From “The Hawaiian Spectator”
A few miles east of Laie, on the windward side of the island of Oahu, are situated1 the valley and falls of Kaliuwaa, noted2 as one of the most beautiful and romantic spots of the island, and famed in tradition as possessing more than local interest.
The valley runs back some two miles, terminating abruptly3 at the foot of the precipitous chain of mountains which runs nearly the whole length of the windward side of Oahu, except for a narrow gorge4 which affords a channel for a fine brook5 that descends6 with considerable regularity7 to a level with the sea. Leaving his horse at the termination of the valley and entering this narrow pass of not over fifty or sixty feet in width, the traveller winds his way along, crossing and recrossing the stream several times, till he seems to be entering into the very mountain. The walls on each side are of solid rock, from two hundred to three hundred, and in some places four hundred feet high, directly overhead, leaving but a narrow strip of sky visible.
Following up the stream for about a quarter of a [194]mile, one’s attention is directed by the guide to a curiosity called by the natives a waa (canoe). Turning to the right, one follows up a dry channel of what once must have been a considerable stream, to the distance of fifty yards from the present stream. Here one is stopped by a wall of solid rock rising perpendicularly9 before one to the height of some two hundred feet, and down which the whole stream must have descended10 in a beautiful fall. This perpendicular8 wall is worn in by the former action of the water in the shape of a gouge11, and in the most perfect manner; and as one looks upon it in all its grandeur12, but without the presence of the cause by which it was formed, he can scarcely divest13 his mind of the impression that he is gazing upon some stupendous work of art.
Returning to the present brook, we again pursued our way toward the fall, but had not advanced far before we arrived at another, on the left hand side of the brook, similar in many respects, but much larger and higher than the one above mentioned. The forming agent cannot be mistaken, when a careful survey is made of either of these stupendous perpendicular troughs. The span is considerably14 wider at the bottom than at the top, this result being produced by the spreading of the sheet of water as it was precipitated15 from the dizzy height above. The breadth of this one is about twenty feet at the bottom, and its depth about fourteen feet. But its depth and span gradually diminish from the bottom to the top, and the rock is worn as smooth as if chiselled16 by the hand of an artist. Moss17 and small plants have sprung out from the little [195]soil that has accumulated in the crevices18, but not enough to conceal19 the rock from observation. It would be an object worth the toil20 to discover what has turned the stream from its original channel.
Leaving this singular curiosity, we pursued our way a few yards farther, when we arrived at the fall. This is from eighty to one hundred feet high, and the water is compressed into a very narrow space just where it breaks forth21 from the rock above. It is quite a pretty sheet of water when the stream is high. We learned from the natives that there are two falls above this, both of which are shut out from the view from below, by a sudden turn in the course of the stream. The perpendicular height of each is said to be much greater than of the one we saw. The upper one is visible from the road on the seashore, which is more than two miles distant, and, judging from information obtained, must be between two and three hundred feet high. The impossibility of climbing the perpendicular banks from below deprived us of the pleasure of farther ascending22 the stream toward its source. This can be done only by commencing at the plain and following up one of the lateral23 ridges24. This would itself be a laborious25 and fatiguing26 task, as the way would be obstructed27 by a thick growth of trees and tangled28 underbrush.
The path leading to this fall is full of interest to any one who loves to study nature. From where we leave our horses at the head of the valley and commence entering the mountain, every step presents new and peculiar29 beauties. The most luxuriant verdure [196]clothes the ground, and in some places the beautifully burnished30 leaves of the ohia, or native apple-tree (Eugenia malaccensis), almost exclude the few rays of light that find their way down into this secluded31 nook. A little farther on, and the graceful32 bamboo sends up its slender stalk to a great height, mingling33 its dark, glossy34 foliage35 with the silvery leaves of the kukui, or candle-nut (Aleurites moluccana); these together form a striking contrast to the black walls which rise in such sullen36 grandeur on each side.
Kuumana, the Rain God of Kau.
Kuumana, the Rain God of Kau.
Nor is the beauty of the spot confined to the luxuriant verdure, or the stupendous walls and beetling37 crags. The stream itself is beautiful. From the basin at the falls to the lowest point at which we observed it, every succeeding step presents a delightful38 change. Here, its partially39 confined waters burst forth with considerable force, and struggle on among the opposing rocks for some distance; there, collected in a little basin, its limpid40 waves, pure as the drops of dew from the womb of the morning, circle round in ceaseless eddies41, until they get within the influence of the downward current, when away they whirl, with a gurgling, happy sound, as if joyous42 at being released from their temporary confinement43. Again, an aged44 kukui, whose trunk is white with the moss of accumulated years, throws his broad boughs45 far over the stream that nourishes his vigorous roots, casting a meridian47 shadow upon the surface of the water, which is reflected back with singular distinctness from its mirrored bosom48.
