CHAPTER XII.
THE FIRE-WORSHIPERS.
Wailuku is not only the principal town of the island of Maui, but it is second in importance only to Honolulu. It is close to Kahului, the great seaport of the island. It counts over a hundred business places, some of great importance, and four or five times as many dwellings.
Many of the tourists on the steamer were going to stop off at Wailuku to visit the great mountain Haleakala, which, translated into English, means the House of the Sun. This mountain possesses the largest extinct volcano in the world. There is also a valley close by, called the Iao, which is grand in its uncanny crags and gorgeous in its dress of tropical vines and flowers, so much so that it has been called the Yosemite of the Pacific.
When we landed we were immediately surrounded by half a dozen carriage-drivers, eager to take us anywhere we might want to go. But we had already completed plans to stop for one day at the Wailuku House, and walked the distance, which was not far.
"It's a Honolulu in miniature," observed Dan,
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