90 K A U A I A N D O A H U. 



white tapa, the deposit of which in tombs is one of their ancient 

 customs that is still adhered to on this side of the island. 



These caves are the effect of volcanic action, and Avere called by 

 the natives Kaualahu. Their guide having provided them with 

 torches of the tutui-nut, they ascended to one of them, two hundred 

 feet above the sea, where, having lighted the torches, they entered to 

 the distance of about one hundred feet. Here they found deposited 

 a number of bones, among which were only two skulls. On another 

 side was a heap of stones, covering more bones and some entire skele- 

 tons: to remove these stones would have occupied more time than 

 they had to spare, or than their feeble lights would allow. 



Taking up the two skulls, they returned to their guide's house. 

 Thence they made a visit to two hills, very near to the sea, called 

 Kaalaii Pele and Kuamuakuai. These hills are composed of yellow 

 and brown sand, interspersed with pieces of lava, and have a resem- 

 blance in colour and shape to the Punchbowl Hill, back of Honolulu. 



The height of the hill nearest the sea was estimated at five hundred 

 feet. At its base are several old craters, one of which is entirely in 

 the sea, and shows its pei-pendicular walls on the side next the hill. 



There are also here extensive fish-ponds belonging to the king, in 

 which the usual fish are kept — mullet. 



There are also a number of ponds where the natives manufacture 

 large quantities of salt. 



Kaneohe is the mission station for the north side of the island ; it is 

 in the district of Pali-Koolau, and iircludes the eastern part of the 

 north side of the island, about twenty-five miles in extent. Kaneohe 

 is situated in the centre of it, and lies just beneath the Pali, back of 

 Oahu, heretofore spoken of 



The harbour opposite to Kaneohe is called Waialai, and was sur- 

 veyed at the request of the king. At its entrance it was found to 

 have only nine feet of water, a depth too little except for the small 

 vessels of the island. This harbour is formed by the peninsula of 

 Mokapu. 



This district contains four thousand five hundred inhabitants, 

 among whom it was said that a decrease had taken place ; but as 

 this assertion seemed unsupported by any satisfactory evidence, it is 

 not entitled to much attention. 



The productions of this district are the same as those of the island 

 generally; the natives seem to be directing their attention to the 

 raising of sugar and coffee, and being within a short distance of 



