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February 5, 2019 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

New Club for New Year

“On Tuesday night the Chinese portion of the city was busy preparing for the Chinese New Year and by eight o’clock the streets were all brilliantly illuminated from Nuuanu street to the Chinese Theatre, throughout the business portion of town. Chinese lanterns of every conceivable size and of every degree of display were hung from doorways and balconies.”

“During Tuesday night there were intermittent explosions of firecrackers which caused many a dreamer to turn restlessly in his bed, and when four o’clock of Wednesday arrived a veritable bombardment of small fire-crackers took place throughout Chinatown, and awakened everybody within hearing distance of the neighborhood.”

“During Wednesday morning the ancient Chinese dragon, wonderful in form and notable in history, was carried in procession through the streets, honored with the beating of a multitude of gongs and the firing of innumerable firecrackers, which in bursting scattered green, red, and orange colored bits of paper over the streets.” (Daily Honolulu Press, February 4, 1886)

“The streets in Chinatown were transformed into beautiful vistas of chromatic light, from thousands of lanterns ranged in mathematical lines from above and below the everlasting verandahs. A terrific bombardment of fireworks was sustained against the slumbers of all within earshot of celestial domiciles through the livelong night.”

“A hideous noise like the beating of a thousand coal oil cans by an army of urchins, the firing of combustible crackers and the clamor of a hundred Chinamen on Nu‘uanu street this forenoon announced the coming of the Chinese dragon.”

“The procession stopped in front of the principal Chinese houses, and while batteries of lire crackers were exploding, the dragon would rush forward with mouth open and fangs projecting, as though to destroy imaginary victims, but retreating at the fantastic movement of a magical wand in the hands of a coolie.” (Daily Bulletin, February 11, 1886)

“The new Chinese Club House on King street was the center of attraction during the day and night. In the morning at seven o’clock the Royal Hawaiian Band played numerous airs in front of the building. At half-past ten o’clock Mr. Berger’s boys were relieved by the Reformatory School band.”

“The new Club House was formally opened at eleven o’clock. The following address was read by Mr. C. Alee and was re-spoken in English by Mr. C. Winam:”

“‘Today is our Chinese New Year, a day which it has been our custom from time immemorial to celebrate as we celebrate no other in the year.’”

“‘It is a day to which we look forward with the most pleasing anticipations, and being Election Day for the nation it is also memorable on that account. May the representatives now chosen be men of wisdom to direct aright the councils of this much favored land.’”

“‘It gives us the greatest pleasure to express on behalf of our countrymen the gratification we feel on being honored upon the entry into this our new Society house with the presence of so many of our friends. We trust that the mutual friendly relations that have existed between us in the past may continue in the future and grow stronger as this Society grows in usefulness.’”

“‘In our capacity as President and Vice-President of this Association we, Ching Alee and Goo Kim, feel it to be our duty to make a few remarks in reference to the future object and maintenance of this Society.’”

“‘In compliance with the suggestion of His Excellency, Ching. Chinese Minister at Washington, this Association was formed under the name of ‘Chung Wa Ui Qwun’ – The United Chinese Society – in 1882, and on the 27th day of August, 1884, it was properly organized under charter of incorporation granted by His Excellency Charles T. Gulick, Minister of the Interior of the Hawaiian Kingdom.’”

“‘As we had no place of our own to which to hold our regular meetings during the past four years, the China [Engine] Company No. 5 has been so kind as to lend its hall to us.’”

“‘This Society building is now completed entirely through the voluntary assistance of our Chinese residents in the Hawaiian Kingdom.’”

“‘Our object in forming this association is to exercise a care and supervision over such of the Chinese residents as shall connect themselves with this Society …’”

“‘… to make them acquainted with the laws and ordinances of the Hawaiian Government, particularly with those laws and ordinances which concern in any way our Chinese residents …’”

“‘… to render assistance and advice to such a may stand in need there-of, especially to sick Chinese and those in destitute condition …’”

“‘… to prevent and settle disputes among Chinese if possible, and to prevent, as far as it may be in our power, all unlawful combinations or posting of seditious or otherwise objectionable placards, and to render such aid to the Government as they may request or authorize in matters pertaining to the Chinese residents in this kingdom.’”

