The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1902-04-07
ON
THE FORESTS


ing does not enter into consideration.
the whole problem Us conserving the
water supply which depends upon the
preservation Of the existing forests and
restocking some of the denuded slopes
either by natural reproduction or
planting.
During the course Of my preliminary
examination the forest areas on the
islands of oahu, Maui Hawaii and Mo-
lokai were examined particular atten-
ton being paid to the condition of the
forests along the headwaters of all
streams.
Forest protection means not only in
creasiug the rainfall but more import
ant still conserving the water supply.
Upon the right solution of this problem
depends to a very large extent the flu
ture welfare and agricultural prosper
ity of the Hawaiian Islands Sugar,
the backbone of the islands comprising
over so per cent of the exports is absO-
lutely dependent upon a plentiful and
constant supply of water The planter
who does not depend upon the natural
rainfall but irrigates his cane is apt to
think that forest protection does not
directly affect his business; but i'm
reality he should be far more sOlicitOus
about the preservation of the forest
than the planter who depends on the
rainfall, for whether he is taking his
water from a stream or an artesian
well his supply will be very quickly af-
fected by any disturbance of the forest
cover along the important watersheds.
Particularly is this the case where wa
ter is being taken from a stream whose
headwaters lie within the forest belt,
which is the case with most of the
streams on the islands.
"Fluming cane is by far the cheapest
means of transportation, for this rea-
son to many plantations it is of vital
necessity that their supply of water be
al least held constant and increased If
possible. The stockman or farmer and
those engaged in growing rice or taro
are also dependent, though not to the
same extent as the sugar cane planter
upon water supply which shall be
fairly constant through all seasons of
the year.
LAS previously stated, the denudation
of the Hawaiian forests has been
brought about to a very large extent
by the practice of pasturing stock in
the forests. Certainly this has been
admitted by those who have studied
the question and it is believed that
fencing and the absolute exclusion OF
all stock is the only sure remedy. There
is no necessity for abandoning the cat
tie business III OIutI 10 DloNNNN NilS A'A
ests, but the cattle must be confined tc
the lower slopes.
1T is especially important that fences
should be built along the upper limits
of the forest in order to prevent the
wild cattle sheep and goats which at
present are ranging on the higher grass
slopes from working down into the for
ests.
wherever fences have already beer
built the reclamation of the forests is
as surprisingly rapid as their destruc-
ton when stock are allowed to range
freely. AS previously stated the frs
effort should be to fence and protec
those forests along the headwaters OF
all the important streams.
In order to place the work upon Z
! thoroughly efficient basis it will be nee
] essary for the government, planters
ranchers and all others owning or leas
! ing land upon which water is the chic
| consideration to cooperate and see t
lit that the forests are thoroughly pro
tected.'