A General History and Collection of Voyages and Travels, Volume 17 | Page 4

6.
Morotoi, or Morokoi. 7. Woahoo, or Oahoo. 8. Atooi, Atowi, or Towi,
and sometimes Kowi.[2] 9. Neeheehow, or Oneeheow. 10. Oreehona,
or Reehoua; and, 11. Tahoora; and are all inhabited, excepting
Morotinnee and Tahoora. Besides the islands above enumerated, we
were told by the Indians, that there is another called Modoopapapa,[3]
or Komodoopapapa, lying to the W.S.W. of Tahoora, which is low and

sandy, and visited only for the purpose of catching turtle and sea-fowl;
and, as I could never learn that they knew of any others, it is probable
that none exist in their neighbourhood.
They were named by Captain Cook the Sandwich Islands, in honour of
the EARL OF SANDWICH, under whose administration he had
enriched geography with so many splendid and important discoveries; a
tribute justly due to that noble person for the liberal support these
voyages derived from his power, in whatever could extend their utility,
or promote their success; for the zeal with which he seconded the views
of that great navigator; and, if I may be allowed to add the voice of
private gratitude, for the generous protection, which, since the death of
their unfortunate commander, he has afforded all the officers that
served under him.
Owhyhee, the easternmost, and by much the largest of these islands, is
of a triangular shape, and nearly equilateral. The angular points make
the north, east, and south extremities, of which the northern is in
latitude 20° 17' N., longitude 204° 02' E.; the eastern in latitude 19° 34'
N., longitude 205° 06' E.; and the southern extremity in latitude 18° 54'
N., longitude 204° 15' E. Its greatest length, which lies in a direction
nearly north and south, is 23-1/2 leagues; its breadth is 24 leagues; and
it is about 255 geographical, or 293 English miles in circumference.
The whole island is divided into six large districts; Amakooa and
Aheedoo, which lie on the north-east side; Apoona and Kaoo on the
south-east; Akona and Koaarra on the west.
The districts of Amakooa and Aheedoo are separated by a mountain
called Mounah Kaah (or the mountain Kaah), which rises in three peaks,
perpetually covered with snow, and may be clearly seen at 40 leagues
distance.
To the north of this mountain the coast consists of high and abrupt
cliffs, down which fall many beautiful cascades of water. We were
once flattered with the hopes of meeting with a harbour round a bluff
head, in latitude 20° 10' N., and longitude 204° 26' E.; but, on doubling
the point, and standing close in, we found it connected by a low valley,
with another high head to the north-west. The country rises inland with

a gentle ascent, is intersected by deep narrow glens, or rather chasms,
and appeared to be well cultivated and sprinkled over with a number of
villages. The snowy mountain is very steep, and the lower part of it
covered with wood.
The coast of Aheedoo, which lies to the south of Mouna Kaah, is of a
moderate height, and the interior parts appear more even than the
country to the north-west, and less broken by ravines. Off these two
districts we cruised for almost a month; and, whenever our distance
from shore would permit it, were sure of being surrounded by canoes
laden with all kinds of refreshments. We had frequently a very heavy
sea, and great swell on this side of the island; and as we had no
soundings, and could observe much foul ground off the shore, we never
approached nearer the land than two or three leagues, excepting on the
occasion already mentioned.
The coast to the north-east of Apoona, which forms the eastern
extremity of the island, is low and flat; the acclivity of the inland parts
is very gradual, and the whole country covered with cocoa-nut and
bread-fruit trees. This, as far as we could judge, is the finest part of the
island, and we were afterward told that the king had a place of
residence here. At the south-west extremity the hills rise abruptly from
the sea side, leaving but a narrow border of low ground toward the
beach. We were pretty near the shore at this part of the island, and
found the sides of the hills covered with a fine verdure; but the country
seemed to be very thinly inhabited. On doubling the east point of the
island, we came in sight of another snowy mountain, called Mouna Roa
(or the extensive mountain), which continued to be a very conspicuous
object all the while we were sailing along the south- east side. It is flat
at the top, making what is called by mariners table- land; the summit
was constantly buried in snow, and we once saw its sides also slightly
covered for a considerable way down; but the