COMMERCIAL FISHERIES OF THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 463 

 LIHUE, KAUAI. 



There is no regular fish market on the island of Kauai, but at Lihue 

 the meat dealer handles fish whenever the}^ are to be obtained. Other 

 sections of the island are supplied by peddlers with small carts, who 

 make occasional trips when the fisheries are being operated. Most of 

 the fishermen are natives and, with their usual shiftlessness, refuse 

 to resume fishing after a good haul until the proceeds have been 

 expended, and often by that time the school of fish has worked off the 

 coast and disappeared. 



LAHAINA, MAUI. 



The territorial government owns the principal market house at this 

 place. It is a long one-story row, with its back overhanging the ocean, 

 and, including the land, is valued at about |6,000. It contains six 

 stalls, all of which are leased to natives and whites, but nearly all of 

 these sublet to Japanese dealers. In 1903 there were 1 American, 2 

 natives, and 6 Japanese employed in this market. 



Close by is a private market containing two stalls, the whole, includ- 

 ing land, being valued at $700. Four Japanese operated this market 

 in 1903. 



Since the last investigation (1901) a new private market, composed 

 of 1 small buildings, has come into use. It is valued at $400, includ- 

 ing land, and is operated by 8 Japanese. 



One of the worst features of the industry at Lahaina is the lack of 

 inspection of the products sold in these markets. An inspector was 

 put in charge in August, 1903, but owing to lack of money the board 

 of health was compelled to dispense with his services in January, 1904, 

 and at present the markets are as much without inspection as in the 

 old days. This is a very unfortunate condition of affairs, as Lahaina 

 is oAe of the most important fish-distributing centers of the islands. 

 The greater part of the surplus fish from Molokai and Lanai is landed 

 here, and by means of peddlers is distributed to the various sugar 

 plantations of the island. Owing to the lack of proper inspection, 

 large quantities of tainted fish are sold in these markets, or peddled 

 throughout the surrounding country. 



The Japanese have established a virtual monopoly of the handling 

 of fish in this section of Maui. Nearly eveiy stall in the various mar- 

 kets is operated by Japanese, who have formed an association or trust, 

 by means of which they are enabled to force the fishermen to dispose 

 of their catch to the association at whatever price the latter may see 

 fit to offer. Many of the dealers are also financially interested in the 

 boats and fishing gear of their fellow-countiymen, and as a result of 

 this the native fishermen complain that they are grossly discriminated 

 against, and are compelled to sell their catch for much less than is paid 

 to their Japanese competitors. Should the native fisherman refuse to 



