182 NATURAL HISTORY OF HAWAII. 



trees that were so much used by the old-time Hawaiians in their arts, and that 

 Europeans have found valuable in many was as a substitute for mahogany. 



The Road to the Port of IIonuapo. 



Beyond the crater the road passes by the point Uwekahuna, which is 117 

 feet higher than the Volcano House and 601 feet above the lava floor of the 

 crater at the lowest point. It was from this spot that the volcano was first de- 

 scribed by Ellis. As the traveler proceeds southwestward towards the port of 

 Honuapo he passes close by the series of cracks that opened in the lateral slopes 

 of Kilauea in 1823 and again in 1869 to give forth copious flows of lava. Other 

 flows from Mauna Loa may be seen. 



Near Punaluu a large underground stream of water runs into the sea, and 

 the coast line is dotted here and there by fresh water springs that in former 

 times were of value to the natives that lived in this district. 



As the road continues from Honuapo into the Kau district it crosses several 

 recent lava flows from Mauna Loa, the eruptions of 1868, 1887 and 1907 having 

 already been mentioned. There the fields of aa, or rough lava, and pahoehoe, 

 or smooth lava, may be studied to advantage, and the wonders of a great lava 

 flow aiiiircciatcd withimt leaving the automobile. 



The Kona District. 



The Kona disti'ict is made up of decomposed lava flows. Its soil is rich 

 and where well watered is covered with verdure. There are no rivers of eonse- 

 (juence in the district, the water being absorbed by the loose earth before it has 

 time to run far over the surface. 



Along the shore line are numcfoiis stone heiaus that are wortliy of notice 

 since they have many interesting traditions connected with them. At Honaunau 

 is a famous ancient city of refuge which occupies six or seven acres of the low 

 rock}- point on the south side of the little bay. A portion of the structure was 

 destroyed some years ago hy tidal waves, though the walls were twelve feet high 

 and eighteen feet in width. 



At Kealakekua Bay nuiy be seen the monument to Captain Cook at Kaawa- 

 loa, on the spot where he was killed.-' Napoopoo is on the opposite side of the 

 bay, and it was there the chiefs lived and where Cook's vessels were anchored near 

 the shore. Beside a pond, overlooking the bay of Napoopoo, is the ruin of the 

 famous lieiau where tlie great navigator was worshiped by the Hawaiians as the 

 god Ijoiin. Al Ihc head of the bay is a vertical cliiif eight hundred feet in height 

 on eithei' side of which recent lava streams have descended. The road from the 

 landing winds around the bay and over the clitf and continues northward to 

 Kailua past the great stone toboggan slide above Keauhou. This portion of the 

 island is rich and well watered and is given over to extensive coffee, sugar and 

 sisal plantations, while (he uinuntMins on the slopes of iriialnhii arr thickly 

 clothed with forests of kna and nhia. 