“‘All the future funds for maintenance of this Society are to be raised from the Chinese residents. We therefore trust that the purposes of this Society shall be attained, that it will grow in its benevolence and usefulness …’”

“‘… and that its officers shall ever administer its affairs in the spirit in which it was founded, that it may be of advantage not only to ourselves but to the non-Chinese residents of this community, and that through it you may obtain true glimpses of Chinese customs and manners.’”

“‘We now by virtue of the official position delegated to us as President and Vice-President of the United Chinese Society declare this Hall open.’”

“Among those present at the opening exercises were: HRH the princess Lili‘uokalani, His Majesty’s Chamberlain, Col. Judd, the Judges of the Supreme Court, His Majesty’s Ministers, members of the Foreign Diplomatic Corps, and a large number of invited citizens.”

“The new Club House consists of a large store-room on the upper floor which include a large club-room, two anterooms, one pantry and one store-room.”

“The club-room was elegantly furnished and substantial repast was kept ready for all who came. During the day 584 persons attended the reception. Appropriate festivities were kept up in the evening. It is estimated that the Chinese residents of Honolulu have expended not less than $15,000 in the celebration of the Chinese New Year.” (Daily Honolulu Press, February 4, 1886)

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Filed Under: General, Economy Tagged With: Hawaii m Chinese, Chinese New Year

February 4, 2019 by Peter T Young 1 Comment

Four Minute Men

“Men and nations are at their worst or at their best in any great struggle. The spoken word may light the fires of passion and unreason or it may inspire to highest action and noblest sacrifice a nation of freemen.”

“Upon you Four-Minute Men, who are charged with a special duty and enjoy a special privilege in the command of your audiences, will rest, in a considerable degree, the task of arousing and informing the great body of our people …”

“… so that when the record of these days is complete we shall read page for page with the deeds of army and navy the story of the unity, the spirit of sacrifice, the unceasing labors, the high courage of the men and women at home who held unbroken the inner lines.”

“My best wishes and continuing interest are with you in your work as part of the reserve officer corps in a nation thrice armed because through your efforts it knows better the justice of its cause and the value of what it defends.” (Woodrow Wilson, November 9, 1917)

The Four Minute Men, a nation-wide organization of volunteer speakers, was organized June 16, 1917, for the purpose of assisting the various Departments of the Government in the work of national defense during World War I.

They delivered short pro-war speeches, as part of an effort to galvanize public support for the war and suppress dissent. The subject matter was prepared and the speaking was directed from Washington under the authority of the Government. (Four Minute Men, Committee on Public Information, November 25, 1917))

“‘The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth’ – that is the kernel of the messages the Four Minute Men are asked to convey to the American people.”

“The truth about the war, we believe, is such that it need but to be spread clearly in order to convince the public that we must fight on. Those who do not so believe should not attempt to convince others.” (Four Minute Men, Committee on Public Information, 1918)

“Our cause were weak, indeed, if we needed to bolster it up in the approved Prussian fashion by hiding of facts, statements of half truths, exaggerations, and sophistries.”

“Our cause is strong in so far as we can afford to be frank and open, and the speaker who is frank and open ready to concede the contrafacts, willing to admit doubt wherever doubt rightfully exists, and making no claims beyond authentic authoritative knowledge, is powerful, because he. stands on the rock of fairness. His honesty shines through his words.”

“At no time should our audiences be led to feel that Government speakers appear before them to implant thoughts skillfully designed to create some “desired impression.” The public should realize rather that the Government sends its representative to state indisputable facts.”

