The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1871-05-03
Waikiki Plain.

We notice, with considerable interest
that the town is spreading towards Wal
kiki; that the taking up of lots and
building thereon, is more active in that
suburb than elsewhere.
For many years, the Valley and the
mauka side of the town have furnished
the sites most popular for residences, and
hence increase of buildings has been
mostly in that direction. The new home
steads followed up the water-courses, as
much of the beauty and comfort of our
island homes depend upon the verdure
and foliage that covers and adorns the
grounds about the dwelling; and this
again upon the amount of water obtain
able for irrigation. The popular notion,
also, that the Valley air is the coolest and
freshest, and therefore the healthiest, lent
It's argument towards determining the in
crease of building in that part of the
town. But the Valley air is moist as well
as cool, from the frequent showers or
heavy rains of the winter months and the
soil is more or less saturated with water
at all times, as the land is the drainage
ground of mountains on either side.
The Waikiki Plain presenting, as it
does, an arid, dusty and treeless space,
without running streams, and but a scanty
vegetation, has not commended itself TO
the public as an eligible place for dwell
ings, or as holding out any inducement
to settlers 1t has seemed too hard a spot,
and too unpromising, for cultivation and
occupancy. Yet the plain has an excellent
soil, is swept by the cool trade-winds,
has dry air, and without doubt, could
1t be irrigated, would prove the healthiest
and most comfortable locality for resi-
dences of any part of the town.
Some months ago, the water-pipes-
which have made such wonderful change
in the town, by covering it with trees and
evergreen foliage-were extended beyond
the Mission, along the Waikiki road to a
little distance beyond the residence of
Mr. c. E. Williams, and on Beretania
Street, some distance beyond Punch-bowl
Street The water, artifcially made to
flow along the arid plain, though beneath
the ground and confined to small quanti- /
ties, like good seed, has not persisted, but
is showing its power to redeem waste
places and create new values. Building
lots along these streets, that had lain long
years unused and unsought for, have been
taken up, and comfortable cottages built
upon them; green grass and young trees
are coming on, and very soon no one will
remember how little worth these lots
were esteemed to be by their former
owners. We believe that not single
lot now remains unoccupied and unim-
proved along the line of the water-pipes
The town in that neighborhood has as
sumed new and cheerful appearance
The lots are fenced in, giving to the street
a settled and cheerful aspect, and the
open, dusty PLAIN has moved its border
some considerable distance further from
town. The property has increased in
vaiue-and viii continue to do so-as the
line of dwellings extends further on.
Several plans have been spoken Of, by
which water may be supplied upon the
plains, and We know of no physical OBJ
struction which may not be overcome,
Whenever the need for water is such
as viii pay for the cost of bringing
it. The Nuuanu water has fall enough,
and could perhaps be procured in suf
'cient quantity. But the Manoa Valley
nearer, and has abundant water which
IN be led out, though the cost, probably,
,oul. 4 be considerable. The value of the
,ts = -ould be increased thousand-fold,
ould they have water sufficient for irriga-
ION an6 therefore when it shall be laid
4. Is merely a question of time as to
~ increase of our population, and their
onseouent need of homesteads.