PREFACE. 



WITHIN the last century the Hawaiian islands have 

 been the topic of various works of merit, and some 

 explanation of the reasons which have led me to enter 

 upon the same subject is necessary. 



I was travelling for health, when circumstances induced 

 me to land on the group, and the benefit which I derived 

 from the climate tempted me to remain for nearly seven 

 months. During that time the necessity of leading a 

 life of open air and exercise as a means of recovery, led 

 me to travel on horseback to and fro through the islands, 

 exploring the interior, ascending the highest mountains, 

 visiting the active volcanoes and remote regions which 

 are known to few even of the residents, living among the 

 natives, and otherwise seeing Hawaiian life in all its 

 phases. 



At the close of my visit, my Hawaiian friends urged 

 me strongly to publish my impressions and experiences, 

 on the ground that the best books already existing, be- 

 sides being old, treat chiefly of aboriginal customs and 

 habits now extinct, and of the introduction of Christianity, 

 and subsequent historical events. They also represented 