“To impress others with our honesty we need but to be honest. Then, honesty is the armor, frankness and fairness are the weapons, and the champion of the Right becomes invincible.”

“As a matter of policy, too, we can not emphasize too strongly that the most conservative statement is the most powerful. Calling the Kaiser a devil, condemning everything done in war by the enemy, indulging generally in tirades, may bring applause from partisans, but it does not make a single convert.”

“Our audiences may be divided into three classes – those favoring the war, those in doubt, and those who are so imbued with pacifism or pro-German sentiments that no appeal to the heart to reason or common sense can draw them to us. It is our problem to reach the second class; with the other two classes we are but indirectly concerned.”

“The doubters want reasons and facts, not vituperation. If the speaker shows blindness to common sense, unwillingness to view facts in perspective, if he browses around to find extremest arguments, the purpose of the speech is lost.”

“But if he drives home the facts, the terrible proven facts, then he leaves no loophole for counterargument, and the case against Germany stands out—unassailable!”

In preparing speakers, the program provided the following ‘Four Minute Hints’:

  • “Stick to your time allowance. Five minutes means a guess; four minutes makes a promise.”
  • “Begin with a positive, concrete statement.”
  • “Tell them something at the start.”
  • “Use short sentences. The man who can’t make one word do the work of two is no four minute speaker.”
  • “Avoid fine phrases. You aren’t there to give them an ear full but a mind full.”
  • “Talk to the back row of your audience; you’ll hit everything closer in.”
  • “Talk to the simplest intelligence in your audience; you’ll hit everything higher up.”
  • “Be natural and direct. Sincerity wears no frills.”
  • “Give your words time. A jumbled sentence is a wasted sentence. You can’t afford waste on a four-minute allowance.”
  • “Don’t fear to be colloquial. Slang that your hearers understand is better than Latin that they don’t.”
  • “Don’t figure the importance of your job on a time basis. Four hours of thinking may go into four minutes of speaking.”
  • “You represent the United States of America. Don’t forget it. And don’t give your audience occasion to forget it.”
  • “Finish strong and sharp. The butterfly is forgotten as soon as he departs, but you recall the hornet because he ends with a point.”
  • “Finally, and always – Stick to your pledge and the four-minute limit.” (Four Minute Men, Committee on Public Information, 1918)

The Four-Minute Men idea was born in Chicago and has grown into a national division of war work; Hawaii participated in the Four Minute Men program.

“The success of the Four Minute Men is assured here, and their opportunities for usefulness are not restricted to patriotic speeches in the motion-picture houses of the city. They have a far wider field where their utterances should be valuable.” (Star Bulletin, December 6, 1917)

“The Four-Minute Men in Hawaii plan to furnish on short notice speakers on patriotic subjects for gatherings or meetings of any nature. It is now aiding the local food pledge campaign by four-minute speeches each evening at the Bijou and Liberty theaters. The organization is to become a permanent one.” (Star Bulletin, December 4, 1917)

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Filed Under: General, Military, Economy Tagged With: Hawaii, World War I, Four Minute Men

February 2, 2019 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Washington Monument

Plans for a national monument to commemorate George Washington began as early as 1783 when Congress proposed that an equestrian statue of George Washington be erected. Although the Monument was authorized by Congress, little action was taken, even after Major Peter Charles L’Enfant selected its site in his 1791 Federal City plan.

Washington’s 1799 death rekindled public aspiration for an appropriate tribute to him, and John Marshall proposed that a special sepulcher be erected for the General within the Capitol itself. Lack of funds postponed construction.

In an elaborate Fourth of July ceremony in 1848, the cornerstone was laid. The Washington Monument was built between 1848 and 1884 as a tribute to George Washington’s military leadership from 1775-1783 during the American Revolution.

Its construction took place in two major phases, 1848-56, and 1876-84 – a lack of funds, political turmoil, and uncertainty about the survival of the American Union caused the intermittent hiatus.

