160 HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 
or cavities. Whatever showers fall on this portion of Hawaii are at 
once absorbed by the cavernous rocks; and consequently through its 
whole extent, south and east, there are not two permanent streamlets“ 
Water is to be found only in caverns; and often a journey of some 
miles must be taken by the villager to supply himself for his daily 
consumption. All the caverns about the lower parts of the mountains 
have been well explored in search of this necessary of life. The con- 
trast with the windward side in this respect is very striking, for there, 
water and large streams are abundant. Each of the many valleys of 
Mount Kea and Kohala, “for thirty miles, one to every half-mile,” is 
the course of a streamlet, which is of large size in the wet season ; and 
a fine river, the Wailuku, rising from the southern slopes of Kea, 
between Kea and Loa, reaches the sea at the Bay of Hilo. 
In farther explanation of the features of the island, a few facts may 
be stated from observations by the writer on a tour over the southern 
slopes of Mount Loa, from the western shores at Kealakekua Bay to 
the Bay of Hilo, on the east side of the island.* 
South of Kailua, along the western shores of Hawaii, the country 
rises with an even slope for five to eight miles to a height of five or 
six thousand feet. Nota valley of any extent is to be seen. Beyond 
the summit of this slope, | was informed that there is a small 
descent, and then commences again the acclivity of Mount Loa. This 
shore slope is chequered sparsely with taro plantations and patches 
of thin forests; but more largely with black and brown fields of lava, 
as rugged and nearly as barren as the last eruptions of Lua Pele. 
Going to the southward in this direction, the stony districts are still 
more extensive; yet there is some shrubbery, and in holes among the 
* This jaunt of five days, limited by the orders received, was the whole extent of the 
opportunities which the author enjoyed for examining the island. The distance tra- 
versed was about one hundred and forty miles. The party was landed for the tramp at 
Kealakekua, and, upon arriving at Hilo, rejoined the Flying Fish to return to Oahu, 
where we soon sailed in the Peacock on a cruise to the equatorial regions. ‘The features 
of the island, the character of its rocks, and the operations of Lua Pele, as well as the 
appearances produced by the eruption six months previous, were attentively examined. 
But for information relative to the summits of Mount Loa and Mount Kea, and many 
particulars respecting the recent eruption, I cite from the journals of the officers of the 
Vincennes, and from the Narrative of the Expedition by Captain Wilkes. I would also 
mention here my indebtedness for many valuable facts to the Rev. Mr. Coan, of Hilo, 
and also to the Rev. Mr. Andrews of Lahaina, and Dr. Judd of Honolulu. 
