Hawaii: Work and Conditions on Hilo Island by C. E. Leland; Mrs. C. E. Leland

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 26, 1902

Hawaii: Work and Conditions on Hilo Island

By C. E. Leland; Mrs. C. E. Leland

Hawaii

HILO.—We came to this island early in February, and found one family of three, and two sisters, members of the church, in need of much help. All are natives except one sister, who is so opposed by her husband that she or her children dare not attend our meetings.

We hold Sabbath meetings at the home of one of the native sisters, and canvass and hold Bible readings with the English-speaking people during the week.

It rains nearly every day, which interferes with our work materially; but the Lord has helped us to sell quite a number of books, and one excellent native lady, who has attended our meetings regularly, has accepted the truth. She is educated in English, and is quite a help to us in interpreting to the natives.

The island is devoted almost wholly to sugar plantations, the work on them being done by Portuguese and Japanese. Many of the Portuguese have large families, and seem willing to read and learn, but a laborer who could speak their language could do a good work by canvassing and holding Bible readings among them.

The climate is good, nights cool, with refreshing rains, and breezes from the ocean. The soil is not so fertile as on some islands of the group, although many fruits and vegetables are raised. Everything is high. Butter is from fifty cents to eighty cents a pound; milk, ten cents a quart; Irish potatoes, four cents a pound; eggs, forty cents a dozen; graham flour and corn meal, five cents a pound. All flour and feedstuffs are shipped from the coast, also dried and canned fruits.

The plantations are on the coast, the center of the island being mostly lava flow or ragged rocks. Owing to the prevailing rains, it is quite hard to get to these plantations without a covered conveyance in which to carry our books and periodicals.

We have the promise of a lot in Hilo for a church building, providing one can be built and dedicated free of debt. If we had such a building in which a school could be held, much good would result, as some of the white people are asking for a private school, and are willing to help support one.

We hope to be remembered by the brethren and sisters in the States, that the blessing and guiding hand of the Lord may ever be with us in our work.

We are all enjoying good health, and are of good courage in the Lord, and in his strength we go forth to win souls for the kingdom.

C. E. Leland, Mrs. C. E. Leland.