-1)0 



HYDROGRAPHY. 



where it is to be had in abundance. There is sometimes difficulty in 

 entering the river, on account of the surf which breaks across its 

 mouth, and boats are liable to be swamped ; they should keep the 

 centre of the channel, and not attempt to enter unless it is smooth. 

 Landing on the beach is always difficult. Opposite the town the surf 

 at all times is heavy, but at Observatory Point, near Waiakea Creek, 

 it is safe. Supplies can be had here, but not in such abundance as at 

 Oahu. The latitude of the observatory was determined to be 19° 43' 

 51" north, and longitude 155° 03' 06" west; the variation 8° 50' east. 



The East Point of Hawaii (Kapoho), lies in longitude 154° 54' west, 

 latitude 19° 34' north. The southeast side of the island is nearly a 

 straight line, bounded by a rocky and iron-bound coast. There is 

 no landing or shelter, even for small vessels, on this part of the coast. 

 From Kalae to Pohue on the south, a distance of 20 miles, the shores 

 are likewise iron-bound. The coast from Point Pohue to Point Kawili 

 takes a northerly direction for 9 miles, then as far as Point Mano, a 

 distance of 32 miles, it makes a considerable bend to the eastward, and 

 within this distance lie the bays of Kealakeakua and Kailua, both 

 being under the lee of the island. They were formerly much fre- 

 quented by vessels touching at this island for supplies. The former, on 

 account of being the place where the celebrated Captain Cook lost his 

 life, will always be a point of interest to the navigator. It is seldom 

 frequented now : vessels prefer to resort to the ports of Lahaina, on 

 Maui, and Honolulu, in the Island of Oahu. The bay is half a mile in 

 width, by the same in depth. The anchorage at Kealakeakua is ex- 

 posed from the north by the west to south, but the sea is generally 

 quite smooth and calm under the lee of this high island. The sound- 

 ings extend off very gradually upwards of a mile, to the depth of 18 

 or 20 fathoms. The best anchorage is in about 10 fathoms, coral mud 

 and sand, good holding-ground, with the village bearing east. At the 

 head of the bay there is a small beach, on which the village is 

 situated, but elsewhere the rocks rise perpendicularly from the sea. 

 The landing is neither difficult nor dangerous. There is no water to 

 be had here, except what the natives bring in their calabashes from 

 the mountain springs ; and those in search of provisions and fruit, had 

 much better resort to the Islands of Maui or Oahu. Standing in for 

 the Bay of Kealakeakua, it is necessary to avoid approaching too near 

 the land, either to the southward or northward of it, as vessels are 

 liable to be becalmed and detained for some hours. The best course 



