Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1902-11-11
TO IMPROVE THE PARK
WILLIAM G. IRWIN
EXPRESSES HIS VIEWS
GREATER VARIETY OF TREES
AND SERVICES OF A LAND.
scAPE GARDENER ARE
REQUIRED.

William G.. Irwin, in the midst of
pressing business anticipatory of his
departure for the Coast in the Ventura,
found time to give Bulletin reporter
some of his ideas about the improve
ment of Kapiolani Park.
with a little reasonable assistance
from the government" Mr.. Irwin said
"and the help of an intelligent land
scape gardener, one who understands
his business. that little park ought to
be made one OF the prettiest places In
the Pacific.
I'm my twenty years OF experience
from living there I have found that
many trees will grow which at first
would not have been expected. For
instance. the Grevillia Robusta, COM
monty called the Australian silver oak,
grows remarkably well there. Differ
ent varieties of banyan flourish. There
are also the ironwoods, which are not
pines from high latitudes as some may
suppose but from atolls Of sand in the
South Seas. whose natural habitat is
sand like the soil Of Kapiolani park.
Varieties of shrubs do well out there.
such as the crotons, besides vines like
the bougainvilla. | have no doubt
there are other trees and plants that
would thrive equally well which have
not yet been tried. The algaroba.
though possessing beautiful feathery
foliage. is too brittle and therefore
liable to Disagreement in storms. For
the park we want stronger tree.
"One thing needed is an artesian
well. Even IL the water were slightly
brackish. by turning II into the lagoons
q current would be created which would
prevent stagnation and scums with re-
sulting bad odors. It would also favor
the cultivation of aCquatic plants, such
as water lilies.
II have always taken great in
terest in the park" Mr.. Irwin continu'
| ed, but the commissioners have al
ways been handicapped by lack OF
sufficient funds. Then there has been
la lack of adequate water supply. part!'
cularly in the summer months. Final
| ly. the need of an artistic gardener has
all along been felt. II these wants
could be supplied in an economical
manner the park, instead of being an
eyesore as II is at present. would be-
come one of the first attractions of Ho'
noluu.
without Wishing to injure tho
Jockey Club. | think the day has ar
rived when it will have to move. A
large enclosure, more than a mile In
circumference. is too much to take ou
of a park of that size. The fence
should be removed together with tn,
buildings, which are very unsightly
and while a portion of the enclosure
should be devoted to athletic pastimes
polo. etc. the remainder might be lat
out artistically by the landscape gar
dener in harmony with the outlying
park scheme.
THE lack Of porter's lodge, o
residence for the gardener. is an obvi
Gus one, and | am very happy to sa,
that subscriptions are now about SUN
cient for doing something of that kin,
to the entrance. which would add to tn
attractiveness and value of the park.
THE advent of the electric cars viii
now induce great crowds to go dow
moonlight nights and Sundays, and TO
that reason the accommodation 70
the public, including children's amuse
ments, ought to be enlarged"
Mr.. Irwin recently gave practical evl
dence Of his interest in the improve
ment Of Kapiolani park by heading
subscription list therefor with on
thousand dollars.