The Hawaiian gazette., 1907-05-28
(By r. o. Matheson.)


Yesterday morning the members of
the Congressional party returned 10
Honolulu from Hawaii and although
all had enjoyed almost every minute
of their trips among the other Islands
there was a general satisfaction at be-
ing once again in the capital. AS the
Kinau steamed past Diamond Head
and swept in towards the harbor past
Waikiki many of the visitors an
nounced that beautiful as were many
of the scenes they had had presented
before them after all the verdure-clad
shore of Oahu was the one scene
which would dwell longest in their
memory The voyage over had been
delightful one, the waters being as
smooth as a mill pond throughout the
run, tempting the party to remain long
on deck the night before, watching the
glimmer of the moonlight flashing in
the vessels wake and listening to the
Hawaiian melodies sung by num-
ber of the party.
| In nearly very respect the trip made
| by the Congressman to the crater or
| Kilauea was the grand climax of all
their wanderings through the islands.
| 1t is true that Pele was in one of her
duiescent moods on the occasion of the
visit, but the scene was impressive
and grand enough without any of the
displays for which the fire goddess Is
noted The first glimpse into the
yawning pit of Halemaumau produced
a like feeling of awe on each one of
the party, feeling which remained
| throughout the several hours spent on
the edge, although wearing away in
some to an extent allowing them to
toss empty bottles into the depth to
time the fall. The second night
number of the party who had stayed
over paid second visit to the pit and
this time Pele favored them with an
occasional glimpse of her everlasting
fires, the glowing lava bottom and
cleaning assures being seen as the
swirling smoke was lifted for the mo-
ment from the pit
A UNIQUE DINNER.
One of the pleasantest features OF
the visit to Hawaii and unique ex-
perence was the dinner served at the
edge of the fire pit. the toothsome
viands having been cooked by the
heat supplied from the depths. In the
history of Kiauea this was the first
dinner to have been so served, but the
degree the appetites Of the three score
who sat about the rose and fern-be-
decked tables. Although served miles
away from the Volcano house the table
furnishings lacked nothing, the SER
vice was excellent and the meal was
voted unanimously as the best which
had up to that time been furnished.
After dinner the health of Madame
Pele was proposed by L. A. Thurston.
who. In a most interesting address, re-
lated the legend of Pele and gave
much frst-hand information of the
vagaries of the goddess and her won-
drous manifestations at Kilauea. With
the reeking pit before them and the
miles of steaming, tumbled and gnari
ed lava beds surrounding them, the
terse explanations of the speaker We're
intensely interesting to the visitors
and even the oldtimers, the walters
and guides, followed the address with
rapt attention.
The attention given the guests by
mine host Demothenes at the Volcano
House could not have been improved
upon and the hotel itself was found
quite capable OF accommodating the
whole party nicely. The announce
|
mittee that q public meeting had been
arranged for Wednesday evening call
ed the majority of the Congressman
away from the Volcano. only twelve
of the party remaining at the resort
These twelve We're those who watched
the fire glow on the second evening
and who spent several interesting
hours in visiting Kllauealki. the fern
|
OF the koa numbering operations.
COFFEE AND TOBACCO.
The stay on the big island was not
given over altogether To the enjoyment
of scenery or the pleasures of BAN
quoting, without exception the visit
ing congressman looked into the needs
OF the island, consulting the local au-
thorltles and noting the pertinent facts
presented Ia them, Al the public
meeting held Ia Hilo on "Wednesday
night the visitors were given pre-.
senlallon af the needs of the eoffee-
sfowefs, Planter I<ouisson presenting
these needs IN carefully prepared
speech which vent deeply into the
subject The address made most
favorable impression upon the states
men ana the faets presented by Mr..
lsonlsaon sill 50 long way towards
bringing snme relief ~ lhe coffee ln.
forests ~ the Territory
The question ~ l0baee0fgraalAg ns-
on lhfse Islands vas alsa taken up b.
ne fnnKfssHmtn. q fisli hslnE paid
~ Hnftfal q lAem 81 Jared smliha
Experimental patches llefs Nas "a
flalnsa lhf conditions surrounding
lhlH m1usiFf IA liaAall ana tbs 40
tssfilf u having 81 Adsqaats appfar