HAWAIIAN GUIDE BOOK. V 59 



MOLOKAl. 



This island is long and narrow, and the high mount- 

 ains of the eastern end slope off gradually to the west- 

 ern point. The natives in speaking of Molokai, term it 

 Ka aina pali, — -a land of precipices. Some of the 

 windward portions of the island, for a large part of the 

 year, can be approached only by sea, and that in good 

 weather, the mountain paths being impassable. The 

 leeward side presents some fine land for culture and 

 grazing. Immense walls all along the leeward, enclose 

 fish-ponds of magnificent dimensions, which in ancient 

 feudal times yielded revenues to the ruling chiefs. 



There are several small but fertile valleys and spots 

 on this island, where sugarcane and ramie will thrive, 

 and where small plantations will probably be com- 

 menced. They are limited each to a few hundred acres 

 in extent ; and no large well- watered tract is known on 

 Molokai, available for sugar estates, as are found on 

 Maui and Hawaii. 



The late King Kamehameha V. had, during his 

 reign, an extensive grazing ranch, occupying the west- 

 ern plateau of the island, where large numbers of fine 

 sheep and cattle ranged. A few spotted and other deer, 

 sent to him by friends abroad, have increased, and 

 now run wild in the mountains, where no one is allowed 

 to hunt or kill them. It is said that they thrive well, 

 but the extent of their increase will depend on whether 

 the young can be kept from the attacks of wild dogs 

 which infest the mountains. 



Halawa valley is the finest on Molokai. The brink 

 coming unawares surprises the traveler with a panorama 

 2,500 feet deep, — a romantic river, an arduous zigzag 



