Koamalu : a story of pioneers on Kauai, and of what they built in that island garden / by Ethel M. Damon. [Vol. 1, no. 2]

860

KOA M A L U

beautifully as he did English, and who moreover had not
only an affection for the Hawaiians, but also a deep
understanding of their nature, this statement acquires
added significance. Miss Krout, to whom it was made,
returned to the islands later when she wrote the memoirs
of Mother Rice and Mrs. Bernice Pauahi Bishop.
Annexation brought prosperity in the wake of a political change which the revolution and the republic had rendered far less abrupt than it would have been, had the
monarchy passed directly to the United States. Many
of us recall that hot day of August 12th, 1898, when during the ceremony of the transfer of sovereignty our band
played Hawaii Ponoi for the last time officially, while the
Hawaiian flag dropped slowly down on the flagstaff
above the palace. Our president, Sanford Dole, took
office as our first governor,-and the long struggle for
constitutional government had come to an end after
almost thirty-five years of turmoil and unrest.
The economic results of this political transfer permeated the life of the whole nation in the islands. Mainland
capital was less hesitant about investments here and the
plantations began to feel firmer ground under their feet.
Difficulties of adjustment were of course bound to occur,
as, for example, when the old system of contract labor,
never accepted by Japan in sending her countrymen here,
was automatically annulled by amalgamation with the
United States. In like manner the immigration of Chinese stopped altogether. But, in general, business men
and all in responsible positions experienced the profound
relief of Charles M. Cooke who could now allow his pistol to rust, while he turned every energy to the conduct
of business.