The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1893-04-26
AT KILAUEA.
Two Notable Visits to the Crater
Christianity versus Pagansm.

the Hawaians for her goodness of
nature, but with no ancient high line
age to command their honor and rever-
ence-Kapiolani the great was a
daughter of the famous High Chieftain
Keawe mauhili of Hilo, and by her
deeds proved herself the greatest chief
ess of her time-greater even than that
other remarkable heather woman, Kaa-
humanu, whn did SO much to emanci-
pate Hawaiians from the thralldom Of
superstition. AT one time Incorporate
and dssolute, up embracing Christ
ianity Kapiolanl became shining ex-
ample of civilized virtue and propriety.
To her, of all the natives, came the
conception of the great deed for which
her name is worthy of most honor
The tabus were thrown down, the di.
vinity that hedged the King had been
shown to be of earthly origin, and the
gods were relegated to oblivion, but ON
the far mountain height, in her temple
of the eternal fire, Pele still reigned
supreme, feared by all alike.
IL WdS I'LL bCOCIlDCly 10 ~ lllS OlAl
runs, that Kapiolani determined to-
break the spell of native belief in Pele,
to visit the goddess in her temple and
defy her power. Husband, friends,
even the missionaries, attempted to
dissuade her, but the great chefess was
firm in her resolve to show her faith in
the God of the Christians. Those who
remember the trials and fatigues of the
trip to the volcano, to day, by steamer,
train, carriage and on horseback, will
understand something of the personal
cost at which Kapiolani travelled, on
foot, the distance from Kealakekua to
Hilo, $50 miles, to visit the crater.
There was no Volcano road in those
days; no Fern trail; no pathway over
the lava bed; but over ragged volcanic
rocks that tore her hands and feet,
through the dense tropical undergrowths
of the forest and across the turbulent
mountain streams, the great Queen
forced her weary way to fulfill her
noble mission Arriving at the volcano,
Kapiolani met the priestesS of Pele,
who warned her not to go near the
crater, and predicted her death if she
dared violate the tabus of the fiery
goddess.
"Who are your" demanded Kapio
lani. Zone in whom the goddess
dwells," was the reply. In answer the
chiefess quoted passages of Scripture
descriptive of the greatness and power
of the supreme God. A pretended
letter from Pele was brought to her,
but her reply was only to quote other
passages and to speak of the true God,
until the priestess was silenced and
= confessed that Keakua, the deity, had
left her Kapiolani then went forward
to the crater, where she was surprised
to find Mr.. Goodrich, the missionary,
who, hearing of her expedition, had
come to meet her. On the eastern
edge OF the crater shelter was built
for her, and there, looking toward the
flaming lake, the chiefess spent the
night. venture to say that there are
few men or women living to-day who
would care to do the same, alone and
ignorant of the possible dangers of that
awe-inspiring region But this poor,
half-civilized, wholly uneducated wo-
man had the blood of many generations
of great chiefs in her veins, and her
soul was fired with the spirit that
makes martyrs. Who can tell what
thoughts were hers as she lived through
that night? Did she sleep at all, one
wonders3 Did the matchless nerve
that had sustained her falter at all
No one can say, for she was alone in
this brave deed.
The next morning, with a company
Of about eighty of her people, she DIES
cended over 500 feet to the "Black
Ledge" where, in full view of the boil.
ing, raging crater, with its many dart
ing tongues of fire, she ate of the sacred
ohelo berries, the luscious little rec
fruit that grows up in the lava and sui
phur beds, and we're conseCrated tc
Pele, and threw stones into the burn
ing lake, saying, Jehovah is my God
He kindled these fires. l fear no
Pele. If perish by her anger, Their
you may fear Pele; but if trust ii
Jehovah, and he preserve me wher
breaking her tabus, then you must fea
and serve him alone" Then they sans
hymn of praise to God, and kneelnl
upon the brink of the everlasting
fire." they prayed to him. In all tht
annals of history occurs no subllmer
example of high moral courage.
Now for another royal visit to the
crater.
This one occurred early in 1890
The islands had enjoyed siXtysix year
of culture, educational and civilizin
influences since the great chiefes
broke the tabu of Pele. Queen Liliu
okalani, having assembled to the throne
was making a tour of the islands, an,
visited Hilo, going thence, as she hel
self has written in the record book {
the Volcano House, "to pay due VOL
ship to Madame Pele." OF course sh
had no fear of the dismantled goodies
for Liliuokalani is Tor was) Christa
ruler. She is said, moreover, to be a
enlightened and cultivated woman, an
of course as such could never be sui