours time motor boats
from the new arrivals had been low
cred and despatched On the usual
trips of taking men ashore.
NY friend and l were among the
first parties to GO ashore at the Pearl
Harbor landing. Along with our COM
pany was a native Hawaiian, who
worked in our office aboard ship and
who was anxious to show us around
his former home and city.
A minute later found us aboard a
Dinky train Oahu Railway bound
for the Hawaiian metropolis, namely
Honolulu After 10 minutes Of steady
travelling thru vast fields of tangling
sugar cane an swampy plains of rice,
the important little engine of our
miniature coaches, chucked and footed
us plcdSuI0 CuC dlIlfdl dU Illc
neat and well constructed little sta
ton, which was built in Spanish
style.
Thru the Hawaiian that accom-
panied my friend and 1, we were made
acquainted with the Belgian Consul.
The latter kindly letting his car and
chauffeur at our disposal for the
afternoon Taking advantage of his
kind offer we were able to see Hon
olulu and vicinity in addition to a
trip to the historic grounds of the
Nuuani Pail, where Kamehameha I,
had won decisive victory which had
made him the hero of Hawaii as well
as the king for same.
The Nuuani Pail is situated on a
high cliff and is being continually
swept by steady strong winds. From
this point one is able to witness the
splendid view Of the lower valley and
the restless sea beyond.
On other occasions when going
ashore we would visit local spots of
interest such as Waikiki Beach and
Diamond Head, the latter often be-
ing referred to as the Gibralter of
Hawaii.
On May z, in company with the
rest Of the fleet we sailed to noun
famous little island called Maui, fin
ally anchoring off the little village of
Lahaina, which is beautifully cited
in the midst of wavering palm trees
that bound the narrow coastal flat.
With the immediate background
proudly rising to lofty heights form
ing some of the stately mountain
ranges, that proudly tower into the
heighty spaces. one is able to realize
/ the refreshness of natural beauty.
We found the local population of
Lahaina to be mostly japanese and
Hawaiians with few white people
living here.
Every afternoon we would take our
daily dip and swimming exercises in
order to still the stings of the daily
heat. Because of the high breakers,
it was necessary that our motorboat
be anchored at safe distance from
the beach. Generally we would swim
ashore and often help ourselves in
the local sugar cane fields and in the
groves Of c0coanut trees. With the
heavy water breakers continually
beating down on the sandy surf, it
often proved quite a trick to swim
back to the ships motor boat.
Special trips were organized to the
large volcano of this island, which
is claimed to be one of the largest in
the world
From our upper deck we could see
the island of Molaikai where leper
colony has been established.
To break the monotony of the long
warm evenings we were often enter.
tanned aboard ship by local Hawaiian
musicians, and Hula Hula dancers
all of which greatly appealed to the
sailors craving for entertainment
Especially the faint appealing strains
of the gaitar in company with the
rustling of the grass Hula Hula
skirts, the latter being the principal
dancing dresses for the native dane
ers.