Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-05-25
LANAI AND NIIHAU.
Two Interesting Islands Rarely vissssa =,
Tourists.

Tourists.
From the Paradise Of the Pacific
The island OF Lanai. with its delightful eli.
mate, is one Of the most interesting of thu
Hawaiian Islands. 1t is the principal sheen
growing district Of the kingdom, and from IA
are chiefly drawn the mutton supplies for Hon.
olulu The island is about ten miles from La
hama and some seventy-two miles by way of
the latter from Honolulu 1t has an extreme
breadth Of twenty-five miles, with a width At
its broadcast part of thirteen miles, while the
highest point Of its ring-shaped mountain
ridges has an altitude of 8. 500 feet above sea
level. To the visitor approaching it by sec
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 be-
yond. or OF the timber and shrub-covered
ridges and ravises with which il 10 inter-
spersed. Nevertheless. some 5000 or So 600
sheep and lambs here fatten upon the succu-
lent grasses, as well some 500 horses 500
horned cattle and goats and hogs Wild tur-
keys almost without number also inhsbit the
island. During ten months there were shipped
from this island some s. 900 sheep and numbers
of cattle and horses. Very large Quantities
and an excellent quality OF wool are also
clipped here and shipped to the United States
England and other countries.
Lanai is noted for the extent and charsctev
of its fisheries. 1t was once the favorite fsh-
ing resort Of Hawaiian royalty. The island m
the sixth in point Of size of the group. and in
common with its sister isles 10 clearly and nm
mistakably of volcanic origin. The round and
land-lOcked valley of Palawsi. with it's grassy
plain containing more than 10000 acres of rich
soil. was IN ages pact the crater Of 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 aud gases beneath the earth's crust The
island is also unique in that il is the only one
of the group which has coral reef on the
fee simple and partly in leasehold by Mr.. Fred
II. HayseldeI, Its ownership having been
originally acquired by the late ex-Premier
Gibson. from whom il descended to Mr. Hay-
selden and his wife. who is a daughter Of that
prominent and ambitious statesman since
Mr.. Gibson's death Mr.. Hayselden has. from
time to time added largely to his landed pos
sessions, and the entire island. with the sx.
cept;on OF a few kuleanas lnative homesteadsl
is now under his control. The Kanaka popu-
lation Is now In the neighborhood Of two hun.
dred and fifty, who are engaged in cultiyatine
small patches, in sheep herding and in fishing.
One of the places of interest here 10 the native
temple where in the old days the heathenish
rites were wont to be performed.
Lanai is in places well supplied with water,
there are springs and several small streams
in ravines and upon the beach in different
places wells have been sunk which furnish a
liberal supply Of fresh water. There is one
perpetualriver 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 botanist especially
will obtain much food for study and entertain
ing research among the numerous canons Gov.
cred with shrubs and forests
The island Of Niihau is the eighth in sixe of
the islands composing the Hawaiian Archi-
pelago, and the last of any importance from
commercial, agricultural or stock-raising
standpoint II lies TO the southwest of Kauai,
whence 1t Is reached after an at times agree
able passage by steamer. or the traveller whose
time Is valuable can cross the narrow passage
which separates II from that island by the ever
convenient whaleboat The islet has an area Of
about 10000 acres. or something over l0s square
miles. Ii was once more thickly populated. bus
is now little more than a large sheep ranch.
more than one-haf the land. or 10000 acres,
being the property of Gay 4 Robinson. the
owners OF the Makaweli estate on the neighbor-
ing island OF Kauai. and the population con-
slsting chiefly of shepherds and employees OF
that hrm- A line grass which is indigenous
here and is not TO be found elsewhere. though
closely resembling the Guayaqu grass. used in
the manufacture of Panama hats was formerly
woven into Nlihau mats. which were noted for
their great delicacy and softness. These mats
were woven in different designs and colors. and
were really beautiful. They are now very rare,
and of late years the price. which formerly
ranged from IS to Sill or so apiece, has adj
vanced in an almost exorbitant degree. Shells
OF great beauty and Of many varieties are found
upon the shores, and those with a reddish
coral-colored seed arc gathered by the not over
industrious natives, and. being strung into
necklaces and similar ornaments, are disposed
of TO their fellow countrymen and TO foreigners
Considerable taste and ingenuity are displayed
in the manufacture of these pretty articlesi
and as tourists are, as rule. ready 20 pay
Literally for curiosities, the natives derive
considerable income from their sale.