To every other gratification must be added the incomparable fragrance49 of the fresh wood, in perpetual [197]life and vigor46, which presents a freshness truly grateful to the senses. But it is in vain to think of conveying an adequate idea of a scene where the sublime50 is mingled51 with the beautiful, and the bold and striking with the delicate and sensitive; where every sense is gratified, the mind calmed, and the whole soul delighted.
Famed as this spot is for its natural scenic52 attractions, intimated in the foregoing description, its claim of distinction with Hawaiians is indelibly fixed53 by the traditions of ancient times, the narration54 of which, at this point, will assist the reader to understand the character of the native mind and throw some light also on the history of the Hawaiians.
Tradition in this locality deals largely with Kamapuaa, the famous demigod whose exploits figure prominently in the legends of the entire group. Summarized, the story is about as follows:
Kamapuaa, the fabulous55 being referred to, seems, according to the tradition, to have possessed56 the power of transforming himself into a hog57, in which capacity he committed all manner of depredations58 upon the possessions of his neighbors. He having stolen some fowls59 belonging to Olopana, who was the King of Oahu, the latter, who was then living at Kaneohe, sent some of his men to secure the thief. They succeeded in capturing him, and having tied him fast with cords, were bearing him in triumph to the King, when, thinking they had carried the joke far enough, he burst the bands with which he was bound, and killed all the men except one, whom he permitted to [198]convey the tidings to the King. This defeat so enraged60 the monarch61 that he determined62 to go in person with all his force, and either destroy his enemy, or drive him from his dominions63. He accordingly, despising ease inglorious,
at whose head he sought his waiting enemy. Success attending the King’s attack, his foe66 was driven from the field with great loss, and betook himself to the gorge of Kaliuwaa, which leads to the falls. Here the King thought he had him safe; and one would think so too, to look at the immense precipices68 that rise on each side, and the falls in front. But the sequel will show that he had a slippery fellow to deal with, at least when he chose to assume the character of a swine; for, being pushed to the upper end of the gorge near the falls, and seeing no other way of escape, he suddenly transformed himself into a hog, and, rearing upon his hind69 legs and leaning his back against the perpendicular precipice67, thus afforded a very comfortable ladder upon which the remnant of the army ascended70 and made their escape from the vengeance71 of the King. Possessing such powers, it is easy to see how he could follow the example of his soldiers and make his own escape. The smooth channels before described are said to have been made by him on these occasions; for he was more than once caught in the same predicament. Old natives still believe that they are the prints of his back; and they account for a very [199]natural phenomenon, by bringing to their aid this most natural and foolish superstition72.
Many objects in the neighborhood are identified with this remarkable73 personage, such as a large rock to which he was tied, a wide place in the brook where he used to drink, and a number of trees he is said to have planted. Many other things respecting him are current, but as they do not relate to the matter in hand, it will perhaps suffice to say, in conclusion, that tradition further asserts that Kamapuaa conquered the volcano, when Pele its goddess became his wife, and that they afterward74 lived together in harmony. That is the reason why there are no more islands formed, or very extensive eruptions75 in these later days, as boiling lava76 was the most potent77 weapon she used in fighting her enemies, throwing out such quantities as greatly to increase the size of the islands, and even to form new ones.
Visitors to the falls, even to this day, meet with evidences of the superstitious78 awe79 in which the locality is held by the natives. A party who recently visited the spot state that when they reached the falls they were instructed to make an offering to the presiding goddess. This was done in true Hawaiian style; they built a tiny pile of stones on one or two large leaves, and so made themselves safe from falling stones, which otherwise would assuredly have struck them.
