The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1909-07-04

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The ascent of Waialeale, on Kauai
was first made by white men in 1862
George Il. Dole, then of Kauai. writ
lng an interesting description of the
trip to Judge Jacob Hardy:
The others who made up the party
were Rev. G. B.. Rowell, of Waimea,
and Rev. Mr.. johnson, of Waioli, be-
sides the eight or nine Hawaiians, who
acted as guides and luggage carriers.
Judge Hardy at first intended to go
also, but was prevented by other en-
gagements.
The tale of the ascent, as written at
the time, is:
Dear Sir: In accordance with your
request ] viii endeavor herewith to
give you an account of the long talked
Of, but only recently executed expedi-
ton to Waialeale, nature Is grand chef
: 'oeuvre ON Kauai mel.
Permit me merely to promise that
she mountain of Waialeale, although in
former times frequently visited by the
natives, had never until our visit been
trod by the foot of haole. A num-
Der of years ago the late Rev. S. Whit
aey endeavored to make the ascent. but
his guides, purposely perhaps, lost their
way in the depths of the forest, and he
was glad to reach home without having
accomplished the object of his journey,
having been in some danger of starva-
tion. No foreigner, to my knowledge,
has since ventured to make the at
tempt.
We left Waimea at 20 clock on
Tuesday morning, October 7, and rode
mp through the coeoanut groves of the
valley until we reached Kalaeokaua
where We turned off into the Makaweh
valley. Our general course through tins
valley was about northeast; as we pro-
oeeded, the road, to borrow an express
sion from st. Paul, waxed worse and
worse; the SIDES of the valley became
higher and more precipitous, till they
reached degree of rugged sublimity
which made them worthy objects of
contemplation. After riding on seven
or eight miles, frequently crossing the
rushing waters of the river by rocky,
neck breaking fords, we entered the
Eahana valley, whose waters making at
this spot junction with the Wiokele
stream, combine to form the Makaweli
aver. Separating the two valleys is
q lofty promontory, which. according
to native tradition, was ssnclently used
as Puukaua (Fort); one would think
while looking up at its black mural
sides that it would be. an exceedingly
difficult task to scale them, even with
sut any opposition in the way OF show
srs of stones and firebrands. A few
minutes after entering the Kahana val
FEY, on emerging from the shadow of
a huge precipice, we came in sight of
natural bridge; the arch was well pro-
portioned and the span quite extensive,
out being perehed up near the top of
The ridge, it is doubtful whether it
ever became of any practical benefit to
the travelling public.
We left our horses at house about
ten miles from our starting point in
Waimea, and after having disposed of
a very passable aboriginal dinner-for
it was now noon-we set out on foot
In company with our men and guides,
who joining us here increased our mum
Der to twelve.
The narrow path led US on up its
winding course, now across the pure,
cool waters of the brook, and now into
the deep shade of Kukui grove, from
whose airy branches the brilliantly
dyed little songster whistled a merry
a'God speed" or the awkward Aukuu
gazed with wonderment in his yellow
eyes.
The sides. of the valley gradually APP
preached each other and increased in
height Ever and anon we paused to
take breath, and as we looked upon
fhe immense perpendicular walls al
most surrounding US where f'Time had
Rotched his centuries in the eternal
rock" our souls would be filed with
establishment and awe; when suddenly
she appearance perhaps of flock OF
wild goats midway up the precipice a
thousand feet above our heads, would
Iispel all feelings of a reverential
nature, and cause us to lament our lack
of rifle. Sometimes we could see a
goat as white as the snowy tropie birds
which were sailing gracefully around
him, standing on projecting rock and
plaeidly chewing his eu1 apparently al
4nmindful of his exalted station.
After a march of an hour or two the
Trees. which hitherto had appeared on
p In isolated groves, formed a dense
forest, with wild tangled underground
of bushes and vines and heavy grass;
the hillsides became less steep than be