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2005-12-30T00:59:27Z

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Jere Krischel at 18:50, 11 December 2005

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596 HAWAIIAN ISLANDS.
natives are not fond of regular work. I use a good many natives for
cattle work.
The CHAIRMAN. That is, located on your lands t
Mr. SPALDING. Yes; they live on the place.
The CHAIRMAN. Talking generally, how are the natives provided
with homes; what kind of homes have they ?
Mr. SPALDING. They are very comfortable; they have their little
lands, what we call kuleanas, from which they raise the taro plant.
The CHAIRMAN. Patches of ground which you would sell them ?
Mr. SPALDING. Oh, no; patches of ground they have used for a good
many years. To explain that I would have to give you some information
ol our land laws.
The CHAIRMAN. We would like to know how the land became distributed.
Mr. SPALDING. In the reign of Kamehameha III—I do not remember
exactly what year he came onto the throne, but I think somewhere
about 1820—the King changed from the feudal system, if you might so
term it, or the system by which he held all the lands in the country,
and everybody was subservient to him, to a system by which he gave
away the lands of the Kingdom, divesting himself of this right in, I
think, three divisions. He gave certain lands to the Crown, to remain
Crown lands forever—large tracts of land; he gave what were termed
Jculeanas—that is, small patches of lands that could be watered, something
like a rice patch, sometimes not more than twice the size of this
room—lands capable of raising taro, which has been always the food of
the people—he gave to the people all these lands, with the proviso that
they should make application to the Government, through the proper
channel, and receive from the Government what is known as a royal
patent, and that is where all the titles to lands in that country come
from.
The CHAIRMAN. Are these Iculeana titles fee simple titles?
Mr. SPALDING. They are royal patent titles; they are from the Government.
The CHAIRMAN. They are in fee?
Mr. SPALDING. Yes. We consider them the best possible title.
The CHAIRMAN. NO reversions?
Mr. SPALDING. NO, except mineral rights. But there are no minerals
in the country, and never have been.
The CHAIRMAN. What is the third class of lands?
Mr. SPALDING. The third class of lands the King gave to the Government
what ore called Government lands.
Senator GRAY. Were they distinct from the Crown lands?
Mr. SPALDING. They were distinct from the Crown lands. The
profits from the Crown lands were to revert to the Crown. For instance,
I have what are called ahupuaas or large tracts of land, sometimes running
up into the mountains and containing a great number of acres.
Some of these ahupuaas belong to the Crown—that is, they were reserved
as Crown lands. I pay a rental on these ahupuaas to these
Grown commissioners.
The CHAIRMAN. Those are what you call the leased lands?
Mr. SPALDING. Yes. Also, we have lands that belong to the Government.
These are the lands that the King so set apart—lands which
belong to the Government, to the Crown, not to one King or another
King, but to the Crown in perpetuity; the others to the people by royal
patent. Kamehameha I I I divided up the land in that way.
HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. .r)97
The CHAIRMAN. When you came to buy up this large estate to
which you have the fee simple title, from whom did you buy it?
Mr. SPALDING. The fee simple title came from the man who had
previously owned it.
The CHAIRMAN. Where did he get it?
Mr. SPALDING. I do not know where he got it originally, without
looking back over the papers to see where these lands came from.
The large chief's took these pieces as the people took the kuleanas.
The CHAIRMAN. SO that to this land that you have you derived
title from the chiefs ?
Mr. SPALDING. Yes; in the old times. And some of them are Crown
lands for which I pay rent.
The CHATRMAN. In the disbursement, were these lands open to
native settlers?
Mr. SPALDING. Preference was given to natives who were living
upon the Kuleanas—there was sometimes 1 acre, sometimes 5, sometimes
10, as the case might be. But the common people generally took
the lands that could be watered, for the reason that the big lands
running up into the mountains furnished nothing but pasturage; were
of no particular use to them.