The outbreak of Civil War of 1861 exacerbated the society’s difficulties with fund-raising efforts. When Lt Col Thomas L Casey resumed work on the project in 1876, he heavily altered the original design for the monument so that it resembled an unadorned Egyptian obelisk with a pointed pyramidion

The US Army Corps of Engineers of the War Department was charged with completing the construction, and the monument was dedicated on February 21, 1885, and officially opened to the public on October 9, 1888.

Weighing 81,120 tons, the Washington Monument stands 555′ 5-1/8″ tall. The walls of the monument range in thickness from 15′ at the base to 18” at the upper shaft.

They are composed primarily of white marble blocks from Maryland with a few from Massachusetts, underlain by Maryland blue gneiss and Maine granite. A slight color change is perceptible at the 150′ level near where construction slowed in 1854. (LOC)

Over 36,000 stones were used to construct the monument. But those are not the only stones in it – over the years almost 200- “commemorative stones” (also referred to as “memorial stones” and “presented stones”), presented by individuals, societies, cities, States, and nations of the world, have been added to the inside walls of the monument. Most of the stones date from 1849 to 1855.

Back in 1911, Hawaii was looking to have its representation in the Washington Monument. At that time, forty states and sixteen cities and a variety of other organizations were represented in the monument with memorial tablets.

“The series of memorial stones begin at the 30-foot elevation and continue up to the 280 foot level. In all there are 170 of these stones all containing tributes to the memory of Washington and many of them notable for their beauty elaborate carving or origin.”

“It is possible that the Sons of the American Revolution and the Hawaiian Historical Society may be enlisted in the proposition. There are many historic places around the Islands many connected with the career of Kamehameha the Great from which a suitable historic stone could be obtained.” (Hawaiian Gazette, March 24, 1911)

Most of the stones date from 1849 to 1855. Sixteen stones date to the twentieth century. The last stone was installed in 2000. There is a stone from every state, and also from fraternal and community organizations, cities and towns, foreign countries, and individuals. Stone types include granite, marble, limestone, sandstone, soapstone, and jade.

Hawaii would have to wait another 25-years before its memorial stone was added to the Washington Monument. The work of installation was begun on January 21, 1936 and completed on February 26, 1936.

It’s a 4-foot by 2-foot and 6-inches thick “Coral sandstone from Waimanalo, Hawaii donated by Grace Brothers, Ltd” with the words “Hawaii” followed by “Ua Mau Ke Ea O Ka Aina I Ka Pono.” It sits at the 360-foot landing of the monument.

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Filed Under: Economy, General, Prominent People Tagged With: George Washington, Washington Monument, Washington DC, Commemorative Stones, Memorial Stones, Presented Stones, Hawaii

January 31, 2019 by Peter T Young 1 Comment

Keeping Up With The Joneses

In the 1820s, two notable men with the last name Jones were in the Islands. John Coffin Jones Jr (US Agent for Commerce and Seamen) and Thomas ap Catesby Jones (of the US Navy).

The first to arrive was John Coffin Jones Jr; he was appointed US Agent for Commerce and Seamen on September 19, 1820 and began to serve in October of 1820, at the port of Honolulu.

John Coffin Jones Jr was the only son of a prominent Boston businessman (in mercantile and shipping business) and politician. (John C Jones Sr served as speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives and was legislative colleague of John Quincy Adams (and one of the signors for Massachusetts of the Ratification of the US Constitution for that State.))

This Jones (also known in Hawaiian documents as John Aluli) became the first official US representative in the Hawaiian Islands. His role was to help distressed American citizens ashore, both seamen and civilians, serving without salary from the US government and required to report on commerce in Hawai‘i.

(The post of commercial agent was raised to Consul effective July 5, 1844, and held by Peter A. Brinsmade, who had already been appointed commercial agent on April 13, 1838.)

