The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-07-14
PEARL HARBOR FUTURE.
Site Of a City Which May Rival
Honolulu.

Washington, July AT have no
no doubt said Erastus Preston, OF
the coast and geodetic survey, that
the city of Honolulu would have been
located on Pearl harbor instead of on
its present site if the entrance to Pearl
harbor had not been obstructed by a
coral reef. Undoubtedly one Of the
first things done by congress for the
upbuiIding of our new colony in the
Pacific will be the making of Pearl
harbor available, and when this Is done
an American city will at once spring
up there, and Pearl harbor will be the
great shipping point of the Islands,
Mr.. Preston was sent by the United
States government to Hawaii some
years ago to locate astronomical sta
lions and to assist in the survey of the
islands coast lines. He determined the
ATTITUDES on the four corners of all Of
the islands, except Kauai and Nihau,
around.
Pearl harbor," continued Mr.. Pres
ton, is one of the finest harbors in the
world. It's entrance is narrow which
AFFORDS it protection from heavy swells,
and the depth Of water inside the coral
reef at the mouth of the harbOr is suffi-
Gent to float the deepest draught YES
sci An the world. The extent of the
harbor is such that the navies of the
world could float upon it's waters. In
the harbor there are a number of in
hGHLoAlOIlSf anu facing the mouth there
IS a peninsula of land very much in the
shape of Manhattan Island. 1t is about
third Of a mile across and about two
miles in length.
This piece of land would form the
natural docking place for all the ships
and is the land upon which a city has
already been laid out on paper Most
of the land is owned by a man named
Brown, who went out to Hawaii and
married native princess, who inheri-
ted the land from her forefathers. Some
years ago Brown came to Washington.
1t was about the time that there was
considerable agitation of the improve
ment of Pearl harbor. He offered to
sell his holdings on the peninsula In the
harbOr to the United States government
for $L000,000. He was laughed at, but
suppose now, that the islands have
become a part of the United States,
Browns property is worth fully what
he asked for it. The land back of Pearl
harbor is all high land except at one
point on the west, and would make an
excellent site for a city"
do you thing that when the harbor
is opened a city is likely to spring up
there which will rival Honolulu %
In time, undoubtedly. Honolulu,
however will retain its prestige for
many years yet Honolulu has a good
harbor, but it is small and the entrance
is so tOrtuOuS that the captains of big
ships do not like to take their vessels
in there. For this reason Pearl harbor
Is certain to prove the great shipping
point Of the islands as soon as it is
made available through the improve
ment OF the entrance. The distance he
tween Pearl harbor and Honolulu is
only about ten miles and there is a
railroad which runs from Honolulu to
Pearl harbor- This road, which is con-
trOLed by the sons of American mis-
siOnaries who went to Hawaii, is GER
tain to prove big money maker, for
over 1t will have to come for many
years all the merchandise landed at
Pearl harbOr and intended for Homo
lulu. The city of Honolulu will proba-
bly, extend to the east in the direction
of Pearl harbOr, and it is quite likely
that in quarter of a century, If not
sooner, new American city will have
risen on Pearl harbor which will out
rival Honolulu"
AS far as the survey of the interior
OF the Islands Of Hawaii was concern
ed, Mr.. Preston said the work had been
done under government board and
was complete and accurate as far as it
had gone. Surveyor General Alexander
Mr.. Preston said, is one of the most
intelligent men on the island and thor
oughly competent for the work with
which he has been charged. J. F.
Brown. the superintendent of public
lands, is also good man. The United
states government, in determining
ABOUT the public lands in Hawaii can
best subserve the general interest, Mr..
Preston thinks, by pursuing in all es-
sentials the system which is now in
vogue in the Islands. There has been
a general survey made Of all the is
lands, but no accurate surveys of all
the ''Kuleanas," or sections of lands
held by individuals
Superintendent Pritchett, of the coast
and geodetic survey, said today that
he did not know just what work the
government would desire in connection
with the Hawaiian Islands, but he pre-
sumed there would have to be a
thorough survey of the coast lines of all
the Islands in order that buoys and
other aids to safe navigation might be
ablished. Outside of Honolulu and
Pearl harbor there is no other harbor
on the islands worth Improvements
except the harbor of Hilo, on the Is
| land Of Hawaii. This harbor is in need
| of a breakwater, but it is not probable
! that the improvement will be made for
some years. Hilo has about 5000 peo-
pie, and its commerce is not extensive