208 HAWAII. 



hanging nearly to the ground, completed their costume. During the 

 presentation, the females took oft" their evergreen scarfs and wreaths, 

 and placed them upon our gentlemen, quickly getting others for them- 

 selves. 



The attendants were in great numbers ; each of them had one of 

 these wreaths hanging from one shoulder to the opposite hip. 



The table was spread with a white cloth, and just enough plates to 

 accommodate the guests. Our gentlemen, however, insisted that the 

 host and hostess, with their daughters, should sit down with them ; and 

 knives and forks being brought, they all joined the feast. The dinner 

 consisted of pig, pork, roast turkey, and luaud fowls, sweet-potatoes, 

 taro, &c. ; the meats were divided into eight courses, and most of 

 them were deliciously cooked ; for dessert, they had watermelons and 

 bananas. The entertainment went off well. At three o'clock part of 

 the officers returned on board, while the rest went with the young 

 women, by invitation, to bathe. 



A few days afterwards this compliment was reciprocated, Kanuha 

 and his household dining on board. They were highly delighted with 

 the attentions and ceremonies, which were all quite new to them, as 

 neither the missionaries nor residents ever receive natives at their 

 table, not even the king. Their behaviour was quite decorous, and 

 they seemed to enjoy every thing that was set before them, particu- 

 larly the wine. 



Pea and his family were also guests. Pea is the king's agent, and 

 has charge of the fish-ponds, although he is not chief of the district: he 

 speaks some English, and is under the patronage of the missionaries ; 

 he lives on the Waiakea side, in a large grass-house, near the fish- 

 ponds. The latter cover many acres, and have a great many fine 

 mullet in them, very few of which are caught, as they are reserved for 

 the king or his representative Pea, and his family. From this cause, 

 the fish have multiplied to a great number, and are in very fine order 

 for the table. 



Kanuha is the representative of Governor Adams, who is the ruler 

 of the five districts of Hawaii, of which Hilo is one. Adams had been 

 in Hilo shortly before our arrival, but was not able to remain, and is so 

 enormously unwieldy, that it is with difficulty he can move about. 

 Kanuha collects all the taxes, acts as magistrate, and from all accounts 

 is a very energetic one. 



I have before spoken of the fruitfulness of this side of the island of 

 Hawaii : the sugar-cane grows here in abundance, and of a large size ; 

 coffee succeeds well, as do indigo and the tacca, from which they 

 make a quantity of arrow-root. 



