236 MAUL 



The afternoon was fine, and the snowy peak of Mauna Kea was 

 quite distinct: by running a base line with the patent log, and obtaining 

 the requisite angles, we made its height thirteen thousand six hundred 

 and fifty-six feet. 



At midnight, being nearly up with Kahoolawe, we hove-to, to await 

 daylight, as I wished to look for a shoal that was supposed to exist off 

 its southern end. I passed within two and a half miles of that point, 

 and had nothing less than seven and a quarter fathoms water. By 

 half-past nine we had entirely lost the trades, owing to the high land, 

 and, after being becalmed for an hour, we took a light sea-breeze from 

 the southwest, which slowly brought us to an anchorage in Lahaina 

 Roads, abreast of the king's palace. 



The island of Maui is divided into two oval-shaped peninsulas, 

 connected by a low isthmus, only a few feet higher than the beach. 

 Although on a first view the peninsulas resemble each other, on closer 

 examination they are found to be very different. East Maui is the 

 largest of the two, and rises in one unbroken mountain ten thousand 

 feet in elevation, which falls almost perpendicularly towards the sea. 

 West Maui has many sharp peaks and ridges, which are divided by 

 deep valleys, and which in descending towards the sea open out and 

 form sloping plains on the north and south sides of considerable extent. 

 The highest peak of West Maui was found, by triangulation, to be 

 six thousand one hundred and thirty feet. 



An officer was at once despatched to wait upon the king, who sig- 

 nified his desire to see me in the afternoon. I accordingly had the 

 honour of waiting on him, and was received with great warmth and 

 kindness. I paid him a long visit, in which the conversation turned 

 principally on the business of his islands. 



On my way back after leaving the king's house, I was very much 

 amused with the sight of a number of little children, that could but 

 barely creep, crawling into the deep water of the enclosed spaces 

 along the path, and paddling about with as much confidence as if it 

 was their native element, and seemingly more at home than on the 

 land. They reminded me of ducklings. No regard seemed to be 

 paid to them by the older ones or their parents ; and it was a matter 

 of surprise to them that I should think it any thing extraordinary. 

 Although these young children could not exactly swim, yet by the 

 movements of their arms and legs they contrived to make progress and 

 keep their heads well above water. I returned on board before sunset, 

 where I found a handsome present of fish, that had just been sent off 

 by the king. 



The most remarkable building to be seen as the bay of Lahaina is 



