HAWAII, 
5 
we are acquainted. The mountains of Hawaii, 
unlike the peak of TenerifFe in the Atlantic, the 
mountains 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 ap¬ 
pearance of Hawaii is less romantic and pictu¬ 
resque 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 approaching 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 mag¬ 
nificent temple, distinguished, from the clouds be¬ 
neath, 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 com¬ 
puted 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 
* In Cook’s Voyages, Captain King, speaking of Mou- 
ria-Kaah, (Kea,) remarks, that it u 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 TenerifFe, by 724 feet, according to Dr. He- 
berden’s computation, or S680 according to that of Che- 
