Saturday press. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1880-1885, 1881-07-09
From Our Hilo Correspondent.

Hro, June Both, 1881.
EprroR SATURDAY Press The stream of lava
that we have been looking mt for some time that
has seemed the most active of all the flows, has
come down to within ~ miles of Hilo. |
went up to see 1t the day before yesterday it was
then about 30 miles from Hilo. IT was grand
sight. 1t was in Kukuau gulch and the stream
where saw 1t was coming down hill and at the
rate of miles per hour. 1t had the appearance of
a small river breaking up in the spring, the water
having made n channel through the center and
large pieces of ice on the sides. The difference
being red hot lava in place of water and cold lava
instead of ice. At times it had the appearance Of
freshet, and would carry everything before 1t.
At one time there appeared a beautiful cascade of
lava. AT the front of the stream there obstruc
tions such as holes and small trees. The flow is
now out of the woods and it may move more
rapidly. Sometimes II will bank up 30 feet and
then rush forward. Sometimes it will move 800
or 600 feet in an hour and then again 80 feet or
less. The lake Of lava is now about 300 feet
broad and three streams coming into it, They
will very soon no doubt merge into one stream
again. Last evening many went to see the light;
it made the heavens very light and had the appear
ance of grand display of fireworks. Some are
alarmed just now, but | do not think Mt present
there is any cause to be much frightened 1t may
come down near Waiakea and may destroy few
things 1t must empty into the Pacific the way il
looks at present. The Hilo flow $50 caled) is said
to be unusually active but people have ceased to
visit il as the one so near to us is more easily
reached. Crowds go to see it on foot and on
horseback, and some stay all night. In company
with friend l went up the lava where
very hot and put sole leather sandals to
protect the soles and half of the uppers of our
shoes. Had VIC not done this would have had
no shoes to return with. We went up about 21I or
3 miles and returned on the lava. We had strong
canes and they were needed. We came across
many vent holes, quite large, where we
could the red hot and white lava moving
rapidly and noiselessly along. In some places We
immense trees that had been burned near the
roots and lying across the lava, which had to
get over. At times the lava would make our feet
very hot and we had to travel rapidly over it, 1t
came on to rain several times and we were com
PEELED to stop account of the hot steam arising,
so that we could not see our way. The lava
very beautiful i'll some places as it lay in graceful
folds with great regularity. Then again it looked
like rope placed in half circles, but the color
of rope, and again like piece of ground that had
been narrowed lit had cooled suddenly 1t was
also very bright and glistening in some places and
very smooth. We did not encounter much a-a it
was mostly pahoehoe. We wanted to reach the
Hio flow but came to very broad place. a regular
lake of lava, of many acres, where now and then
was tree standing. 1t became so intensely hot
that compelled to come back and found
our track had been shut off by the lava. We went
to native house to get assistance, and q native
woman mounted mule and made a passage for
us through dense jungle, through holes and hills,
and brought us to the main track j. A. M.