258 M A U I. 



under way and stood for Kahoolawe, to pick up the boats under Lieu- 

 tenant Budd. Owing to the light wind, we did not succeed in reach- 

 ing the point till late, where we found the king's schooner and the two 

 boats about to enter upon the examination. We, therefore, lowered 

 all the boats and sent them to search for the shoal. It was soon found, 

 and proved to be much nearer the point of the island than was antici- 

 pated. It lies a mile and a half off the point, and has one and a half 

 fathoms of water on it. We fixed bearings, by noting which, it may 

 be avoided. Vessels may pass within two miles of the point with 

 safety ; but as it is difficult to estimate the distance, it will be better to 

 pass the point at three miles distance, as nothing is lost by so doing. 

 It is remarkable, that this is the only shoal around the Hawaiian 

 Islands that is hidden from the navigator ; and even this is situated so 

 near the land that it can scarcely be deemed dangerous. 



At nine o'clock, we took up the boats and bore away for Oahu. 

 Passing to the southward of Lanai, though at the distance of twenty 

 miles, we felt the effects of its highlands upon the winds. 



Lanai is a dome-shaped island, and appears to have been frequently 

 rent, large fissures being apparent on its sides. It is exclusively of 

 volcanic formation. 



The fish of these islands are numerous ; and to Mr. Richards and 

 Dr. Baldwin, this department of the natural history of the Expedition 

 is much indebted. Dr. Pickering remarks, that the natives appear to 

 be much better acquainted with the fish of their waters, than are the 

 inhabitants of any civilized port we have visited. A number of new 

 species were obtained ; for which I refer to the report on the ichthy- 

 ology of the cruise. 



At Lahaina, bathing and frolicking in the surf are more practised 

 than in any other place in these islands. The inhabitants take great 

 delight in it ; and it is said that the king himself is extremely fond 

 of it. 



The tide at Lahaina is irregular, being somewhat dependent on the 

 winds: it runs to the northwest generally sixteen hours out of the 

 twenty-four. 



During our stay here on the 14th, a slight shock of an earthquake 

 was experienced. 



After passing Lanai, I hauled up for Molokai, intending, as the day 

 was far advanced, to lie under the lee of that island for the night. 

 Molokai is about forty miles long and nine miles in width. One-third 

 of the island, towards the western end, is a barren waste, not suscepti- 

 ble of cultivation, except in the rainy season ; it has in consequence 



