The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1895-03-09
One of the Oldest Residents in
Town.
THE RAINFALL NOT UP TO AVERAGE
OIaa Planters Are Net Jealous, but ON
the Contrary Are willing to DisSem-
mate Any Information In Their Pos
session-General Notes on COnee.

Mr.. ]. T. Lewis, one of the Olaa
coffee growers, arrived in Honolulu
by the Kinau yesterday afternoon.
He Is down for q short visit to his
family. In an interview with the
gentleman last evening, represents
tive of this paper was given many
points of interest relating to that dis
trict.
"Olaa is certainly growing beyond
the expectations of the most san
guine," said Mr.. Lewis, land in
very few years we hope to have quite
a little town there.
1.-THE weather for the past two weeks
has been everything that could be de-
sired in all respects but the supply Of
water. The ground at Olaa will stand
500 inches of rain a year. We abso-
lutely need from It's to 200 inches. In
January Of 1894 we had thirty-fve
| inches and in the same month this year
we only got five inches. The wealth er
during the last two months has been
too dry, but the coffee is doing most
II
'During the last month or 80 the
temperature has averaged about 60 . {,
which, taken in connection with the
| fact that there are no mosquitoes,
| makes OIaa a most desirable place in
which to live.
81 believe that coffee can be raised
| anywhere upon the islands where the
| pahoehoe is not found. 1t is a mis-
/ ~ -
other favored spots are the only places
where the cherished plants will grow.
Oahu even, is a good place. The soil
of the islands seems peculiarly adapt
ed to the growth of coffee.
"At present the coffee growers at
OIaa are not sure about the manner in
which they will distribute their
plants, on account of the conditions
of the climate. It is reasonably GER
tain, however, that they will be plant
ed closer together.
"In the last two years there has been
q wonderful advance in the methods
used in the planting and growing OF
coffee. This Is on account of the deep
study that has been given the subject.
In each succeeding year the expert
ence Of the preceding is taken adj
vantage of, resulting in better returns
| from time to time.
"It is a mistake that the people of
Olaa try to keep to themselves every
thing they know about coffee. Such
report has in-sonna- unA0onnntObIo
way gained ground in this city, but /
wish to make an emphatic denial Of
anything the kind. I have been
right in the midst of the coffee grow
ers and know them for a set of men
who are willing to give each other
the points they have learned about
coffee growing in order that
such knowledge may be of benefit to
all. They are men of wide experience
from the States, as a general thing,
and recognize the value of co-opera-
ton.
"There is a great demand for land
in the vicinity of Olaa at the present
time. The places on the Volcano road
all being taken up, those on the side
roads leading from the main one are
being cultivated a mile back. The
soil is all about the same, and every
one has an equal chance.
"Olaa is beginning to import her
supplies. Not long ago a large cargo
of general merchandise was brought
from San Francisco to Hilo by a sail
ing vessel for a number Of persons in
Olaa, who thought they could get
things cheaper in this way and who
were not mistaken in their belief.
This action on the part OF the Olaa
cofee-growers has made Hilo open its
Eyes and get hustle on ITSELF
81 believe there is q great future in
store for Olaa. What with the ad-
vantages of the climate and soil, and
the class Of men who have taken hold
Of the coffee industry, there can be no
doubt Of success. Everything is being
carried on in q practical and system
attic manner. No haphazard banging
away without any special end in view
can be found in Olaa now. Every
thing is done ito count"