The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1900-02-14
SHADED PARKS
Hon. A. S. CIeghorn is
Interviewed.
He Believes in Trees--PunChbowl
for Vistas --KewaIo Might
be Utilized.

Hon. A. S. Cleghorn laid off Thomas
place could be improved by taking out
any of it's trees, although he admits
that Honolulu ought to have a park |
with both sea and mountain vistas. |
Thomas Square, shut in as it is by |
residences" says Mr.. Cleghorn, could |
not afford much of a sea or mountain |
view, but is very pleasant as it is with |
it's thick shade. A good deal of shade
is needed in a tropical country, not
only for human comfort but for sani-
tation.
"Dr. Trousseau used to take issue
with the idea that a shady place is an
unhealthful one. He had his own
house covered with vines and his yard
planted in a jungle, his idea being
that the leaves absorbed malaria. 1t
is only when the leaves are allowed to
stay on the ground and rot that un-
healthful conditions are produced.
Thomas Square is not only beauti-
full to the eye and pleasant to sit in on
a hot day, but is distinct sanitary
advantage to the neighborhood where
it is located.
Il think that we should have a park
with expansive views, and would sug
gest that there is no better place for
one than Punchbowl. In the old days
Kalakaua, with that idea in mind, had
algeroba trees set out there, but later
on some Minister of the Interior per-
mitted Portuguese to go to it for fire
wood, and in a little while the fine
grove was ruined. If we had Punch
bowl properly laid out as park, 1t
would be one of the great scenic places
of Hawaii. So far as sea and noun
tain views are concerned, there could
be no better vantage ground.
"All sorts of proposals have been
made for the utilization of Punchbowl
including the use of its crater as a
cemetery. The place is what might be
called an undeveloped possibility.
don't like the cemetery idea, but
think every one would be glad if q
. park could be laid out and maintained
I there for all time as the principal rec
reation ground of Honolulu.
"Of course, we need a seaside parl
also. 1t was mistake, as l see it now
for the trustees of the KapiOlanf Parl
to have sold the beach lots they once
controlled. 1t seemed then the bes
4 thing to do. Now we know it was {
blunder. The opportunity is at hand
however, to acquire land malSai of thu
street suggested by Mr.. Hatch in thu
Kewalo district. If this is done, PEG
pie can get easy access to the Sc;
without having to go on private prop
erty or to some place where they ar
expected to pay for their accommoda
lions"
Mr.. Cleghorn also has very definit
ideas as to the internal improvement
of Honolulu. One plan is to max
more streets and alleys by cutting u
the long blocks. European cities ar
built that way, to the immense advan
tage of business men. Take the bloc
on King street between Bethel an
Fort. 1t is not particularly lon
block, but it would be benefited if
midway street was cut through ez
tending from King to Hotel streets
Property values in the neighborhoo
would be doubled. In making owe
the burned district streets ought to
multiplied. There is too much vast
room-too many back yards in tn
business portion of Honolulu now
This is an affront to sanitation. 1t
also a waste of commercial opportun
ties. Land which is now unavailabl
for anything but rubbish would the
be in shape for business properties"