Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-11-16
THE SAND VTCH ISLANDS.
The Island of Maui-The Largest Crater
on the Globe-SUgdr Plantation.

of the Hawaiian group, being about fifty miles
long by half as many in breadth. 1t is also
one of the most interesting both to the pleas
ure tourist, and commercially, as it presents
some of the grandest scenery IN the world,
and furnishes a large share of the most I'M
portant product of the country, viz. sugar.
A voyage in one of the little coasters,
which, until very recently, afforded the only
means of inter-island navigation, subjects one
to the climax of sea misery. contracted
cabin, and deck crowded with a medly Of
natives, horses, dogs and goats, offer little
space for comfort. The vesseltacking against
the trade wind and meeting the current per-
forms such antics as any well used stomach
strongly resents. A trip of thirty hours brings
the little craft to her anchorage in little
bay of Waikiki. Civilization and barbarism
seem to be mingled in the first incident that
occurs, viz, the coming out of canoe, pro-
PEELED through the waves with strokes of
fierce energy by two natives destitute of cloth
ing except the scanty waist-cloth They pre-
scented an ideal picture of savages, but their
errand was one significant of civilization, for
they had come out to get the mailbag
The particular object of your correspondents
visit to this Island, was to view the extinct
Volcano Haleakala. From the vessels deck
the mountain was to be seen lifting up its
huge bulk to the eastward, belt of clouds
partially girdling it midway, while the summit
stood out clear in the light of the setting sun.
1t seemed short and easy ride to the top,
but in reality the distance from the beach was
twenty miles. The traveller in this kingdom
finds no hotels, but the want of things more
than supplied by the free and open hospitality
which everywhere meets one who is well au-
thenticated.
i TWAS our fortunate lot to find a pleasant
welcome to the house Of venerable mission
airy whose station is at Makawao, point
about ten miles from the beach. Its elevation
of some two thousand feet above the sea
brought change of temperature especially
grateful by contrast with residence of sew
eral months in the warm air of Honolulu.
The fig tree here flourishes luxuriantly side
by side with the peach, while orange trees Ia
den with green fruit, held out attractive
promise.
Horses having been ATTAINED and an excel
lent guide, our party of four set out at noon
of September day, with fair promise of
the favorable weather for which we had wait
ed two days. The ride to the top of Haleak-
ula is very easy one for mountain travelling.
There is gradual slope from the summit to
the sea, of eight or ten degrees, and well
defined path marks the course. The sides Of
the mountain are covered with grass to within
a few rods of the summit. Here and there
are clubs of koa trees, resembling small oaks,
but not so symmetrical or full. There are
also bushes in protusion, the Sandal-wood
and the ohelo, the latter producing an edible
berry, beautiful in appearance but quite insipid
to an initiated palate. The upward journey
is rewarded by the view below which grows in
beauty at every stage. After ride of five
hours and a half relieved by an occasional
stop for lunch and to obtain supplies of water
and wood, the guide gives a shout which an
nounces that the goal is reached. The
wearied horses are spurred forward, and we
find ourselves on tie lin Of avast basin, so
filled at the moment with vapor that only
through an occasional rift could an idea be
gained of its depth. AS darkness was fast
coming on we FASTENED preparations for the
nights encampmentandd deferred the survey I'M
til morning. Our shelter was an over arching
rock beneath which, with the aid of blankets
and fire a tolerable degree of comfort was
secured. Being now at an elevation of near
ly two miles above the sea level, the air had
a touch of sharpness that to New Highlander
was very home-like feeling. Some sensa-
tons less pleasant were experienced by some
of us from the rarity of the air. 1t produced
giddiness and pain in the eyes and ears with
slight nausea. But those Inconvenience were
of small account amid such wonders of ma
ture as were around us.
The object in passing a night uron the
mountain had been to gain view of the sun
rise and also to see the crater at the early
hour when it was most likely to be free from
clouds. The reward for our pains was fully
received. The morning revealed a spectacle
magnificent beyond all description. To the
eastward, far below the level of the eye, lay
stratum of clouds, the upper surface of which
looked like an immense field of purest snow,
or rather something more light and feecy.
From the under side gathered into dark folds
a shower was falling. In the opposite direc-
ton the vast shadow of the mountain stretch
ed away over leagues of sea, while against
the sky rose in clear outline, the three peaks
of the neighboring island Hawaii. Looking
off by way of the ascent varied prospect
greeted the eye. Beneath the feet seemed a
great plain (although really part OF the
mountain side) cut by deep ravines, and d.
versified with elevations, crater like in form.
Then came the narrow isthmus which joins
the two distinct portions of the island, and be-
yond group of mountains, their heads crown
ed with turban of tleecy clouds. On either
side the vast Pacific was spread out without
a sail to break the monotony of the broad