HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 157 
two ranges, each near 4000 feet high, and on Kauai there is a summit 
estimated at 8000 feet. Molokai rises to a height of 2500 feet, and 
Lanai to near two-thirds this elevation. This is certainly a remarka- 
ble series of elevations for an area hardly 76 geographical miles 
square, the whole amount of dry land. As no deep sea soundings 
have been made between the islands of the group in the line of the 
range, we have as yet no evidence respecting the elevation of the 
summits above the submerged ridge intermediate. 
The Hawaiian Islands offer in every part abundant evidence of their 
igneous origin. Yet the active fires at the present time are confined 
to the island of Hawaii. We shall show in the sequel that Hawaii is 
not on this account to be considered the most recent island of the 
group. It is only the last of the number to become extinct. It 
will appear that the fires of the group first died out at the north- 
west extremity of the line, and so on in a nearly regular progression 
to the southeast. 
We have already pointed out that the islands lie in two parallel 
series,—Mount Kea, the two summits of Maui, Molokai, and the 
northwest or Koolau range of Oahu, forming one line or series of 
heights ;—while Lua Pele on the flanks of Mount Loa, Mount Loa 
itself, Mount Hualalai, island of Kahoolawe, Lanai, and the southeast 
range of Oahu, constitute another. Kauai is more nearly in the line 
of the latter. One may be designated the Kea series, and the other 
the Loa series. ‘The trend of each is that of the group, or N. 55° W. 
It is a striking feature of the Hawaiian Group that several of the 
islands are literally a twin of mountains. Maui is a remarkable ex- 
ample of this character; it consists of two peninsulas, each with its 
own lofty heights, and the two are united by a low plain. Oahu is 
another example; the two ranges of heights are separated by a plain, 
into which the mountains of either side gradually decline. Molokai 
is still another example of two elevations and an intermediate strip of 
comparatively low land. A slight subsidence of Maui would make 
it two distinct islands: and sinking it 5000 feet, Haleakala would still 
stand 5000 feet in elevation, and a sea which would be styled un- 
fathomable would separate it from Keka. Hawaii is an example 
The height of Mount Kea is estimated by, 
Kotzebue, (Entdeckungsreise, 1. 21,) at - - 14,717 English feet. 
Mr. Douglass, (Journ. Roy. Geog. Soc. iv.) at - 13,645—13,587 
Marchand remarks that Mount Loa was visible at a distance of 53 leagues, 
40 
