Volcano
Hospitality
Selections
from On the Rim of Kilauea:
Excerpts from the Volcano House Register
A
View from Volcano House
I
visited this volcano forty-five years ago. It was
much more active then than now, but the
difference is great in regard to the comforts.
Then everyone furnished his own larder and
blanket and slept on the ground under a poor
shanty. Now the accommodations are very
comfortable and the table laden with the choicest
viands-
Rev. W.P. Alexander, Wailuku, Maui 9 Oct 1877
From the Volcano House Register
Kilauea
volcano has for quite some time has enticed and
fascinated visitors. Since the mid-1800s, The
Volcano House Hotel has sat on the edge of
Kilauea caldera. Between the years of 1865-1955
the hotel maintained a register which has
recorded the experience and wonder of Pele's
domain. A lesson in geology and human nature, the
amusing entries chronicle the lengths an
adventurer might go to experience a natural
wonder.
The
guest book first appeared in 1865. Volcano house
was no more than a grass hut when O.H. Gluck
donated the first blank guest book.
Travelers
and passerby are requested by the donor of this
book to record their names in it and to note all,
or any, volcanic phenomena that may come under
their notice during their stay at the time of
their visit. By so doing, this record may become
of great value, some years hence, to the
scientific world...
O.H. Gulick, 2 Feb 1865
In
1865 Volcano House was located between two active
volcanoes, Kilauea and Mauna Loa. As there was no
official observatory at the time, Gulick proposed
the original log book would be a means to record
volcanic activity. The Volcano House eventually
became a hotel which was rebuilt over the years.
As one logbook was filled a new register was
donated.
In
1866 an improved hotel was constructed by Julius
Richardson of frame, bamboo and thatch. There was
a furnished parlor, a fireplace, and two sleeping
rooms.
Having
visited Kilauea in the days when the old shed
with its open door and hole in the center, for a
fireplace, were all the accommodation for poor
weary chilled travelers; how great is our
appreciation and admiration of the present
delightful dwelling which well deserves the name
of hotel. Well may Madame Pele now light up her
fires and advertise for visitors since she can
receive them with hospitality.
M.A. Chamberlain, Honolulu, 19 July 1866
In
1877, William H. Lentz was hired to assist in
building an improved hotel. he took over as
proprietor until 1883. The 1877 building now
houses the Volcano Art Center.
The
management of the Volcano House is second to none
in the kingdom, and could be well copied by a
house in Honolulu of far greater pretensions. I
reckon that all who come here will be pleased,
the combination of a cool atmosphere, a genial
host, a table thoroughly supplied with various
delicacies which could not be expected here and
last though not least good beds and warm fires
make it a place where one would like to remain
for a week.
signature illegible, Louisiana, 6 Dec 1882
In
1883 O.T. Shipman took over managing the hotel
until 1885. Guests were pleased with the new
management. However, the main attraction
continued to be Madame Pele.
THE
GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH
The Great Craters
OF HALE-MAU-MAU and KALEAU!
Billows of liquid fire!
Waves of molten lava!!
Fiery fountains!!!
UNPARALLELED
PYROTECHNIC DISPLAYS!!!!
Day and Night
Goddess Pele, Propreitress
Geo. D. Dorrin, Berkeley, Cal., 19-21 April 1884
In
1885 the Volcano House came under the new
ownership of the "Wilder Steamship
Company," with John Maby as manager.
I
came to the Volcano House for the benefit of my
health and must say that the climate, the
comfortable and clean beds, the good well
prepared food, the sulfur baths and the kind
treatment I have received at the hands of Mr. and
Mrs. Maby have made me feel like a new man. I can
not help but feel surprised that people from
Honolulu especially and the different islands
also don't come here to the Volcano House when
they need a rest, because everything that can be
done for them is certainly done by the manager
and his good lady. Only regret is that Madame
Pele was not at home when we called on her, but
the grand and awe inspiring sights we saw repaid
us quite for any hardships we had to go through,
if any, on our return home. The weather during
the time I have been here has not been such as
one would call favorable but the open hearted
welcome which I invariably received after a tramp
in the surrounding woods has always cheered me
up.
John G. Eckardt, 24 Jan 1887
1891
saw new owners, the Volcano House Company. A new
and larger hotel was constructed under the
direction of George A. Howard. The new manager of
the house was Peter Lee, he ran the Volcano House
until 1898.
Four
A.M. visited crater. Twenty-eight fountains were
playing. Combined light from lanterns and crater
formed an awe inspiring sight. Visitors are
strongly recommended to visit Madame Pele by
night. Mr. Lee's opposition may be overcome by
strategy. Hide lamps and sticks in your beds.
no signature, 2 April 1894
In
1898, Fred Waldron took over management of
Volcano House for about two years.
