The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1904-08-30

ers are being made as rapidly as tn,
needs of the service require.
FUTURE POLICY.
| No attempt can be made here to dC
more than point out the main principle,
whlch must govern the future policy
OF the islands In the maintenance of a
forestry system. These are as follows
FOREST RLsERvEs.
Nothing less will be effective toward
the preservation of the Hawaiian for
ests than a carefully worked out sys-
| TEN of forest reserves which will in
clude practically all of the mountain
forests previously mentioned as well
as some potential forest land which
has been denuded. This reserve sys-
tenn should be established as soon as
possible. beginning probably in Kula,
Hamakua, and Kohala, since In those
districts there Is greatest immediate
need of protection. The Territorial
government owns most of the land
which should go into the reserves. but
the government land largely held by
individuals or companies under leases
some of which will not expire for a
number of years. The leases of many
important tracts are willing to relin-
quish the forest land to the govern
ment in exchange for reasonable ex-
tension of leases or for new leases on
other lands. Almost all of the reserves
will also need to include some land
held in fee simple by individuals or
companies. Here, again, the only solu-
ton of the question is by the govern
ment exchanging with the private
owners
1t is evident that each reserve will
have to be made. a part at a time,
as satisfactory exchanges can be made.
both in leased and owned lands. The
possibility of such exchanges is entire
ly dependent upon the cooperation of
the government with the individuals
Interested Good results will be ac-
complished only when both parties fully
understand the Importance of the pro-
posed reserve, and enter into negotia-
tion solely to secure fair and equitable
exchanges.
AS soon as a reserve is formed, all
cattle should be driven out and the
should be fenced Those wild cattle
which can not be driven out should be
shot. An effective ranger service should
be put into effect to- keep stock and
fire out of the reserved forest. AS soon
as practicable, on each reserve men
should be employed to hunt down and
exterminate the wild goats.
PLANTING,
With the reserves well protected, the
forest will replace itself on many of
the damaged areas, as reproduction
under some conditions takes place
rapidly. Where the forest will not re.
place itself, planting will be necessary,
and can be done with direct profit to
the islands if commercially valuable
species are made use of and are plant
ed in the right situation. Conditions
prevailing at 5000 to 5000 feet in Kula.
and Kau strongly indicate
that Pacific coast species, such as red
wood and red fir would do exceedingly
well. Eucalyptus, Monterey cypress
Casuarina, Grevillea, and several other
trees have already shown their adapt
ability for these situations. 1t is es-
petldllS important 10 ma trees suited
to these and higher elevations, because
the native forest is often deficient at
such elevations, although the land is
good forest land and can never be
Used for other purposes. In some situa-
tions 1t may be desirable to plant
species bearing edible fruit. such as
he alligator pear and breadfruit.
For the present, forest planting
should wait on the formation of the
reserves. Forests already planted on
Mount Tantalus and in Nuuanu Valley
should be cared for, and the nursey
should be maintained, but no extension
Of planting or of the nursery should
De attempted until the reserve system
IS fairly under way.
NUMBERING.
AS soon as practicable, an eXamina-
ion should be made of the koa forest
IN the east slopes of Mauna Kea and
dauna Loa, to determine whether or
lot it is feasible to build road to it