The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1913-12-26

on that magnificent high
way, that regal road of
Hawaii which leads to the
great crater OF Kilauea.
Tourists may rejoice In the beauty,
hear the song Of birds, smell the fresh
aroma OF the wilderness, feast their
eyes on the long vistas OF distant
green, the view of the dashing surf,
the far-away ocean and blue sky. They
drive along great forests or rare
woods, watch the waving of the grain.
note how all the earth seems lush
with sunshine, warmth and beauty in
he mid-Pacific paradise and of sud
den see the land of desolation.
Almost without warning the auto
mobile plunges over forbidding lava
and the earth is dark with the deadly
flow which Moana Loa and Kilauea
have belched forth. One is now riding
over lava beds-pre-Adamit perhaps
over layers that dubbed forth thou
sands, hundreds and even as recently
as 80 years ago, and some concerning
which there are persons living who
can tell the story. 1t is hades, all the
more terrible because it Is only few
hours tide from the beauties Of the
tropics. Then comes the smoke and
steam of the innermost center and
one feels that in the earth beneath
or waters under 1t there is nothing to
equal 1t.
Finest Of All Monuments.
This is Kilauea the terrible and the
fascinating, this is the volcano which
our government Is planning to set
aside as a national monument and no
monument yet preserved can equal it.
The proposition has been long dis
cussed and OF late has taken definite
FORM This Is the largest active vol
cano In the world and also one OF the
most accessible, and for these reasons
1t seems fitting that the United States
should distinguish 1t above all others.
The volcano is situated on an eleva-
ton of 1000 feet, on a belt road
around the largest island. Hawaii, on
the slope OF Moana Loa, which also
has a crater, occasionally active. at Its
summit, nearly $4,000 feet high. 1t
is proposed to include the summit era
ter in the park. the strip of land be-
tween the two craters and some OF the
surrounding country in which are sui
phur banks, lava trees, tree ferns,
forests of rare woods, rare birds and
other objects OF interest.
HaWaiians are anxious to obtain
this national monument, and as an aid
to its establishment they have built
lake OF fire In the crater. Plans are
maturing for the establishment of a
volcano and earthquake observatory
and congress has been asked to create
the proposed park. Sentiment Is gen
orally in favor OF this plan for the
islands of Hawaii are full of interest
and the volcanoes are but a part OF
the attractions which they offer to
sightseers. In all of the eight inhab
tied islands there are wonders which
make this-the youngest known land
distinctive for beauty. There are
high precipices, great valleys, living
and dead craters, and In particular
ELK Iullcn tTOM IlOuOiulO-l u0T0 Ii the
Nuuana Pail. from which one OF the
most beautiful views in the world can
be obtained.
1t was only two years ago that the
fine carriage and automobile road was
built right into the crater of Kilauea
but it has already begun to attract
tourists. who consider it the mos,
remarkable road in the world, as it is
cut through the hard lava. Some one
has 5okingly called it the road te
hell" but If SO, it Is a pleasant one
1t skirts along the edge OF the crater
gives views of the lava lake, has nc
sharp turns or abrupt curves and il
the dangerous parts a four-foot wal
has been constructed of lava rock
Nothing can be more charming thar
the surrounding country. One ride,
through ferns and native woods O
varying shades of green. the Who'll,
, making a harmony of color Some o
| the trees are of wonderful wood. sc
rare that former Hawaiians prize then
, highly for the palace of the king. ant
| American furniture manufacturer,
are anxious to obtain them. These ar,
| the royal trees of Hawaii, because O
very fine and reautiful grain and col
| oring.
II is somewhat remarkable that on