The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1905-04-14

mainly of Ohia Lehua NIetrosideros
polymorpha). ia mixture with some
smaller trees of minor Importance such
as Koolea (Myrsine lessertiana), Ko-
pike (Straussia hawaiiensis), Pua
(Olea sandwicensis) and Mamake (Pip-
turus albidus). with a dense under
growth of tree ferns (Cibotium). Amau
Akolea, and other ferns and low shrubs
and climbing vines like the Ieie, Cry
cinetia arnottD and the Uluhi (GIei-
chenia dichotoma).
The Ohia forms the major part OF
the forest and in many places the
trees attain good height and fairly
large diameter
The Ohia forest extends up to an
elevation of about 1000 feet. Above
that the character of the forest
changes, the Ohia being replaced by
Koa acacia koa) in fairly purely
stand with less underground. The
Koa occurs in groves more or less
connected, rather than as a dense for
est cover. Near the Kahuku boundary
it is found in mixture with Maman1
(Sophora chrysophylla). This mixed
forest of Koa and Mamani extends
some distance further up the mountain
into the land of Kahuku.
The upper part of Opihihale is much
rougher than that lower down but new
ertheIess there are many pockets and
little islands of good soil in the lava
in which the Koa develops we'll and
reaches good size. Where the soil is
scant the trees are short and spread
ing.
Although in common with other lands
in South Kona Opihihale has much
oil Tly ORG Wit
little or no soil, yet taken as a whole
the soil on this land seems to be deep
er and of better quality than on GER
tain other lands in the neighborhood,
notably Kipahoehoe. Like the rest of
South Kona the good soil occurs in
various sized openings in the old lava
flows.
The forest on the lower part of Opt
hihale is not now of much commercial
value and from its character it is prob
able that a present and for some time
to come the most profitable use to
which this part of the land can be put,
is grazing.
Grazing will naturally result in the
clearing of the land This I believe,
would be an advantage on the portion
above and adjoining the homesteads,
because from its soil and situation this
land could ultimately be used for GER
tain of the crops that come under the
general head of diversified industries"
In the Koa belt on the other hand
the value of the forest is greater than
the returns which could be got were
the land used for other purposes. This
part of the tract is not suited for agri-
culture. being too far from the road
beside being much more rough and
rocky than the land below. Tt is at
best only inferior grazing land. This
portion of Opihihale can, however, be
made to produce trees. With the in
creasing value of Koa as a timber of
merchantable value it is desirable that
the Government retain such land as
this for forest purposes.
For these reasons I recommend that
the portion of Opihihale lying above
q. e. to the east of a line drawn due
north from the triangulation station on
the land of Kaapuna known as Pun
Ahinui. be reserved from sale or lease
and set apart as a forest reserve. The
eIeva ton of Pun Ahinui is 3961-S feet,
which would make the proposed boun-
dairy at an elevation of approximately
1000 feet across Opihihale. The portion
Ill oh 7 iT7ly he lpaCo6