The CHAIRMAN. In order to raise their native food, taro, the natives
were obliged to have water?
Mr. SPALDING. Yes; the lands that could be watered.
The CnAiRMAN. The taro grows in water ?
Mr. SPALDING. Yes. It belongs to the Galadium family and is known
as the Arum Esculentum.
The CHAIRMAN. Are the natives, employed by you when not engaged
in their own industries?
Mr. SPALDING. A great many of them are when they want work.
Some of them raise taro on my laud. To some of them I lease land.
Some of them work entirely in handling cattle. Some natives I have
as overseers.
Senator GRAY. This plant that you call taro. What is its character?
Mr. SPALDING. It is a bulbous root that grows in the moist ground.
Taro grows in a certain amount of water, as rice does.
Senator GRAY. Is it anything like the potato?
Mr. SPALDING. Something like the potato. It is starchy in its
nature, like the potato; but before it is cooked it has a very strong,
pungent flavor and burns the mouth; it must be cooked to eat it.
Senator GRAY. Something like the turnip?
Mr. SPALDING. Like the Indian turnip when it is raw. But taro
after baking, or boiling, becomes like a potato, and can be mashed up.
Senator GRAY. That is the staple food of the islands?
Mr. SPALDING. That is the staple. When it is mashed it becomes
poi. After it has been broken up, it becomes like hasty pudding.
When they mix it with water and allowed to stand it becomes sour, and
they prefer it as it becomes more and more acid.
Senator GRAY. DO the natives make a liquor of it?
Mr. SALDING. NO. From the ti plant they make liquor.
Senator GRAY. YOU have eaten taro?
Mr. SPALDING. Oh, yes.
Th e CHAIRMAN. IS it palatable ?
Mr. SPALDING. Very nutritious and pleasant to the taste, especially

@@ Line 5: / Line 5: @@
 The {{sc|Chairman.}} That is, located on your lands?
-The {{sc|Spalding.}} Yes; they live on the place.
+Mr. {{sc|Spalding.}} Yes; they live on the place.
 The {{sc|Chairman.}} Talking generally, how are the natives provided with homes; what kind of homes have they?
-The {{sc|Spalding.}} They are very comfortable; they have their little lands, what we call ''kuleanas'', from which they raise the taro plant.
+Mr. {{sc|Spalding.}} They are very comfortable; they have their little lands, what we call ''kuleanas'', from which they raise the taro plant.
 The {{sc|Chairman.}} Patches of ground which you would sell them?
-The {{sc|Spalding.}} Oh, no; patches of ground they have used for a good many years. To explain that I would have to give you some information of our land laws.
+Mr. {{sc|Spalding.}} Oh, no; patches of ground they have used for a good many years. To explain that I would have to give you some information of our land laws.
 The {{sc|Chairman.}} We would like to know how the land became distributed.
-The {{sc|Spalding.}} In the reign of Kamehameha III—I do not remember exactly what year he came onto the throne, but I think somewhere about 1820—the King changed from the feudal system, if you might so term it, or the system by which he held all the lands in the country, and everybody was subservient to him, to a system by which he gave away the lands of the Kingdom, divesting himself of this right in, I think, three divisions. He gave certain lands to the Crown, to remain Crown lands forever—large tracts of land; he gave what were termed ''kuleanas''—that is, small patches of lands that could be watered, something like a rice patch, sometimes not more than twice the size of this room—lands capable of raising taro, which has been always the food of the people—he gave to the people all these lands, with the proviso that they should make application to the Government, through the proper channel, and receive from the Government what is known as a ''royal patent'', and that is where all the titles to lands in that country come from.
