The Hawaiian gazette., 1904-01-19


! that the forest has direct influence in
increasing the rainfall in certain locali-
ties, and indeed 1t is fact that the evil
dence for this conclusion is most con-
vincing. Moreover, il seems possible
to demonstrate the fact of this influence
by measurement.
\ yRAPID DECREASE IN FOREST
AREA.
1t is said that the islands were heavily
wooded one hundred years ago. Cattle
had been introduced late in the eigh-
teenth century and were allowed to
run wild without molestation, as their
slaughter was prohibited. By 1875
they had increased to such great Num-
bers as to be menace to the forest,
and they have continued SO till the
present time.
The character of the forest makes it
peculiarly susceptible to injury by
stock. The tender, succulent under
growth is easily trampled down, and
much of it, notably some of the ferns,
ie-ie, and banana, is excellent food for
cattle. Yet this underground is vital
part of the forest: without it the ground
dries quickly and the shallow-rooted
trees soon die. The normal Hawaiian
forests are as delicate as the plant life
! in our greenhouses, and it is not to be
wondered at that cattle easily destroy
them.
| Cattle have not gone through all the
forests. Some were inaccessible, some
too impenetrable for them to enter far
at time. They have worked around
the edges, and year by year have en-
tered further, until in many instances
they have gone through the entire forest.
Following the attacks of cattle have
come other agents of destruction. In
furious insects have frequently appeared
in numbers sufficient to deaden thou
sands of acres at time. Koa, the most
valuable tree in the islands. has up
ward of a dozen insect enemies, which
threaten its utter extinction.
On many thousand acres of forest
land opened up by cattle rank-growing
grasses have come in and rendered con-
ditions prohibitive of forest reproduc-
ton. Cutting and fire have also greatly
reduced the forest area.
Goats were introduced into the islands
many years ago, and have been particu-
larly active agents of destruction Wild
years ago. have done some damage on
all the islands. Deer, brought to Mo-
lokai il, the early sixties, have added
their efforts in the destructive work
With so many forces working its
devastation. how could the delicate
Hawaiian forests do else than recede
rapidly year after year? They have
already been destroyed on many thou
sand acres which should never have
been denuded. and are failing now as
fast, no doubt, as at any time in the
past The problem which confronts
Hawaii is to find means of protecting
the forests which remain and of restor-
ing them in localities where their alb
sence will hinder the development of
the country.
WHAT SHOULD BE DONE.
Nothing less will be effective toward
this end than carefully worked out
system of forest reserves which will in
clude practically all the mountain for
ests on the five important islands, as
we'll as some potential forest land which
has been denuded. This should be the
first step taken, and should be taken as
quickly as possible. The Hawaiian
land system is such that each of the re-
serves will have to be made, section
at time, by the territorial government
necess,Tv both le,sebo1d and fee.s;mnle
lands foy the horizons # desires TO nro-
tect as forest The territory owns l.
100000 acres, of which the forest re-
serves when completed should probably
include 100000 acres
AS soon as the reserves are formed all
cattle should be driven out, and the
portions which are accessible to cattle
should be fenced. Those wild cattle
which cannot be driven out and the
wild goats should be shot. An effective
ranger service should then be put into
operation to keep stock and fire out of
the forest.
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 it will not replace itself, plant
| 4 .,,I h.