The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1858-02-25
HONOLULU. HAWAIIAN ISLANDS.

expansion from heat, IN their friction on each
other give out rather faint but clear and distinct
tinkling sound. The peculiar shape of the sand
particles, traceable to the original rock from
which they have been separated may account for
the non-observance of the same phenomenon else
where. In the morning or after sundown, when
moist with the dew, or after a rain, they are
silent.
The tract of arabic land on Kauai adapted to
grazing or planting, stretches from Hanalei to
Hanapepe valley. Portions of this island appear
better adapted to agriculture than the other
islands. There are two coffee plantations at
Hanalei, sugar plantation at Nawiliwili and
one at Koloa. This portion of the island is well
watered with frequent rains and streams. The
principal ports of the island are Hanalei on the
north side, Nawiliwili and Koioa on the south
east, and Waimea on the south. The Wamea
district being the lee of the island, is dry and
adapted to cultivation only in the valleys. That
part of the island stretching from Mana point
around the western side to Hanalei, isrocky, dry,
barren and uninhabited. The same remark may
be made of all the islands as of Kauai, that the
want of capital with an Industrious population
is the only thing needed TO develope resources now
lying almost wholly idle.
NIIHAU.
This island, the last of the group which is in
habited, lies in a S. W. direction from the Kona
side of Kauai. distant about miles. 1t has
range of hills some 500 feet high, running
through it from the weather end, along near the
eastern shore, nearly to the southern point The
land on the eastern side of these mountains is
very narrow, with but sparse population but
on the western side there is level plain of some
four or five miles in width, excellent land for
sweet potatoes, melons, &c. There is no fresh
water on the island, except rain water, preserved
by the natives in some cisterns IF rock near the
south end.
LEHUA.
About three-quarters of mile off the western
side of Niihau, is high and somewhat broken
peak. apparently two sides of crater. of which
the S, W. portion has fallen in, leaving the in
side face exposed in that direction-a black and
broken precipice Jarves calls it 1000 feet high,
but 500 feet would be nearer correct. The faces
towards Kauai and Niihau covered with scat
tered tufts of grass, among which numerous wild
rabbits find living. The most singular thing
theisand is small perennial spring ofexcellent
fresh water, few feet above high water mark.
The rock itself is lower than the Niihau noun
tains, and neither of them receive water enough
to supply any spring. Consequently the water
must come from the mountains of Kauai, whose
nearest shore is at least twelve miles distant.
KAULA.
Is in sight from Niihau, and some seven or
eight miles off its S. W. point. 1t is barren
rock. abounding in sea-fowl and their eggs, for
which the natives occasionally visit it. A land
ing can be effected only in the calmest weather,
as the surf breaks very heavily at all times.
NIIHOA.
Or Bird Island, about 100 miles n. w. from
Kauai, was always reckoned by the natives as
belonging to the Hawaiian group, and in ancient
times was not unfreqently visited by the chiefs.
Fish, birds and eggs, well sea-lions, and
perhaps turtle, they obtained there-and these
comprise the list of its productions. 1t is pre-
cipitous rock, described by Captain John Patty
as 400 feet high, one and half miles long, and
half mile wide. A landing can seldom be
complished with safety with ordinary boats,
though canoes might succeed better.