Pages That Mention Mauna Loa
Journey of the sloop Good Intent to explore the Asiatic and American shores of Bering Strait, 1819 to 1822. Part three
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[ Mauna Loa ], Mona-Kaa [ Mauna Kea ], and Mono-Morotai [Puu Hualalei] . The first one is 8,700 feet above sea level and is located on the northeastern [southwestern] end of the island. Next in size is Mono-Kaa, located at the southern [northern] end, and finally, Mono-Morotai on the northwestern, not far from Kiarakua [Kealakekua] Bay, famous for the death of Cook.2
When we crossed the mentioned strait about two o'clock in the afternoon and took refuge behind the island of Hawaii; its heights shielded us from the wind and we were completely becalmed. Standing in one place, we had time to contemplate the beautiful charming landscapes presented by these islands. To begin with, a low shore starts gradually to rise at a certain distance, reaching to the highest mountains, and varying from darkest to light vegetation until it disappears completely. The top of the mountains present to the eye a view of naked rocks flowed over by lava, whose long hardened streams extend, in places, all the way to the seashore where the houses, or rather, the huts, of the natives are located, surrounded by coconut groves, and banana and bread fruit trees. In short, the view is so enchanting that one cannot have enough of it. A light breeze blowing now and then from the shore brought us the fragrance, but our impatience to get on a land that was capable of producing such aromas, was futile--the wind would not let us get closer to Kiarakua Bay, almost the only anchoring place near the island. In addition, thinking that in the settlement of the same name or in the nearest one to it