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Salaries and Wages—1888 Style

(Approx. 2012 values in parentheses, per measuringworth.com)

Janitor, Aliiolani Hale: $300 ($7,320)

Female public-school teacher, bilingual: $300 to $450 ($7,320 to $11,000)

Second Deputy Clerk of the Supreme Court: $1,500 ($36,600)

Jailor of Oahu Prison: $1,800 ($43,900)

Prostitute:  $1 to $1.50 per customer ($24 to $37)

Minister of Foreign Affairs:  $6,000 ($146,000)

Kalakaua’s Annual Privy Purse: $20,000 ($488,000)

Japanese plantation worker, 1885 contract: $9 per month $6 per month for women. ($217 and $145)