The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1904-02-25
HOSMER'S WORK
ON HAWAII
BOARD OF AGRICULTURE AND
FORESTRY RECEIVES A REPORT
ON HIS RECENT TRIP.

Forester Hosmer made a report to
the Board of Agriculture and Forestry
at yesterday afternoons meeting, on
his trip to Hawaii. He gave a des-
cription of the route taken by him, in
company with Governor Carter and
others and stated that the trip had af-
forded him excellent opportunities for
observation. The report said:
my tour of Hawaii makes me feel
more strongly than ever that each
forest problem must be studied in
dividually. This has been found to
be the case on the mainland and is
none the less true here. In the estab-
lishment of forest reserves no hard
and fast rule can be laid down that
the boundary lines shall follow a GER
tain contour or given tract division,
but each case must be carefully in
vestigated, the local conditions studied
and consultation had with the men re-
presenting the interests involved, be-
fore recommendations can be made.
In certain districts there seems to be
more immediate need that forest re-
serves be established than in others.
Such a locality as was pointed odt by
Mr.. w. L. Hall, after his examination
last summer, is the Kohala mountain
reserve. This, in my judgment, is
where the first work of a forest nature
on Hawaii should be done, and l hope
to be able to return to that district
within a comparatively short time.
"The question Of the location of
homestead tracts is essentially a forest
problem, because in most instances the
proposed locations are within the for
est belt. This question is one of the
live issues on Hawaii at the present
time and was constantly brought to
Governor Carriers attention during
our trip. Personally, I am distinctly
in favor of the homestead principle and
I believe that there are many places
on the Island of Hawaii where home
steads could be successfully made.
But 1 think this question, like other
forest problems, needs to be carefully
studied on the ground, before recon-
mendations can be made. Many of
the homestead tracts which our party
visited are so inaccessible that under
present conditions they can never be
successful. Transportation IS the
crucial point IN this matter, and I'M
less the homestead tract is so located
that roads can be built and maintained
there is no use, it seems to me, in es-
tablishing it.
During our trip around the island
1 had the pleasure of meeting a number
of the consulting foresters in the sew
eral districts. These gentlemen all
j seem to be taking a real interest in the
forest work and gave me much valu-
able information in regard to forests
and forest problems, in their several
districts.
Il was impressed in talking with these
gentlemen, by the work which has been
done in the Introduction of exotic trees
in the island. 1t is my hope that
definite statements of what has been
accomplished may be got from the diff
ferent people, who have planted new
trees on the island, for I believe that
such information when compiled and
tabulated would be of no small value.
1t is my intention to continue the work
of introducing new trees, especially
those commercially important, on these
islands and l hope to be able to find
certain species which can be used to
reforest waste and barren places.
Our first and most important work,
it seems to me, lies in the establish
ment of forest reserves, and the prop
er organization of an administrative
force. AS soon as that is satisfactorily
accomplished 1 believe that great
deal can be done in the way of intro
ducing new trees on lands which are
at present of little or no value to any
one. From what 1 saw of Hawaii
believe that it is entirely feasible to
do this and that, in the future, we may
look for valuable results.
II am very glad to report that the
Division of Forestry is now established
in its new quarters in the building
at the Government nursery, and that
within few days the reference library
will be ready for use by those who
wish to consult 1t. Within a short
time l shall bring before the Board
recommendations in regard to the Gov
eminent nursery, the planting in Nuu-
anu valley and the organization of the
Division of Forestry.
Respectfully submitted,
RALPH S. HOSMER,
Superintendent OF Forestry"
Hosmer stated to the board that he
proposed to go to Maui, after spending
about two weeks in Honolulu, at work
in the station here. letter was also
received by the board from "A. F. Judd
secretary Of the Hawaiian Live Stock
Breeders Association asking the board
to take up the investigation of the horn
fly nuisance and the pamakani weed.
1t was referred to the executive officer
for investigation.