The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1877-05-16

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the old South Lake 1t is now nothing but
deep, black pit, its sides perpendicular, and
lined with broken lava stones, similar to many
extinct crater pits on these islands.
The changes which have taken place in
Kilauea within the last few years are very
striking. Those who visited it between the
years 1850 and 1867 will remember the old
South Lake nearly on level with the floor
of the crater Now, a hill surrounds it, form
ed by successive eruptions during the last few
years, so that its top is nearly level with that
of the south bank of Kilauea. Mr.. Coan esti-
mates that the height of this hill is 700 feet
above the lowest depression of the floor of
Kilauea, while its base must be at least 1000
feet across. One can get better idea of Its
size if he will imagine Punchbowl hill trans
ported to Kilauea and set down over the old
South Lake.
We climbed up the sides of this hill to take
a look into the extinct crater bowl, whose
former fires attracted wonder-seeking travel
ers, but found only blackness and desolation.
Old Pele had at last deserted what the natives
have called her 90 everlasting home" This
Dit must be at least 500 feet in diameter and
about the same in depth, somewhat resem-
bling mortar in shape. The approach to it's
edges seemed extremely hazardous, as the
rock is everywhere rent by deep assures,
which make the approach very dangerous.
To one of these overhanging lodges we eau
nl-aI
down into this wonderful pit, hardly less
terrific and awe-inspiring than when we last
viewed it filled with molten lava, whose Grim
son waves dashed against its sides like surf
on the sea-shore.
The extinction of the fires in the South Lake
are not likely to be permanent. In 1865, when
they went ont, series of new craters formed
around the pit of Kilauea, eliminating in the
subsistence of the floor os the crater, and the
resumption of the fires in the South Lake. So
it will probably be now.
Scarcely less singular to those who have
often visited Kilauea, is the sight of the va st
quantity of Pele's hair strewed around. This
remarkable vitreous production has generally
been found on the southerly side of the lake,
but during the last few days before its fires
were extinguished, on the 4th of May, the
Pele's hair was blown and scattered on the
west and northerly slopes. There must have
been at least twenty acres covered with it, in
some places two and three inches in depth
beds of moss. Most of it is dark brown in
color, with occasionally tuft of light brown,
which, on examining, we found to consist of
long threads, like human hair. We picked up
enough of this light brown to make heavy
switch of hair, measuring twenty-four inches
in length Having no facilities for carrying
it to Hilo, except in our saddle-bags, it was
very much broken during the journey, but
still we have preserved part of it, about
seventeen inches long. companion sug-
gested that these switches of long hair might
have been torn from her head by the old mis-
tress of the volcano, in her dying agonies, as
she left her" everlasting home. "a poetical
idea, not devoid of beauty. However, these
long specimens of Pele's hair are rarely found
and seldom brought away.
Another singular sight connected with the
recent changes at the volcano, is the steam
seen around Kilauea. There is always more
or less steam issuing from the cracks; but on
the 18th of May line of steam jets, apparently
from new rent, stretched from its south
bank down towards the Kau shore, distance
of several miles. 1t affords pretty and novel
! sight to see the steam ascending in a con-
tinuous line, at least four miles in length, and
rising to height of from fifty to one hundred
feet.
! The earthquakes were felt not only at the
volcano, but at Hilo and at different points in
Kau. They were not destructive, but light,
with an easy tremor of The ground, accom-
panied with rumbling noise, like that of a
dray or cart driven rapidly over paved road
These shakes invariably precede an eruption,
and always indicate increased activity of the
volcano. But so long as Kilauea possesses an
open lake, where the pent-up gases and steam
can escape, there is no danger of any destruc-
tive earthquakes on Hawaii. If that opening
should become permanently closed, damage
might follow.
Before closing our sketch, we will add thai
the Volcano Hotel is well kept, being at pre-
sent under the management of Mr.. ]. Kane
well known in Honolulu as a caterer. Dur
ing our stay there the table was well supplied
with delicious tender turkeys, which rur
wild in the woods below the crater, and with
fresh mutton, pork and chickens, and the
usual vegetables. A new frame building is
being erected by the proprietor, Mr.. Jones
for the accommodation of guests, and when
completed will be all that can be desired for
comfort, though really there is nothing now
lacking in this respect.
Having travelled over the road many times
we recommend as. the pleasantest route tina
from Waiohinu or Punaluu, 1.-THE latter pre-
ferable because shorter, whenever the steam
er touches at either of these places. The dis
lance from Punaluu to the crater, via KAPPA
pala, is IS miles, and the ride may b,
accomplished in six hours. From the crate
to Hilo, the distance IS 10 miles, and the nd
much more fatiguing- But those who wisl
to see the best sections of South Hawaii, shoul'
ride through from Waiohinu to Hilo.
Adn,inicfpafovs N0fica