The Polynesian. [volume] (Honolulu (Oahu), Hawaii) 1840-1841, 1840-08-29


miles to the n. W. from the east point of tn,
island, and now presents the appearance a
seen in the accompanying plate. The su
ptrstitious fears of some of the old natives
have been revived by this occurrence, ant
without doubt, alteration is secretly paid t,
the goddess Pele. Some consider her as en-
ragged a; the neglect of her worship, and tina
they must hasten to propltlatc their offended
deity - while others attribute it to the agcnc,
oi the spirit of some powerful departed chief
Ii lis singular that an eruption of this magn
tudc should occur without the slightest shock
Of earthquake, at least none was noticed if
any happened, which proves that this wa:
the effect ONO sudden, violent action but ON,
Of lorg and gradual preparation. On Wed
ncsday, June 3rd, three new hills, of mile
in length and of seven hundred to eight hun.
dred feet elevation, were seen from IIlo, il
the direction of the first outbreak. Thurs
day was rainy, and they were not visible
and on Friday they had entirely disappeared
No earthquake was perceived, though the ma.
tives report that slight shock took place al
the time.
Three years since, smoke and steam were
seen issuing from near where the present
eruption commenced, and two years ago q
great rent was made in the ground, and all
the springs in the vicinity dried up.
The above are all the facts Of any interes
which we were able to collect in regard tc
this great eruption. No doubt others of
much interest will come to light hereafter
A II should be preserved, as incidents of this
nature, form quite an epoch in the natura
history of the islands, and go far to illustrate
their formation, and peculiar characteristics
Besides in point of magnitude, it has beer
seldom surpassed. The largest on record
was that of Iceland, which occurred in 1885
and formed current twenty leagues in
length, by four in breadth. The largest cur
rent which has ever issued from Vesuvius
was about eleven miles long. One from
HItna in 1878, was somewhat larger.
July TO- Having received notice that the
vessel in which we were to take passage for
Oahu, was waiting our arrival at Hlo, we
directed our steps once more towards that
place. Our course led us along the shore
formed by wall of twenty feet in height, on
which the surf rolled heavily and loudly. The
country bordering it, was very picturesque
and quite fertile Here and there dotted
with native hamlets amid shady groves.
They were in primitive style, and the in
habitants-a appeared poor ard destitute. Civ
ilizaton had evidently made but little progress
in this direction, and the whole scene, prob
ably differed but little from what it appeared in
the days Of Cook, excepting that we saw no he
iau, or signs ofidolatrous worship or any rude
ness or inciviity among the people. 1t had
the air ofrepose and happiness which was
very gratifying, particularly in contrast with
the dreary spectacle we had recently left
The men were mostly employed in fishing,
but assembled readily at the sound of a
conch, to attend the meetings, at which Mr..
l.. discoursed at every village we passed
through. From the traces of cultivation, the
numerous stone pavements and terraces, and
the care bestowed in the erection of their
houses, now old and out of repair, this was
once no doubt a populous district. 1t is so
now in comparison with others, but the in