The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1897-08-17
FAR Up NUUANU VALLEY
LUNAR RAINBOWS SEEN FROM
IUAKAHA."
City Folk Are Enjoying Refreshing
Breezes, Magnificent Views and
Glorious Sunsets.

At distance of four miles from
the city, up the Nuuanu Valley, there
is situated a beautiful summer resort
known as "Luakaha."
1t nestles picturesquely among the
hills. These hills rise on either side
to lofty height and their SUBMITS
are continually surrounded by float
ing clouds. The steep sides, broken
into deep glens and gulches, presents
a pleasing and unique appearance.
The tall grass waving in the wind
like a field of ripened grain, the light
and dark shade of the koa and kullui
trees, an underground of various spe-
cies of ferns gives the scene restful
and resfreshing sight. One has seen
more precipitous and more rugged
hills, but none so thiclily clothed with
a verdure which is so fresh and green.
The climate is delightful and cool.
An invigorating breeze continually
blows down from the Pail. And
to one coming here from the hot
and oppressive heat of the summer
sun and the dusty streets of Honolulu
it is an ideal spot.
From here one can look down into
the valley below. The city is spread
out like a panorama before us. The
ships are anchored in the placid har-
Dor or are coming and going with
their precious cargoes. From here, too,
one can view to advantage the mag
niticent sunsets that often paint the
heavens in gorgeous colors. The cloud
effects at such times are beyond de-
scription. No master hand could ever
transfer upon canvas the beauty of
the scene. The delicate tints and ever
changing colors to be seen in these
floating clouds, catching the rays of
the setting sun, would battle the paint
er's power of combination.
1t was our privilege to witness the
other evening another sight that call
ed forth our wonder and admiration.
1t was in the shape of two lunar rain
bows, which followed each other in
close succession. They formed them
selves into crescents, having for them
| background the darkened hills. So
bright were they that all the colors of
the rainbow could be distinctly seen.
That evening something like a cloud
burst occurred, which sent the waters
down the valleys and over the falls in
rushing torrents and cascades appear
ed on every side. The sound of the
rushing waters and the wind signing
in the trees, gave to the whole land
scape wild appearance. To one who
| had Just escaped the conyentionalities
of city life, it was extremely pleasant.
1t is delicious to get away from the
conventionalities of city life. One
feels as free as though he had been
loosed from some prison walls.
hate the conventionalities of modern
life, any way. They are chains that
tie down mems natural instincts.
They create unnaturalness and hypoc-
risy, so prevalent in our modern social
life. 1t is delicious, | say, to get away
from these and feel once more the
freedom which comes with our con-
tact with nature. Fancies grow apace
anu lllldS lhullOl ldhtS WHY'S Anu
business, the contradiction of our
fate. we for a time forget, and we
live for season in the luxury of idle
ness. And this Notwithstanding the
the good ACCOMPLISHMENT given to us
in our youthful days to never spend
an hour unemployed. for Satan finds
some mischief still for idle hands to
do. My own impression is that we
are not ilde enough.
In this hurrying, noisy, ambitious,
materialistic age we do not spend our
wears as a tale that is told, but as
dollars that are counted. This unrest
full age may indicate a high state of
civilization. If so. then we are too
highly civilized. We need to return
to more primitive state of things.
Idleness does not always indicate that
time is lost, or that energies are vast
ed: but it may indicate the accumula-
tion of power, an inspiration for life,
a purer spiritual conception of our
destiny. Surely the contemplation of
nature is no idle or mean task.
eff we could open and extend our eye
| We all, like Moses, should espy,
| Even in the bush. the radiant Deity"
The man who knows nature most
loves life best.
AN IDLER.