THE HAWAIIAN PEOPLE. 2>7 



mal food. Fish was always available and fairly plentiful, and certain kinds 

 were often eaten raw. Fowl, pork and dogs were occasionally to be had as a 

 change and were much esteemed as delicacies. The poi-dog, when carefully 

 fed and fattened on poi, was regarded as even more delicious in flavor than pork. 

 Dogs always formed an important dish at the native feasts and on stu-h occa- 

 sions large numbers of them would be baked in earth ovens. 



Response of the Natives to their Environment. 



Looking broadly at their environment it may be said that the most decisive 

 factors in the surroundings of the Hawaiian race were isolation, the evenness 

 of the climate and the conditions which made the pursuit of agriculture a 

 necessity. The latter induced a more regular and constant activitj' and more 

 settled life than is found among a hunting and roving people, and in connection 

 with the other conditions mentioned it had an important bearing on the tempera- 

 ment of the race. The isolation, even temperature, and always sufficient food 

 supply must have had their effect in producing a patient, tranquil, self-reliant 

 mind — a satisfied disposition — an even temper — a settled attachment to the soil — 

 an aptitude and faculty for the development of their peculiar forms of leai-ning, 

 and above all, habits of life and customs of dress that were peculiarly suited to 

 and the result of the gentle demands of their environment. 



CHAPTER III. 



PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PEOPLE. 



Stature and Physical Development op the People. 



At the time of the discovery of the Hawaiians they were physically one of 

 the most striking native races in the world. Jloreover, they were distinguished 

 as being among the kindest and most gejitle mannered of people, and but for the 

 oppre.ssion of their priests and chiefs, tliey would undoubtedly have been among 

 the happiest. 



As a race they were tall, shapely and muscular, with good featvires and 

 kind eyes. In sjinmetry of form the women have scarcely been surpassed, if 

 equalled, while the men exeelh'd in niuscnlMr strength, jiartienlarly in the region 

 of the back and arms. 



The average height of an adult Polynesian is given as five feet nine and a 

 third inches, and the Hawaiians were well up to, if not above, that average, 

 while individuals of unusual size, often little short of giants, were not uncommon 



Description of Plate. 

 1. Soraping anil preparing a pig [puaa] for baking. 2. The earth oven [imu] hollowed 

 out and filled with heated stones ready for the food. 3. The imu filled and closed ; the heat 

 and steam bakes the food which is wrapped in ki or banana leaves. 4. The food baked and 

 ready to bo eaten. 5. Pounding poi on a "double" board [papa kui poi], which is a shallow 

 trough made of hard wood; "single" boards were also common. About the grass house may 

 be seen cocoanut palm trees in the rear, papaya trees to the riglit and left and a small noui 

 tree at the end of the hou.se. 



