KAUAIANDOAHU. 75 



the coast of above twenty miles. Within this district are a few bays 

 for vessels not exceeding one hundred and fifty tons burden ; the best 

 of these is Rawailoa. Those to the northeast are Waimea, Haula, 

 Kakaua, Moluilui, and Makua. Like all the rest of the places, they are 

 dependent on Honolulu, which is thirty miles distant, for a market. A 

 good road might very easily be constructed, and very nearly level, on 

 the plain that lies between the two high mountain ranges which traverse 

 the island from east to west. One of these ranges is called Konahaunui, 

 the other Kaala ; the former occupies the eastern end of the island, the 

 latter the western. Both are basaltic. It is remarked of these two 

 ranges, that the soil and growth of the plants are dissimilar ; for 

 instance, the kauwila, the wiliwili, the haw, and the uhiuhi are found on 

 the Kaala, and are either not found, or only in a dwarfish state, on the 

 Konahaunui; whilst the acacia (koa), and the lehua, do not exist on 

 the former, though growing luxuriantly on the latter. 



Waialua lies at the foot of the Konahaunui range, on its western 

 slope, while the northern slope of Kaala nearly reaches it. Here begins 

 the plain before mentioned, which extends to Ewa, a distance of about 

 twenty miles. Part of the Waialua district is cultivated by irrigation, 

 and produces abundantly. Five considerable streams water it from 

 the Konahaunui range, passing down the fertile valleys. The largest 

 of these is quite sufficient to supply motive power the whole year round. 

 On the banks of the Ewa are many thousand acres of land wholly un- 

 occupied, which are capable of growing cotton, sugar-cane, indigo, the 

 mulberry, &c, to any extent. From sources that are to be depended 

 upon, I was informed that there are upwards of thirty square miles in 

 the Waialua district that can be cultivated without irrigation. 



The people are as indolent as usual, having but few wants, and those 

 easily supplied ; there is now, however, some hope of their improve- 

 ment, because the conveniences of civilized life are gradually being 

 introduced, the desire of obtaining which gives them an incentive to 

 exertion. They cannot yet be induced to change their ancient dwell- 

 ings for better habitations, and still adhere with pertinacity to their 

 thatched grass huts, without floors or windows, and destitute of venti- 

 lation : these dwellings may with truth be termed, miserable hovels. 



The mountain range of Konahaunui runs close to the north shore 

 of the island, leaving only a narrow strip of land, varying from a half 

 to two miles in width, and twenty miles in length : this is called the 

 Koolaulo district. It is only a few feet above the level of the sea, and 

 has a gradual ascent to the foot of the precipices. The mountain spurs 

 from the main chain are numerous : some of these are of great length, 

 and enclose valleys having a very fertile soil. The land on the imme- 



