The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1904-08-18
ENTOMOLOGlST CRAW IS
READY TO WAR ON PESTS

ton, but as this stream heads much
above the portion of Honomu under
consideration, it need not be further
discussed here.
Honomu draws it's water for fiuming,
in addition to that taken from kole-
kole from the Paheehee and Honomu
streams, and from various springs, To-
Gated in the cane fields, below the pres
ent line of the forest. In fact, a con-
siderable portion of the water used on
the plantation comes from the latter
sources. The head waters of the main
branches of the Paheehee and Honomu
streams appear to be above an eleva
ton of 1900 feet.
The accompanying map shows the
upper line of the cane fields, which
have been pushed up as far as it is
now profitable to go, the scarcity Of
water with which to fume making 1t
difficult in dry seasons to get all the
cane off the upper fields. The line to
which the plantation leases not hav-
ing been defined on the ground, it is
uncertain just where the boundary is,
but there is reason to believe that the
cane fields come fully to if not over,
the line
THE PROPOSED HOMESTEAD
AREA
The proposed homestead area is, with
this exception, covered with forest,
consisting mainly of Ohia Lehua, with
some Koa, and other trees, and the
usual underground of ferns, Ie-ie vine,
and other vegetation typical of the for
est, at this elevation. The land is
about three miles from the government
road, over earth roads belonging to
the plantation.
The applicants for the land are a set
tlement association, headed by Mr.. J.
B. Oliver, formerly Oliviera), and con-
sisting of ten Portuguese, two Hawa-
iians, and two Americans. They have
been petitioning the Government for
the last four years.
If the tract is opened they expect to
clear the land and raise cane as their
principal crop, although other things
will also be tried. Mr.. Oliver stated
that the people intended to make their
homes on the land and that they would
comply with all the regulations.
OPPOSITION TO HoMEsTEADs.
The managers of the plantations of
Honomu, Pepeekeo and Hakalau are
all opposed to the opening of this land
for homestead purposes, arguing that
to clear it would endanger the sources
OF their water supply. AS the HakaIau
water head is at or above the 1S0O-foot
contour and as Pepeekeo draws it's wa
ter from Waiaama stream, not on the
land OF Honomu at all, the direct in
terest of these two plantations. in the
Honomu tract may be disregarded
somewhat different While drawing
most Of its water from Kolekole, the
Paheehee and Honomu streams-which
rise above the proposed homestead area
and the springs below the forest. the
plantation also gets some water from
intermittent springs and brooks. upon
which the forest of the proposed home
stead area doubtless has an influence,
at least for part of the year But as
most of the water. both in the streams
and the springs, must come from much
farther up the mountain where the pre-
c1pitation is heaviest. the relative i'm
portance of the forest on the strip de- !
sired for settlement is not as great as
might at first sight appear. Indeed. if
suitable restrictions as to clearing of
TINS land We're enforced the actual loss
OF available water would probably be
very slight.
HoMEsTEADS. AND FORESTRY.
The question brought up by this case
IS one which will confront the Board
IN many instances. and is an issue
which must be sGuarely met. In con-
sidering il the relative Importance of
the land for agricultural purposes a s
against the necessity of holding it in
forest must be taken into account to-
gether with the effect which clearing
would have on the adjoining lands and
on the general welfare of the district
The particular use 10 which the land
may later be put is not part of the
problem nor is the Board concerned
With questions Of the probable success
or failure of homesteads which may be
located upon the land. Whatever opin-
ions may be held on the obligations of
the Government in opening honle-
steads. the point TO be decided by the
Board is: Can this land he cleared
without detriment to the best interests