The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1892-08-13

verge of the fire sea. Prudence of
course suggests avoiding the active
spots, where cl0ts Of sporting lava
are too apt to ourn hole through
you, but other places are safe
and in one case sluggish 1
FIRE wave rolled to our very feet,
roasting us out, but doing no further
damage. The sight from the /
where one is as it were
in TIE very midst of the fires, is of an
oyerpowering snblimity and makes
an impression which nothing can
efface. If anyone ia ever disap-
pointed in the Volcano it must be-
cause he has not the patience or does
not take the pains to see it. We, who
made the descensus Averni, and al
most touched the fireworks, were not
could not be disappointed, and
agree with the Punahou boy who ex-
claimed in true Shakespearian vein:
tits the most grandest sight / ever
saw"
While we were in the pit there was
an overflow, which gave rs an oppor-
tunity to put 10 as many coins as the
hard times would allow, after which
we pulled the lava out and threw it
around--a more inexpensive amuse-
ment. It flows like thick molasses,
or like sugar from the vacuum pan.
The flow affords perfect chance to
observe just how the various folds
and complicated conVolutions in the
lava are produced, as one sees them
all in the making. Returning from
the pit, we reached the top of the
cliffs at twilight, and spent the night
there, a thing which can be done with
perfect comfort if one is only ''sus-
tanned and soothed" by suitable
supply of blankets and beverages,
grub" and guide.
Halemaumau itself is only one of
the many sights of which the Vol
cano House is center. A day-no,
days-may be spent In exploration of
the koa forest, the edge of which is
reached in a half-hour's walk. A
winding path through ferns and
scrub ohia leads to the crater of XII
lauea-iki, which is wonder in itself.
The lava caves, lying in the crater
of Kilauea, about a half-mile beyond
Halemaumau, are miracle of strange
beauty, and are full of the most sin
gular formations I do not speak of
the sulphur beds, the steam cracks,
the innumerable pretty hooks and
charming outlooks, which reward the
pedestrian. A month would not ex-
haust the possibilities Of the neigh
lJorhood in this direction, and in
point of fact month is about the
right time to stay-for those who
have no time to stay longer.
The Volcano House Co. are
pioneers in their line, and for the
first time in the history of the
country there is provided a de-
lightful resort where islanders
in search of health, rest and recrea-
ton can find what they seek without
leaving the Kingdom. Everyone
who visits the volcano House is
enthusiastic in it's praise, and 81
had no idea it was like this F" is a
remark one hears on every hand. As
soon az Honolulu people wake up to
what the volcano offers them, the
island trade alone should be enough
to keep the hotel full Mr.. Lee, with
his brother, Mr. Martin Lee, is q
most accommodating host, who does
everything possible for his guests
without stopping to inquire whether
1t Is so nominated In the bond, and
his efforts are ably seconded irIisy
wife, who Is q OBJ ~ ms
:. oliar1nIng hostess and
M universal favorite The servants
are polite and attentive, and the
management, while it naturally
still leaves some things to be de
sired, is in general good. The trav
eler meets with nothing but goo6
treatment from the moment he leaves
Honolulu until he gets back again
The staterooms on the Hall anc
Kinau are clean and well ventilated
two points Of cardinal importance OF
shipboard. The terrors of thu
passage have been enormousl.
exaggerated, and indeed they reall.
no longer exist. The voyage down i
frequently made without a particle
of inconvenience, even by as poo
sailors as myself. It should be re
marked, in passing. that travellers b,
the Kinau should not fail to return b
the Hall, as the voyage from Punalul
to Kailua is full of interest. Puma
luu itself is most picturesquely lc
Gated, and the neat little hotel unde
, the management of Mr.. Stone, wit
, its delightful swimming bath attach
ment, affords most pleasant place t
! break the journey. Travellers VIII
, cannot mount a horse, even for til
! last stretch of an easy eelven mile
! on the Hilo side, can come and G
/ via Punaluu, pending the eompletio
, of the Volcano road, and need nc
attempt the saddle at all.
= I feel that my attempts to give a
idea OF the attractions and adval
tages of the volcano trip are quit
, inadequate. L can only give it as N
1 experience and that of everyone wit
! whom / conversed that there
] nothing In the tourist line whic
I offers better returns of health an
! pleasure at a smaller outlay than
/ fortnight at the Volcano House.