+Mr. {{sc|Spalding.}} In the reign of Kamehameha III—I do not remember exactly what year he came onto the throne, but I think somewhere about 1820—the King changed from the feudal system, if you might so term it, or the system by which he held all the lands in the country, and everybody was subservient to him, to a system by which he gave away the lands of the Kingdom, divesting himself of this right in, I think, three divisions. He gave certain lands to the Crown, to remain Crown lands forever—large tracts of land; he gave what were termed ''kuleanas''—that is, small patches of lands that could be watered, something like a rice patch, sometimes not more than twice the size of this room—lands capable of raising taro, which has been always the food of the people—he gave to the people all these lands, with the proviso that they should make application to the Government, through the proper channel, and receive from the Government what is known as a ''royal patent'', and that is where all the titles to lands in that country come from.
 The {{sc|Chairman.}} Are these ''kuleana'' titles fee simple titles?
-The {{sc|Spalding.}} They are royal patent titles; they are from the Government.
+Mr. {{sc|Spalding.}} They are royal patent titles; they are from the Government.
 The {{sc|Chairman.}} They are in fee?
-The {{sc|Spalding.}} Yes. We consider them the best possible title.
+Mr. {{sc|Spalding.}} Yes. We consider them the best possible title.
 The {{sc|Chairman.}} No reversions?
-The {{sc|Spalding.}} No, except mineral rights. But there are no minerals in the country, and never have been.
+Mr. {{sc|Spalding.}} No, except mineral rights. But there are no minerals in the country, and never have been.
 The {{sc|Chairman.}} What is the third class of lands?
-The {{sc|Spalding.}} The third class of lands the King gave to the Government what are called Government lands.
+Mr. {{sc|Spalding.}} The third class of lands the King gave to the Government what are called Government lands.
 Senator {{sc|Gray.}} Were they distinct from the Crown lands?
-The {{sc|Spalding.}} They were distinct from the Crown lands. The profits from the Crown lands were to revert to the Crown. For instance, I have what are called ''ahupuaas'' or large tracts of land, sometimes running up into the mountains and containing a great number of acres. Some of these ''ahupuaas'' belong to the Crown—that is, they were reserved as Crown lands. I pay a rental on these ''ahupuaas'' to these Grown commissioners.
+Mr. {{sc|Spalding.}} They were distinct from the Crown lands. The profits from the Crown lands were to revert to the Crown. For instance, I have what are called ''ahupuaas'' or large tracts of land, sometimes running up into the mountains and containing a great number of acres. Some of these ''ahupuaas'' belong to the Crown—that is, they were reserved as Crown lands. I pay a rental on these ''ahupuaas'' to these Grown commissioners.
 The {{sc|Chairman.}} Those are what you call the leased lands?
-The {{sc|Spalding.}} Yes. Also, we have lands that belong to the Government. These are the lands that the King so set apart—lands which belong to the Government, to the Crown, not to one King or another King, but to the Crown in perpetuity; the others to the people by royal patent. Kamehameha III divided up the land in that way.
+Mr. {{sc|Spalding.}} Yes. Also, we have lands that belong to the Government. These are the lands that the King so set apart—lands which belong to the Government, to the Crown, not to one King or another King, but to the Crown in perpetuity; the others to the people by royal patent. Kamehameha III divided up the land in that way.
 {{p|597}}
@@ Line 47: / Line 47: @@
 The {{sc|Chairman.}} When you came to buy up this large estate to which you have the fee simple title, from whom did you buy it?
-The {{sc|Spalding.}} The fee simple title came from the man who had previously owned it.
+Mr. {{sc|Spalding.}} The fee simple title came from the man who had previously owned it.
 The {{sc|Chairman.}} Where did he get it?
-The {{sc|Spalding.}} I do not know where he got it originally, without looking back over the papers to see where these lands came from. The large chiefs took these pieces as the people took the ''kuleanas''.
+Mr. {{sc|Spalding.}} I do not know where he got it originally, without looking back over the papers to see where these lands came from. The large chiefs took these pieces as the people took the ''kuleanas''.
 The {{sc|Chairman.}} So that to this land that you have you derived title from the chiefs?
-The {{sc|Spalding.}} Yes; in the old times. And some of them are Crown lands for which I pay rent.
