Spent Two Years On Coast Guard Duty Near Honolulu.

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MIDNIGHT RAINBOWS

ATTRACT ATTENTION

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Most Beautiful Sunsets In World Are Seen From The Islands.

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John Macho, son of Mr. and Mrs.Carl Macho, residing on South Valley Street, returned to New Ulm last Wednesday from Honolulu where he has been stationed with the United States coast guard. The young man served two years and was honorably discharged from the service after returning to this country in January. He has returned to his old position with the Frenzel Bottling Works.

The local lad left New Ulm in January 1924, going to Fort Snelling where he enlisted for foreign service in Battery B, 15th C. A. C. He remained at the Fort one month and in company with 37 men went to San Francisco and sailed for Honolulu July 2. They landed in that harbor July 9 and were sent to Fort Kamehameha, located just outside the city.The fort was named after the king of the island. The men were engaged in straight guard duty using 12 inch rifles.

Climate ls Good

Climatic conditions at the point where John was stationed were good, the average temperature was 120 degrees and it was never colder than 87 degrees. Swimming is enjoyed thru-out the entire year. During February and March the rainy season comes and then it is not uncommon to see rainbows at midnight. This is one of the unusual and beautiful sights in the island.

Inhabitants of the island are the native Japanese, Portuguese and Philippines. Very few white people live there with the exception of the officers of the Army and their families. The country is mostly mountainous and the mountain goats, called the wild boar, roam at will. Pheasants and other bird life is plentiful and there are very few cattle raised there.

Native Live Cheaply

Natives follow the modern style of dress and the women have bobbed their hair in an endeavor to keep up with the fashions of the United States. The people live very cheaply, the natives eating poi, which is a native food made out of leaves. Fish and rice complete the daily menu. It is hard for the American to learn to like this poi and Mr. Macho says an ordinary man would die if he had to live on that alone. The poorer class of people live in crude shacks while the wealthier people live in stucco homes and drive big cars. Shops are very modern even to the high prices they ask for their merchandise. People spend their time working in sugar cane fields, pineapple fields and banana groves. Others make their living fishing. Many sharks are caught there as well as various kinds of fish which are sold for fairly good prices.

Coconuts are grown and papaya trees bear a fruit which resembles the squash grown in this country. After the shell is broken and the seeds have been taken out of the center, the fruit is eaten raw and tastes like peaches. The soldiers learned to like this fruit.

Sunsets in the Hawaiian Islands are unequaled any where, according to Mr. Macho. The colorings in the sky range from deepest hues to the most pastel shades and when the calm of night falls over the land the stringed orchestras or groups of natives can be heard playing the music which has made Hawaii famous. Many tourists visit the islands just to hear the musicians and see the beautiful scenery which the islands afford.

Took 10 Day Furlough

A furlough of ten day s gave Mr. Macho an opportunity of visiting some of the interesting places on the island. He visited Hilo, the well known volcano and Waikiki beach, which is the world’s most famous beach. It is located near Diamond Head, which is an old volcano crater and the resort is one of the most popular places on the island. Modern hotels have been built up and afford visitors every comfort.

Like The Service

With the exception of the intense heat the local boy enjoyed his sojourn in the foreign land and was well satisfied with army life in general. He left Honolulu January 9 arriving in San Francisco no the 16th. He came immediately to Minnesota and received his discharge after which he returned to his home here.

During the noon hour and spare moments at the Frenzel Bottling Works “Hans” as his many friends call him, entertains his fellow workmen by telling them of his experiences and the sights he saw while in the service. He is glad to be home again and back at his old station.

New Ulm Review,

Feb. 10, 1926

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