The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1892-08-13
rHE CITY OF HONOLULU.
I'M AND ABOUT THE CAPITAL or
THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS.

The Attractions OF HonoIuluvIts Har-
Dor and Coral Reefs = Picturesque
epenery-Loty Peaks and Stretching
Pisins-A city or BeastifuI Homes.
Honolulu, meaning sheltered slope, is
tho chief and capital city of the Hawaiian
Kingdom, and Is situated on the only
good harbor the group Of islands affords,
and on the Ieeward or southwest side OF
the Island OF Oahu pronounced Wah-hoo)
which is one OF the most northerly, and
geofog callY-Rone of the oldest OF the
Islands.
From the heights valleys OF erosion de-
scend at short intervals. Up some of
these roads have been built and are lined
on either side with plantations and
ranches, and among the most agreeable Of
excursions, OF which there are many to be
made, are drives up these valley roads.
There are three tuia cones, broad craft
ers OF shot-like lava sand, which are the
remains OF late submarine eruptions.
These are low and broad, none OF them
over 200 feet high. One jast back OF the
city and within its limits Is called Punch
bowl from its form and outline. A good
road OF easy grade winds round and up
II and through the crater to point over
looking the city, from whence Is a most
superb view OF the whole southwestern
outline of the island which, in the sum-
mer, affords most interesting picture of
its plantations and its many beautiful
homes nestled 10 n wealth Of tropical ver-
dnre.
The harbor proper is an inlet, through
the ringing reefs OF coral, quite narrow
and giving anchorage inside to but
limited number of vessels. This, how
ever, could be improved by artificial
means, and this is about to be under
taken. Nearly all around the island are
outlying coral reefs which stretch from
100 yards to a mile or SO beyond the
beaches. Over these the ocean surf ever
breaks, but inside the waters are shallow
and in many places with sandy bottoms,
ahording In its warm waters most de-
hghtful bathing, to which the foreigners
ns well as the natives are much given, and
they may be seen at all hours enjoying its
excitement. Just back of the Punchbowl
rises long spur eliminating in q peak
about Zoo feet high, called Tantalus.
Up this mountain an excellent carriage
road has been recently built to very nearly
tho top. Along this road at an elevation
of about 800 feet, much OF the crown
land has been plated for sale for mount
ain residences. This road is fayorite
excursion route for tourists, horseback
riders and picknickers, and the view from
the summit is magnificent, covering, as 1t
does, not only Honolulu and it's environs
but the whole grand billowy mass OF
mountain range to the northwest and
south.
The favorite excursion Is up Muuanu
Valley, which, gradually rising, reaches
ut six miles the Pail q. e., precipice),
where, at a turn in the road, you enter a
grand gateway or gap between lofty peaks
ON each side, and find you are upon the
edge Of a precipice over a thousand feet
In height, descending almost perpendicu-
lar to the sea level below. Down this
precipice, by skillful engineering, the
government has built a road by which
pack bearers and animals may easily de-
scend, but along which light carriages
only can be taken. This precipice stretches
for twenty miles, and between 1t and the
sea Ii an almost level plain whose rich, red
volcanic soil is cultivated in cane and
rice.
Honolulu is practically an American
city and the best society here is leavened
with the inheritance which has come down
from the early American missionaries,
just as our country's civilization is so
ieavened with its early Puritanism. It is
a city OF hospitable, intelligent people
and place of beautiful houses and gar
dens. The prosperity which has resulted
from trade, commerce and sugar planting
has been largely invested in beautiful
homes nesting among a vegetation thor
oughly tropical in character, though
largely introduced from other regions.
Good government, condition OF peace,
law-abiding society, good roads, munici-
pal government, liberal and yet conserva-
tive, police and fire departments; 1t has
many noble charities and benefcences
founded by members OF the royal line and
by the concerted action OF the benevolent.
It hasa public school system, by means
Of which every native and foreign child
is taught. 1t has societies for the culti-
walton of social science and for the inyes-
tigation of archaeology and ethnology.--
Frederick Stearns, in Detroit Free Press.
a. rg- .g5s