THROUGH HAWAII* 
13 
pass in the mountains, called by the natives Ka Pari, 
the precipice, which is well worth the attention of every 
intelligent foreigner visiting Oahu. The mouth of the 
valley, which opens immediately behind the town of 
Honoruru, is a complete garden, carefully kept by its 
respective proprietors in a state of high cultivation; and 
the ground, being irrigated by the water from a river 
that winds rapidly down the valley, is remarkably 
productive. The valley rises with a gradual ascent 
from the shore to the precipice, which is seven or eight 
miles from the town. After walking about three miles 
through one unbroken series of plantations, the valley 
becomes gradually narrower, and the mountains rise 
more steep on either side. The scenery is romantic and 
delightful: the bottom of the valley is gently undu¬ 
lated ; a rapid stream takes its serpentine way from one 
side of the valley to the other, sometimes meandering 
along with an unruffled surface, at other times rush¬ 
ing down a fall several feet, or dashing and foaming 
among the rocks that interrupt its progress ; the sides 
of the hills are clothed with verdure; even the barren 
rocks that project from among the bushes are orna¬ 
mented with pendulous or creeping plants of various 
kinds; and in several places, beautiful cascades roll 
their silvery streams down the steep mountain’s side 
into flo wing rivulets beneath. The beauty of the scenery 
around increases, until at length, after walking some 
time on a rising ground rather more steep than usual, 
and through a thicket of hibiscus and other trees, the 
traveller suddenly emerges into an open space, and, 
turning round a small pile of volcanic rocks, the Pari 
all at once bursts upon him with an almost over¬ 
whelming effect. Immense masses of black and fer- 
