The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1898-11-25
History d fllsl Efforts llr Allsall
WaleT
Is BY n. NJ. WHITNEY
There Mas Much CorIecture Proc
Isc,s We're Discouraged- suD.
cess Finally Came.
p.sut,rs Monthly

Oahu. ~ LAf 0l-'oNsl4 anu garry W.
tory Of this immense water supply De-
known 20 but few, o. may be well to
put on record the efforts 10 obtain g.
as well as the discOuragements en-
counter..d, with the ultimate success,
which has 50 greatly increased the ag-
rlcultural resources of Hawaii nei, has
made many comfortably on and few
quite wealthy, who, had SC not been for
the discovery. might today be In as
Strengthened circumstances as they
once we're.
Some twenty-five years ago, when
the need Of more water began 70 be
felt, especially for irrigation purpose,
the question Of suDterranean reservoirs
was often spoken Of. attention having
been drawn TO IL by the streams Of
fresh water seen pouring into the sea
between high and low water marks, in
numerous localities along the shore,
near Diamond Head, at Eva and
along the KOOlau coast, not 70 speak
of the large flowing streams from
underground sources at KewalO, Eva,
Moiliili and other places, all Of which,
from prehistoric times, have furnished
the native Hawaiians living near by
with their daily supplies Of pure fresh
water. Here was the most convincing
proof that there must be some suDter-
ranean and abundant reservoir.
In 1875 the writer had correspond
ence with a party in California on the
subject Of well-bOring, which was then
attracting considerable attention. In
the spring Of 1876, Mr.. Charles Oe5ter
arrived here, as the agent OF hard
ware firm dealing In pumps and arte'
sian well-bOrlng tools. He brOugh,
with him a set OF welI-bOring appar-
atus, 70 dispose Of for the firm which
he represented, and offered TO under
take any work, II encouragement wa
given him, relying chiefly on aid from
the Hawaiian Government, as II wa
thought the Government would will
lingly assist in such a cOmmendabl'
undertaking. The following notice Of
him appeared in the Hawaiian Gazette
then edited and published by the writ
er OF this article:
Mr.. Charles Oester who Is inter.
csted IN one OF the iron establishments
In the State OF California, arrived IN
the last steamer from San Francisco
bringing with him several thousand
dollars worth OF tools and appliances
for boring artesian wells. The ques'
ton has often been raised, a. &c
whether on these Islands so far away
from the Continent, arteslan wells
would be practicable, and by some II Ii
regarded as very doubtful. But there
Is no question that such wells, II they
can be found TO work successfully
would be of immense benefit to the
country. There are many tracts Of
land, on all the Islands. that are now
devoted to pasturage, furnishing q
ssanty subsistence to horses, cattle and
sheep, and which cannot by any means
be irrigated from existing streams Of
water. We may mention as examples
the elevated plains between Eva and
Walalua on this island, the west hall
OF Molokai, and tracts on Maui, includ
ing the !sthmus between East ant
West Maui, and the long fertile plains
of Waimea and Mana on Kauai. Al
these districts would be Immediately
rendered available for agricultural pur
poses, II only provided with artesiar
water and the capabilities and wealtl
Of the country thereby immensely en-
HANGED. We are Informed that Messrs
James Makee and w. II. Cornwell o.
Maui and Jno. II. Coney Cat that timC
owner OF honolulu Ranch at Pear
HarbOr, now the Eva MIL E5tatel
have expressed willingness TO bear
half the cost OF experimental wells
located one on the Maui Isthmus, and
the other on Oahu, provided the Gov.
eminent will pay the other half. This
Is an offer which does not often pre-.
sent itself and We urge on the Gov.
eminent the importance OF taking such
steps as may be necessary to settle this
question. Mr. Oester Is con
ildent that water can be found here al
the depth OF $50 to 800 feet, at an ex'
pense OF not exceeding three or four
thousand dollars. At any rate, tn,
boring OF an arteslan well, even II II
proves unsuccessful as regards water
supply, will afford valuable insight
to the geological structure OF the coun
try, OF which very little Is now
known"
Soon after the arrival of Mr. OesteI
In 1876, an interview was had with
two members OF the Cabinet, to ascor,
tain whether any assistance would BIZ
given by the Government to a we'll
borer, who would be willing in suci
casetofollowthoir instructions, should
any be given. One of the ministers who
had the reputation of being a scientist
OF some note, began Immediately Il
raise objections to any experiment o,
the kind here, saying that II was OF nc
use to try TO obtain flowing fresh wa.