404 POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES, 
in the evening, and to have frightened the people* 
were called na kea, (the whites.) 
The snow on the summit of the mountain, in all 
probability, induced the natives to call it Mouna- 
Kea, (mountain white,) or, as we should say, white 
mountain. They have numerous fabulous tales 
relative to its being the abode of the gods, and 
none ever approach its summit, — as, they say, 
some who have gone there have been turned to 
stone . We do not know that any have ever been 
frozen to death; but neither Mr. Goodrich, nor 
Dr. Blatchely and his companion, could persuade 
the natives, whom they engaged as guides up the 
sides of the mountain, to go near its summit. 
We could not but regret that we had no baro¬ 
meter, or other means of estimating the actual 
elevation of this mountain, either here or at 
Waiakea. 
When the Missionaries, Bishop and Goodrich, 
reached Kairua, the governor welcomed their 
return, and they were agreeably surprised to find 
him engaged in erecting a building for the worship 
of the true God. They learned that he had, during 
the preceding week, collected his people at Kairua, 
and addressed them on the duty of observing the 
Sabbath according to the laws of Jehovah. He 
also told them it was his desire that they should 
cease from work or amusement on that day, and 
attend divine service at his house. The people 
assented to his proposal, and when the Sabbath 
arrived, such numbers assembled, that hundreds 
were obliged to stand outside. Numbers also 
repaired to the house of Thomas Hopu, to be 
instructed in what they term the “ new” religion. 
The next day the governor directed the people 
of Kairua to commence building a house, in which 
