Evening star., 1939-03-30
BY G. A. LYON,
Associate Editor of The Star,
VacationinR in Hawaii

Hawaii Is sometimes called the
crossroads of the Pacific, for here
meet the lanes of travel between the
American mainland, the Asiatic
mainland and the South Seas Archi-
pelago. Ever since the long, long
ago migration of the Polynesians
northward from the southern waters
there have been peaceful incursions
of peoples from distant lands Some,
indeed most of these people, have
come adventuring, in search of bet
ter conditions of life, or broader
opportunities of employment and
profit. Since the original conquest
by the first adventurers there have
been no warlike invasions.
AS result of this long g-continued
amicable migration, Hawaii today
presents strange racial aspect to
the observer, who, without the aid
of specialists in anthropology, Is
greatly confused in any attempt at
classification. The malihini is prone
to marvel at the facility with which
the kamaaina assorts these racial
origins and mixtures. Rarely does
he have to resort to subterfuge or
guessing.
Hawaiian, Chinese. Hawaiian
Chinese, Japanese. Hawaiian-Jap-
anese, Korean, Filipino, Hindu,
Javanese, Portuguese, Spanish,
Puerto Rican-all these are here in
Hawaii, with every conceivable blend
of blood and consequently a wider
variation of features than can per-
haps be found anywhere else in
the world. I have not specifically
mentioned Caucasians, who, of
course, are here in wide variety of
their own.
Population at High Mark.
According to an enumeration as
of June 30, 1888, the population of
Hawaii reached an all-time high at
411,485, an increase of 14,485, or 373
per cent. during the preceding fiscal
year. For those who may have been
concerned regarding the alien in
filtration that has been in progress
In the islands for some time past,
there was some reinsurance in the
fact that the number of American
citizens in the territory increased
during the year by 1856 per cent
from 310,956, or 1874 per cent Of
the total, to 1923, ,185, or 1916 per
cent. The number of aliens de-
creased from 85,759. or 2l6 per cent
OF the total population, to $4,000, or
2O.24 per cent.
When the matter of racial origins
Is considered in connection with the
population of Hawaii, there is no
concealment of the concern felt by
some Hawaiians, of both native and
American origin, over the large
number of Asiatics, particularly Jap
anese, who are now established in
the islands as permanent residents.
For them, however, there is degree
of reinsurance in the population
statistics given in the latest report
of Gov. Poindexter for the fiscal
year ended June 30, 1938 Not very
great deal, but something. His fig
ures show that whereas according
to the 1890 census the Hawaiian
residents of Japanese origin consti-
tuted 3791 per cent of the entire
population, in 1888 they were 37.31
per cent, a decrease OF six-tenths of
one per cent.
Filipinos Show Decrease.
The Filipinos, by the way, showed
q decrease of 4.28 per cent of the
total population in the same eight
year period, while those Of Cau-
casian origin gained 418 per cent.
Other changes were in very small
fractions. In short, save for the
advance of Caucasian-origin Hawai-
tans and diminution of Filipino
origin residents, the population re-
mained static as regards racial orr
gins and relations.
In 1888 the Hawaiians and part
Hawaiians numbered 62,135, or only
1910 per cent of the total population
In eight years they had increased
IN number by 11,275, or 1928 per cent
OF the total. That serves to show
that the Hawaiians are not a van
ishing race, save perhaps as they
are merging with other races
Whether this process of admixture
will eventually wipe out the dis
tinctive features of the native Ha-
waiians is question often dis
cussed by those who are interested
in the anthropology of the islands
It is fascinating study to seek
to determine the racial origin of the
people in Honolulu and elsewhere
IN the islands. Dark complexions
do not govern to any determining
degree. For there are 'haoles," or
white foreigners, who are bronzed
by the sun to such a depth of tan
as to give ground for ascribing them,
at first glance, to the native cate
CORY. The color of the blood
Hawaiian, however, is quite dis
tinctive. So are his features. AS
a rule the pure-blood Hawaiian is
handsome, especially the men, whose
physique is exceptional and whose
features, though in some cases
rather heavy, are attractive.
Duke Is Superb Figure.
There is no finer specimen of
manhood to be found anywhere than
Duke Kahanamoku, the famous
swimmer in fact. for long time
champion of Hawaii. He is pure
Hawaiian. Today, retired from the
surf and serving his community
as sheriff of the county of Oahu
he Is a superb figure of a man, in
frame and feature. And he is but
a type of many, of whose racial
relationships there is no question
whatever.
The same is true of the Hawaiian
women, many of whom are remarka-
bly, good looking, in both form and
features. There is, however, a
tendency to heaviness in both figure
and face that marks them as of un.
diluted native blood. They have
an exceptionally attractive bearing