THE IIA^YAIIAX PEOPLE. 33 



degrees cooler than that of auy other country in the same latitude. The tem- 

 perature is moderate, at least ten degrees below the normal, owing to the in- 

 iluence of the cool northeast ocean currents. The delightfully cool northeast 

 trade wind, which is obviously the principal element in the Hawaiian climate, 

 blows steadily during at least nine months of the year. During the remaining 

 months the wind is variable, and occasionally storms with heavy rains blow 

 from the southwest, prodiicing what is known as ' ' Kona ' ' ^ weather. Taken 

 through a long period, the temperature at sea level rarely rises above 9i.l 

 degrees during the hottest day of the year, and seldom falls below 60 degrees 

 for more than a few houi's at a time, with the mean temperature fluctuating 

 about 75 degrees Fahrenheit. The difference between the daily average mid- 

 summer and midwinter temperature is about 10 degrees. With reference to 

 human comfort the temperature excells for its equableness. This fact, coupled 

 with the refreshing trade winds that sweep over thousands of miles of cool 

 ocean and the bright and genial warmth of the tropical sun, produces the climate 

 of Paradise — a condition found in no other region on the globe. 



ALTrruDE AND Its Effect on Clim.\te. 



In fact the Hawaiian language had no word for "weather," as it is usually 

 understood. Nevertheless, a remarkable difference in climate is ex|)erienced 

 in passing fi'om one side of the islands to the other, or from lower to liiglier 

 altitudes. The northeast, or windward side of the group, which is exposed to 

 the trade winds, is cool and rainy, while the southwestern or leeward side is, as 

 a rule, much drier and warmer. The most important variation, however, is 

 due to altitude: the thermometer falling about four degrees for every 1,000 feet 

 of ascent. It is therefore possible to look from the palm groves that bask 

 in tropical warmth along the coast of Hawaii to the highest mountain peak of 

 the group, 2 to find it frequently snow-capped, particularly during the cooler 

 months. As to rainfall, similar variations occur. At Honolulu the average 

 precipitation is thirty-eight inches, at the Pali, tive miles away in the moun- 

 tains, 110 inches; while at Hilo, on the north side of Hawaii, it is nearly 

 twelve feet. If the group is taken as a whole, almost every variation from 

 warm to cold, wet to dry, windy to calm, may be found. 



Effect of a Sufficient Amount of Food. 



The direct influence of these facts on the character of the pcniilc. hdwever, 

 is rather obscure. Aside from the bearing it may have had on their clothing, 

 food and shelter it is indeed difficult to trace. Although it is the general 

 opinion that a warm climate is not liable to be conducive to a higher culture, 

 there is plenty of evidence to the contrary here and elsewhere, and, considering 

 the insular position of the Islands, their limited food supply, the lack of raw 

 materials for manufacture, the absence of such metals as iron and copper and 



1 Southerly. = Mamiii Kea. 13.825 feet 



