374: HONOLULU. 
is barren; the plain on which the town stands is almost destitute of 
verdure, and exhibits only a few scattered houses. This plain extends 
both east and west from the town, while behind it the land gradually 
rises towards the Nuuanu Valley. Several crater-shaped hills are in 
sight, one of which, called by the foreign residents “The Punch-Bowl,” 
stands out in bold relief on one side of that valley. 
The entrance to the valley, with the green taro-patches, affords an 
agreeable relief to the eye, after it has dwelt upon the scorched and 
dusty aspect of all that is seen elsewhere. The fort, with its numerous 
embrasures, and the shipping, lying in the contracted reef-harbour, 
give an air of importance, that could hardly be expected in a Polyne- 
sian island or harbour. The roadstead is safe, except during the winter 
months, when a southwest gale may happen; but such gales have 
seldom been felt during the residence of the missionaries, for the last 
twenty years. 
Mr. Brinsmade, our consul, kindly sent off our numerous letters, 
which were indeed a treat, as we had been upwards of a year without 
any news from home. I went on shore to make arrangements for 
taking the ship into the harbour, and choosing a suitable position for 
our anchorage. 
On landing, a great uproar prevailed, and groups presented them- 
selves to view, so motley that it would be difficult to describe their 
dress or appearance. There are, indeed, few places where so great a 
diversity in dress and language exists as at Honolulu. The majerity 
were in well-worn European clothing, put on in the most fanciful 
manner; but upon the whole, I should say that the crowd were scantily 
covered, some being half-dressed, many shirtless, none fully clothed, 
and numbers of them with nothing on but the maro. I had been led 
lo expect a greater appearance of civilization. The women were all 
clad in long loose garments, like bathing-dresses, and many of them 
were sporting in the water as if it had been their native element. 
Some of these natives wore the simple tapa, thrown over their 
shoulders, which gave them a much more respectable appearance than 
those who were clothed in cast-off garments. I was told not to form 
an opinion of the people too hastily, for this was not a fair view of 
them ; but it is as well to give one’s impressions on the first appear- 
ance. 
The place showed much stir of business, owing principally to the 
work of repairing vessels, and the attendance on them by the natives. 
The landing is upon a small wharf, erected on piles; and there ap- 
;eared to be sufiicient accommodation for the vessels that were in the 
harbour at this time. The number was nine. 
