The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1896-03-06
A Midnight Journey to Haleakala
the Blouse of the Sun"

From Honolulu to Mauri is but ShOr
voyage. The little inter-sland steamship
Claudine, belonging to the Wilder Steam
ship Company, left Honolulu on Tuesday
Dec 8, 1896, carrying ourselves among Other
passengers, and, at SIX o'clock the next day
dropped anchor in the harbor of Kakului.
The first glance of Kakului is by NJ
means inspiring. A collection of low
houses along beach washed by the surf
railway train, consisting OF one passenger
and one flat car, in waiting, and dozen OF
more Chinese huts were all that were visl
bic. There was not sign of hotel Oh
place where the weary traveller might rest
A French lady, Madam Waldf0gel, who
lived in Paia, her husband, swiss, being q
merchant there, went ashore in the same
boat with myself.
You are a stranger here?' she asked.
Eyes, madam. Can you tell me if | can
fsnd hotel in Kakuluip"
"No. There is none"
"NO restaurantr'
ga Chinaman keeps miserable restaur-
ant there, but don't go to his place. live
in Paia. You had better come with me-"
l thanked her very kindly, and at once
accepted her very welcome invitation. Our
boat load consisted of this lady, myself, one
native woman and child, two white men
from Honolulu, and dozen or more Kama
kas. 4sa
Are you going up to Haleakala ?" asked
one of the young men from Honolulu.
l answered that was.
I'VE are going to-day and would be glad
70 have your company"
AS it made but little difference to me
when went up to the great extinct volca-
no, consented to make the trip at once.
My friend, Mr.. }. s. Colville, at Paia, would
send for me, and provide me with guide
and horses for the ascent.
We landed and while | was placing my
valise and umbrella on the fiat car Madam
WaldfOgel went into the station and tele-
ph0ned to her husband that she was coming
home with stranger to breakfast.
:, After ride OF six or seven miles, passing
through Specklesville, we reached Paia
The kind and hospitable Swiss gentleman,
Mr.. WaldfOgel. met us at the depot in Para,
and seem as pleased to meet me as if | had
been an old acquaintance. He insisted on
carrying my baggage to his store, telephon-
cd my arrival to MIR. Colville, the manager
of the Paia plantation, and urged me to go
TO the house and have breakfast with him
self and wife.
The Chinese servants had prepared an
excellent breakfast, which we had scarcely
finished when | was told that my friend
Mr.. COlville had arrived and awaited me at
the gate. He had come over from the plan
tatOn on horseback, and brought Japan
csc boy with horse and brake to convey
me and my luggage to house. He asked il i
wanted to make! the ascent that day, and
being informed did, said l had better stop
ing with the young men from Honolulu,
whose names were Harry and Ed. Benner.
We met at the planters office and arrang
cd to starSas soon after twelve as possible.
The Honolulu gentlemen were to procure
horses at the home of Mr.. Baldwin and
meet us at place about five miles along on
the road.
Before starting Mr.. Colville showed me
about the plantation, and explained the
system OF irrigation. l saw hundreds of
busy Japs and Cinnamon at work in his
fields. The system by which the water is
cane supplied, requires very Skiflful engi-
neering. Mr.. COlville was for three years
the manager of both the Paia and Haiku
plantations. Under his skilful supervision
the Paia plantation has been made the sec
ond best best paying plantation on the is
lands
AS we were to start at twelve sharp a
lunch was made ready at half past eleven,
and Mrs COlville prepared some sand
wicheS and cakes for myself and guide
while on the mountain. This guide was a
young portuguese named Manual Davera,
faithful and capable fellow.
We mounted our SteedS and galloped
down long, broad road, as smooth and
hard as turnpike. On either side were
vast cane fields with men, women and chill
dren at work in them.
The place at which we were to meet the
Benners from Honolulu was a crossroads
store kept by Chinaman. Here we tied
our horses and went TO the porch, where
perched myself, to wait, on a dry goods
box, meanwhile watching a Chinese tailor
manipulate sewing machine.
Presently white man came to the store
from the telephone and said that the Ben
ners were detained and for us to wait for
them. L sat on my goods box, kicked my
heels against it, the Chinese tailor made his
machine hum, and Manuel, who sat on the
w irin Lad
cigarette and smoked in silence. A herd
of horses were driven along the dusty road
which was followed a few moments later
by herd of cattle. A hOrseman was dis
covered galloping around a bend in the
road. L started up hoping it was one of the
Benners, and expected the other to come
out OF the lane IN moment, but the rider
proved to be a school miss riding a la Ha-
waiian In divided skirts. Manuel sighed,
said we would be late, rolled another cigar
cite, and watched the road impatiently.
AT the elevation we now were the wind
was blowing an autumn gale, and the
leaves rustled somewhat as they do in New
England in September.
Time passed. School was out and the
children had gone home, when a carriage
drawn by span of black horses, came from
the lane and drove up to the store. My
Honolulu friends were in the rear seat, and
/ fastened to greet them. They apolOgized
for the delay they had OccssiOned. and as
soon as possible We were on our way gaIlOp-
ing along road which grew sleeper at every
step.
ilaleakala seemed only a stones throw
away, tho it was really twelve miles to the
"pak. A cloud rested on the side as il it
loved the mountain and would not leave it.
The main road dwindied away to a noun
tain path, sometimes leading up a steep
sandy plain, then across a prairie cut up
with deep gOrges or through a clump of
trees. We crossed ravine nearly one hun
dred feet deep, and scared up a flock of
wild turkeys.
The ascent grew sleeper and the all cold.
or. At last. at about half-past four, 0linda
was reached. Olinda is the summer resi-
dence of Mr.. II. p. Baldwin. the wealthy
sugar planter. II Is a large, delightful
house in temperate region, surrounded by
temperate flowers, and the grounds beauti-
fnlIv adorned. IL is well furnished and left
in charge of a Japanese, who. however,
could not he found anywhere. We climbed
In AZ a window, maze a fire in the range
and prepared our supDers. while the guide
.ook care of the horses. The house had a
seserted appearance. Evidences of child
.ccunancy could be- seen in the dolls and
n i -