MISCELLANEOUS.
POPULATION.
The population of the Islands according to the census of 1890 was
89,991, or in round numbers 90,000. A census of the population has just
been taken, but the results cannot be exactly known for some months. An
estimate recently made based upon the knowledge of general increase from
various sources gives the population as follows:
Hawaiians 35,000
Part Hawaiians 10,000
Chinese 15,000
Japanese 24,000
Portuguese 9,000
American and European 14,000
-------
Total 107,000
Since the census returns began to come in, it is very evident that this
estimate will be exceeded by some 2,000, making the total population
109,000. The increase will probably be found among Japanese and
Portuguese. The population of Honolulu is 29,920, or practically 30,000.
SHIPPING.
The vessels flying the Hawaiian flag number 52, aggregating 21,678 tons.
They are divided as follows:
23 steamers, aggregating 9,575 tons
5 barks, " 4,198 "
3 ships, " 6,272 "
21 schooners and sloops, aggregating 1,623 "
Of these vessels 13 are employed in foreign trade and 39 in trade
between the Islands.
FINANCES.
Mention has been made of the taxes of this country. A few words will be
to the point upon the financial condition of the government.
The direct taxes yielded, in 1895, $592,691.92. The Customs revenue was
$547,149.04 and licenses, &c., produced $600,224.23, in all
$1,740,065.19.
The current expenditures are kept within the current income. Great
public improvements are provided for by loan. This is what every growing
country has to do. The public debt of the country on January 1, 1896,
was $3,764,335. With a population of 109,000, this gives about $34 per
head of the population. The Hawaiian Government finds no difficulty in
obtaining means for internal improvements, and a scheme is now on foot
to reduce the interest and consolidate the public debt.
The exports in 1895 amounted to $8,474,138.15 and the imports to
$5,339,785.04. This certainly shows well for a country whose total
population is exceeded by dozens of cities. Of the exports $7,975,590.41
were accredited to sugar, $22,823.68 to coffee, $102,599.25 to bananas
and $8,783.84 to pineapples. These three latter items are elastic and
the showing of 1896 will give a very large increase in their yields.
Of the imports $4,121,920.22 came from the Pacific ports of the United
States and $394,399.16 from the Atlantic ports; a total of
$4,516,319.38, leaving but $1,197,698.16 for every other nation that the
country has commercial relations with.
In point of fact, taking exports and imports, the business in 1895 done
by the Hawaiian Islands with all its commercial relations amounted to
$14,188,155.69; of this sum $12,908,508.92 was done with the United
States, which amounts to 91 per cent. of the whole business of the
Islands. From these figures it can be judged how prosperous a little
community that of the Hawaiian Islands is, and further how close are its
relations with the Great Republic. What country in the world has 91 per
cent. of its commercial relations with its neighbor?
The financial condition of Hawaii is on a sound basis. The men in charge
of its government are frugal and careful of the public expenditure, the
whole tendency of the Republic is to foster industry and thrift. The
institutions are liberal and nothing is more desirable for such a
country than the immigration of colonists, with capital to develop the
industries and determination to work honestly and well.
FOR TOURISTS.
It was not the intention when planning this pamphlet to speak of the
opportunities for tourists visiting the Islands, but a few words are
appended. The object of the pamphlet has been to show the agricultural
resources and general conditions.
The great attraction of the Islands is undoubtedly the Volcano of
Kilauea, the greatest and most striking volcano in the world. Though
quiescent for a time during part of 1895 and 1896, it has now burst
forth with renewed splendor and promises to exceed many of its former
efforts. Moreover, from the rising of the lakes of fire, and the floor
of the crater generally, it has evidently come to stay.
But it is not only this one great natural wonder that is attractive to
the tourist. The crater of Haleakala, the largest extinct crater in the
world, is almost, in its silent magnificence, equal to the wonder of the
boiling and seething Kilauea. Then the delightful climate, the balmy
breezes, the brilliant coloring of sky, sea and land, the luxuriant
tropical vegetation, and the peculiar "Dolce far niente" life, all lend
a charm to which no one who visits the place has ever failed to respond.
In fact a visit to the Hawaiian Islands is one of the pleasantest
experiences of a life-time.
For people suffering from pulmonary troubles the climate is unrivalled
and there are now several sanitariums where such patients can be
attended to.
