The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1906-08-23
GOVERNMENT
WIDEAWAKE
1t Possesses an Expert
Report on WaiahoIe
Water Head.

| his purpose to take and develop as
| private enterprise, is not a Government
asset which has been entirely neglect
| ject of an expert report by two en-.
gineers, showing the water to have
great value of direct utility and econo-
my only awaiting development by the
Government itself.
Just to show how valuable the water
might be made to the Government
some related facts of the Government
electric light system in Honolulu may
be considered along with the findings
Of the report. 1t should be mentioned
that the report is regarded, in Govern
ment circles, as very conservative. Mr..
Rowell. one of the experts, certainly is
one of the last men from whom exag-
geration in engineering data should be
expected. That he knows what he is
talking about, when estimating water
power. has had ample proof lately in
the inaugurating of the immense cleo
trio plant with water power genera
ton on Kauai, of which he was one of
the chief promoters and practical de-
veloperS.
Messrs. RoweH and Buck, as will be
seen from their report below, estimated
that electric power generated from the
Waiahole water head would save $3.50
a month in pumping expenses of the
Honolulu water works over the cost of
pumping by steam with coal fuel
Whether it would be a saving over
pumping with oil fuel is a question
that did not exist at the date of the
report. Yet even if oil fuel showed an
over the electrical PROPOSE
ton referred to, it would not discount
the other finding of the experts.
They found that, besides doing the
city pumping at less cost than the
method in vogue. the Waiahole electric
plant would furnish one hundred and
sixty Q60) arc lights for Honolulu'S
street illumination. This would prac-
tically double the number of street arc
lights in more or less fitful operation
today provided the present installation
generated from the Nuuanu water head
were continued. In 1904 the Govern
ment. electric light system contained
1870 arc lamps and 80 incandescent To-
candle power lamps, besides 10,222 in,
lamps in public buildings
and parks. This equipment was sup
plemented with 20 arc lamps furnished
under contract by the Hawaiian Elec-
trio Co. Figures for 1905 are not at
hand, but would show very little
change.
With the lighting that the Waiahole
plant would supply in addition to work
ng all of the water service pumps, |,
Governor Carriers ideal of a grand |
of Honolulu from Dia-
nond Head TO Moanalua would be
'ealized at virtually no expense. For |
he pumping has to be done anyway. |
Thus it may be seen that the Gov |
is not in the dark regarding |
he value of the Waiahole water re- |
sources that Senator McCandless pro- |
poses to possess for the mere taking. !
the Government will ever |
Utilize the water for it's own services
,r not, it fully realizes that such an
asset has specific and high CONNER |
,ial value. The expert report has re-
posed in a convenient pigeonhole these |
seven years. Now it comes out.
What the Government will do about
he presumption of the Waiahole water
cy Mr.. McCandless is something that
The officials are not yet prepared to
discuss. In fact, those questioned
about it seem in no hurry or worry
over the matter. They know that a |
mile of ditching or tunneling or fun
ing and the erection of a high power
electric plant cannot be constructed in
a day There will be plenty of time
to act if action be deemed necessary
in the public interests.
Following is the report of the ex-
perts on the Waiahole water:
Honolulu, June 90. 1899.
Jas. A. King, Esq, Minister of the In
terror.
Sir: We have examined the water
power of Waiahole, taking elevations
and making measurements of the flow
in the stream.
The main stream divides into two
branches at point about 1000 #.
above the ditch head. The south
branch is called Halona and the north
branch Wahiwai. There are also a
number of small feAlers to both
branches coming from the pail on
either side. We assembled the south
branch to an elevation of $50 it. above
sea level where a water fall about II
fit. high made further ascent difficult,
and the north branch to an elevation
of T45 fit. at the foot of fall which
ing the elevation of top of fall the
SNsAAAS A-S
ed on south branch
The flow was measured with vi
weir at points so near the heads OF
the respective streams that it will be
safe to call the amounts the available
flow at the heads.
The distances were taken from the
map and are only approximate, but a
liberal allowance for length has been
made in estimating cost of pipe.
The ditch head is the point where
the main irrigating ditch leaves the
stream. Above this point only a very
small quantity of water is used for ir-
rigation, SO that piping the water from
the falls and developing the power at
this point will in no way interfere
with any irrigation privileges.
Elevation of ditch head, 140 #.
Elevation of Halona falls, $50 #.
Elevation Of top of Wahi&ai falls,
$50 fit.
Available head of both streams
above ditch head, $50 it.
Flow in south branch, 3.27 cubic feet