Hawaii technologically progressive


This Advertiser article talks about "Returning to a 19th-century tradition, hundreds of red, green and white Japanese lanterns now light the night at 'Iolani Palace in the Victorian style favored by King Kalakaua." I like this little bit of historical perspective:
The colorful lanterns in various shapes and sizes were a favorite of Kalakaua, an innovator who quickly adopted inventions that he thought worthwhile.

"In 1887, he had this building completely rewired for electricity," [curator Stuart Ching] said, which meant the palace had electric power before either the White House or Buckingham Palace.

The palace also had the "modern" conveniences of indoor plumbing with hot and cold running water, as well as a telephone.

Every once in a while I get some ignoramus telling me how lucky Hawaii was to be invaded and occupied by the United States because otherwise it would somehow have been stuck in the past. These little facts are a nice reminder that Hawaii was a modern progressive society, and would no doubt have continued progressing nicely on its own, would it have been allowed that opportunity.


Posted: Fri - December 16, 2005 at 11:14 AM    
   
 
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Published On: Dec 27, 2005 10:13 PM
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