CHAPTER XV. 



HAWAIIAN OR SANDWICH ISLANDS. 



These islands have long been considered as holding an important 

 position among the groups of the Pacific, and situated as they are 

 midway in the North Pacific, will continue to be one of the principal 

 resorts of our whaling fleet. From them a large part of the supplies are 

 drawn for repairs, and the health of their crews is re-established. 

 Besides these aids, they now afford recreation and amusement to our 

 fellow-citizens, after having undergone for months their toilsome 

 avocations. I therefore deem it necessary to give a full description 

 of the facilities these islands offer to our shipping interest, their 

 anchorages, and sailing directions to their different ports. For an ac- 

 count of their moral, social, and political condition, I must refer to 

 the fourth and fifth volumes of my Narrative of the Exploring Expe- 

 dition. 



The Hawaiian Group includes eight islands, viz. : Hawaii, Maui, 

 Kahoolawe, Lanai, Molokai, Oahu, Kauai, and Niihau, which are 

 enumerated in order from east to west. There are besides three 

 rocky islets, viz. : Kaula and Lehua, off Niihau, and Molokini between 

 Maui and Kahoolawe. 



The Island of Hawaii, the most eastern of the group, has a sea- 

 coast of 240 miles, and is nearly ecpjilateral in shape. The western 

 side trends north and south, while the other two sides towards the 

 east, extend in a northeast and southeast direction. Hawaii is the 

 most elevated of the Pacific Islands, its mountains rising to the height 

 of 14,000 feet, nearly to the line of perpetual snow. It is of volcanic 

 formation, and its shores are what may be termed iron-bound. Un- 

 like the islands of the Pacific within the coral range, it has no reefs 

 to form harbors, and has but one or two small bays partially pro- 

 tected by sunken reefs ; that of Hilo is the best. There is no place 



