WHEN the Hawaiian Islands became part of the territory of the United States, we at the same time acquired possession of the greatest volcano in the world, the Mauna Loa, on the island of Hawaii. Another great crater, Kilauea, is on the same island. The two occupy the larger southern half of the island. When in eruption, the glare is so great, that for fifty miles the sky is illuminated so as to turn night into day. The hot, lava flows on for miles, destroying everything on its path. The roar and boom, as large boulders are belched forth is terrific and indescribable. It is al grand expression of the power of God, that may well cause man to fear.
There are many superstitions in regard to the volcanoes. In the olden times, whenever an eruption took place, it was the custom to pick the ohelo berries, which grow in great quantities near the volcanoes, and throw them into the crater as an offering to Pele, the goddess of volcanoes. Hogs and other property were often thrown into the streams of lava.
The following story tells how one Hawaiian superstition was broken down by Kapiolani, a high chieftess, living nearly one hundred years ago. In her youth this heathen woman was intemperate and dissolute; but later, by the grace of God, she was converted, and became an example to her country women. Up to her time, it had been “taboo” for any women to ascend the mountain to the volcano, or to pick the ohelo berries, sacred to Pele, dread goddess of the place.
After her conversion to Christ, Kapiolani determined to break the spell of faith in Pele, and teach the superstitious natives to worship the true God. She made a journey of one hundred miles, mostly on foot. On approaching the volcano she met the priestess of Pele, who warned her not to go too near the crater, and predicted her death if she violated the taboos of the goddess.
“Who are you?” demanded Kapidlani.
“One in whom the goddess dwells,” was the reply.
In answer to a pretended letter from Pele, Kapiolani quoted passages from the Holy Scriptures, setting forth the character and the power of the true God, until the priestess was silenced and confessed that the deity had left her. Kapiolani and her company of eighty persons descended over five hundred feet to the Black Ridge. There in full view of the grand and terrific action of the inner crater, she sat and ate the berries consecrated to Pele, and threw stones into the burning lake, saying,
“The Lord is my God. He kindled these fires. I fear not the Pele. If I perish by her anger, then you may fear Pele, but if I trust in God, and He preserves me when breaking her taboos, then you shall know that He alone is to be feared.”
ML 11/19/1922