The Hawaiian gazette., 1901-10-04
BOYDs HISTORY OF
HAMAKUA fires

Governor Dole yesterday received a
further report upon the investigations
of Supt ]. II. Boyd upon the island OF
Hawaii, referring particularly to the
forest fires.
Mr.. Boyd's last letter is dated Septem-
Der 9th at Waimea, and is a complete
and comprehensive history of the fires
from their inception. The continued
drought has caused a use of impure
water leading to typhoid fever
Mr.. Boyd writes as follows:
Waimea, Hawaii, Sept. a. 1901
Hon. S. b. Dole, Governor Territory Of
Hawaii, Honolulu, T. II.
Sir-I have to present the following
statement of facts as supplementary
and final letter on the subject OF the
forest fires in the Hamakua and Wal
mea districts, on this Island, and of
which said fires / was, in accordance
with your instructions to investigate
and report to you thereon.
Under date of the 18th instant / for
warded a letter containing the brief
information Of my visit to the location
attacked and on the 2lst | forwarded
a wireless telegraph message on the
subject, intended to relieve suspense
as to the necessity of the forwarding
OF aid and assistance Oo suppress the
fres) by the government. This letter
will deal with matters not previously
presented in detail, and will cover
conditions existing to this date.
On the morning of the 18th instant,
again under the guidance of Mr.. Albert
Horner, whose assistance was invalua-
BILE. he, with Mr.. F. w. Carter, being
our guides on the fifty miles ride of
the previous day, journey was made to
the scene of the Ookala fire for the
obtaining of desired information and
inspection. After a ride of over four
hours through the Ookala forests and
along very rugged mountain trail
crossing gulches and gorgeS by steep
narrow and dangerous bride paths
during which journey several minor
accidents happened to horses and rid
ers), arrival was made at point in
the mountain forest about $500 feet
(as stated in the barometrical reading
Of Assistant Superintendent CampbelD
above sea level, and where was plainly
presented the destruction wrought by
the fire in thickly-wOoded forest and
the almost superhuman work which az
complished the retarding and suppress
sion Of the conflagration. The smoking
trees and ground showed that the fire
was not entirely extinguished. and the
horses in travelling over the ground
frequently sunk their feet and legs
below the surface, and unexpectedly
revealed deep holes of smouldering
fire which were buried from one to
two and three feet from sight or out
ward indication. This subterranean
action Of the fire. aside from the havoc
made in the forests, is regarded by
planters as most destructive to the
productive qualities of the soil. Here
was noticed the tact, judgment and
good work accomplished by Messrs.
Walker, Horner and Carter; tact in the
joining of their forces together, the
laborers from both plantations being
worked together against the common
enemy; judgment in the digging Of
many miles Of trenches to prevent the
leaping across the roadways by the
fire, and good work in the successful
suppression, after many hours Of hard
battling with the flames. At and
during the fire very high wind pre-
vailed, which caused sparks TO be dis
tributed long distances from the origi-