The Portland daily press., 1862-07-29
COMMUNICATIONS.
tFor the Portland Daily Press.)
A Sandwich Island Holiday.
by HARRY MINcER.

by HARRY MINcER.
The valley of Waipio, bears the reputation
of being the lovcliest spot of the whole group
of the Hawaiian Islands Situated as it is up
on the Island of Hawaii, the largest and most
picturesque of the group, far removed from
the business haunts of the Anglo Saxon, it pos
sesses in itself an attraction in the way of ST.
lent grandeur and sublimity, as is rarely to be
met with in that far-famed "Garden of the Pa
ciflc-
The approach to It'll by narrow and precip-
itous pathway, which traces itselfin winding
course down precipice some thousands of
feet In height, requiring of the traveller the
greatest caution in his descent, lest by one
false step he may lie in atoms at its base.
When viewed from the sea, its Southern boun-
Diary, 1t prevents an appearance of most ma
jestic nature. Land-locked as it is by three
beething and lofty walls of a volcanic origin,
whose submits tower amid the clouds, adorn-
ed as it is by vegetation OF the richest nature,
Fcarpeted as it is by the most refreshing green
-watered as it is by dancing riyulets from the
crags o'erhead,-we certainly can feel no as
tonishment that the ancient Hawaiians should
have given it the name of the "Vaey of Ref
uge.-
1t was here, that during the despotic and
cruel reign of the ancient chiefs, when the is
land was divided into factions, that men flee
ing for their lives, would seek an assylum from
the oppressor. When once within the sacred
walls OF this valley,-the pursued was safe
could even turn and hurl back defiance upon
his enemy,-confdent, in his superstitious faith
of the power Of the sacred taboo.
The Hawaiian of former days was filled with
the most blind superstition, and although near
ly half century has elapsed since the light of
civilization was thrown upon them, yet to this
day, do many retain with fond tenacity the
superstitious customs of their departed faith
ers.'
1t was to this same beautiful valley that
party of travellers were vending their way
from the village of Rawaihae, where still
stands the heathen temple of the great Kane
hameha Mounted upon mules the party rode
leisurely along, nowsstopping to admire the
beautiful forest, through which the path lay,
and now to take quiet loll of five minutes
under the beautiful hoto tree. An easy ride
OF four hours brings the traveller to the ex-
tremity of a road which terminates abruptly
at the edge of precipce, overlooking the
far-famed valley OF Waipio. This our travel
lers reached after while, and little dreaming
OF the magnificent view TO burst so suddenly
upon them, until shout from the foremost of
the party awoke them from the trance into
which they had fallen. II was curious to OBJ
serve the different effects which the magnif-
cent panorama spread out before them, had
upon the minds of some. While many were
mute-speechless with wonder-others were
noisy and dancing with joy. The impressions
first produced upon me by this scene were of
nature, not soon to be forgotten.
AT an elevation of two thousand feet the
spectator gazes down into the valley beneath
him, upon fertile tract of land, marked out
into chequers by the farms and kalo patches
of the residents, while here and there the light
siivery thread, flashing out into the sunlight,
betokened the crystal streams as they rushedon
ward to empty themselves into the waters of
the Pacific. The hamlets, the churches, the
bridges, the herds and flocks, the vast num-
bers of sea-birds, are all taken in at glance.
while here and there may be marked clump
OF tress OF little darker verdure thar that
of the surrounding foliage, pointing out the
spot where the golden orange may be found.
in all of its tropical freshness.
Preparations were now made for the descent:
and accordingly, dismounting, our animals
were given into the hands of the native guides.
who taking the lead, started off at brisk pace,
entirely incompatible with our own notions Of
safety. Here and there as we proceeded along
and down the fearful route, would we pause
and but hardly daring to lift our eyes from off
the ground through fear of giddiness, at last
arrived safely at the bottom of the steep.
where, seated upon our mules, we halted
every one in the party being filed with high
conceptions of the sublime, as new beauties
would unfold themselves to our wondering
gaze.
The thirty-flrst day of July is the indepen-
dence day of the Hawaiian nation. Upon this
day was restored to them by Lord George
Paulet OF the British navy the flag which had
been taken from them, and with which they
also received the right to govern themselves.
The day is much revered by the people. and