A typescript retrospective account of M M O'Shaughnessy's time spent working in Hawaii. The piece was written in 1920, approximately 15 years after O'Shaughnessy returned to work in San Francisco full time, having been startled by being far away from his family when the earthquake struck. The account is written in a candid style, and begins by outlining his first trip to Hawaii in 1899, to make a report on the water and soil characteristics of a sugar plantation on the Island of Maui, and details of a memorable journey there by ship. The account then goes on to outline the background to his appointment, and gives details from his survey of the Hawaiian Islands, with the most detail given on the impact of volcanic activity on local topography. His perspective on the nature of his work is given, including his experiences of working with the Japanese and Chinese workmen, and social problems on the worksite.