398 POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
the water flows by a channel cut through the 
rocks, or is carried thither by the natives in large 
calabashes. After remaining there some time, it 
is conducted into a number of smaller pans, about 
six or eight inches in depth, which are made with 
great care, and frequently lined with large ever¬ 
green leaves, in order to prevent absorption. 
Along the narrow banks or partitions between the 
different pans, we saw a number of large evergreen 
leaves placed. They were tied up at each end, 
so as to resemble a shallow dish, and filled with 
sea water, in which the crystals of salt were abun¬ 
dant. 
The Sandwich Islanders eat salt very freely with 
their food, and use large quantities in preserving 
their fish. They have, however, besides what they 
make, salt lakes, which yield them large supplies. 
The surplus thus furnished, they dispose of to 
vessels touching at the islands, or export to the 
Russian settlements on the north-west coast of 
America, where it is in great demand for curing 
fish, &c. 
In the afternoon, Mr. Goodrich returned from 
Kairua, and informed us that the pilot-boat was at 
Keauhou, and would sail for Oahu in a fortnight. 
He also brought the more pleasing intelligence, 
that the governor was engaged in building a chapel 
for the public worship of God at Kairua, having, 
at the same time, enjoined on his people the ob¬ 
servance of the Sabbath, as a day of rest from 
labour and amusement; to be employed, more¬ 
over, in religious exercises. This welcome news 
rendered it desirable that one of us should repair 
to Kairua, in order to preach there on the coming 
Sabbath, and encourage them to persevere in the 
work they had so happily begun. 
