The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1881-08-17
LATEST FROM THE LAVA FLOW.

week, and on the morning of the 18th, Thursday
last, very little smoke or other outward signs of
activity we're visible. As this has been the case
repeatedly during the last two mouths, it appears
as if the under current of the flow pushes towards
the head where it accumulates in quantity and
then bursts forth for run of a few days till the
internal reservoir is exhausted, when the process
is repeated. These pulsations have occurred, so
far, about every other week, and perhaps may so
contine till this volcanic eruption is finished; if
SO, perhaps the coming week may bring startling
news of a renewed progress. That activity still
continues under the surface is more than demon
strated by what is seen through various vents and
vent holes on the surface, called " blow holes. A
spirited description of visit is taken from pri
waite letter received by the Likeiikes mail of last
Sunday.
Hno August 18th, 1881.
How can describe to you the most wonderful
of all sights have seen. Last night several of
went to see the " blow holes IN the flow, had no
idea what magnificent sight should see. have
always wanted to see the lava running underneath.
When we left the natural bridge not that over
the Waikiki }, and even this Is now lost IN the
flow which covers it, 1t was quite dark and we
went Stumbling along over the lava which was al
most cold and quite so in places. We soon
began TO be afraid could not find the holes, for
We had no guide, and there were almost no land
marks. The moon which had risen was embarked
in clouds and we did not have the benefit of its
light till we had almost reached the holes. few
sprinkles of rain and few 81 caves befell Us
our way. AT the former ran from the edge
OF the now TO escape rising CLOUDS OF SUe lnetill-
time we kept our eyes open Tor the sole remaining
pear tree at John Halls place, by which were
TO direct our course to the vent holes, after hav
ing been deceived several times we concluded we
had identified the tree, and before we reached the
first, of the party cried out excitedly there 1t
is - and sure enough, saw near at hand
burning streak of light like a shallow cave; it was
however only the crust on one side being lifted
higher than the other; it looked like many caves
which we had seen burst out and send forth
streams of lava. Notwithstanding all we had
heard of these, | was scarce prepared for the
sight which unfolded; walls of red rock re-
ceding from the upper lip or edge made a vast
dome shaped cavern. The stalactites hung
from the roof as If the floor had fallen away when
in a half molten state and left all these hanging
points We threw down rocks which sent back a
strange reverberating sound, like nothing l ever
heard before the walls were rough and Jagged
and cast a most brilliant reflection; but the most
maryelously glaring of all was the running
stream of lava which We could see long way OF
entering what seemed an endless tunnel; it glared
up into our faces with dazzling whiteness, still
with pinkish tinge, reflected. think, from the
walls. We could see little bridge OF lava, 1t ap-
peared to have been at one time the How of this
cavern, which had all fallen away except this mar
row shelf-looking bridge a few minutes we could
that the lava rushing along two or three feet
below it. Another time when the intense heat
abated moment permitting me to look In, saw
that it had risen up to the bridge level and prob
ably it huctuates up and down, and perhaps also
In rapidity. The theory seems TO be that this Is
one OF many SuC0 streams moving uOWu ullutE lllb
upper hard crust of lava. The other hole we
found some distance above this, not so deep nor OF
such dimensiones, but the heat was intense, and
we could only get near enough to see small bit
of flowing lava even then got my eye lashes and
brows badly singcd. 1t appeared to be flowing
along the floor of the cavern, and where that was
broken or melted away the liquid fire could be
seen.
/ wish could describe this, words are but weak
and uncertain. Imagine the scene, above the calm
and quiet moon sending down flood of mellow
light, far away the solemn stiffness of the woods
far around us this rigid, broken wild field of desc
lation below -and before this yawning open
ing into the mysterious lower world, whence came
low muttering sounds and glare of fierce light IN
which the light of tine moon paled and slckened
do not think that the English or any other lam
C-uage can furnish words to describe what we
The intense heat can not be put on canvass much
less into words / felt as if gazing into the very
depths of the earth, its very awfulness seems to
rob one of fear by its intense fasc1natloni your
wonder is lost fear is gone, you are simply drawn
by this fascination, power and lncomprehenslble
force.
We found but little fire on the flow up by John
Halls, and that seemed TO be in the track of the
under flow Still should not be surprised to hear
that it had burst out again at the side OF the dead
lava. Walking the cold lava last night real
lied little what immense desolation it was,
even more than when had seen it furlously flow
ing with all the intensity of its destroying force.
If our Eastern friends could only have an idea of
what they might see IN this little corner of the
globe tneY might come OUT. lue slIedul 1 NIOio
of last week has not been very active since. 1t has
branched off into small gulch now, making di-
directly for the Wiakea mill ; they built stone
wall to block it off, and hear, turned the current
in another direction. Pele VIII not be bafned
however
We amused ourselves the other day trying to
block little side flow. We put large stones in
front of the flow; it stopped it for moment, but
the stream behind pushed ahead, and a little Jet
ran between two stones, pushed them out OF the
way, then lifted the whole mass and bore it along;
where it is hotter the stones sink right In Com
inc home last night l noticed that the branch
coming down the little Culch nearest Hilo had not
made much progress for several days; there was
much less fire further up the flow. The end OF the
left branch going towards Waiakea seemed pretty
active but long as those caYerns OF ire LOOK as
they do. Hilo may fear. There are good many
of these blow holes" along the flow. One was
found near Hale Loulu, not long since about
twelve miles from Hllo.) Probably the mountain
party will see it on their return. A party went
Up to return on the 18th, with whom we had OK
pected to have had special correspondent, but he
did not get of-for which he will probably be dis
charged. ED. =.
One of the interesting atmospheric phenomena
in connection with this flow Is the constant
presence of a heavy cloud of smoke, mist and va
por which overhangs the merry stream OCCASION
ally it seems to become too heavy to be sustained,
and long funnel like point slowly drops down
nearly to the surface, from which an immense
quantity Of water is discharged, only to be furi-
OuSly hlOAb dtdLA Al t4o oAfiHo VI
One of Mr. Furneauxs paintings now in Honolu-
lu, admirably shows such discharge upon the
Hno, August 18th, 1881.
Hawaiian superstition in regard to the iery god
dess Pele is curiously illustrated at Hilo these
days The crowds who daily visit the flow
make many offerings to the enraged deity, largely
in the shape of coin, small and large, which are
thrown on the surface of the flowing mass But 1t
is interesting to observe that most of the oerers
stand by TO watch and see that no aYarlclous
locker on extracts the coin tall Pee has melted 1t
into herself.
John Halls house and place, that individual and
his family ceased not to offer various atonements
to the veneeful food; the house was surrounded
with guarding flags and endless incantations and
PRAYERS were made. Near by was a beautiful
spring of water whence was drawn the family sup
ply, OF a quality and in quantity to make all
Honolulu Jealous Behind the spring it was pro-
tected bv high cliff OF hill and it seemed as if
the lava might be turned away; as it drew nearer
and nearer the family crowded around the spring
threw themselves upon the ground around its
placid waters, and called aloud to Pele to spare
that spot For long time they ceased not to pr1y
stroyer, as if to indicate the majesty of power
beside which heather goddess was puny child,
slowly crept around behind the spring-forced its
way Up the hill and then exultingly leaped and
tumbled into its quiet water, heaped it up, ut
terIy celebrating the spot and now, where the
deep and shady dell was is only hideous hill Of
torn and contorted lava.
We went to the flow the night after we arrived.
We could see very little glare till nearly there,
then such a horrible sight as 1t was. From
~ u. ~m11