Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-11-16

east are two vast breaks from one to three
miles wide through which in bygone age the
liquid fire flowed to the sea. The imagination
is overpowered in the attempt to picture the
scene when this huge cavity, with an area
of sixteen square miles was a cauldron
filed with melted rock which with terrible
CONFUSION that rent asunder the sides
and rolled out to the sea in vast river of
fire. The interior caves spoken of, which
are in fact craters within a crater, are
the product of later and lesser volcanic
action.
We did not descend into the interior for
although the bottom may be reached without
great difficulty, the ascent is extremely ardu-
Gus. Not only is there hard climbing requir-
ed but the rarifed air makes all exertion very
exhausting. A wholesome warning was upon
our minds derived from the experience of
Others.
The story is told of two visitors at this spot,
not long ago who thought they would take
run down to the bottom of the crater and
back before breakfast The first part of the
Wao aSNohipiAohSbf boe ehS oNSNAiN
was a dismal failure. 1t was nearly sunset
before they accomplished their return, in
state of exhaustion, from hunger, thirst and
fatigue, which only those can imagine who
have had a taste of such experiences. Excit-
ing anu Scment as well as help to a conception
of the height of the walls of the crater is at
forded by starting large stones. There is
abundant material for this sport in the num-
berless rocks of every shape and size that lie
at hand. The stone started with little effort,
gathers soon a tremendous momentum, In
some places raising cloud of dust, land pres
emily leapng a hundred feet through the air,
as it goes over a precipice and starting other
rocks which seem to join in mad race, down,
down till the eye is strained to follow, yet
long after they are thought to have come to
rest, some one cries "there it goes" and
keen vision detects it shooting along at the
bottom with the speed and destructive power
of a cannon ball.
Haeokala is the largest crater in the world.
No activity has taken place within the period
of tradition nor is there any trace OF hpger-
ing fire, no steam or vapor, nor even warm
spring.
few hours after sunrise began to float in
to the interior, sailing i'll from the sea through
the gap before spoken of, like white winged
ships entering harbor. After a time the
fog completely fills it, cutting off all views.
The natives still retain some superstitious
fears in connection with this region, many
believing that if the sand is scratched in par
ticular places or certain plant (the beauti-
full Silver Sword) is plucked, the evil spirits
will bring in fog and rain to bewilaer the trav-
eller.
There is other grand scenery on this island
of Maui, such as Waikiki valley mentioned
by all tourists, but space will not permit notice
of it. The production of sugar is carried on
extensively. The land returns yield Of
from three to six tons per acre. Chinese la
borers are extensively employed, for the
natives have SO sadly diminished in number,
that they cannot supply the want. The pros
perity of the Islands depends largely upon
this interest, and every endeavor is made to
foster it. c. G. M.