The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1904-02-22

which the forest plays a part. From,
the nature of the trip it was of course
impossible to do detailed work in any
one locality, but l feel that I know
now where the forest land in each dis
trict is. what trees go to make up the
forest and in a general way what the
problems are in each district. By
making such a reconnaissance one is
better able, too. to judge of the rela-
tive Importance of the questions in
volved, than if detailed work were be-
gun at once.
Another important and pleasant
feature Of the trip was the oppor-
tunity afforded to meet the gentlemen
who represent the important interests
in Hawaii, the managers of the sugar
plantations, the cattle men and those
who carry on the other industries
which bid f7ir, in time, to play a large
part in the Island.
Throughout the Island there exists
an excellent public sentiment in regard
TO the preservation of the forests for
the benefit of the general prosperity
of the Island. Almost to a man the
gentlemen with whom I talked recog-
nized the need OF forest reserves and
the value of such reservations as con-
serve of water. There may be diff
ferences of opinion as to where the
lines of the proposed forest reserves
should be, but 1 believe the outlook
for cooperation among those inter
ested to be very bright
1.-The exact location and extent of
each forest reserve are questions
which can only be satisfactorily set
tied after an examination of each
locality on the ground and a study OF
the conditions existing in each place
including consultation with the people
involved. These examinations l ex-
pect to make in the future, visiting
each district as soon as may be. Aft
er this work has been done 1 shall be
in position to make definite recon-
Tnendations as to what in my judg-
ment, ought in each case to be done.
The relation of the forests to rain
fall is a question of great Importance
to the people Of Hawaii, especially in
the drier districts. In certain situa-
tons the presence of forest doubtless
has marked influence on precipita-
ton. but taken by and large, it is the
effect of the forest in retaining the
rain that falls, rather than in causing
it to fall, that seems to me to be
most important. The presence of
forest cover on the slopes holds back
a good share of the run-of and makes
available for much longer time the
water received from the clouds.
1.-The question of homesteads on
Government lands is one that was fire.
quent1y brought to the attention of
Governor Carter during the trip and
as the proposed locations are usually
in the edge of the forest it becomes a
forest question. In my judgment
there are many localities on Hawaii
where a strip of land above the cane
lands and below the forest could well
be devoted to homesteads without
detrinent to the forest reserve and
with benefit to the community. The
problem is mainly one of transporta-
ton, for unless a homestead tract is
made accessible there is small chance
of it's being successful.
ITO sum up my impressions of the
island of Hawaii in a word, I should
say that it is a region of great posi-
bilities for forest work that will
count, and that personally, I want to
get back, at the earliest opportunity,
to attack the problems presented