THE HAWAIIAN RACE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18802, 3 March 1923, Page 18

THE HAWAIIAN RACE.

CONTAMINATED BY WHITES.

SAFEGUARDS AGAINST EXTINCTION. {From Our Own Corbespondent.) AUCKLAND, March 2. “In Hawaii (hero is a growing fooling among tho Natives that they must rouse and safeguard themselves against tho danger of extinction of their people in the future,” was the statement made yesterday by Dr Edward S. Handy, ethnologist, who arrived at Auckland by the Navua. On the many phases of Island life and history Dr Handy is well qualified to speak, for ho has visited all tho important groups of islands in Polynesia, except tho Cook Group. Dr Handv emphasised the need foi expedition in studying the Native problem, and the details of history. He pointed out that it was tho old Natives who could assist with tho information, and these were natui ally becoming fewer year by year. Particularly was this tho case inline Marquesas. Speaking of conditions in Hawaii, Dr Handy said: “Whereas tho native Hawaiians still control the vote, they are actually almost submerged under tho commercial development of the islands. Tho sugar and pineapple industries are entirely in tho hands of tho whites, and is recruited from China, Japan, tho Philippines, and Portugal. In other words, it may ho said tho islands have passed out of the hands of the Natives almost completely. But it is not believed that tho race is in danger of disappearing,” continued Dr Handy. “There has been instituted what is known as the Hawaiian rehabilitation plan. A large tract of land on one of the main islands of the group has been sot aside by the American Government as a reservation to be devoted to homesteading by pure-blooded native-born Hawaiians Tho first lots of land are just on the point of being allotted. This scheme has been well planned, and is in the hands of a conscientious and very intelligent committee. It is believed that it promises much for the future of tho native Hawaiians.

In addition to thp recognition of the need to preserve their race the Hawnnans are also evincing a keen, interest in tho study of their own ancient life, and in the preservation of what is worth while in the way of folk-lore and the poetry of their race. The first step towards race preservation by a people is the realisation of the menace of extinction. In Hawaii tho leaders in the now movement are practically all either part white or part Chinese. All the pure-blooded chieftain stock has gone. It has been apparent to me,” continued Dr Handy, “that at Samoa, Tonga, and Tahiti tho leaders are likewise sensible of tho dangers which would tend to bring about a gradual disappearance of their peoples. Tlieso dangers arose out of a lack of protection against the evils of white civilisation, such as drink and certain diseases which affected the Polynesians very seriously. Another telling factor was the abandonment of the healthy natural native mode of living for a rather spiritless imitation of European ways. Particularly does that apply to clothing and housing, and in tho matter of food. Take as an example the case of the Natives of the Marquesas. There you will find no native houses. Tho Natives now live in small wooden houses. These are very dirty and unhealthy. At nijiht time they are closed up as tight as a box. Instead of raising pigs, the Marquesans open a tin of preserved food. Their old native industries, such ns cloth-making and canoe-building, arc absolutely abandoned. They will produce just enough copra to pay their bills at the traders’ store, and then spend their lives in sitting around smoking. The race of Marquesans is simply dying out through ennui. T hey now have no interest in life. All their old customs have been dropped, and with the passing of their native industries and sports there is really nothing for them to live for. Throughout tho whole group of six islands there are no more than 1800 Natives loft, and that total includes those of mixed blood.”