The Hawaiian gazette., 1898-09-23
Applying a California Precedent
10 This Island.
FRUIT FARMS FOR OAHU
History OF a Section Of the Coast
stats-Pasadsna and Neighbour
Ing Cities In Point.

Mr., EDITOR:--We have on numer-
oous occasions called the attention oil
this paper to the thousands OF acres OF
nncultivated land in our charming 1T
tie valleys In the neighborhood OF Ho-
nolulu. also the quantity OF land on
the Island OF Oahu held by few in
dividuals, and 1t Is the honest con-
yiction of those who are disinterested
spectators and have knowledge OF
the facts that there can be no moral
wrong committed in compelling these
large land owners either to sell. i'm
prove or subdivide their holdings.
The writer being a pioneer OF the
State OF California, remembers well
how large tracts Of land, known as
the Spanish grants, were acquired In
the early days OF that State by San
Francisco capitalists. Large acreage
OF the very best land in the Southern
counties these men came into posses
sion of under foreclosure of mortgage,
etc, from the Spanish alcaldes for al
most nothing. The mining excitement
being at its height-the population
being spare, this condition OF affairs
was not noticeable until immigration
set in on an extensive scale when II
was found that the best land in these
counties had been largely acquired by
individuals and held by wealthy people
for speculation. Most OF this land &C.
quired remained unimproved This
state of affairs continued for number
OF years till finally the people became
thoroughly aroused and by wise and
peaceful legislation reduced these I'M
mense grants, compelling the large
land owners TO either sell, improve or
subdivide their grants, and the beauti-
full cities OF Southern California, Riv-
erside, San Bernardino, Redlands, Pas
adena, Alamanda Park, Santa Monica,
Sierra Madre. are the results. where
millions OF dollars OF horticultural pro-
ducts aare produced yearly. Having
all the facilities why could we not like
wise build up a few OF these fashion
able pleasure and health resorts on
the Island OF Oahu? we nave been a
frequent visitor to the Waiaiua ana
waimea valleys and We are satisfied
there could be located today a second
Pasadena, which had population OF
$4,000 wealthy inhabitants. Pasadena
was not founded as town, hut de-
veloped from a fruit-growing colony.
established on cooperative plan ny
company OF sehtieneh from ihuiah,
apolis, Indiana, IN 1874. lhey planted
orange ana lemon groves, punt conf
tortaDie MONIES anu IN rev years
found their settlement attracting Wiae
hotice on account OF us picturesque
surroundings.
Inc shore line OF the Deantiiul wal
alua valley from the point 10 Waimea
river Is about sixteen miles, sloplhs
BACK TO a width or halt nile TO -FOUR
miles, embracing probably an area OF
2O,ooO acres or more. Up IN the noun
talhs are charming niue Nalieys, whlch
VIII produce All troplcal ana semi
tropical fruits grown In any part oil
the world. we all Know mat our
choicest oranges are the Walalua. Lem
ons, lines, pomolO or grape frult, ain
gator pears, manages, lichee, dates, CO.
coanuts, bananas ana vegetables OF all
kinds can be produced and there Is no
reason why we should not nave sec
ond Pasadena IL the Waialua land was
divided into small homesteads from
TWO, hVe TO ten acres, put this can only
be done on a cooperative plan. In
sweden they nave the Raenelsen sys-
tenn OF cooperative Agricultural Cred
II Association to prevent the small
land owners from falling into the
hands OF the money lenders, and they
advance money only Tor the purpose OF