The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1890-10-14
A Plea for Palms.

article in the ADVERTISER some two |
weeks since in regard to the trees
in Kapiolani Park. There is an
opportunity to make that a spot |
which will be without a rival in
the world for unique tropical
beauty. The place on one side
commands a view of mountains and
valleys that is unsurpassed for pure
loneliness. The outlines of the
mountains are grand, the color
effects on the slopes are gem-like,
and the clouds drifting over the
tops are constantly changing and
ever beautiful. On the other side,
and close at hand, is the ocean with
a brilliancy, delicacy and variety
of coloring that is never seen ex-
cept inside q coral reef. The surf,
too, is especially fine.
The whole effect of mountains
and ocean is entirely tropical; it
would be impossible in any other
latitude; and this effect should be
enhanced, as it is entirely charac-
teristic of these islands. Instead of
that it is almost lost, as the four
long avenues, several short ones and
numerous groves of the funeral "
ironwood tree, with it's evergreen
character, suggest northern GENE
teries, snowy landscapes, and wind
swept hilIsides. The tree is all very
we'll in a northern climate, where
q green tree of any sort is wei
come sight during the dreary win
ter, but here we have greenness the
year round.
The variety of foliage which
cam Arbor pleads to have ex-
tended to the park, is one of the
charms of Honolulu to a stranger
as we'll as to residents. Visitors
invariably admire our palms in
their graceful variety and comment
in wonder on the number of
towering trees. The Ponciana Re-
gia, which Ann Arbor ?" suggests
should line one avenue, is specially
admired. Why not extend all these
to Kapiolani Park? In talking over
the matter, it has been suggested
that these trees will not grow in
the sandy soil of the park; but will
rot anything grow there that
grows on the lawns between it and
the ocean. Mr.. Irwin has large
number of palms; and Mr.. Cleg-
horns place Immediately adjourn.
ing the park, with it's variety OF
tropical trees, is one of the "show"
places and invariably admired by
the stranger fortunate enough to
see it. Surely our public park
ought not to be out done by private
grounds.
Everyone is pleased by the hand
some appropriation granted by the
Legislature, thirteen thousand dol
lars, as heretofore the Park Com
missioners have been much cramp-
ed for funds. Wonders have been
done with the small sum at their
command, and the park is already
one of the charms of Honolulu
Now, with more ample means, less
should be done for the immediate
present and more should be begun
for the future. The park is well
supplied with trees and no more arc
necessary for shade; in fact, il
would be well to remove some, in
order to open up the superb vistas
of mountains and valleys that have
been cut off in the past three year;
by the quickly-Srowing ironwoods
: and algarobas. These two varIe
ties, it seems to me, have served
their main purpose by making the
park the outrageous place it is il
so short time, but in spite of it,
gloomy character, it might be wei
TO leave one avenue of ironwooC
trees for the sake of variety. The
algaroba avenue that passes along
the mauka side of the park IS the
only one now left and is extremely
beautiful with its soft, graceful
greenery and is a favorite subjec
for photography. So, also, is thu
end of Makee Island where thu
algaroba has not been removed t.
make room for more ironwoods.
"Ann Arbor" suggests that thu
main avenue leading from the long
bridge, to Mr.. CampbelIs be planted
with date palms this will surely
recommend itself to the Park Com
missioners and the public; the ide;
Is so good, 1t does not need dwell
ing on. 1t is entirely feasible, a
there are three date palms of goo'
size growing on Makee Island, ant
one of the largest and finest tree
of the kind grows in Mr.. Cart
wright's Waikiki place within
stones throw of the ocean. Their
is now one row of cocoanut palm
growing we'll about part of tn
Z race track, and it would be
snoo6 plap 70 nlapt clucfar r