Jones was already agent for the prosperous Boston firm of Marshall and Wildes (one of four American mercantile houses doing business in Honolulu,) and by accepting the additional responsibility from his country, the firm and he might hope that through his reports to Washington the voice of commerce in the Pacific would be heard more clearly by the US Government. (Hackler)

When Jones arrived, the sandalwood trade with China was still thriving. King Kamehameha I had monopolized, the cutting and exporting of sandalwood during his reign, but after his death in 1819, Kamehameha II was unable to enforce the conservation policies of his father, and unrestricted cutting of sandalwood soon threatened to deplete the hillsides of this rare wood.

But, while the wood lasted and the market held up in Canton, the American merchants in Honolulu competed fiercely with each other for the valuable cargoes, and pressed on the Hawaiians all sorts of goods which were to be paid for in sandalwood. (Hackler)

He was considered an advocate for commercial interests in Hawaiʻi and immediately collided with the missionary group led by Rev. Hiram Bingham. For the next couple of decades he contended for commercial advantages for the US. He set up his own trading firm in 1830 and made many voyages to California during the next ten years. (Kelley)

“Since the discovery of the whale fishery on the coast of Japan, and the independence of the republics of the western coasts of North and South America, the commerce of the United States at the Sandwich islands has vastly increased.”

“Of such importance have these islands become to our ships which resort to the coast of Japan for the prosecution of the whale fishery, that, without another place could be found, possessing equal advantages of conveniences and situation, our fishery on Japan would be vastly contracted, or pursued under circumstances the most disadvantageous.” (Jones, to Captain Wm B Finch, October 30, 1829)

As US Agent for Seamen, Jones had a burdensome responsibility. Many seamen were put ashore because of illness, and they became the special concern of Jones. This was a responsibility and an expense.

In his first report to the Secretary of State on December 31, 1821, Jones complained of the commanders of American ships who were in the habit of discharging troublesome seamen at Honolulu and taking on Hawaiian hands. (Hackler)

In addition, Jones reported to the Department that 30,000 piculs of sandalwood were sent to China in American ships that year, and estimated that the price for this wood in Canton should be about $300,000. The Hawaiian chiefs were becoming increasingly indebted to the American merchants in Honolulu and payment was slow in coming.

He wrote that the only solution was the posting of a US naval vessel at Honolulu, at least during the periods between March and May, and October and December, when the whalers gathered at the port. (Hackler)

The desertions, debt and disorder led to the arrival of the second Jones, Thomas ap Catesby Jones (the ‘ap’ in his name is a Welsh prefix noting he is ‘Thomas, the son of Catesby Jones.’)

Thomas was a Navy man; he received an appointment as a midshipman and joined the US Navy (at the time, 1805, it had only 29-vessels.) He moved up through the ranks. (Smith) He later fought in the War of 1812.

Growing concerns over treatment, safety and attitudes toward American sailors (and therefore other US citizens in the Islands) led the US Navy to send Jones to the Islands, report back on what he learned, banish the bad-attitude sailors and maintain cordial relations with the Hawaiian government.

“The object of my visit to the Sandwich Islands was of high national importance, of multifarious character, and left entirely to my judgment as to the mode of executing it, with no other guide than a laconic order, which the Government designed one of the oldest and most experienced commanders in the navy should execute”. (Jones, Report of Minister of Foreign Affairs)

“Under so great a responsibility, it was necessary for me to proceed with the greatest caution, and to measure well every step before it was taken; consequently the first ten or fifteen days were devoted to the study and examination of the character and natural disposition of a people who are so little known to the civilized world, and with whom I had important business to transact.”

“The Sandwich Islanders as legislators are a cautious, grave, deliberate people, extremely jealous of their rights as a nation, and are slow to enter into any treaty or compact with foreigners, by which the latter can gain any foot-hold or claim to their soil.”

“Aware of these traits in the character of the Islanders with whom I had to negotiate, I determined to conduct my correspondence with them in such a manner as at once to remove all grounds of suspicion as to the object and views of the American Government, and to guard against misrepresentation and undue influence”.