+Mr. {{sc|Spalding.}} Yes; in the old times. And some of them are Crown lands for which I pay rent.
 The {{sc|Chairman.}} In the disbursement, were these lands open to native settlers?
-The {{sc|Spalding.}} Preference was given to natives who were living upon the Kuleanas—there was sometimes 1 acre, sometimes 5, sometimes 10, as the case might be. But the common people generally took the lands that could be watered, for the reason that the big lands running up into the mountains furnished nothing but pasturage; were of no particular use to them.
+Mr. {{sc|Spalding.}} Preference was given to natives who were living upon the Kuleanas—there was sometimes 1 acre, sometimes 5, sometimes 10, as the case might be. But the common people generally took the lands that could be watered, for the reason that the big lands running up into the mountains furnished nothing but pasturage; were of no particular use to them.
 The {{sc|Chairman.}} In order to raise their native food, taro, the natives were obliged to have water?
-The {{sc|Spalding.}} Yes; the lands that could be watered.
+Mr. {{sc|Spalding.}} Yes; the lands that could be watered.
 The {{sc|Chairman.}} The taro grows in water?
-The {{sc|Spalding.}} Yes. It belongs to the ''Caladium'' family and is known as the ''Arum Esculentum''.
+Mr. {{sc|Spalding.}} Yes. It belongs to the ''Caladium'' family and is known as the ''Arum Esculentum''.
 The {{sc|Chairman.}} Are the natives, employed by you when not engaged in their own industries?
-The {{sc|Spalding.}} A great many of them are when they want work. Some of them raise taro on my laud. To some of them I lease land. Some of them work entirely in handling cattle. Some natives I have as overseers.
+Mr. {{sc|Spalding.}} A great many of them are when they want work. Some of them raise taro on my laud. To some of them I lease land. Some of them work entirely in handling cattle. Some natives I have as overseers.
 Senator {{sc|Gray.}} This plant that you call taro. What is its character?
-The {{sc|Spalding.}} It is a bulbous root that grows in the moist ground. Taro grows in a certain amount of water, as rice does.
+Mr. {{sc|Spalding.}} It is a bulbous root that grows in the moist ground. Taro grows in a certain amount of water, as rice does.
 Senator {{sc|Gray.}} Is it anything like the potato?
-The {{sc|Spalding.}} Something like the potato. It is starchy in its nature, like the potato; but before it is cooked it has a very strong, pungent flavor and burns the mouth; it must be cooked to eat it.
+Mr. {{sc|Spalding.}} Something like the potato. It is starchy in its nature, like the potato; but before it is cooked it has a very strong, pungent flavor and burns the mouth; it must be cooked to eat it.
 Senator {{sc|Gray.}} Something like the turnip?
-The {{sc|Spalding.}} Like the Indian turnip when it is raw. But taro after baking, or boiling, becomes like a potato, and can be mashed up.
+Mr. {{sc|Spalding.}} Like the Indian turnip when it is raw. But taro after baking, or boiling, becomes like a potato, and can be mashed up.
 Senator {{sc|Gray.}} That is the staple food of the islands?
-The {{sc|Spalding.}} That is the staple. When it is mashed it becomes poi. After it has been broken up, it becomes like hasty pudding. When they mix it with water and allowed to stand it becomes sour, and they prefer it as it becomes more and more acid.
+Mr. {{sc|Spalding.}} That is the staple. When it is mashed it becomes poi. After it has been broken up, it becomes like hasty pudding. When they mix it with water and allowed to stand it becomes sour, and they prefer it as it becomes more and more acid.
 Senator {{sc|Gray.}} Do the natives make a liquor of it?
-The {{sc|Spalding.}} No. From the ti plant they make liquor.
+Mr. {{sc|Spalding.}} No. From the ti plant they make liquor.
 Senator {{sc|Gray.}} You have eaten taro?
