HAWAII CONTROVERSY.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 January 1926, Page 3

HAWAII CONTROVERSY.

THE HULA DANCE AND THECHURCH.

HONOLULU. (Hawaii), Dee. 1(5. A hot controversy took place here recently among members of the congregation of the Kawwaialmo Church, famous Hawaiian religious institution, when the question came up as to whether the Hawaiian hula should lie danced on the church premises. The congregation was planning a benefit social in the church’s clubhouse, and the hula was suggested as one of the numbers on the programme.

Advocates of the dance pointed out that the hula was originally a religious dance, and that there should he no objection to it as part of the programme. Those who were opposed to it said the hula had no place on the church premises, and finally carried their point when Pastor Akaiko Akana ruled that it should not be given on the church grounds, “and if some want to present the dance they will have to give it somewhere else.’* The controversy caused considerable interest in Honolulu as the Kawaiahao Church is one of the oldest institiutions in the islands, still standing on its original site. Surrounding grass houses of anotner age have long since been replaced by stately edifices of a modern civic character. It was built, with the help of King Kamehamelui 111., and given to the llawaiians. The construction of the church was made with coral stone taken from the ocean. Recently the building was condemned as being unsafe, and is at present being reinforced.

Services in the church are conducted in both Hawaiian and English languages, and visitors cram the church on Sunday evening to hear the great choir which generally sings without instrumental accompaniment.

Through the efforts of the school commissioner of the island of Hawaii, the junior traffic poiiee system has been installed.

The junior police forte is composed of the older hoys in the public schools, who do traffic duties on streets adjacent. to the school buildings. The system has been used in Honolulu with great success for the past two years, and has done much to eliminate danger and actual incidents around the school buildings. CANOEING AND SURFING. With the completion of its new clubhouse on Waikiki beach, the Outrigger Canoe Club of Honolulu is preparing to make efforts in turning out more Hawaiian swimming champions. The building of Waikiki’s new 3,000,t'OOdol. hotel made it necessary to move the club-house away from its location and rebuild it. and in its

new quarters, ivim increased inomlsersliip. the club is now looking forward to developing its young swimmers into champions. Fifteen years ago Ihe organisation was founded hv Alexander Hume Ford, founder of the Ban-Pacific Union, wfio saw that unless something was done the ancient Hawaiian sports of outriger canoeing and surf hoard riding would he forgotten. He obtained a piece of land mi Waikiki beach, organised the club, and stirred up so much interest, that to-day the duh is one the world’s foremost athletic organisations Not only is it the head-

quarters for swimming and surfing in Iho islands, but. a host to visiting celebrities and tourists, who flock to Waikiki to partake of the various Hawaiian snorts. Outside of being spe-iallv constructed for the accommodation of aquatic stars, the club has equipment for the playing of various outdoor games. It also has a spacious dance

pavilion which is the scene ol many social events staged hv local residents. SOUNDING COCONUT. A strong rival for the Hawaiian ukulele appeared in “Tonolulu recently when the Nin Knni (.sounding coconut) made its debut in musical circles.

The new iii.sinuneiii curries four strings similar to the ukulele, but the sound chamber is composed of the three-quarter shell of the native coconut. The shell takes a brilliant polish, and rivals the famous Hawaiian kowood for beauty. A Honolulu i-esidemt is manufacturing Nin Kanis at a fast rate, and will soon introduce them to the mainland. Ad oriling to his own story he got the idea when lie found a native hoy strumming a crude coconut instrument in one of the bench groves. Touring Hawaii in their own automobiles is becoming more and more ppnlar with visitors from mainland United States, if the number of privately owned machines brought in by the various lines is any indication. During one week in November 22 belonging to (passengers were brought in bv three liners plying, between Pacific coast ports and the

mainland. The interest shown by itinerant motorists in Hawaii has led to several highwav projects being made, foremost of which is the concrete highway being built from Hilo to Hawaii National Park, on the island of Hawaii, and the preliminary surveys to the summit of Haleakala, extinct crater on the island of Maui.