The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-06-01
LANAI AND sIIHIU.
Two Interesting Islands Rarely visited
by Tourists.

by Tourists.
climate. is one OF the most interesting
OF the Hawaiian Islands. II Is the prin-
oipal sheep. growing district OF the king
dom, and from II are chiefly drawn me
mutton supplies for Honolulu. The Is
land is about ten miles from Lanaina,
and some Seventy-two miles by way OF
the latter from Honolulu. IL has an exc
treme breadth Of twenty-five miles. with
a width at it's broadcast part OF thirteen
miles while the highest point Of it's ring
shared mountain ridges has an altitude
$500 feet above the sea level. To the
visitor approaching IT by sea, Lanai has
by no means an inviting appearance,
the brown slopes rising toward the inner
range in almost every direction, giving
no indication OF the rich grass-covered
lands which lie beyond, or OF the timber
and shrub-covered ridges and rayiles
with which Il is interspersed. Neverthe-
less. some Is 900 or $1,000 sheep and lambs
here fatten upon the succulent grasses
as well as some GOO horses. 800 horned
cattle and goats and hogs. Wild turkeys
almost without number also inhabit the
island. During ten months there were
shipped from this island some 5000 sheep
and numbers OF cattle and horses. Very
large quantities and an excellent quality
Of wool are also clipped here and shipped
10 the United States, England, and other
countries
Lanai Is noted for the extent and char
acter Of its fisheries IL was once the
favorite fishing resort Of Hawaiian roy
atty. The island is the sixth In point OF
size Of the group, and in common with
it's sister isles is clearly and Enthusiastically
Of volcanic origin. The round and land
locked valley of Palawal. with is grassy
plain containing more than 10000 acres OF
rich soil, was in ages past the crater OF
n great volcano, which. after the great
upheaval which forced the chain upward
through and above the waters. still served
as a. vent for the molten mass and gases
beneath the earth's crust. The Island is
also unique in that It is the only one OF
the group which has a coral reef on the
vindward side. The island is held partly
in fee simple and partly In leasehold by
Mr.. Frederick H. Hayselden, its owner
ship having been originally acquired by
the late ex-Premier Gibson. from whom
IL descended 10 Mr.. Hayselden and his
wife. who IS a daughter OF that prominent
and ambitious statesman. Since MT. Gid
sons death, Mr.. Hayselden has, from
time 10 time. added largely 10 his landed
possessions. and the entire island with
the exception OF few kuleanas native
homesteads), is now under his control
The Kanaka population is now In tho
neiehborhood Of go, who are engaged
in cultivating small patches, In sheep
herdng and In fishing. One Of the places
OF interest here is the native temple,
where. in the old days. the heathenish
rites were wont 10 be performed.
Lanai is In places well supplied with
water; there are springs and several
small streams in ravnes, and upon the
beach I'm different places wells have been
sunk. which furnish a liberal supply Of
flesh water. There is one perpetual
river or rivulet which flows through the
ravine Of Maunalei. The lovers Of the |
grand and beautiful in nature will here
find much to crafty, and the the botanist'
especially will obtain much food for
study and entertaining research among
the numerous canons cOVerc with shrubs
and forests.
The island Of Nihau IS the eighth In
size Of the islands composing the Ha-
walian Archipelago, and the last Of any
Importance from a commercial. agrlcul-
tural or stock-raising standpoint. 1t lies
TO the southwest Of Kaunai. whence IL |
is reached after an al times agreeable |
passage by steamer, or the traveller whose /
time is valuable can cross the narrow /
passage which separates IL from that /
1SlanQ hN lne eNeI-tOllNtnltII Nntlf -bDdAs /
The islet has an area Of about 10000 acres,
or something over 100 square miles. It
was once more tbickly populated but Is
now little more than a large sheep ranch,
more than one-half the land, or 1000
acres. being the property Of Gay & Rob
inson. the owners Of the Makaweli estate,
on the neighbOring island Of Kauai. and
the population consisting OF chiefly Of
shepherds and employees Of that firm. A
fine grass which is Indigenous here. and
is not TO be found elsewhere, though close
~ resembling the Guayaquil grass. used in
the manufacture Of Panama hats, was
formerly woven into Niihau mats, which
were noted for their great delicacy and
sOftness. These mats were woven in diff
ferent designs and colors, and were
really beautiful. They are now very rare,
and Of late years the price, which for 7
merly ranged from five dollars to eleven
dollars or so a piece. has advanced in an
almost exorbitant degree Shells Of great
beauty and OF many varieties are found
upon the shores, and those with a reddish,
,Oral-cOlOred seed are gathered by the
not over-industrious natives, and, being |
strung into necklaces and similar orna-
nents are disposed OF TO their fellow
and 10 foreigners. COnsid-
'rable taste and ingenuity are displayed
n the manufacture of these pretty arti-
les; and as tourists are. as a rule, ready
o pay literally for curiosities, the natives
ierive considerable income from their
Of the Pacific.