The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1903-08-18
LOTS OF LAND FOR
SMALL FARMERS
Kukaiau, Paauilo, Hawaii,
August 10. 1909

August 10. 1903
Editor Gazette: I notice in a re-
cent issue of the Gazette that you
state that the American farmers do
not come here because government
land cannot be obtained. Now this
may be true, but at the same time
there is plenty of land that can be
bought from private parties, and
much of which is as good, and in
some instances better than the gov
eminent land. Good unimproved land
can be bought for from fifteen TO
twenty dollars per acre, and improved
land from thirty to fifty dollars per
acre. One reason for this, is because
the coffee culture has turned out a
failure and in consequence most of
the small farmers, or rather coffee
planters have spent all their money
and have had to abandon their lots,
some of which range in size from ten
to one hundred acres.
1t was to save these men from ruin,
that I proposed, while the commission
ers were here, to apply for a bounty
on coffee.
And it's to be hoped that Congress
will see the need of holding out a
helping hand to their fellow citizens
across the sea, who have in most
cases embarked their all in the cof-
fee industry, in the hope that with
annexation, would come protection,
and prosperity and not failure and
ruin. will say further that not only
is coffee just suitable to this soil and
climate. but in the coffee belt, which
1900 to 5000 feet above the sea, the
climate is simply superb, and cannot
be surpassed.
The occupation of coffee culture too,
is one of the most interesting indus
tries one could possibly go into. And
a coffee plantation when in full bear
ing is as rich and beautiful a sight
as one could wish to see. 1t Is also an
ideal occupation for the white man,
as he escapes the heat of lower ele-
walton and grows strong and vigor-
Gus, and enjoys life as he has seldom
done before. But better then all it Is
within the means of men with but
little capital because, as a rule, he
can grow enough vegetables whose
sale will provide him with the neces-
saries of life, while the coffee trees
are growing. That is, in the most
favored districts. But I consider 1t
useless to speak Of the advantages
Of coffee culture unless We get duty
or bounty on coffee, and therefore, It
Is with Congress whether this vast
domain Is to be cultivated, or lie waste.
But If the development of these ISL
ands is of any consequence to Uncle
Sam, and IL an increase of revenue
and population is of any Importance at
all, then a bounty or duty is an
absolute necessity. Most people ar
que that II protection is good for the
mainland 1t Is good for these Islands.
And We trust that the Commissioners,
hat came to these Islands to ascertain
what laws were needed, will have
seen the necessity OF doing something
Tor the benefit of this industry, and
Will bring this matter before Con-
sress at an early date. 1t is a we'll
known fact that some other than
he sugar industry is needed for the
'ull development of the resources of
Hawaii. and so far as my experience
'oes, nothing has been found 30 suita-
Die as coffee.
l understand that on some of the
'ther Islands truck farming has been
quite successful. but So far, nothing
has succeeded like the coffee tree in |
his district.
Yours very truly,
GEO. OSBORNE.