We
made a trip to the crater by day and one by night
- both of which were interesting. At night the
cracks burned a fiery red and we amused ourselves
cooking eggs, baking bananas and burning sticks.
We went into the hot cone and felt the heat of
130 degrees, and charmed by the interesting
wonders and moonlight, almost forgot to come back
- so, much to our surprise when we were coming
through the moonlit forest of ferns we met a
search party - fearful that the edge had caved in
and that we were no more. The relief of our host
and hostess (Mr. and Mrs. Waldron) at our return,
was shown in a very charming midnight repast and
a hot crackling wood fire.
Mrs., Edith Maling, 19 June 1902
After
Mr. Waldron left, St. Clair Bidgood became
manager until 1904.
For
snow capped mountain peaks, rugged rocks, fiery
pits, bracing air, complete cuisine, good service
and the most congenial of hosts, visit the
Volcano House.
C.K. Maguire, Manila P.I., 5 July 1904
In
1904 George Lycurgus and his nephew Demosthenes
Lycurgus arrived to manage the hotel. Demosthenes
ran the Volcano House between 1905 and 1919.
For
the admirer of the marvelous; for the over of
Nature in one of her most picturesque garbs; for
the seeker after health for the bob-vivant; for
the botanist, the geologist, and the
seismologist; here is to be found something or
other to interest, to enjoy, and to satisfy.
Singular must be the human being who cannot be
happy amidst such charming surroundings.
Edward Armitage, Palikani, 2 Dec 1905
In
1919 Demosthenes went to Greece for a visit and
Peter Anastasopoulous took over as manager. While
in Greece Demosthenes became ill and died in
1921. The Inter-Island Steamship Company then
gained control of Volcano House and made
extensive alterations. Peter T. Phillips managed
for awhile, and was replaced in 1923 by Channing
J. Lovejoy who managed until 1927.
I
shall remember my days here with great pleasure.
The first time in traveling (India, China, Japan)
I have been able to sit in the woods, enjoy
peacefully the birds, the ferns. It reminds me of
my own Dorset homeland. Beautiful Hawaii.
Wm. George, Dorset, England, 28 Aug 1927
Mr. and
Mrs. James N. Gandy ran the Volcano House from
1927 to 1932.
The
most spectacular sight I ever hope to see - came
to spend a weekend, decided to stay two weeks.
Clare Bennett, 27 July 1929
No
better comforts. No better scenery and
atmosphere. A home within a hotel.
Lady Florence, 10 May 1931
Only
two years after the Inter-Island Company
purchased and invested $150,000 in renovations in
the hotel Halemaumau ceased activity. Revenues
fell due to fewer visitors. The Volcano House
went into receivership following the depression,
stock market crash and financial difficulties. At
a sheriff's sale in 1932, George Lycurgus became
owner of the hotel once more. The only bidder he
purchased Volcano House for $300.
The
Volcano House became world famous, partly because
of the unique location and beautiful country and
partly because of Mr. Lycurgus himself.
The
Volcano House and Hawaiian National Park is
indeed a garden of Eden in Paradise. The exterior
and interior of the Volcano House has all the
sophistication of the most deluxe Hotel in the
world, and yet, by the flickering firelight
encircling the cheery hearth, you will find the
happy family attitude of a small abode. The
engaging smile of welcome and true hospitality,
from the most pleasing countenance of Mr. George
Lycurgus, greets you each morning, noon and
evening. To me this gorgeous spot is like
"love" - to describe it makes it but
the less. It is something we feel yet can not
define. It is something we know, yet can not
express.
Fay Frances King, Honolulu, no date
In
1940 a fire in the kitchen ignited the entire
hotel and everything within the hotel was lost.
The 1877 building was spared and made into a
temporary hotel. By 1941, Lycurgus had built a
new hotel, the Volcano House which still stands
today.
George
Lycurgus very wittily told me that right here
around the Volcano House man can see heaven and
hell at the same time. It is truly an awe
inspiring sight - the lovely house and its
charming host amidst the crater that is till
capable to cause death and destruction. An
unforgettable experience to me who visited this
place before the recent eruption; flew over the
volcano during the eruption and now came to see
it after the eruption. I hope to be here again
and fall in love with the groups of islands
anchored in the incomparable blue Pacific and the
wonderful people who live here. It is
heartbreaking to have to go back to the mainland.
George Lycurgus is one of the few men who have
made these islands a land of charm and
enchantment.
Prof. Boris M. Stanfield, 30 Aug 1950
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