THROUGH HAWAII. 
5 
unlike the peak of Teneriffe in the Atlantic, the moun¬ 
tains of Eimeo, and some other islands of the Pacific, 
do not pierce the clouds like obelisks or spires, but in 
most parts, and from the southern shore in particular, 
the ascent is gradual, and comparatively unbroken, 
from the sea beach to the lofty summit of Mouna Roa. 
The whole appearance of Hawaii is less romantic and 
picturesque than that of Tahiti, the principal of the 
Society Islands, but more grand and sublime, filling the 
mind of the beholder with wonder and delight. On ap¬ 
proaching the islands, I have more than once observed 
the mountains of the interior long before the coast was 
visible, or any of the usual indications of land had been 
seen. On these occasions, the elevated summit of 
Mouna Kea, or Mouna Roa, has appeared above the 
mass of clouds that usually skirt the horizon, like a 
stately pyramid, or the silvered dome of a magnificent 
temple, distinguished from the clouds beneath, only 
by its well-defined outline, unchanging position, and 
intensity of brilliancy occasioned by the reflection of 
the sun’s rays from the surface of the snow. 
The height of these mountains has been computed by 
some navigators who have visited the Sandwich Islands, 
at 12,000, and by others at 18,000 feet. The estimate 
of Captain King,* we think, exceeds their actual eleva- 
* In Cook’s Voyages, Captain King, speaking of Mouna-Kaah, 
(Kea,) remarks, that it “ may be clearly seen at fourteen leagues’ 
distance.” Describing Mouna-Roa, and estimating it according 
to the tropical line of snow, he observes, “This mountain 
must be at least 16,020 feet high, which exceeds the height of 
the Pico de Teyde, or Peak of Tenerifle, by 724 feet, according 
to Dr. Heberden’s computation, or 3680 according to that of 
Chevalier de Borda. The peaks of Mouna-Kaah appeared to be 
about half a mile high; and as they are entirely covered with 
snow, the altitude of their summits cannot be less than 18,400 
