The Hawaiian gazette., 1906-10-26
FOR SAVING
LANAI ISLE
(From Thursday's AdvertIser.)

II has been determined by the nd-
ministratlon to dispose OF that part
Of the public domain constituting the
Island OF Lanai by its exchange fJ-
other lands. There will be no privacy
In the deals necessary for this purpose.
on this point Governor Carter said
yesterday.
"As I stated when took office, there
will be no exchange OF lands without a
public hearing"
| Whenever. therefore, all the prelim-
| inarles are completed for offering the
little island in exchange for lands more
Immediately useful to the Territory,
public hearing will be announced. on
tunlty for expressions of opinion, both
upon the valuation set upon Lanai and
upon the figures asked for such lands
as may be offered in exchange for it.
Governor Carter wishes to dispose of
the island to save 1t. Lanai is fast go
ing to destruction from the action Of
the elements aided by the wild goats
herding upon it. Both the Governor
and the Commissioner OF Public Lands
have visited the island, and at different
times from each other, and every sue
cessive visit reveals additional desola-
Al. -. haforn
Travelling swales of sand are found to
have advanced farther inland. The
arid tracts. where no care-taking Is
done, are constantly enlarging. Hold |
ers of still existing leases of course |
have laid some check upon the denud- |
ing process. but with the periods near
ing expiration they have no incentive
to make any outlay for protective work
or devices.
Maunawili gulch, once luxuriantIy
lined with ti-plant and fern, has had
its slopes shaved clean with the rocks
dislodged by the feet of goats upon
the bank submits. There had been
taro patches fourishing in the gulch
bottom but the falling stones destroyed
leaf and tuber and the native tillers
have abandoned the ground.
Governor Carter believes that the is
land is capable not only of redemp-
ton but OF being made a veritable
garden. All that is required is the ap-
plication OF intelligence backed with
capital. Windbreaks of cactus, or per-
haps algaroba, upon the windward
shores would protect grasses and other
vegetation. The determination of the
goats would enable the gulch to be re-
habilitated with vegetation and the
plains to be stocked with forest growth
Vegetation would conserve, as well as
stimulate. rainfall. At present the live
stock of leaseho!ders has to be watered
by scanty supply pumped to height
Of 60 feet by windmill power and pipei
into troughs upon the ranges
The island in the hands of a wealthy
man or corporation might be made a
model sheep ranch, as the Governor
He thinks that the raising
Of sheep has been made an industry
of great promise in these islands by
the joint discovery of DR.. Norgaard,
the Territorial veterinarian, and Jared
Smith, the Federal agriculturist, in
in their respective spheres,
that there is an absence OF lime salts
IN the natural feed of animals growing
IN most parts of the group and that ,
his serious handicap to the animal in {
iustry can be oblterated here, as it s
las been elsewhere, by mingling the
'eed of stock with the missing in
,redients. This subject Is fully dis G
'ussed. by the way, in the report Of 5
he Board OF Agriculture and Forestry !
or the year 1905, lately issued. |,
|