-The {{sc|Spalding.}} Oh, yes.
+Mr. {{sc|Spalding.}} Oh, yes.
 The {{sc|Chairman.}} Is it palatable?
-The {{sc|Spalding.}} Very nutritious and pleasant to the taste, especially
+Mr. {{sc|Spalding.}} Very nutritious and pleasant to the taste, especially

@@ Line 13: / Line 13: @@
 The {{sc|Chairman.}} Patches of ground which you would sell them?
-The {{sc|Spalding.}} Oh, no; patches of ground they have used for a good many years. To explain that I would have to give you some information ol our land laws.
+The {{sc|Spalding.}} Oh, no; patches of ground they have used for a good many years. To explain that I would have to give you some information of our land laws.
 The {{sc|Chairman.}} We would like to know how the land became distributed.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-HAWAIIAN ISLANDS.
+{{p|596}}
 natives are not fond of regular work. I use a good many natives for
-cattle work.
+natives are not fond of regular work. I use a good many natives for cattle work.
-The CHAIRMAN. That is, located on your lands t
-Mr. SPALDING. Yes; they live on the place.
+The CHAIRMAN. That is, located on your lands?
 The CHAIRMAN. Talking generally, how are the natives provided
-with homes; what kind of homes have they ?
+Mr. SPALDING. Yes; they live on the place.
 Mr. SPALDING. They are very comfortable; they have their little
-lands, what we call kuleanas, from which they raise the taro plant.
+The CHAIRMAN. Talking generally, how are the natives provided with homes; what kind of homes have they?
 The CHAIRMAN. Patches of ground which you would sell them ?
-Mr. SPALDING. Oh, no; patches of ground they have used for a good
+Mr. SPALDING. They are very comfortable; they have their little lands, what we call ''kuleanas'', from which they raise the taro plant.
 many years. To explain that I would have to give you some information
-ol our land laws.
+The CHAIRMAN. Patches of ground which you would sell them?
 The CHAIRMAN. We would like to know how the land became distributed.
-Mr. SPALDING. In the reign of Kamehameha III—I do not remember
+Mr. SPALDING. Oh, no; patches of ground they have used for a good many years. To explain that I would have to give you some information ol our land laws.
 exactly what year he came onto the throne, but I think somewhere
-about 1820—the King changed from the feudal system, if you might so
+The CHAIRMAN. We would like to know how the land became distributed.
 term it, or the system by which he held all the lands in the country,
-and everybody was subservient to him, to a system by which he gave
+Mr. SPALDING. In the reign of Kamehameha III—I do not remember exactly what year he came onto the throne, but I think somewhere about 1820—the King changed from the feudal system, if you might so term it, or the system by which he held all the lands in the country, and everybody was subservient to him, to a system by which he gave away the lands of the Kingdom, divesting himself of this right in, I think, three divisions. He gave certain lands to the Crown, to remain Crown lands forever—large tracts of land; he gave what were termed ''kuleanas''—that is, small patches of lands that could be watered, something like a rice patch, sometimes not more than twice the size of this room—lands capable of raising taro, which has been always the food of the people—he gave to the people all these lands, with the proviso that they should make application to the Government, through the proper channel, and receive from the Government what is known as a ''royal patent'', and that is where all the titles to lands in that country come from.
 away the lands of the Kingdom, divesting himself of this right in, I
-think, three divisions. He gave certain lands to the Crown, to remain
+The CHAIRMAN. Are these ''kuleana'' titles fee simple titles?
 Crown lands forever—large tracts of land; he gave what were termed
-Jculeanas—that is, small patches of lands that could be watered, something
+Mr. SPALDING. They are royal patent titles; they are from the Government.
 like a rice patch, sometimes not more than twice the size of this
-room—lands capable of raising taro, which has been always the food of
+The CHAIRMAN. They are in fee?
 the people—he gave to the people all these lands, with the proviso that
-they should make application to the Government, through the proper
+Mr. SPALDING. Yes. We consider them the best possible title.
 channel, and receive from the Government what is known as a royal
-patent, and that is where all the titles to lands in that country come
+The CHAIRMAN. No reversions?
 from.
