“ Instead of a heterogeneous collection of tribes, there were in the eighteenth century as many kings as there were inhabited islands in the group, and in the island of Hawaii there were at least two kings. The people held the land which they tilled in tenancy to a class of middlemen, or gentry, who served subordinate chiefs, who were themselves under the control of the dukes or high lords, who owed allegiance to the King. ”

“ The home consumption is so large that only a few million pounds are left for export. It is cultivated almost wholly by the Chinese. Coffee is a young industry, and though it is cultivated on the four larger islands, it is not yet important. The prospects of the coffee industry are regarded as most favorable, as the coffee-berry is a natural product of the islands, where it grows wild. Little progress has been made in the raising of most fruits, vegetables, and cereals; but bananas and pineapples are raised in export quantities. ”

“ In mental ability and artistic genius the Hawaiians rank high among their kindred, as their advanced governmental institutions, their assimilation of foreign culture, their industrial and artistic manufactures (kapa-printing, straw-plaiting, feather-weaving, etc.) , and their development of a literature amply demonstrate. The love of Hawaiians (and other Polynesians) for games and sports proves them not incapable of action requiring both mental and physical exertion. ”

“ In Honolulu the death-rate per thousand in 1900 for Hawaiians was 42.81, which is abnormally large. These tendencies therefore indicate the ultimate extinction of the race. Notwithstanding the disposition shown by the Hawaiians freely to intermingle with other races, there is a remarkably small number of ‘part Hawaiians,’ as will be seen in the table below. Marriages between natives and Chinese are common, but the Japanese have shown an aversion to mixed marriages. The decrease in the native population and their disinclination to work made necessary the importation of labor. ”

“ Hawaii is of industrial interest almost wholly by virtue of its agricultural development. The physical and climatic conditions make possible the successful cultivation of a very large variety of industrial plants, including those of both the temperate and tropical zones. The area of possible cultivation is greatly limited, however, by the decidedly mountainous character of the islands and the area covered with lava. ”

“ Population. The population of Hawaii is exceedingly heterogeneous, and the question of population is one of the most vital and difficult with which the present and future welfare of the islands is concerned. ”

“ The climate is in general characterized by a remarkable equability of temperature; it is never too warm and never cold, except on the mountain summits, and even within the narrow limits there are no sudden changes. ”

“ Owing to the uncertainty of rainfall in the pasture area, and to the horn-fly nuisance, the stock-raising industry is but little developed. Almost every native possesses from one to three horses. According to an arrangement made in 1848, the greater portion of the land was divided between the King, the chiefs, and the Government. The portion received by the chiefs has passed almost wholly into the hands of foreigners. The crown-lands and the Government lands, amounting to about 1,750,000 acres, were assumed by the United States. ”

“ With a population representing so many races, there is naturally a variety of religions. The great activity of the early missionaries succeeded in bringing the native population within the fold of the Christian Church. ”

“ In a general way the variety of crops depends upon the elevation. Sugar-growing is largely confined to the low plains and hillsides, followed on the higher levels in turn by coffee, fruits and vegetables, and pasture lands, but these zones are not clearly defined. In the census year 1900 there were only 86,854 acres in crops. Prominent among the factors which have prevented a fuller development have been the absence of a local market and the great scarcity of labor. ”

“ On the west side of the islands irrigation is required, but under irrigation the cane grows more quickly and yields more abundantly than on the east side. Water is conducted from the mountain streams through flumes, which also often serve for the conveyance of cane to the mills. Rice occupies as yet the second place in area of production, and in the value of the product. The lowest flats close to the sea are used for rice. ”

“ No person in holy orders nor any minister of the gospel is eligible as commissioner. The salaries of teachers are high compared with those received by teachers in the States. There were 559 teachers in 1900, of whom 299 were American. The climatic conditions do not necessitate heavy investments in school buildings, and the tuition constitutes about 73 per cent. of the total cost. The per capita expenditure is about $2.17, which amounts to $23.36 per capita for those who attend school. There are a normal training school, high school, and an endowed college at Honolulu. ”

“ The last labor experiment was the importation of Porto Ricans, but they did not prove very satisfactory. The Chinese are the most desirable unskilled labor that can be obtained, and the planters are loud in their demands for the United States to admit them. The population for 1890 and 1900 was as follows:
Of the Caucasians in 1900, 12,061 were Hawaiian born, 4068 were born in the United States, and 12,357 were foreign born. More than two-thirds of the total population are males. The inhabitants by islands were as follows: Hawaii, 46,843 ”

“ Recent experiments show that American maize grows and matures perfectly. The natives raise very few vegetables for the market, only taro and a few Irish potatoes coming from the country districts. Honolulu is supplied with vegetables almost wholly by the Chinese, who occupy suitable lands around the city. ”

“ With respect to humidity and rainfall, however, the climate is extremely varied, each narrow locality having its own peculiar climate, depending on its position with regard to the winds and mountains. ”

“ The birds are interesting, including many peculiar and highly specialized species, notably in the family Drepanididæ, which differ characteristically from those of the rest of Polynesia. The land mollusks have also reached a remarkable development, almost every valley having its own peculiar species, some of which are allied to those of Mexico and California. ”

“ The number of lepers is decreasing, there being at present in the settlement about 900, nearly all of whom are natives. Some of them own property in the settlement and are self-supporting, but the Government makes every effort properly to care for them, and the annual expense is heavy. ”

“ Alternate diurnal land and sea breezes occur, especially on the southwest coasts and around Hilo Bay on the northeast coast of Hawaii; warm southwest gales are also common in winter. Storms are rare, and hurricanes unknown. ”

“ Ninety-six per cent. of all children of the above class attend school; 83 per cent. of all those of Hawaiian blood above six years old can both read and write. In all schools the English language is the basis of instruction. ”