The Hawaiian gazette., 1889-09-10
VISIT TO KONA.
4 New Sugar Observation-Disclosures
Scenery and Climate-A FertIe

4 New Sugar Observation-Disclosures
Scenery and CIimate-A Fertile
Region, etc.
Last week 1 made my first trip to
Kona, and rather forced by curiosity
than ANYTHING else, put my foot on
this part of Hawaii, from where the
queerest reports were flying about.
did not find two persons out OF hundred
. who would tell the same yarn; and, as
I aiwavs like to find out the truth, L
made my mind up to spend holiday
there and to satisfy my curiosity.
The first impression OF North Kona,
after passing through thevillage of Kailua,
was not a favorable one, as stones were
gazing upon me as an intruder into their
solitude. which is occasionally inter-
rupted by jackass grazing on poor pro-
vender, although in appearance these
animals seem to be more than skin and
bones. After a good miles ride towards
the place called Holualoa, turned
away 10 inspect the new sugar planta-
ton, laughing at the idea of starting such
an enterprise in this desert. But l could
not remain long with these thoughts.
At first a few shrubs were spread over
here and there, and then more and more
until, as l proceeded upward, l found
myself right in the centre of a most
vigorous plantation; and was very much
taken by surprise, as | never expected
that a paradise could be so near the
desert through which passed only a few
minutes before. The intense heat which
had exhausted me and my horse disap-
peared, and a most agreeable air pre-
vailed around me. Refreshed by the
cool air. I soon was at the house of the
manager OF the new sugar plantation,
and walking through the nice garden,
met Messrs. Coerper and Strauch, the
managers OF the KOna Sugar Co., who
welcomed me in their cordial manner,
and accepted their kind invitation 20
stav a couple OF days. The climate
seems good, and nothing disturbs the
peace OF their new home. As | learned
from my kind hosts, they very seldom
feel a breath of wind on their place
called Holualoa; its situation being be-
hind the Hualalai and Maunaloa mount
aims, it is protected from the trade
winds.
A total Of nine inches of rainfall was
recorded during the last four months at
the elevation OF 1900 feet, which is quite
sufficient for the wants of sugar cane, as
was told by my host.
By the thickness of the forest and by
Othe- impressions made upon me, must
believe that very few white men have
ever before forced their way through
these tracts of land held now by the
Kona Sugar Company, and any man
must be very ignorant who can find
nothing else in Kona but clinckers and
lantana Jungles.
1t is a shame that the residents in
Kona keep people away from these most
healthy and fiourishing districts of this
paradise OF the Hawaiian Islands, by re-
ports of droughts and sterility, while
they fatten on the rich cream OF their
fine looking COWS. No steamer brings
better cattle, sweeter fruits and larger
stalks of sugarcane to Honolulu than the
W. q. Hall. Persons suffering from
rheumatism, lung diseases etc., are sent
by the physicians TO Kona, to be relieved
and cured. Do not stop on the rocky
beach of Kona; 60 towards the noun
tains, along the upper government road.
Thousands upon thousands OF acres,
which can be used for everything and
anything are lying idle there; while
many man who has sought to invest
his money in other places, fails as he
cannot find suitable tract of land to
make home, never thought of Kona,
on account of its bad name. Sick and
disguised he returns to the States, and
thus keeps ais friends from settling on
the Hawaiian Islands. Steps should be
taken by the government to try by all /
means to populate these fertile districts
then il will be only a matter of time
when Kona Will be the most populous
district Of this Kingdom, as it formerly
was.
went over fhe canefelds of the new
plantation, and great credit is due to the
management, as a great deal OF work
has been done under difficult circum-
stances, to start this enterprise, which
doubtless will turn out to the satisfaction
OF Its stockholders. About one hundred
acres are planted, mostly with Lahaina
cane, and a piece of eighty acres will be |
planted in a few weeks, which is COW
cred to a large extent with ferns and is
free from stones. A dark deep soil is !
found and wherever cane is planted 1t |
looks firm and vigorous. Most of the |
land Of the company is pretty nearly |
level and free from stones. There are
two streams of water high up on their |
land,-a larger and smaller one,-the |
former which runs along the only gulch !
on their place, and the latter one drains |
the water from a swamp covering many |
acres. One of them, if led in fume,
which will be more than sufficient to
carry all the cane to the mill. l learn a
twenty-ton mill will soon be on the way
out from Germany, and will be set up
close to the beach. Their first crop is
estimated at 1900 tons. The country
will have to thank these gentlemen, if |
they succeed in making the first step to
transform the fine Kona districts into
an industrious country. TOURIST.