MAUL 257 



island to quit it ; but no persuasion could prevail on them to do so ; 

 and it is said that this feeling has existed to such an extent there, that 

 the young women have refused to marry, unless under a pledge that 

 they shall not be required to remove. The people of Hawaii consider 

 themselves superior to those of the other islands ; next to them rank 

 the natives of Maui and Oahu, while Kauai is looked upon as the most 

 inferior. It was likewise mentioned that some individuals have come 

 forward to ask to exchange plots that had been assigned to them, for 

 those on which their fathers had resided, or where they were born. 



I was much amused to hear that when one of the teachers of the 

 seminary gave out to the class as a theme, " Whether it was right for 

 parents to give away their children," all belonging to it took the affir- 

 mative side ! It is not to be supposed that their reasons were very 

 strong, but it was said the principal one urged was the difficulty of 

 travelling with them, and procuring food; this practice having pre- 

 vailed from time immemorial, they no doubt endeavoured to find 

 reasons to justify it. 



In the opinion of a native, the most distant relationship or con- 

 nexion, justifies him in calling on and receiving entertainment. They 

 not only consider that they have a right to partake of the hospitality, 

 but speak of it as a great convenience ; so that in choosing a wife or 

 husband, one who has many relations is a more desirable match on 

 this account than one who has few. This custom also causes more 

 intercourse between the islands than would otherwise take place, and 

 their small vessels seldom pass from one to the other, without being 

 well filled with passengers. 



Among the visits I paid at Lahaina, was one to the regent Kekau- 

 luohi, who receives visiters during certain hours of the day. She lives 

 in a grass-hut near the water, and has several chiefs in attendance on 

 her: she appears to be a good-natured and contented person, and has 

 adopted some foreign customs in her way of living. She is not spoken 

 of as being equal to her sister, Kaahumanu or Kinau. 



It has been mentioned, that on our passage from Hilo we had not 

 found the shoal said to exist off Kahoolawe. Receiving authentic 

 information that it really existed, I determined to send two boats, 

 under the command of Lieutenant Budd and Passed Midshipman 

 May, to seek for and examine it. The king, learning my intentions, 

 volunteered to send his yacht along with them. The yacht and boats 

 set out on this expedition, on the 17th of March, with a pilot who 

 knew the ground. 



On the same day we took leave of our kind friends, and at noon got 

 vol. iv. W2 33 



