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A Globetrotting Guide to
the Internet Volcano Hospitality
Selections from On the Rim of Kilauea: Excerpts from the Volcano House Register: -
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- 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... 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. 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. 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 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. No
better comforts. No better scenery and atmosphere. A home
within a hotel. 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. 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.
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