-The CHAIRMAN. Are these Iculeana titles fee simple titles?
+Mr. SPALDING. No, except mineral rights. But there are no minerals in the country, and never have been.
 Mr. SPALDING. They are royal patent titles; they are from the Government.
-The CHAIRMAN. They are in fee?
+The CHAIRMAN. What is the third class of lands?
 Mr. SPALDING. Yes. We consider them the best possible title.
-The CHAIRMAN. NO reversions?
+Mr. SPALDING. The third class of lands the King gave to the Government what are called Government lands.
-Mr. SPALDING. NO, except mineral rights. But there are no minerals
-in the country, and never have been.
+Senator GRAY. Were they distinct from the Crown lands?
 The CHAIRMAN. What is the third class of lands?
-Mr. SPALDING. The third class of lands the King gave to the Government
+Mr. SPALDING. They were distinct from the Crown lands. The profits from the Crown lands were to revert to the Crown. For instance, I have what are called ''ahupuaas'' or large tracts of land, sometimes running up into the mountains and containing a great number of acres. Some of these ''ahupuaas'' belong to the Crown—that is, they were reserved as Crown lands. I pay a rental on these ''ahupuaas'' to these Grown commissioners.
-what ore called Government lands.
-Senator GRAY. Were they distinct from the Crown lands?
+The CHAIRMAN. Those are what you call the leased lands?
 Mr. SPALDING. They were distinct from the Crown lands. The
-profits from the Crown lands were to revert to the Crown. For instance,
+Mr. SPALDING. Yes. Also, we have lands that belong to the Government. These are the lands that the King so set apart—lands which belong to the Government, to the Crown, not to one King or another King, but to the Crown in perpetuity; the others to the people by royal patent. Kamehameha III divided up the land in that way.
 I have what are called ahupuaas or large tracts of land, sometimes running
-up into the mountains and containing a great number of acres.
+{{p|597}}
 Some of these ahupuaas belong to the Crown—that is, they were reserved
-as Crown lands. I pay a rental on these ahupuaas to these
+The CHAIRMAN. When you came to buy up this large estate to which you have the fee simple title, from whom did you buy it?
 Grown commissioners.
-The CHAIRMAN. Those are what you call the leased lands?
+Mr. SPALDING. The fee simple title came from the man who had previously owned it.
 Mr. SPALDING. Yes. Also, we have lands that belong to the Government.
-These are the lands that the King so set apart—lands which
+The CHAIRMAN. Where did he get it?
 belong to the Government, to the Crown, not to one King or another
-King, but to the Crown in perpetuity; the others to the people by royal
+Mr. SPALDING. I do not know where he got it originally, without looking back over the papers to see where these lands came from. The large chiefs took these pieces as the people took the ''kuleanas''.
-patent. Kamehameha I I I divided up the land in that way.
-HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. .r)97
+The CHAIRMAN. So that to this land that you have you derived title from the chiefs?
 The CHAIRMAN. When you came to buy up this large estate to
-which you have the fee simple title, from whom did you buy it?
+Mr. SPALDING. Yes; in the old times. And some of them are Crown lands for which I pay rent.
 Mr. SPALDING. The fee simple title came from the man who had
-previously owned it.
+The CHAIRMAN. In the disbursement, were these lands open to native settlers?
 The CHAIRMAN. Where did he get it?
-Mr. SPALDING. I do not know where he got it originally, without
+Mr. SPALDING. Preference was given to natives who were living upon the Kuleanas—there was sometimes 1 acre, sometimes 5, sometimes 10, as the case might be. But the common people generally took the lands that could be watered, for the reason that the big lands running up into the mountains furnished nothing but pasturage; were of no particular use to them.
 looking back over the papers to see where these lands came from.
