HONOLULU. 391 
in a deep precipice of eleven hundred feet, called the Pali. Here the 
trade-wind rushes through, between the two high peaks, fifteen hun- 
dred feet above, with violence, while their tops condense the clouds, 
whose waters are descending constantly in small silver rills, that leap 
from rock to rock on all sides, unite in the middle of the valley, and 
form a large brook, which is again distributed by the natives, to give 
fertility and luxuriance to part of the plain below. 
The beauty of the valley, when passing into it, is at times striking, 
from the effect of the light and shade produced by the clouds, which 
are occasionally seen lowering on the mountain peaks, and are, as it 
were, held in check by them. The clouds now and then escape and 
pass above the peaks, and again burst by with renewed and accumu- 
lated strength, sweeping through the valley, and carrying fertilizing 
showers over it, with every variety of rainbow, while the whole 
western sky is one glorious sunlight. The sunbeams now and then 
gain possession of the valley, thus causing a constant and rapid suc- 
cession of showers and sunshine. 
The ride to the Pali is a most agreeable one. There is a tolerable 
horse-path three-fourths of the way; the remainder would be con- 
sidered impracticable for horses by those unaccustomed to their per- 
formances in a mountain country; but, however frightful the road 
may appear, I would recommend all those who attempt it, to keep to 
the horse’s back, and trust to his getting them over the steep knolls, 
and through the miry places. On reaching the Pali, beware of losing 
not only your hat, but yourself; for when the trade-wind is blowing 
strong, it is impossible to stand with safety. The view of the plain 
beneath, the ocean, and the long line of perpendicular cliffs, will amply 
repay the labour. The Pali may be descended: for this purpose there 
are steps cut in the rock, and an iron rod to assist in accomplishing the 
descent in safety. The path leads to the village of Kanehoe, but is 
little frequented. 
The house which the kindness of Governor Kekuanaoa had placed 
at my disposal, was a double one, of two stories, with piazzas in front, 
and a wing on one side: it afforded sufficient accommodations for all 
the duties connected with the surveys, and I took advantage of the 
opportunity to revise and complete all the charts we had constructed 
up to this time. The vessels were undergoing the necessary repairs: 
the officers who were not required on board, were therefore detailed 
for these duties, reporting to me daily at the observatory, at nine 
o’clock a.m., where they were employed until 4 p. m.; others were 
permanently employed in the observatory duties, magnetic and pen- 
