The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1899-07-08
LAVA
RIVERS
FLOW
Molten Streams
From Mauna
LOa.
MOKUAWEOWEO'S CRATER
Explosions Fire Fountains
Letters From KIIauea
and Punaluu.
MOKUAWEOWEO'S CRATER
ERUPTION OF MoKUAwEowEo

ERUPTION OF MOKUAWEOWEO
Madame Pele is at 1t again. Once
more the grandest spectacular scene
of all nature is witnessed on Hawaii.
Mauna Loa is in eruption. The news
was brought by the w. G.. Hall yester-
day morning and created intense cX-
citement all over the city. Everybody
was talking about it, and incidentally
the kamaainas brought out stories of
the great eruptions OF former days.
Every berth on the Hall for the next
trip is taken by people anxious TO see
the pyrotechnic display of the fire
goddess. 1t is thought that the City
of Columbia will be brought into serv-
ice also.
The outbreak was first noticed at
about . o'clock on the morning OF the
Fourth. The guests Of the Volcano
House were awakened by a loud explo-
sion. All was calm and quiet in thu
direction of Kilauea, where eruptions
have been expected recently. But over
toward Mauna Loa there was diff
ferent sight. From the side OF the
mountain at Mokuaweoweo. about
5000 feet from the summit, gushed the
streams OF molten lava, turning night
into day, as they lit up the heavens
and the surrounding country with
their bright radiance. On each side OF
the main flow geysers OF fire burned
and seethed as they threw the fiery el-
ement into the air in all fantastic
shapes. According to many OF the old
residents there has never been an
eruption that eXcelled in dazzling
beauty the present one.
There are two streams of the fiery
lava. One is on the Kau side, and II
this one keeps on the Government
road. midway between Punaluu and
the Volcano House. has probably been
overwhelmed before this. This flow Is
following very much the same course
as that OF 1881. The other stream is
making towards Hilo. This one Is not
so large as the one on the Kau side.
The officers and passengers of the
Hall witnessed the spectacle in all its
grandeur. The steamer was loading
sugar at Punaluu, when early on the
morning of the Fourth the night be-
came as day. The source OF light was
easily visible. From far up on Mauna
Loa, and yet some distance from the
giants crown, the bright light came.
The lava flow had started. The cry
that the volcano was in eruption rap
idly went about the ship. and every
BODY rushed on deck to view the mag
nificent exhibition. II was plainly ev-
ident that there We're two streams
starting from the vicinity OF Makua-
weoweo. one over Kau toward the sea.
the other toward Hilo. Until daylight
and after the wonderful display con-
tinued. Occasionally clouds OF smoke
would momentarily obscure the view.
only to be waited one side disclosing
the seething, glowing, fiery mass.
The reflection was plainly visible at
Lahaina, Maui. \ number OF people
returning from the Fourth OF July
races at Kahului noticed a bright glow
in the direction OF Mauna Lol, and
those who had witnessed former eTup-
tions surmised that Madame Pele had
awakened from her long sleep.
The area being traversed, 50 far a
can be learned, is arid and barren.
and the different flows will not dam
age any of the cultivated land.
Excursion parties were organized in
Hilo and surrounding places as soon
as the flow began. Honolulu Is not 20
be outdone, and hundreds OF people
have expressed their determination 20
go if possible.