For the past few nights I have been reading on line about Menzies Journal while he was in the Hawaiian Islands in 1792-94 on their winter layovers. Yes, each winter they would sail back to the Islands. They weren't lying on the beaches and tanning their white bodies. Menzies took a troop of natives and they climbed Mauna Loa. It took him 10 days to make the climb and he calculated the height of Mauna Loa almost to the correct height using a barometer. 13,634 feet above sea level. Actual is 13,675 ft. He was the first non native to complete the climb and it was a first for the natives, as well, as they had never been above the vegetation line. It was not easy as they were barefoot on the snow covered ridges. Lt Puget was the first to chart the north shore of Molakai. They sailed to all the islands creating detailed charts and meeting with chiefs.
You can buy this book on Amazon or read it on google ebooks. Archibald Menzies, Hawaii Nei: 128 Years Ago.
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