GEOLOGY AND TOPOGRAPHY OF HAWAII. 107 



A great central forested bog, or morass, extends for miles aloip.;' Ilic top 

 of the precipice M^hich bounds the Wainiha Valley on llic northeast. Il slopes 

 gradually to the southwest, and provides the nalui-al storage reservoir for tlic 

 headwaters of the Waimea, Makaweli and Ilanapepe rivers. This l)og forms 

 one of the least known, most dangerous and thoi-onghly inaccessible regions in 

 the entire Hawaiian group. The writer, with an experienced native guide, 

 spent three weeks in the region in the spring of 1900. and amid chilling rains 

 and bewildering fogs made an expedition extending through I'oui- (la\s over 

 miles of quaking moss-grown bog to a point designated l)y the guide as tlic; 

 summit of Waialeale. We were never out of the dense fog during the expedi- 

 tion, and that v.^e returned to our camp and to civilization at all has always 

 seemed little short of the miraculous. 



In many sections the thin turf, which covered the quagmire beneath, wouhl 

 tremble for yards in all directions at every step, and too often at a fals(^ stei) 

 from the proper route, would give way, plunging us hip deep in the mire. Our 

 chief concern was to locate reasonably solid ground, a necessary precaution that 

 entailed many weary miles of wandering in the weird moss-grown wilderness, 

 with attendant hardships and hazardous experiences that are still vivid in memory. 



Canons of Kauai. 



The numerous valleys and eafions of Kauai, and their attendant streams 

 have justly been celebrated for their beauty and grandeur. Waimea is one of 

 the tinest, since it has cut its way between perpendicular walls which are several 

 thousand feet in height at the head of the stream. The scenery along the 

 Makaweli and Olokele canons, tributaries of the Waimea system, and the 

 Wainiha gorge, is the equal of the most rugged and magnificent mountain 

 scenery anywhere in the world, and well repays the traveler for the effort made 

 to view it. 



The great Hanalei Valley, on the northern side of the island, is note- 

 worthy for its scenery, its waterfalls and its stream, which is the lai'gest rivei- in 

 the group, being navigable by small boats for about three miles. Wailua and 

 Hanapepe are beautiful valleys, made more beautiful by their sphMulid wnter- 

 falls. Several of these streams, notably Hanalei, aiul the TTana|)epe stream 

 opposite it, give evidence of being drowned valleys, as in each case a bro;id inter- 

 vale extends for a considerable distance inland. 



The Napali Cliffs. 



The region of Napali, on the northwest side oi' tiic ishuid, is difficult of 

 access and, unfortunately, is seldom seen by the traveler. The section is given 

 over l)y nature to a series of short, deep amphitheater-shaped gulches that show 

 marks of profound erosion, leavinu- the reuion with some of the most ;i\ve- 

 inspiring scenery on the islands. Returning from ;i cruise down the leewjii'd 

 chain, the writer luid an opportunity to view the woiuh'rful scenerj^ of Napali 

 at its best, from the vantage point of the deck of the vessel, at close range under 



