Thomas County cat., 1890-05-01
KILAUEA VOLCANO.
A Delightful Trip Via the Kinau-A Sight
to Be Seen Nowhere Else in the World.
HONOLULU, II. L, Mch. 13, 1890.

Yonr readers should understand that
a visit to the Hawaiian Islands Is not
complete and shoald not be considered
without including trip to the volcano
of Kileuea on the Island of Hawaii.
1t is the only place IN the world where
volcano in real action can be seen.
Vesuvius in comparison would be to
Kilauea as tallow candle to an arc
electric light. This is the verdict OF
people who have seen both.
We arrived in Honolulu on Friday,
February Z. and on Tuesday February
1S. we started for the volcano.
This gave us eleven days IN which to
rest from the ocean voyage, see Homo
lulu. and become acquainted with the
condit ons and necessit ;es Of the volca-
no trip In the earlier times it was an
extensive and arduous trip to under
take, especially for ladies or people
who could not undergo a considerable
amount Of physical fatigue. but now
it is not only easy to make, but is
most delightful trip.
A few inquiries as to how to go. de-
cided us that there was practically but
one route-and that is by the Wilder
Steamship company's beautiful little
steamer, .sKinau." 1t is an iron boat.
and was built especially for inter-
island travel The fare for the round
trip from Honolulu to the volcano and
return rs only $4,000, and this not
only includes passage on the steamer,
but includes horses. carriages, hotel
bills at the Volcano house. guides into
\ the crater, and all the necessary ex-
penses of the entire trip.
You have the choice of two routes
after you reach the Island of Hawaii,
one to go via Keauhou and the other
via Hilo. We went via Keauhou and
returned via Hilo, which makes pleas.
ant trip, but the writer prefers the
Hilo route both ways, as l think the
reader will.
Leaving Honolulu at 2p. m., Tues
day, we steamed out Of the harbOr past
Waikiki and Diamond Point, and
steered for the Laau point on the
Island of Molokai although we did not
make any stop on this island. There
is nothing of special interest on this
island except the leper settlement, and
this is on the opposite side of the
island.
Passing the island OF Lanai, we made
our first stop at Lahaina, a beautiful
little place on the island of Maui. Dur
ing the night we touched at Maalaea
and Makena, both on Maui. and passed
the island of Kahoolawe, small island
and not inhabited.
The next morning We landed at
Mahukona, orr first stopping place on
the island of Hawaii. Here we went
ashore and amused ourselves in various
ways for two or three hours. while our
steamer was discharging and receiving
her freight, when we proceeded ten
miles farther down the coast to ka-
waihae. The only attraction here is
the remains Of an ancient Hawaiian
temple where in the years gone by be-
fore the civilization of the natives, they
used to offer human sacrifices to their
idol gods. The remains of this are in
good state of preservation.
At Mahukona there is a railroad some
90 miles long that runs to the sugar
district of Kohala and brings the sugar
to the landing where it is transferred to
the boats.
Retracing our steps we now go
around Upolu Point and take the wind
ward side of the island and touch at
Lapauhoehoe aGd land at Hilo. Here
the steamer usually stays until morn
ing and then land her Hilo passengers
and those going to the volcano via Hi
10, but as our party was going via ke-
auhou, we steamed on and reached the
latter place in the morning. Here
we mounted horses and rode . miles
over old lava beds to Mr.. Pogue's
house. 1 was glad to take this ride
for it gave me Il good idea Of the form
alton of the country from lava flows o.
former times. At Mr.. Pogues We
were transferred to carriages and had
beautiful nine mile rice up the noun
tain to the Volcano house. [ use the
term ''up the mountain" and it is cor
rect, but the ascent is so gradual that
you hardly realize you are travelling up
hill.
Bleaching the volcano house the
rest of the party contented themselves
with resting after their ride. lounging
on the yerandahs, viewing the crater
from the bill, visiting the immense sui
phur banks made by the sulphur
fumes which arise from the crevices in
the ground and deposit the sulphur in
Sgreat banks. But as the writer and
wife wanted all the time possible at
Hilo. to visit old friends of the family,
we hurried on into the crater the same
afternoon.
At 3:45 p m, with our rain coats, a
stout walking stick, lantern and a
canteen of water. We started, our guide
ahead of us, for Dana Lake.
The elevation of the mountain is
4.400 feet above the sea, and we were
at the topmost point. Descending
down the hill 500 feet we reach the
crater of the volcano. How can 1 tell
you what it is like? l know Of nothin g
familiar to your readers to which 1 can
compare it, and there is nothing to
which it can be compared, for there is
nothing else like it anywhere in the
world As said il is 500 feat below