The Hawaiian Archipelago - Six Months Among The Palm Groves, Coral Reefs, And Volcanoes Of The Sandwich Islands By Isabella L. Bird
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The mulberry tree, which, from its
rapid growth, would be invaluable to silk growers, is covered with a
black and white blight.
Sheep are at present successful, but in
some localities the spread of a pestilent "oat-burr" is depreciating
the value of their wool. The forests, which are essential to the
well-being of the islands, are disappearing in some quarters, owing
to the attacks of a grub, as well as the ravages of cattle.
Cocoanuts, bananas, yams, sweet potatoes, kalo, and breadfruit, the
staple food of the native population, are free from blight, and so
are potatoes and rice. Beef cattle can be raised for almost
nothing, and in some districts beef can be bought for the cent or
two per pound which pays for the cutting up of the carcase. Every
one can live abundantly, and without the "sweat of the brow," but
few can make money, owing to the various forms of blight, the
scarcity of labour, and the lack of a profitable market.
There is little healthy activity in any department of business. The
whaling fleet has deserted the islands. A general pilikia prevails.
Settlements are disappearing, valley lands are falling out of
cultivation, Hilo grass and guava scrub are burying the traces of a
former population. The natives are rapidly diminishing, {457} the
old industries are abandoned, and the inherent immorality of the
race, the great outstanding cause of its decay, still resists the
influence of Christian teaching and example.
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