The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1894-04-26
HOW WATER MAKES LIGHT
MODEL ELECTRIC LIGHT STATION
or THE GovERNMENr.


Plant aud system - Development of
wheels for Are aud Incan-
descent Circuits.
Every visitor is astonished to learn
that the Government maintains an cleo
trio light plant. The surprise is increased
when the tourist or prospective settler
is told that the dynamos are driven by
water power. The station, up Nuuanu
Valley, is one of the sights of the
islands. Some of the travellers interested
in municipal affairs in their own
countries carry away more lasting
and vivid impression of this Hawaiian
feature than they do of the Pail or Wal
XXI. 1t is an unique and advanced in
stitution. For about seven years the
Government has lighted the streets and
public buildings and many residences of
Honolulu. The plant is a monument to
the business acumen of Hon. Lorrin A.
Thurston, the present Minister to Wash
ington. He saw the water power going
to waste, conceived a plan to utilize
it and was able to carry his ideas into
execution. A living, active and most
essential factor of the department is
John Cassidy, the manager. lie has
been in the position over three years
Under his administration the plant has
developed its highest worth and per-
lection. Improvements have been made
in every direction. The station is a
model of neatness and good order, with
every piece of machinery in excellent re-
palr and doing its full duty. Any
number of needed mechanical changes
have been made at slight cost The
system of water control has been reduced
to marvellous exactness. Every mach
inc in the place is as clean as a
parlor ornament. A repair shop with
power has been arranged and there is a
successful branch for testing and repair
ing lamps. Two men are employed at
the station. There has not yet been de-
vised a water governor that can be de-
pended upon. In lieu of it the men on
duty from three in the afternoon
to seven in the morning regulate the
application of power ty hand. The SER
vice thus secured is equal TO that of any
steam station in the world.
To trim, care for and inspect the l02
arc lights connected by seventeen miles
of wire, two men are employed. 1t is
evident that they do their work well.
This force attends TO all ordinary repairs
and assists the extra men in construc-
ton when extensions are made. A
glance at the light map of the city dis
closes lamps located from the valley to
Waikiki, and from Palama to beyond
Punahou college. The Government
uses 500 incandescent lamps. These are
on streets, in the drill shed, station
house, bungalow, Executive and Judi
ciary buildings and public library. The
Queens hospital is lighted at half price
and concessions are made to various
public institutions. During the bien-
NAL period just ended the system re-
turned to the Interior Department a
revenue of $4,000. This makes the cost
of all lighting only $4,000 for two years.
This is showing upon which all con-
cerned may with justice congratulate
themselves. The only suggestion that
has been made to secure greater service
from the system is for more street lights
at the expense of citizens who are Gus
toners of the Government
Water for power comes to the station
through the ordinary main. For the
incandescent circuit it is applied from
two nozzles to 30-inch wheel. Eight
horse power is thus developed. For the
arc lights three small wheels are used
and ninety horse power gained. The
contact pressure of the water is 100
pounds to the square inch.
1t is agreed by qualified persons who
have given an opinion that the water
is improved by its use at the station. 1t
is brought from two reservoirs above
the power house and turned into deep
800, 900 gallons of water in twenty-four
hours. AT present just half that
amount is running through the over
flow conduits into the sea. However,
it is agreed that the supply for the
approaching season will probably be
sufficient. From the two wheels the
water that has served for power rushes
through cement race at express speed.
To secure any considerable amount of
added power it will be necessary to
provide another storage basin up the
valley. Elevation will give the re-
quired head. There is an approved site
in the wide and deep gulch near the
point where spring drops itself from
the high wall. The fears of an mum
dation are, to engineers, groundless. The
entire pressure of the body of water
held can be thrown against the noun
tain itself and this barrier will stand
forever.
1t is a fine walk or drive up the valley
past mansions, homesteads and cot
tages, palm, banana and pineapple
groves, rice fields and taro patches to
the electric station. Manager Cassidy
lives there and is always pleased to show
visitors the plant.
Maui Voters.
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