Saturday press. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1880-1885, 1881-05-14


we might have been spared the present cpl
demic.-Ep.
WE often read accounts in European and
American publications of matters pertaining
to these islands that are amusing to residents
here, and we think the following extract from
an article on the eruption of Mauna Loa in the
Ohio St'te Jomwm of April 10th will be
appreciated by our readers Private advices
from the Sandwich Islands report that the
famous volcano, Mauna Loa, is still in e.up-
ton, and has been continuously so since the
early part of October. The inhabitants say
that the present eruption exceeds in grandeur,
extent and activity any that they can remem-
Der, or of which there is amy record. The
principal crater, some 10000 feet long and
5000 to 10000 feet wide, is constantly bech
ing forth smoke, steam and fame and occa-
sionally throws up vast rocks, while the lava
pours down the sides of the mountain, nearly
II 900 feet high, in broad streams. Some of
! the eruptions have lasted g months, aud it is
thought that the present one will be fully as
long, for it has steadily augmented from the
outset There are now six cruters active, and
it is said that the chief one throws out occa-
sionally stupenduus mass of flame GOO feet
| in altitude. Several of the rivers of lava are
| five or six miles wide, and these actually form
cascades, and in some instances are so volum-
| nous rs to run up hill. I he lava has also
/ forced its way through subterrauenn outlets,
and tulnbed with Missing, roaring sound,
into the sea. Mauna Loa has been far more
energetic OF late years than it used to be, and
| is now distinguishing itself uninviedy. Con
siderable uneasiuess is felt among the resi-
dents of Honolulu lest their dwellings be
destroyed, and the opinion is generally ex-
| pressed that in M volcano on the globe have finer
natural pyroechnics been displayed than now
and there" The present eruption which has
continued with varying activity since the out
break on the 5th OF November last, is certainly
one,of the most notable of this famous volcano,
but it is not so grand and extensive AS the
JDm1dt'S informant would have it appear.
| The crater of kilaueu, which is ALWAYS in
! action, and MUkuawcowco, from which the
lava IL now flowing, seem to be COMPOUNDED in
| the first part of the extract. The statement
that several of the rivers of lava are five or
six miles wide is mistake. At the com
mencemcnt OF the outbreak there were three
streams of lava. Two of these were small, and
the other-tne one flowing towards Hilo-is
the only one that has attracted attention of
late. This flow is divided in places into IL
number OF small streams, and the latest news
from there, which appears in to-day's Press,
states that the total width of all IF these is
about two miles. The end of the flow is some
! miles from the sea, and is not tumblng into
1t with " Missing, roaring sound" and is not
likely to do so very soon as it has only been
moving lately at the rate of one mile in three
or four weeks. The flow, however, has
reached the sea on former occasions The
most amusing part Of the account is that Soon
siderable uneasiness is felt among the resi- e
dents of Hon0iuiu lest their dwellings, be
destroyed" The residents of Honolulu have
not the least occasion for alarm. Our city is
situated on the island of Onhn, of whose
extinct craters the oldest native legend does
does not speak of having been in state of
eruption, while Mauna Loa is two hundred
miles distant on Hawaii, the southernmost
island of the group. Hilo is the name of the
town that was thought to be in danger short
time ago. In connection with this we quote
the following from the San Francisco E.can,iner
of April 18th: Kiranca one of the Sandwich
Islands, has a Greater one thousand feet below
the surrounding land, and six miles in crcum-
ference" Where is Kiranca We have never
heard of this island before. The Erami"er,
which is one Of our nearest neighbors, should
be little better posted on the geography Of
this group,