THREE MONTHS IN HONOLULU.

Shannon News, 27 November 1925, Page 3

THREE MONTHS IN HONOLULU.

A NEW ZEALANDERS VIEWPOINT. A gentleman who to-day passed through Levin, had *juri completed a pleasant three months’ vacation in Honolulu, during which time he was given a fair opportunity of making some interesting /observations pertaining to the lives and livelihood of an island over whom is cast a good deal of glamour nowadays. Honolulu, in common with,a good many -oilier American States, has-.a remarkable number of motor cars in proportion to the population. Pedestrians are. given every encouragement to possess cars as petrol is (about onethird the price asked in New Zealand, and cars are practically ono-half their costing this, country. “Unique’’ is the word that fittingly describes Honolulu, because there one finds a world problem within a single town/ the clash of colour) 1 and racial diversions., Japanese predominate -over all .other races in the proportion of two to jone, -and in addition to the English-apeaking people there are Hawaiians, Portuguese Filipinos, and a fine Tot of -"Chinese. The latter element, said the visitor, is very refined, good in business and stands for the very best ideals of. the Community. The United states has a -great, protoTern ahead. At the present time there is a very large number of children ©f alien birth in the Hawaiian' Islands, who, by -right of birth, are American citizens and who will have the preponderating vote. When that happens, and ,in consequence of the Islands (particularly Honolulu) being submarine, naval and airplane bases, ‘rather than allow the control to-' pass into- then-hands it is"'believed it will be governed under an administration from the United -States.

The people, said our informant, arc most fortunate in the wonderful climate they enjoy the whole year round. The average temperature is usually in the vicinity of 84 degrees, and the cool breeze that invariably' blows, makes the climate a most agreeable one for the Europeans to live in. America has spent millions in money to make the place a veritable paradise, and in consequence the islands are full the year round with American tourists who have only six days’ journey from ’Frisco. If Britain Averd to doi the same Avith Suva as the United States -has with HaAvan, the thousands of New Zealanders and Australians who journey a Aveek further than the Americans, and spend thousands of pounds, AA'ould spend their money to benefit our own Dominions and the people in Fiji. It was pleasing tot'see that the bulk of the mutton and butter consumed in Honolulu came from Ncav Zealand. This, remarked the visitor, Avas a trade that Avas capable of much greater • development and could be greatly extended if properly organised. It Avas very disappointing to see how Prohibition avos being administered, the law in this direction being violated on every hand. In Pearl Harbour is what the Americans claim to be the largest drydock in the Avorld. Three submarines and tAvo destroyers in the dock seemed to take up a space little in excess of what three chairs Avoujld in an ordinary dining-room, which gave one an impression otf the immense proportions of the dock. Sugar, next, to AA'hich comes pineapple, are the main. industries of the islands and betAveen the. two nine-tenths of the land it is possible tot cultwate is already occupied and developed.

The residents of Honolulu ore Avonderfully courteous and ‘extremely hospitable, giving the visitor a feeling that lie is most Avclcome—a tremendous influence .in the popularity of their island home.