San Francisco and Victoria are the two points of deportation for the
Hawaiian Islands. The Oceanic Steamship Line has vessels sailing twice a
month. One steamer sails for Honolulu, stays a few days, and returns to
San Francisco. The other steamers touch at Honolulu and go on to the
Australian colonies. Round trip tickets can be obtained and also lay
over tickets, at the Company's offices on Montgomery street, San
Francisco. The Pacific Mail and O. & O. S. S. lines, running from China
and Japan to San Francisco, also touch at Honolulu regularly.
Arrangements can be made to lay over in Honolulu, visit the Volcano and
proceed on the voyage by the next vessel.
From Victoria the C. & A. S. S. sail once a month. They give the tourist
a chance of seeing the Canadian Pacific Railroad before coming here, but
a round trip ticket would have to be for a full month. By the O. S. S.
lines less time need be spent on the Islands.
The cost of round trip passage is $125.
The cost of trip to the Volcano, including all expenses is $50.
Hotel expenses in Honolulu from $2 a day, according to accommodation.
Particulars on these subjects can always be learned by writing to Wilder
S. S. Co., Fort street, Honolulu; or the Inter-Island Steamship Co.,
Queen street, Honolulu.
PRICE LIST OF PROVISIONS ON THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS.
Fresh Hawaiian butter, from 25 to 50c. per lb.
Hams, from 16-1/2 to 30c. per lb.
Bacon, from 16-1/2 to 20c. per lb.
Cheese, from 20 to 35c. per lb.
Family pork, from 15 to 18c. per lb.
Corned beef, 7c. per lb.
Fresh meat, from 6 to 15c. per lb.
Loin of Porterhouse steaks, from 6 to 15c. per lb.
Tinned fruits per doz., from $1.75 to $2.25.
Golden Gate Flour, per 100-lb., $2.50.
Lower grades, $2.20.
Hawaiian rice, $3.25 to $5.00 per 100 lbs.
Hawaiian bananas, per bunch, 25 to 55c.
Potatoes, from 1 to 2c. per lb.
Eggs per dozen, 25 to 50c.
Rolled oats per case, $5.50.
Ice, in small quantities, 1-1/2c.; 50 lbs. and over, 1c. per lb.
WAGES.
The following is an approximation of the wages paid to different classes
of labor on the Hawaiian Islands:
Engineers on plantations, from $125 to $175 per month, house and
firewood furnished.
Sugar boilers, $125 to $175 per month, house and firewood furnished.
Blacksmiths, plantation, $50 to $100 per month, house and firewood
furnished.
Carpenters, plantation, $50 to $100 per month, house and firewood
furnished.
Locomotive drivers, $40 to $75 per month, room and board furnished.
Head overseers, or head lunas, $100 to $150.
Under overseers, or lunas, $30 to $50 with room and board.
Bookkeepers, plantation, $100 to $175, house and firewood furnished.
Teamsters, white, $30 to $40 with room and board.
Hawaiians, $25 to $30 with room; no board.
Field labor, Portuguese and Hawaiian $16 to $18 per month; no board.
Field labor, Chinese and Japanese, $12.50 to $15 per month; no board.
In Honolulu bricklayers and masons receive from $5 to $6 per day;
carpenters, $2.50 to $5; machinists, $3 to $5; painters, $2 to $5, per
day of nine hours.
DOMESTIC LABOR.
The domestic labor in Honolulu and in all parts of the Islands, has
for many years been performed by Chinese males, who undoubtedly make
excellent house servants. During the last four or five years the
Japanese have entered the field; the Japanese women are especially in
demand as nurses for children.
The following are the prevailing rates of wages:
Cooks, Chinese and Japanese, $3 to $6 per week, with board and room.
Nurses and house servants, $8 to $12 per month, with board and room.
Gardeners or yard men, $8 to $12 per month, with board and room.
Sewing women, $1 per day and one meal.
Good substantial meals can be obtained at respectable Chinese restaurants
and at the Sailors' Home for 25 cents or Board for $4.50 per week.
The market for all kinds of labor is overstocked and it would be very
unwise for any one to come to these Islands with no capital on the mere
chance of obtaining employment. The many steamships arriving at this
port bring numbers of people seeking employment who are obliged to
return disappointed.
[Illustration: NUUANU AVENUE, HONOLULU.]
[Illustration: WAIKIKI BEACH.]