The Columbus journal., 1886-07-14
IN A HOT PLACE.
oojournlng 1t Hawaii Correspondens IN
tarvievs q Volcano In Fall Blast.

OIODcI udIIlC OA SAVas NA"eSa -
kileaua and it is situated on the south
ern slope of the Mauna Loa Mountain,
some several thousand feet below the
apex. The crater proper is nine miles
in circumference and about six hundred
feet deep. The floor of this crater is
covered with black lava, and every few
weeks or months it receives q new coat
ING. This floor is as uneven as the
waves of the restless ocean. The de-
scent into the crater is made by path
cut down and alongside of this great
Pail. On leaving the house the excuc-
sionist Is provided with stout staff and
. lantern. The guide precedes the COM
pany with staff, lantern, and a large
canteen of water. The volcano proper
lies two and one-half miles from the
outer rim of the crater. The trip across
the lava can be made with reasonable
safety during the daytime, but woe TO
the traveller who will not have the guide
even in daylight That lava is fearfuliy
treacherOus, and what seems safe one
moment may next prove great hole or
fissure. The trusty Hawaiian who has
travelled that crater for years knows the
result of each flow.
The approach to the volcano was
made from the safest side on account OF
the treacherous wind. which is apt to
yeer and smother you with sulphurOus
smoke. II at any time you are Overtaken
the guide drops upon his knees, opens
that canteen, calls for your handker-
chief, and thoroughly wetting. puts it
across your mouth, exclaiming. "aole
pilikia"-no danger. There are three
orifices out of which at times pour red
hot lava. "Lua Hou," The New Lake:
..Halemaumau," the house of everlast-
ing fire, and Peles Throat. alias The(
Little Beggar, so named because 1t
draws its supply from the New Lake.
Halemaumau is the Oldest lake and has
0 circumference of about q mile.
ITHAS FOR UNKNOWN YEARS
been at work, and upon two sides has
great walls, scores of feet high. leaving
one opening and q second in case of
preat eruptions The new lake lies to
the east about half mile, and is nearly
round and has a diameter of not less than
eighty rods. This lake has thrown an
embankment all around itself probably
fifteen feet high, and is constantly
heightening it by lava flows. When
this lake becomes active it throws red
lava over this wall with q recklessness
that is truly reprehensible. The Little
Beggar is situated quite distance from
the new lake; it looks like lighthouse
built out of the remains OF the great
Chicago fire. 1t has an opening on the
side, near the apex, and out of THE con-
stantly dart the fiery tongues of this
subterranean hell.
During the eruption the molten lava
belches out Of this opening at an incredi-
BILE rate. Pele was the ancient god of
the Hawaiians. and because this was
throat shaped it was called the throat of
god. Strange to say many of the na-
tives still cling to their old superstitiOns
anent the volcano. This race is peculiar
ly superstitiOus. All that religion, ,educa-
ton, and science have done has not
thoroughly eliminated it. The Rev.
Mr.. Oleson. of the HilO Boys Boarding
School. records with great grlstO that he
and thirty boys slept in the crater. and
the boys evinced not particle of super
stitiOn. The Hawaiians used to offer
sacrifices to this great god. and some OF
them still observe that custom despite
the ridicule heaped upon the heads of
the devotees. Not long ago native
woman. widely known in the island, a
member of the church and having royal
blood in her veins, came to offer sacri-
fee. She brought pig. two roosters,
some taro-poi. and various other articles
The lake at this time WAS encrusted, the
fire having temporarily subsidized. The
nir was tied and heaved over INTO the
black lava.
II WAS HOT PLACE.
The protest Of the pig was grateful 70
the god and appeasing to the wNman's
conscience The roosters did not take
i. SO philosophical and religious a view of
the matter. Evidently'they had some
where got taste of the New Tho.
ology," and topped about until they
broke their fastenings and then new
away. The natives were frightened out
of their wits. believing that some awful
catastrophe was at hand; but that god
must be appeased and they gave stern
chase to those plucky unbelievers.
caught and fastened them securely, and
as the lake again broke up they were
cast into the fiery depths and swallowed
up by that burning that never ceases.
If this woman had been an ignorant re-
ligieuse We might charitably have said
that she mixed her theology very badly,
English and an intelligent woman. 1t is
not to be wondered at that the ignorant
natives regarded this house of everlast-
ing fire rs a god. No intelligent man
can approach this great wonder of na-
ture without more fully believing in
Genesis j., 1. The reverent student Of
nature and science looks upon this
mighty volcano and exclaims in the
words of the book of books, ''ln wisdom
Thou hast made them ALL"
The volcano is not always active.
Sometimes it quite dies down. A few
years ago Halemaumau sank down and
it was impossible with the naked eye to
see the bottom. Ordinarily this is not
true. The fire falls away several feet
from the top of the lake and at that
point the lava coOls sufficiently to allow
the formation of q crust of lava. 1t
looks like dirty snow. save here and
there red-hot lines four or five inches
wide extending across the crater. This
usually lasts about one hour and a halt.
Then this black crust begins to rise like
large leviathan out of the sea. 1t is fair
ly frightful to look upon.
THEN THE FIRE BURSTS OUT
in great columns and jets, throwing
great sheets of molten lava into the air.
The sound is similar to the swish and
swash of the waves of the ocean. When
the volcano is thus active the whole,
heavens seem to be on fire. and the lurid
glare lights the country for miles and
miles around. Angrier and angrier
grow the flames, until they leap Out,
sending out long lines of red hot lava,
and there they lie like pillows of fire,
exhausted yet terrible to behold. This
work goes on increasingly. What is to
be the future of this apparently gather
ing force no human can tell. The fires
are being pent up; they are exhibiting
nm awful restlessness that will not al
ways submit to restraint They un-
doubtedly will gather force until at last