Ski-ing in the Tropics

The Paradox of Hawaii

TT is not generally known that ski-ing, the darling sport of the Continent, is the latest craze to be adopted in the tropical South Seas.

Let us hasten to explain, however, that it is paradoxical Hawaii that has taken this new thrill to its bosom. Hawaii, geo graphically, is sub-tropical, but by some freak of Nature mountains, snowcapped the year round, are part of its makeup.

Recently parties have climbed the snow covered slopes of Mauna Kea (13,825 ft. high), to indulge in this sport that was entirely foreign to the Islands until this year. They reported excellent ski-ing at the 12,000 ft. level, although the bright Hawaiian sun on the tropical snow caused a few cases of temporary snow blindness.

Several globe-trotters who were on one of the sporting expeditions claimed that the ski-ing was as good as that experi enced in any part of the world. Hawaiians among the group reported that their experience in sliding down the crests of Waikiki waves on surfboards was of little help to them in handling the skis.

The pioneer snow sportsmen reached the ski runs by horseback as the snow belt is far off the beaten track on Hawaii Island, the largest in the archipelago.

Mauna Kea means “white mountain.

Its sister peak, Mauna Loa, is the scene of occasional outpouring of volcanic fire— the last flow having been a little over a year ago.