The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1868-04-04


the lofty ridges Of West Maui to the sea and the
central sand dunes Of the valley, is very fertile
and is now clothed with the richest grasses and
waving with vegetation; but in the dry season it
is parched and withered. All it wants is irriga-
tion to make it perfect Eden of fertility From
the formation Of the adjacent mountains and the
quantity Of rain that is distilled upon them, am
confident that artesan wells can be procured
All this tract Of several thousand acres is what is
termed school land, now leased out as common
or pasture land to the Waikapu Plantation.
Riding over the fertile plain noticed where the
wash from the mountains had worn deep gullies,
that the soil was several feet dsep and of a rich
alluvion. The road was good, and the worthy
Road Overseer. III. w. Daniels, deserves the
credit of the public for, with the limited means at
his disposal, he has made great improvement in
the highways. lie has constructed on the Wal
luku road some of the b.st and most substantial
bridges on the Island, and if he had adequate
funds he would have the best roads
On rising waye-like swell in the plain, the
beautiful valley Of
Waikapu
Appeared before me waving in luxuriaut cane
and the sugar house and plantation buildings
gave it the appearance of thrifty and well-built
village. crossed the stream of waikapu-thc
place of sounding the cOnch, OF war horn of Ka-
mehameha's warriors, previous to the battle OF
Wailuku-and rode rapidly up to the hospitable
residence Of Henry COrnwel, ESD, tue proprietor
Of the Waikapu Plantation. was warmly well
coined and soon made Mt home in one of the most
romantic and picturesque situations in these Isles
of the Seas, so rich in beautiful scenery and de-
hghtful views. The tasteful and comfortable
residence is situated Mt elevation of about one
thousand feet above the level Of the sen, on an
inclined plane that sweeps from the mountains
base to the level Of the valley, in the ancient sand
marked channel. Fresh and healthful breezes
play around it its elevation gives it deli
eious coolness, and we feel that are breathing
health in every inspiratiOn- sense of gladness,
freshness, OF exhilaratiOn seems around a
grateful fragrance comes waited from the shrub
berry and flowers the hum of the bee and the
song OF the bird delight the ear, while the eye
fezlsts upon scene OF glorious beauty. To the
right the view extends over the yerlant plain to
the ocean at AIaalaea Bay; to the left it sweeps
by Wailuku and the scrratcd mountains to the
on the north; in front the emerald plain
sweeps to the base of the vast regular dome of
clouds Clearly and coldly it stood forth from
the dark blue hack ground Of sky, as gazed upon
il and thought i the model of mountains. The
white houses and churches Of Makawao and Haiku
glittered in the distance.
Westward the view ranges over the precipitOus
and variesated mountains of West Maui. which
rise abruptly up from their sloping base, scanned
and cleaved with deep and wooded gorges that
wind away in shadOwy darkness between sharp
and steep ridges. High MP on one of these no
ticed white fig, and inquiring ascertained
that it was the 'Omb of tho, recently con-
structed by the natives. 1t SEEMS that the dogs
of the neighbOrhOod, with wolflhe propensitics,
had entered Mr.. Cornvell's sheep ZEN and anti
cipated the butcher b; killing somt fifty-four
head of sheep BY some unknown agency poison
sprinkled over the sleep, and on n setpnd
nocturnal visit to the same Ien fayorite natis'
dog died with - wool in his Seeth," and he
Inferred by his superstitiOus owners on the high
rFgc overlooking the plain, n warning to all
future CANNES not to indulge The appetite for
muttn
Mr.. Cornwell has three hundred acres of cane
in cultivation, and designs to keep tsat quantity
ready for the mill by system of regular and ju-
dicious plating lie has about one thousand
acres Of COOL cane land, but water To irri5lte il
is not sufficient to assure the cultivation Of m.re
than three hundred acres ut one time proftably
The rains not to be depended upon for the
cultivation of cane on Maui; and although the
soil is extraordinarily fertile. it requires artificial
moisture for most productions. Maize and cotton
would produce annual crop, If planted th'
first of December, and Irish and sweet potatoes
produce well when planted ut the same time, FOL
then they get all the benefit of the winter rains
and escape the scOurge of the caterpillar or army
worm. The cane at Waikapu, when well cult
vated and irrigated, will yield the extraordinary
product Of four five tons Of sugar to the acres
and some acres Of choice growth have been knowI
To far exceed this production. The business OF TIN
plantation Is conducted an economical, go
ahead principle. The active and energetic pro
prietor is up early, always stirring always push
ing, and everything OH the place wears an air o
his industry Although occupied in the Inor'
important business Of the cane, he is not forgetfu
of the ornamental. lie is terracing and leyelInl
the grounds around his residence and planting
variety Of trees and shrubbery with the rares
flowers, M well as fruit trees for utility.
The waikapu plantation possesses an extraor
dinary advantage Ii enjoys the undisturbed us
of the water of the river for irrigation Their
are no conflicting claims to modest and end II
strife and law suits. This renders the plantation
doubly valuable
Near Waikapu T. w. Everett, Esq, has erect
ell a large and comfortable residence, high up OF
the mountain slope. Without trees or shrubbery
IT looks grand and imposing at distance Th'
view from this position is extended and beautiful
4 ride of two miles from Wakapu brings yor
,o Waiuku. or Water of Slaughter, caleC
from bloody battle fought in its valley betweer
Kamebameha I. and the King Of Maui. 1t wai
a,., tho scene Of other battles before that time