The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1904-08-30
HAWAIIAN
FORESTRY
Expect Forester Halls
Opinions After
Seeing.

/
report on the forests of Hawaii:
The governments course is plainly
to seek such management of the for
ests as will secure the greatest pro-
Effectiveness of the commercial interests
concerned. The plantations need an in
lcreased and regular water supply. But
the system of protection must not be
lextended so far that its damage to the
branches will outweigh its benefits to
the plantations. Each local problem
will have to be worked out fairly and
Isquarely, with due consideration of all
the interests at stake.
lGOvERNMENT FOREST WORK IN
THE PAST.
Hitherto the government has given
attention principally to the question of
forest planting rather than to the
preservation of the native forests. In
1882 an appropriation of $4,000 was
made for forest work for the biennial
period later legislatures have con-
tinued, this appropriation. y nursery
was established and many trees have
Since been grown, some of which have
been distributed for planting on pri-
vate lands, some of which the govern
ment itself has planted.
AS a result of the governments
planting there has been developed on
the slope of Mount Tantalus, facing
Honolulu, fine forest of eucalypts
and other trees. covering several hun
dred acres More recently a consider
able part of the Nuuanu valley, which
forms the watershed for the water
system of Honolulu, has also been
planted. Although portions of these
are handsome examples of planted for
ests and are rightly highly appreciated
by the people of the islands. 1t may
fairly be questioned whether they have
been profitable, considering their cost.
1t is certain that they have in no con-
siderable degree compensated for the
loss of the native forests during the
past twenty years, and it Is equally
certain that no amount of planting
which the government can afford to do
can compensate for these losses under
present conditions.
The problem must be solved by first
protecting the native forests from the
forces which are working their destruc-
tion, so that as far as possible nature
may accomplish their reproduction, and
then by judicious planting in those
places where the forest is unable to re-
place itself.
PROPOSED FOREST SERVICE.
The people of Hawaii almost un-
animously favor the immediate insti-
tuition of system which will protect
and restore the mountain forests. Guild
ed by this emphatic sentiment, the last
Legislature passed a bill creating a for
est service, and outlining to some eX-
tent a forest policy. Under the law
the responsibility of the service rests
on nonsalaried board of agriculture
and forestry, whose duty it is to gather
and publish information concerning the
forests of the islands, to provide for the
introduction, propagation, and planting
OF useful forest trees, to establish for
est reserves SO far as necessary for the
protection. extension, and utilization of
the forests and the safeguarding of the
sources of water supply, and to protect
the forest reserves from damage by
cattle and other agencies.
The board is authorized to appoint |
n superintendent of forestry, who is to
be a trained forester, and under the !
direction of the board is to have i'm
mediate charge of all forest work. The
superintendent of forestry is to have
such paid assistants and rangers as
the board may find necessary for hand
ling matters connected with the forests
and forest reserves
The board is also to appoint in each
district one or more consulting foresters,
who are to serve without pay and ad-
visa with ha
matters in their districts.
a biennial appropriation Of approxi-
mately s2S,000 per year has been made
to carry the law into effect.
The board of agriculture and forestry
has invited the Bureau of Forestry of
the United States Department of Agri-
culture to assume an advisory position
in connection with its future policy.
On the nomination of the Bureau
trained forester has been appointed as
superintendent of forestry, and has al
ready entered upon his work. Appoint
ments of assistant foresters and rang
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Lille and Lenaella officiated as brides
maids. There was a bridal supper at
the residence OF Mrs. Arnold after the
ceremony.
The various labor unions in Hilo and
vicinity met on last Monday evening
and perfected organization and elected
officers for the ensuing year. Hereto
fore there have been six unions repre-
senting various trades, which are now
being united into one body under the
name of Allied Trades. There will be
a further meeting this evening AT Union
Hall TO perfect details of organization.
The officers elected are; President, II.
Kendall; ViCe-president aud secretary,
Jas, u, Lewis treasurer Wm, A. Todd
Rev :, l., pesha has been asked 10
make the speech IN convention pomin-
atng Delegate Huhio, which he has
agreed 10 do, lie rcllrrHtrs his lnten-
tlon not Ia be "a candidate for the legis,
lulurr, mmurs O. the contrary notWith-
standing.
Tho kHpoh0 post once has been dis,
continued ami Postmaster MHirlra h
muhluH nr responsible successor "a
'hnF MralhrIhrr Who hhs resigned Hs
postmaster Hi lhat point