-The large chief's took these pieces as the people took the kuleanas.
+The CHAIRMAN. In order to raise their native food, taro, the natives were obliged to have water?
-The CHAIRMAN. SO that to this land that you have you derived
-title from the chiefs ?
+Mr. SPALDING. Yes; the lands that could be watered.
 Mr. SPALDING. Yes; in the old times. And some of them are Crown
-lands for which I pay rent.
+The CHAIRMAN. The taro grows in water?
-The CHATRMAN. In the disbursement, were these lands open to
-native settlers?
+Mr. SPALDING. Yes. It belongs to the ''Caladium'' family and is known as the ''Arum Esculentum''.
 Mr. SPALDING. Preference was given to natives who were living
-upon the Kuleanas—there was sometimes 1 acre, sometimes 5, sometimes
+The CHAIRMAN. Are the natives, employed by you when not engaged in their own industries?
 , as the case might be. But the common people generally took
-the lands that could be watered, for the reason that the big lands
+Mr. SPALDING. A great many of them are when they want work. Some of them raise taro on my laud. To some of them I lease land. Some of them work entirely in handling cattle. Some natives I have as overseers.
 running up into the mountains furnished nothing but pasturage; were
-of no particular use to them.
+Senator GRAY. This plant that you call taro. What is its character?
 The CHAIRMAN. In order to raise their native food, taro, the natives
-were obliged to have water?
+Mr. SPALDING. It is a bulbous root that grows in the moist ground. Taro grows in a certain amount of water, as rice does.
 Mr. SPALDING. Yes; the lands that could be watered.
-The CnAiRMAN. The taro grows in water ?
+Senator GRAY. Is it anything like the potato?
-Mr. SPALDING. Yes. It belongs to the Galadium family and is known
-as the Arum Esculentum.
+Mr. SPALDING. Something like the potato. It is starchy in its nature, like the potato; but before it is cooked it has a very strong, pungent flavor and burns the mouth; it must be cooked to eat it.
 The CHAIRMAN. Are the natives, employed by you when not engaged
-in their own industries?
+Senator GRAY. Something like the turnip?
 Mr. SPALDING. A great many of them are when they want work.
-Some of them raise taro on my laud. To some of them I lease land.
+Mr. SPALDING. Like the Indian turnip when it is raw. But taro after baking, or boiling, becomes like a potato, and can be mashed up.
 Some of them work entirely in handling cattle. Some natives I have
-as overseers.
+Senator GRAY. That is the staple food of the islands?
 Senator GRAY. This plant that you call taro. What is its character?
-Mr. SPALDING. It is a bulbous root that grows in the moist ground.
+Mr. SPALDING. That is the staple. When it is mashed it becomes poi. After it has been broken up, it becomes like hasty pudding. When they mix it with water and allowed to stand it becomes sour, and they prefer it as it becomes more and more acid.
 Taro grows in a certain amount of water, as rice does.
-Senator GRAY. Is it anything like the potato?
+Senator GRAY. Do the natives make a liquor of it?
 Mr. SPALDING. Something like the potato. It is starchy in its
-nature, like the potato; but before it is cooked it has a very strong,
+Mr. SPALDING. No. From the ti plant they make liquor.
 pungent flavor and burns the mouth; it must be cooked to eat it.
-Senator GRAY. Something like the turnip?
+Senator GRAY. You have eaten taro?
 Mr. SPALDING. Like the Indian turnip when it is raw. But taro
-after baking, or boiling, becomes like a potato, and can be mashed up.
+Mr. SPALDING. Oh, yes.
 Senator GRAY. That is the staple food of the islands?
-Mr. SPALDING. That is the staple. When it is mashed it becomes
+The CHAIRMAN. Is it palatable?
 poi. After it has been broken up, it becomes like hasty pudding.
 Mr. SPALDING. Very nutritious and pleasant to the taste, especially