点击收听单词发音
1 situated | |
adj.坐落在...的,处于某种境地的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
2 noted | |
adj.著名的,知名的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
3 abruptly | |
adv.突然地,出其不意地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
4 gorge | |
n.咽喉,胃,暴食,山峡;v.塞饱,狼吞虎咽地吃 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
5 brook | |
n.小河,溪;v.忍受,容让 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
6 descends | |
v.下来( descend的第三人称单数 );下去;下降;下斜 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
7 regularity | |
n.规律性,规则性;匀称,整齐 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
8 perpendicular | |
adj.垂直的,直立的;n.垂直线,垂直的位置 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
9 perpendicularly | |
adv. 垂直地, 笔直地, 纵向地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
10 descended | |
a.为...后裔的,出身于...的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
11 gouge | |
v.凿;挖出;n.半圆凿;凿孔;欺诈 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
12 grandeur | |
n.伟大,崇高,宏伟,庄严,豪华 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
13 divest | |
v.脱去,剥除 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
14 considerably | |
adv.极大地;相当大地;在很大程度上 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
15 precipitated | |
v.(突如其来地)使发生( precipitate的过去式和过去分词 );促成;猛然摔下;使沉淀 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
16 chiselled | |
adj.凿过的,凿光的; (文章等)精心雕琢的v.凿,雕,镌( chisel的过去式 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
17 moss | |
n.苔,藓,地衣 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
18 crevices | |
n.(尤指岩石的)裂缝,缺口( crevice的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
19 conceal | |
v.隐藏,隐瞒,隐蔽 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
20 toil | |
vi.辛劳工作,艰难地行动;n.苦工,难事 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
21 forth | |
adv.向前;向外,往外 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
22 ascending | |
adj.上升的,向上的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
23 lateral | |
adj.侧面的,旁边的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
24 ridges | |
n.脊( ridge的名词复数 );山脊;脊状突起;大气层的)高压脊 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
25 laborious | |
adj.吃力的,努力的,不流畅 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
26 fatiguing | |
a.使人劳累的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
27 obstructed | |
阻塞( obstruct的过去式和过去分词 ); 堵塞; 阻碍; 阻止 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
28 tangled | |
adj. 纠缠的,紊乱的 动词tangle的过去式和过去分词 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
29 peculiar | |
adj.古怪的,异常的;特殊的,特有的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
30 burnished | |
adj.抛光的,光亮的v.擦亮(金属等),磨光( burnish的过去式和过去分词 );被擦亮,磨光 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
31 secluded | |
adj.与世隔绝的;隐退的;偏僻的v.使隔开,使隐退( seclude的过去式和过去分词) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
32 graceful | |
adj.优美的,优雅的;得体的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
33 mingling | |
adj.混合的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
34 glossy | |
adj.平滑的;有光泽的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
35 foliage | |
n.叶子,树叶,簇叶 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
36 sullen | |
adj.愠怒的,闷闷不乐的,(天气等)阴沉的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
37 beetling | |
adj.突出的,悬垂的v.快速移动( beetle的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
38 delightful | |
adj.令人高兴的,使人快乐的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
39 partially | |
adv.部分地,从某些方面讲 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
40 limpid | |
adj.清澈的,透明的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
41 eddies | |
(水、烟等的)漩涡,涡流( eddy的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
42 joyous | |
adj.充满快乐的;令人高兴的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
43 confinement | |
n.幽禁,拘留,监禁;分娩;限制,局限 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
44 aged | |
adj.年老的,陈年的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
45 boughs | |
大树枝( bough的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
46 vigor | |
n.活力,精力,元气 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
47 meridian | |
adj.子午线的;全盛期的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
48 bosom | |
n.胸,胸部;胸怀;内心;adj.亲密的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
49 fragrance | |
n.芬芳,香味,香气 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
50 sublime | |
adj.崇高的,伟大的;极度的,不顾后果的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
51 mingled | |
混合,混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 ); 混进,与…交往[联系] | |
参考例句: |
|
|
52 scenic | |
adj.自然景色的,景色优美的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
53 fixed | |
adj.固定的,不变的,准备好的;(计算机)固定的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
54 narration | |
n.讲述,叙述;故事;记叙体 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
55 fabulous | |
adj.极好的;极为巨大的;寓言中的,传说中的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
56 possessed | |
adj.疯狂的;拥有的,占有的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
57 hog | |
n.猪;馋嘴贪吃的人;vt.把…占为己有,独占 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
58 depredations | |
n.劫掠,毁坏( depredation的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
59 fowls | |
鸟( fowl的名词复数 ); 禽肉; 既不是这; 非驴非马 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
60 enraged | |
使暴怒( enrage的过去式和过去分词 ); 歜; 激愤 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
61 monarch | |
n.帝王,君主,最高统治者 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
62 determined | |
adj.坚定的;有决心的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
63 dominions | |
统治权( dominion的名词复数 ); 领土; 疆土; 版图 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
64 trumpet | |
n.喇叭,喇叭声;v.吹喇叭,吹嘘 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
65 warriors | |
武士,勇士,战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
66 foe | |
n.敌人,仇敌 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
67 precipice | |
n.悬崖,危急的处境 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
68 precipices | |
n.悬崖,峭壁( precipice的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
69 hind | |
adj.后面的,后部的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
70 ascended | |
v.上升,攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
71 vengeance | |
n.报复,报仇,复仇 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
72 superstition | |
n.迷信,迷信行为 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
73 remarkable | |
adj.显著的,异常的,非凡的,值得注意的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
74 afterward | |
adv.后来;以后 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
75 eruptions | |
n.喷发,爆发( eruption的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
76 lava | |
n.熔岩,火山岩 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
77 potent | |
adj.强有力的,有权势的;有效力的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
78 superstitious | |
adj.迷信的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
79 awe | |
n.敬畏,惊惧;vt.使敬畏,使惊惧 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
欢迎访问英文小说网 |