The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1893-02-20
A VISIT TO "KALALAU," KAUAI.
Written for the ADVERTISER. !

Written for the ADVERTISER.
So little is known of the valley of
Kalalau," besides being a place of
refuge for those unfortunates at
tackled by leprosy, that brief sketch
of the place and its surrounding, etc,
may interest your readers.
Kalalau is situated on the northern
extremity of the Island of Kauai,
and can only be reached by two
mountain passes--one from the west
ern side of the island via Waimea,
perpendicularly down the mountain
by sort of hand-over- hand motion,
clinging on to roots of shrubs, ETC. !;
the other from Haena, along the en-
tire sea side slopes of the mountains.
Both are exceedingly dangerous, and
known only to residents in Kalalau
and their families. Possibly land
ing by sea may be effected during
the months of April and May, but
even at that time it is considered
fool hardy. On arrival at the port of
Hanalei, the nearest point at which
the inter island steamers call, travel
can be done on horseback as far as
Haena-the place at which the caves
so much spoken of can be seen. Hav-
ing arrived at this point, and engaged
the services of some native going to
Kalalau, the long and tiresome jour
ney of climbing the mountains and
passes on foot commences.
After two hours travel, one finds
himself at the nice little valley of
Hanakapiai, which is leased by Mr..
Deverell here there are two COM
Portable grass huts which come in
very acceptably for few minutes
rest. Continuing our journey for
another two and half hours of very
dangerous passes overlooking the
sea, the valley of Hanakoa presents
itself. There are several Janapese
living here who cultivate taro, and
who although isolated appear very
contented.
From this valley onward, the most
dangerous and precipitous passes
have to be crossed, one particularly
of about forty five feet in length,
with toe-hold of only two inches
along a perpendicular mountain;
there are notches cut out in the rock
in which dear-life grip is held, and
although natives appear to cross here
fearlessly, yet glance below of
direct drop into the sea of seven to
eight hundred feet would test the
nerves of the stoutest hearts.
Another two hours and our weari-
some journey is at an end, and with
fingers torn by thorns and blistered
feet we arrive at our destination.
The range Of mountains here forms
a horse shoe shape, bounded at either
end by the sea within lies the beau
tiful valley of ''Kalalau," a valley
which surpasses any other on these
islands in beauty and grandeur.
Oranges, lemons, bananas, coffee,
taro, ETC., ETC., grow most luxuriantly,
and provided as the natives are with
copious supply of mountain
streamlets, as well as cattle, horses,
chickens, pigs and ducks, ali crea-
ture comforts are obtainable and it
would seem as if better spot could
not have been selected in which the
poor afflicted creatures might pass
their days of misery. There are
eighty eight souls all told in "ka-
lalau"-of which twenty have lep-
rosy in its worst stages. The re-
naming sixty-eight (relatives of the
sick) perhaps are more or less
tainted, but from all exterior APPEAR
ances there are many whose skin
appears spotless and without
blemish, indeed more healthy look
ing than many of their sisters and
brethren in Honolulu. A more
happy and contented village of ma :.
tives could not be found, daily and
nightly there are luaus with singing
and dancing. when beverage made
from the tt root is INDUCED in. The
sick never mix promiscuously with
their we'll relatives-that is-for my
experience-but so far as I could
ascertain they kept and lived by
themselves at the head of the valley.
There are ten very nice and neatly
built wooden houses, clearly and
comfortablN furnished and fifteen
trash huts. There is small native
place of worship and school, con-
Quoted by "a native whose efforts
seem to be Effective.
En- fnalAit is worth mentioning
that only natives pure and simple
are resideniP in 'Kalalau," and the
desire of 2e people is that their
tainted brei hren thus segregated
may be allo1ed to pass their days of
misery witk.a reach of their families
and provide with such creature
comforts as II be obtainable in this
lovely and picturesque valley.
u ANTIGoNE.