26o 



figures are not to be relied upon as a true criterion of the con- 

 dition of this industry. This commodity figures largely in the 

 importations from the coast, and the statistics at hand do not 

 show the importation of rice from Japan. The consumption 

 of Japanese rice in these islands is very large and would throw 

 an interesting light on the question. There is no doubt, how- 

 ever, that the Hawaiian rice industry has improved its con- 

 dition materially during the last year. The coffee growers and 

 bee keepers are to be congratulated on the excellent progress 

 they have achieved in their departments. 



Among the exports which has lost ground in the last fiscal 

 year, sugar has already been referred to. Fiber has, we regret, 

 diminished to the extent of $982. This is surprising in view 

 of the excellent quality of Hawaiian grown sisal and we hope 

 in another year to see the old figures again attained. At 

 present there is only one plantation exclusively engaged in 

 sisal production, but there are several smaller growers who 

 will no doubt be soon marketing their produce vvhich will help 

 to redeem the situation. Another item, akin in nature to fiber 

 and which has also depreciated in the amount of its export, is 

 that designated as "straw and palm leaf manufactures." 

 Although the value of these for 1905 was insignificant, viz: 

 $747, yet this could not be maintained last year and fell to 

 $559. During the same period our importation of straw and 

 palm leaf manufacturers increased $7,864 in value and made 

 the imposing total of $28,864. There seems to be a good field 

 indicated here for the establishment of a factory for the manu- 

 facture of articles made from palm-leaf, straw and similar 

 products. 



Of imports from the mainland during the past two years, 

 the following items are quoted as affecting more nearly the 

 (juestion of our home industries : 



Articles ' 1905 1906 



Breadstuffs, animal feed, etc $202,337 $243,588 



Cocoa, etc 9^541 10,788 



Coffee 13431 1 1,029 



Eggs 14,925 12,995 



Fruits and nuts 147,300 138,495 



Hay 143420 132,123 



