This is universally
but very absurdly done, as Kanaka simply means man. If an Hawaiian
word is absolutely necessary, we might translate native and have
maole, pronounced maori, like that of the New Zealand aborigines.
Kanaka is to me decidedly objectionable, as conveying the idea of
canaille.
I had written thus far when Mr. Severance came in to say that a
grand display of the national sport of surf-bathing was going on,
and a large party of us went down to the beach for two hours to
enjoy it. It is really a most exciting pastime, and in a rough sea
requires immense nerve. The surf-board is a tough plank shaped like
a coffin lid, about two feet broad, and from six to nine feet long,
well oiled and cared for. It is usually made of the erythrina, or
the breadfruit tree. The surf was very heavy and favourable, and
legions of natives were swimming and splashing in the sea, though
not more than forty had their Papa-he-nalu, or "wave sliding
boards," with them. The men, dressed only in malos, carrying their
boards under their arms, waded out from some rocks on which the sea
was breaking, and, pushing their boards before them, swam out to the
first line of breakers, and then diving down were seen no more till
they re-appeared as a number of black heads bobbing about like corks
in smooth water half a mile from shore.
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