OAHU. 
19 
of it having been sent for sale to Kamtschatka, 
and used in curing seal skins at the different 
islands to which the natives have sent their vessels 
for that purpose, or sold in the islands to Russian 
vessels, from the settlements on the north-west 
coast of America. The population of Oahu is 
estimated at about 20,000. 
North-west of Oahu, and distant from it about 
seventy-five miles, is situated the island of Tauai, 
which is mountainous, and exceedingly roman¬ 
tic in its appearance, but not so fertile as Oahu, 
or the greater part of Maui. It is forty-six 
miles in length, and twenty-three in breadth, and 
covers a surface of 520 square miles. The popu¬ 
lation probably amounts to nearly 10,000. The 
principal settlements are in the neighbourhood of 
Waimea river, the roads at the entrance of which 
are the usual resort of vessels touching at Tauai. 
Near the mouth of the river is a strong fort, in 
excellent repair, mounting twenty-two guns. It 
was erected several years since, and is well 
adapted for defence. This, and the neighbouring 
island of Nihau, were not invaded and conquered 
by Tamehameha, by whom all the other islands of 
the group were subdued. Taumuarii, the late king, 
however, rendered a tacit acknowledgment of de¬ 
pendence on that ambitious prince, and paid 
annually a nominal tribute both to him, and his 
son, the late Rihoriho, and, shortly before his 
death, which took place in 1824, he formally 
ceded the islands which he had governed to 
Karaimoku, the regent of the Sandwich Islands, 
for the king, who was then absent on a visit to 
Great Britain. The son of the late king, and 
several old warriors, dissatisfied with the con¬ 
duct of their sovereign, took up arms, to rescue 
c2 