“(I also wanted to) give the Chiefs and others in authority, the means of understanding perfectly the nature of my propositions, I took the precaution to have all official communications translated into the Oahuan language, which translation always accompanied the original in English”.

“(B)y giving them their own time to canvass and consult together, I found no difficulty in carrying every measure I proposed, and could I have been fully acqainted with the views of my government, or been authorized to make treaties, I do not doubt but my success would have been complete in any undertaking of that character.” (Jones Report to Navy Department, 1827)

Jones resolved the sailor desertion issue, the chiefs agreed to pay in full the debts and then Jones negotiated ‘Articles of Arrangement’ noting the “peace and friendship subsisting between the United States and their Majesties, the Queen Regent and Kauikeaouli, King of the Sandwich Islands, and their subjects and people,” (later referred to as the Treaty of 1826, the first treaty signed by the Hawaiians and US.)

“Capt (Thomas ap Catesby) Jones, as a public officer, carefully sought to promote the interests of commerce and secure the right of traders, pressed the rulers to a prompt discharge of their debts, and negotiated articles of agreement with the government for the protection of American interests …”

“… in which Kaahumanu, as regent, is conspicuous; and secured for himself among the people the designation of ‘kind-eyed chief’ – a compliment falling on the ear of many of different classes”.

In contrast, by 1829, John Coffin Jones Jr seemed to have fallen out of favor with the Hawaiian rulers. At that time the King and the principal chiefs addressed a protest to Captain Finch of the USS Vincennes, accusing Jones of maltreating a native and lying about royal morals. (Hackler)

John Jones’ several marriages caused additional concern. He married Hannah Jones Davis, widow of his partner, William Heath Davis Sr, in 1823. Jones continued to live with Hannah but also lived with Lahilahi Marin, daughter of Don Francisco Marin, and had children by both. In 1838, he married Manuela Carrillo of Santa Barbara, California and deserted Hannah and Lahilahi.

In December, 1838, returning from one of his periodic business trips to California, he introduced Manuela as his wife. This apparently enraged Hannah Holmes Jones, who promptly petitioned the Hawaiian Government for a divorce on grounds of bigamy.

The charge was upheld by the King and led to his writing Jones on January 8, 1839, that “… I refuse any longer to know you as consul from the United States of America.” (Kamehameha III; Hacker)

John Jones left the Islands and settled in Santa Barbara in 1839 and continued as a merchant both in California and Massachusetts. He died on December 24, 1861, leaving his wife and six children. (Kelley)

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Filed Under: Economy, General, Prominent People, Sailing, Shipping & Shipwrecks Tagged With: John Coffin Jones, Thomas ap Catesby Jones, Hawaii

January 30, 2019 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

British View on ‘commerce of the Sandwich Islands’ (1829)

“During a recent visit to several of the beautiful islands of Polynesia, I recorded all the information that I could collect respecting
them, and my observations thereupon.”

“The following sketches are an attempt to describe what I beheld of the scenery of these islands, together with the manners, customs, manufactures, &c. of the people.”

“Formerly I had read much respecting the South-Sea Islands, and their scenery, productions and inhabitants, as described in the various works that I perused, captivated my imagination.”

“The importance of these islands as respects their capability of producing those articles of commerce which are peculiar to tropical climates, has not sufficiently excited the attention of the mercantile community of Great Britain.”

“As by our commerce we have attained that prosperity which ranks our country so high among European nations, every subject, which is connected with it, ought to be considered of importance …”

“… the commerce of the Sandwich Islands alone, by the industry and perseverance of the enterprising people of the United States of America, is calculated at a million and upwards of dollars annually, and may be considered to be gradually on the increase.”

