The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1868-04-18
PU BLIsHED WEEKLY BYj
HENRY VI. WHITNEY.

and are undergoing n rapid transformation into
sand stone, in regular layers, the sands have
been heaped up by the winds. Ii is curious
to trace this process of formation, and to note
the dip Of the strata, and the leaves, plants and
shells that the restless winds have drifted with
the sand, and which are becoming embedded in
the rock, in after ages to excite the curiosity of
some wandering gcologist. 1 noticed the shrimp,
the nautilus and moses entering into the compo-
sition Of these forming sandstone hills. In few
years they will furnish building materials, and
some will even now furnish stone hard enough
for the purpose. On the abrupt western side of
this range of sand Mills, looking toward Waikiki,
are situated the
Picturesque White Tombs
of the natives. They are formed by an excava-
tion in the soft sandstone rock in the bluff-side
built up like diminutive dead houses and white
washed. At n distance they have n singular eE-
feet and appear more like the dwellings of living
Trologdites than the abOdes Of the dead.
After examining the canefelds and riding as far
NJ Waihee returned and concluded to make an
excursion up the romantic valley of Wailuku to
The Needles.
We gnlloped over the table lands on which the
town of Wailuku is situated, and descended into
the narrow valley of the Wailuku river, where
the stream winds and among giant basaltic
boalders, and fertalizes the taro patches and fruit
trees which surround the humble cottages of the
natives. / noticed bread fruit, orange and coffee
trees. and they seemed to flourish well and vieor-
ously. Precipitous mountain walls rise up on
either hand to the height of several thousand feet,
clothed with grass and slrubbcry to their sum-
mts; they increase in elevation as we advance
the valley narrows to a deep glen and becomes
dark and shadOwy. We ride through luxuriant
vegetation, and ut point where a stone fence
spans the glen, my guide pointed out the scene Of
the battle-ground Of Kapamwai. This battle,
which decided the fate of Maui, was fought be-
tween the forces Of Kamehameha /. and those of
Kalaniknpulc, in 1870. The latter the son
Of Kahikili, King of Maui, who ut that time
ut Oahu. The battle was long and obstinate.
The carnage was great, and the waters of the
stream, then called Lao, damned up with dead
bodies that It's name was changed to Wailuku or
river of slaughter and the battle Was called Ka-
paniwai, or stopping the water. The success of
the battle attributed to the strategy. skill
and bravery Of Kamehameha /. From this san
guine valley the routed army fed to the next
stream, where they set up the wall over the dead
and the bitter pangs of defeat, and called it
Waehu, river of pain; they fled onward to the
next river-the largest in the Isand-where they
rested from their terrible defeat, and called it
Waihee, or river of rest. So in the Hawaiian
of the term all the streams here are classical
Crossing the stream several times over the huge
bOulders-where the stream now became a noun
tain torrent, brawlcd over and around them-we
at length in view OF the pinnaclcs called the
'' Needles" The largest, to the right of the path
ascending the valley, Is huge emerald obclisk,
rising ut the base of the bold precipitous noun
tain from the narrow valley. 1t rises to the
height of about five hundred feet, and is bcauti-
fully distinct in the dark hack ground of the
abrupt mountain wall, which towers in fern
covered grandeur above it. To the left of the
valley, about midway up the mountain, another
column towers, apparently in a niche in the side
OF the mountain wall, like colossal statue. 1t
resembles giant monk, cowlcd, slightly bent a. /
If in deep meditation. christcncd it the 80 Old
Man Of the Mountain from its resemblance to |
the human figure. From this point we entered n !
dense and shadowy grove of kukui trees and CON- |
meneed steep, zg-zlg path, almost oyergrown |
with thick growth of grass and shrubbcry, until |
We finally stood ON the summit of the
Mesa or Table Land.
This Consists of an elevated valley, or natural |
mountain terrace. between two streams that come |
dashing down from the mountain walls on either \
hand, leaping over rocks OF forming bright cas-
cadcs, the music Of which came up gratefully to 4
the car. The view from this mountain bench /
sweeps over the whole valley from the mountain
gurges ut the SOURCES Of the streams, terminating /
in the highest peaks of West Maui; ami then |
down the green winding valley it extends between /
the lofty mountain gateway to the ocean. Around |
arc beautiful towering shrubs and plants, grow
ing up through luxuriant grasses and sending |
their grateful aroma around. The woodland /
groves were musical with the songs of the wild |
birds \ fragrance of roses came gratefully up /
from the garden in the wilds, now neglected and .
deserted, which planted by the Rev. W. p.
Alexander few years since Neglected orange, !
coffee and mango trees were around, but the roses
were blooming in teauty and the =. light wing Of
zephyr oppressed with perfume waxed faint -
over the beautiful wilds, unmarried, untouched by .
the hand Of man, in this site of mountain grand
eur. We found the fIrmlerie growing vigorously |
ard luxuriantly, and from the quantity and quail
ity, We felt more practical than sentimental, and
thought what a fine manufaetory Of curry could
be established here The name OF this table land |
~ well deserved IL II called ny tle natives haa
lahoIo, OF the flying fragrance "a name of
simple poetie.I beauty
returned from my excursion highly gratifcd,
and visited the sugar
Plantation Of Nessrs. Bal 4 Adams.
We found the proPrietors actively and indus
triousIy engaged in grinding cane and turning /
out sugar. Their mill is situated in the low val
lev Of the WailuIu, but few hundred yards
above the waiIuku Plantation Mill. Their land
for cultivation is mostly situated in the valley,
but they have fields of cane to the south of the
river and some to the north. They deserve pros