The Hawaiian Archipelago - Six Months Among The Palm Groves, Coral Reefs, And Volcanoes Of The Sandwich Islands By Isabella L. Bird
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{95} Formerly, The Chiefs, When Not Engaged In Active
Pursuits, Exacted Lomi-Lomi As A Constant Service From Their
Followers.
A number of Hilo folk came in during the evening to inquire how we
had sped, and for news of the volcano.
I think the proximity of
Kilauea gives sublimity to Hilo, and helps to lift conversation out
of common-place ruts. It is no far-off spectacle, but an immediate
source of wonder and apprehension, for it rocks the village with
earthquakes, and renders the construction of stone houses and
plastered ceilings impossible. It rolls vast tidal waves with
infinite destruction on the coast, and of late years its fiery
overflowings have twice threatened this paradise with annihilation.
Then there is the dead volcano of Mauna Loa, from whose resurrection
anything may be feared. Even last night a false rumour that a light
was to be seen on its summit brought everyone out, but it was only
an increased glare from the pit of Hale-mau-mau. It is most
interesting to be in a region of such splendid possibilities.
I.L.B.
LETTER VII.
HILO, HAWAII.
The white population here, which constitutes "society," is very
small. There are two venerable missionaries "Father Coan" and
"Father Lyman," the former pastor of a large native congregation,
which, though much shrunken, is not only self-sustaining, but
contributes $1200 a year to foreign missions, and the latter, though
very old and frail, the indefatigable head of an industrial school
for native young men.
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