“This commerce, through our neglect, has for years been enjoyed solely by the American merchants; even now, excepting two or three mercantile speculators, but of trivial importance, who are British subjects …”

“… the trade is exclusively confined to the merchants of the United States, who have laudably permitted no opportunity to escape by which their commerce might be extended, and it is gradually now on the increase over the Polynesian Islands.”

“Not only in a mercantile point of view are the Sandwich Islands of importance; their geographical situation renders them an acquisition when politically considered, more particularly since the South American States have gained their independence.”

“The Americans view those islands with a jealous eye, and dread seeing them in the possession of a foreign power; they are well aware of their importance …”

“… and the visits of their ships of war for the purpose of keeping up a close intercourse with the king and native chiefs has become of late very frequent.”

“The following account of the visit of the American ship of war Vincennes, with the accompanying document sent by the Government of the United States to the King of the Sandwich Islands, sufficiently demonstrates the interest taken by them in these islands.”

“On the 15th Capt. Finch and his officers met the king and chiefs at the palace of Kauikeaouli, where they were gratified with a friendly reception.”

“The commander of the Vincennes then read a communication of his own to the king, and gave him both the original and a translation in the native language.”

“He then read also the communication from the President of the United States to the King of the Sandwich Islands, which he had brought; the same being read also from a translation into the native language, was delivered into the hands of the king.”

“This being finished, Capt. Finch delivered the presents which the President had sent. A pair of globes, terrestrial and celestial, and a map of the United States, to the King.”

“A silver vase to Kaahumanu, with her name and the American arms upon it. Two silver goblets to Nahienaena, with her name and the American arms. A map of the world to Governor Boki; and also a map of the world to Governor Adams.”

“The missionaries at the Sandwich Islands are now solely Americans, and all communication with the government being carried on through them as interpreters, all their acts must naturally tend to benefit that country alone of which they are citizens.”

“Civilization and commerce will gradually advance, if the first undertakings in the latter are not commenced on too extensive and too expensive a system.”

“The value now attached to coco-nut oil, since the late valuable discovery of its capability of being manufactured into candles, will render it an extensive article of commerce, and the tree is abundantly produced over nearly the whole of Polynesia …”

“… varieties of flax, Béche de mer, tortoise shell, &c. are now procured, and, by attention, sugar, cotton, and other tropical produce might be readily cultivated; the sugar manufactured by Mr. Bicknell and my friend Mr. S. P. Henry, at Tahiti, was of a superior kind and of a remarkably fine flavour, and affords an instance of what these islands are capable of producing.”

“A great benefit would be conferred on the navigators of the Southern Pacific, studded as it is with an infinite number of islands, reefs, &c. and the anxiety and danger would be diminished …”

“… if the British Government would send annually a small vessel of war from Sydney, for the purpose of surveying and ascertaining accurately the positions of the various islands, groups of islands and reefs.”

“The number of new discoveries annually made by the English and American whalers are very numerous, but the situations as laid down by them, are seldom to be depended on.”

“A vessel appointed for the purpose of survey should touch at Oahu, Sandwich Islands, and Bay of Islands, New Zealand, those being the principal ports of resort for the whalers and other vessels frequenting this sea …”

“… every information respecting recent discoveries could be readily obtained at those places, and of which, during my visit to the former port in December 1829, there existed a long list, most of which were not to be found in the charts.” (George Bennett, Member Of The Royal College Of Surgeons In London; in the Islands in 1829)

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Filed Under: Economy Tagged With: Economy, British, Haaii, Commerce, American

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Images of Old Hawaiʻi

People, places, and events in Hawaiʻi’s past come alive through text and media in “Images of Old Hawaiʻi.” These posts are informal historic summaries presented for personal, non-commercial, and educational purposes.

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Hoʻokuleana LLC

Hoʻokuleana LLC is a Planning and Consulting firm assisting property owners with Land Use Planning efforts, including Environmental Review, Entitlement Process, Permitting, Community Outreach, etc. We are uniquely positioned to assist you in a variety of needs.

Info@Hookuleana.com

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