The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1897-10-19
HILo's GOOD ROAD.
Great Improvement in Highways
During Last Few Years.

During Last Few Years.
MR.. EDITOR:-One thing is evil
dent, the present Government has done
more for the roads of Hawaii since it
came in power than have all the Kings
and Queens that ever reigned in the
Hawaiian Islands. The progress that
has been made in the Hilo and Ha-
makua districts alone is a matter of
establishment and exceeds our widest
dreams. The parts of those roads that
have been finished would be a credit
to any country, and surpass in finish
and durability, many. if not all. of the
roads in the country districts of Amer
lea
These roads have changed the whole
aspect of the country, and have Won
derfully improved the appearance of
everything, TO say nothing of the pleas
IRE which one gets in riding over them.
Few people, l think, have any idea of
the stupendous amount of work that
had to be done on these roads. and
they will probably be astonished to
learn that 80 to IS feet in height often
had to be cut away around some of
the more precipitous gulches before 16
feet, the required width of the road,
could be got. l cannot pass without
saving a word about the bridges. To
one that often risked his life in cross
ing the riekety concerns that formerly
spanned these gulches, the improve
ment seems something wonderful, for
in place of the former dilapidated
wooden structures, one now sees al
most everywhere beautiful iron bridges
that are not only a pleasure to behold,
but what is of more Importance, safe
to pass over. Hilo is another surprise
to those who have not visited II for
some years; the Improvement here is
something immense, and l do not con-
slider il too much to say that the bust
ness has increased ten-fold in the last
few years, while the value of property
has gone up quite out of the reach of
ordinary mortals. One of the new fea-
lures Of the place is the Hilo Hotel.
This building is both spacious and
beautiful. and well finished
Hilo Is town of great activity at
the present time. and evidence OF prog
-ress. improvement and prosperity are
everywhere seen. There are. however.
l am sorry to say, few drawbacks to
all this. and among them is the condi-
ton Of the streets and sidewalks. The
streets are certainly bad, but the side
walks are the worst in the world.
The growing crops Of sugar-cane OF
these districts are not looking quite as
well as In former years, but the output
for the last season surpassed. in most
instances, all former records. This de-
sirable state Of things has been brought
about by better methods of cultivation
better knowledge OF fertilizers. and by
better management. and the planters
have. in consequence. been successful.
The sugar mills OF the Hilo district
have all been renovated. reconstructed
and are In a high state OF perfecton'
and. as far as the crushing OF the cane
is concerned, give splendid results.
The mills OF the Hamakua district
are not quite so far advanced, but most
OF them contain seyen-roller plants,
excepting the Ookala and Kukaiau
mills. Some changes will be made In
some OF the mills OF the Hilo district,
and in place OF the chemist devoung
his time to one mill, as has been the
practice In the past. arrangements
have been made for him to attend TO
several plantations. The new method
Of transporting cane by wire rope has
proved a decided success. and viii soon
be In operation on three plantations.
The drought which has proved so
disastrous to these districts, has, We