344 POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
almost to be cultivated as an accomplishment; 
and inquiries, which to us would appear most 
officious, were only common civilities. To meet 
a party, and not ask where they came from, or 
where they were going, what was their business, 
and when they intended to return, would be con¬ 
sidered indicative of displeasure towards the party 
thus neglected, or at least of want of interest in 
their welfare. 
Our hostess, who was a widow, treated us 
kindly, and, between seven and eight, brought in 
for supper a small baked pig, and a large dish of 
taro. This was the more grateful, as it had not 
been required by Makoa in the governor’s name, 
but was furnished by the genuine hospitality which 
characterizes the South Sea Islanders, though not 
practised so much by the Hawaiians as by some 
other tribes in the Pacific, and, we believe, much 
less now than when the Sandwich Islands were 
first discovered, or during the earlier visits they 
received. 
They are still, however, a hospitable people, and 
even the poorest would generally share their scanty 
dish of potatoes with a stranger. Not to enter¬ 
tain a guest with what they have, is, among 
themselves, considered reproachful; and there are 
many, who, if they had but one pig or fowl in the 
yard, or one root of potatoes in the garden, would 
cheerfully take them, to furnish a repast for a 
friend. This generous disposition is frequently 
abused, and encourages the rambling manner of 
life of which many are so fond. It is not unusual 
for a family, when they have planted their field 
with sweet potatoes, &c. to pay a visit for four or 
five months to some friend in a distant part o! 
the island. When the crop is ripe, they travel 
