The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1878-09-14
WATER ON HAWAII.

iODR, manager OF tue t1aWalldn agricultural
Company's Plantation, has discovered a mountain
marsh or lake located in the forest some distance
back of Punaluu, in Kau, on the southern slope
Of Mauna Loa, which promises to be the most
valuable discovery made for many years in this
group. AS near as we can gather from the de-
~scription given, it is not over ten miles from the
seashore, and so situated that its water can be
conveyed to any part of the Kau district. Any
one familiar with that part of Hawaii will at
once see how valuable this must be to the agri-
cultural enterprises near it. But we prefer to
give the account in The words of our CORE
spondent, who has visited the scene, and can
vouch for what he says:
KEAIwA, KAU, August %, 1873.
My DEAR SHELDON: 1t seems as il wonders
would never cease in this far-off domain of Mad
anne Pele-not that she has been making any fresh
disturbances here; for, on the contrary. she has
been, for a year or more, as quiet as a sleeping
babe, only now and then showing a slight restless
ness by an abortive effort to shake her massive
dwelling. But the wonders are confined to water,
of which we have had a new sensation during the
past few days; and as l have endeavored to keep
you posted L must attempt a short account of what
has happened in relation to it. Captain Willfong,
determined not to be outdone by c. NJ. Spencer,
or any other man, has made frequent excursions
in the forests mauka, in search of water, and
nuOtDRf SOmO hiuiC h5Of q Email dis cpOb tx -
very inaccessible region, had his suspicious
awakened that either a large spring or other water
supply existed in that neighborhood, which has
proved true.
Last week a party of FIVE, including the Cap
tain, Civil Engineer Cabot, myself and two others,
determined to visit the spot. Mounted on horses.
we assembled the mountain and followed the trail
of the pulu g%atherers for three or four miles,
which brought us into the heart of the fern forest.
Here we lett our animals and struck off to the left
or southwest on foot into the dense ferns. through
which we were obliged to cut our way with
machetas, progressing half a mile or SO an hour.
A more mpenetrable thicket l have never attempt
ed to get through-the ferns growing to a majestic
hight Of 6fteen or tweaty feet, and forming. with
the trees and fallen trunks, and with the vines
which covered almost everything, a perfect net
work, underfoot and overhead, through which the
rays of the sun never pass. What a paradise for
ladies in search of rare and beautiful fern speci-
mems, where grow a thousand species from the
most delicate lace on which the sun has never
shone, to the majestic leaf that rivals the royal
palm. Two or three hours of ~fatiguing travel
through this indescribable jungle. brought US to
the edge of q swamp, through which neither man
nor beast can safely venture. Here is the haunt
of the wild birds of Hawaii, and here, in a peren-
NAL solitude, the ducks and beautiful Hawaiian
geese breed and rear their young. The water is
said to be from one to SiG feet in depth, with tufts
of grass and rushes, and ohia trees growing
throughout it. Near us was one of the outlets,
consisting of several rivulets, which Captain Will
fong has sought to lead into one stream. But the
attempt was futile, for, after digging IL trench for
a short distance, the enlarged stream was soon lost
and disappeared among the rocks. From an
elevated point near by, this swamp appears to lie
in the form of an L, the long arm running up the
mountain for a mile or more, and the shorter one
at right angle with it, and the width may be be-
tween a quarter and half mile; but until a survey
is made, no accurate estimate can be given. 1t
has several outlets. which would form permanent
streams, but the soil and rocks being very porous.
the streams now run underground 10 the sea, and
form the a. hurStinp SnrinOS' of pInO-HHI.
This swamp is similar to that on the summit OF
Waialeale. the central peak of Kauai, where the
Hanalei. Wailua, Hanapepe, Waimea and perhaps
other rivers on that Island find their source. a
similar swamp exists on the summit of the West
Maui Mountain, where the Wailuku and other
streams originate. So also back of Hilo another
forms the source of the Waiakea and other rivers
in that district. But this one. discovered by Cap
tain Willfong, probably surpasses them all in size
and in the quantity of water which it contains. 1t
must be located fully 5000 feet above the sea, and
receives its supply OF water from springs and from
the frequent and abundant rains falling on the
southern slope of Mauna Loa, and POSSIBLY from
the snow deposits OF the summit. as lately sug-
gested by you. 1t is undoubtedly the largest
reservoir of fresh water to be found anywhere on
our Islands, and when its boundaries are defined
and it's outlets closed, as may easily be done. it
may be transformed into a picturesque mountain
lake, and its waters conveyed by artificial means
wherever they may be wanted. This being the
dryest season OF the year, it seems reasonable to
suppose that the supply is usually larger rather
than smaller than it now is. 1t would seem to be
just the place that a millionaire would select on
which to expend his surplus resources and build
up an industrial community.
Perhaps a better idea of this mountain marsh
can be obtained by saying that it will be found.
when surveyed. to cover a tract of two hundred
fifty acres. If located at the head of Nuuanu
Valley. it would furnish to Honolulu an inexhaus-
tible supply Of water for manufacturing, irrigation,
and all other purposes for a population of $4,000!
What is most remarkable in this connection is the
fact that no native n white man ammo all the old |
so far as | can ascertain, knew of its
existence, although located within two miles OF q
road which has been frequented for years by the
pulu gatherers. But there it is, and it has prob
ably been there for centuries. Doubtless other
swamps and large springs remain yet to be dis
covered on the unexplored wastes OF Mauna Loa.
what inestimable value would such a water
supply be to kona, if found in that section. And
may yet be found there, for it is as likely to ex-
list on the mountain slopes treDding in that diTec-
as on this side. But those who have not
learned them by experience, can form no idea of
the difficulties encountered in searching tor water
and springs, in these almost impenetTable noun
thickets. More ought to be done by Govern
nent than is being done in exploring these I'M
regions; and every large spring or other
source of water supply should be discovered and
as accurately as the points aud shoals
along the coast. This would be the surest way TO
assist the development Of our latent resources.
After lunching at the western base of Cathedral
Hill and imbibing freely of the pure. ice-cOld
Rater of the marsh, we retreated our steps through
he fern Jungle. reaching our horses Just IN time TO
.ncOunter the 6rst of the showers which fall every
Ifternoon through the forest belt; and fully con
'inced that we had witnessed the most eXtraOTdi-
lary as well as the most interesting discovery
made since Captain Cook anchored in Kealakekua
one hundred years ago. II. NJ. W.
General Howard has had q council with the Walla
yalla, Umstilla. Cayuse and Columbia River In
ians. After a brief parley the Indians were in
that three chiefs, the principal representa-
of the tribes present, would be held until the
ribes turned over the Indians guilty of crime in the
ate war. These chiefs were then arrested, and will
e held until the demands made upon them are sat
fled. Small bands, that have not surrendered. ap-