The Hawaiian gazette., 1906-10-26

OF LANAI


government owns and has decided to
dispose OF by exchange. All OF the
public domain there is under leases,
that of the longest yet to run covering
5000 acres and expiring eighteen years
hence. The next further away in ex-
piration covers over 1000 acres, the
lease running for a little more than
nine years from now.
In all probability, though not yet Of
ficially stated, 1t is to the large fee
simple holders and lessees the govern
ment looks for tenders of lands in ex-
change. These are Francis Gay, w. G
Irwin and the Spreckels' interests.
AS will be seen by the formal propo-
sition laid before the Governor by the
Commissioner of Public Lands, in the
letter appearing below, the present di-
vision of the Lanai land area are in
compatible with any advantageous par
tition of the public domain in home
steads. II the map could be reproduc-
ed herewith, which cannot be conven-
iently done, 1t would show this at a
glance. The fact is stated by Mr..
Pratt, however, in these words:N THE
land divisions or ahupuaas in many
cases run from beach to beach, entire
ly across the island" 1t does not re-
quire strong imagination to conceive of
the amount Of friction between differ
ent small holders on opposite sides OF
such lines which would be generated.
An instance of the blowing away of
the fertile soil, for lack of artificial
protection, about which Governor Car
ter spoke the other day, has been re-
lated. This is the removal by the pow
erful winds of the covering of graves
in an old cemetery at Haleolola. which
leaves the plain crowded with exposed
skeletons lying just as the bodies were
buried long ago.
To redeem the island for desirable
human habitation and profitable indus
try, benefiting the whole Territory, a
control of the main water resources
with capital sufficient to develop them,
would be necessary. Other than the
precarious rainfall, the government for
est reserve of a thousand acres is the
chief source of water supply.
Commissioner Pratt shows the I'M
possibility of considering any DISPOSE
ton of the Lanai public lands by sale
and they cannot be leased for a longer
period than five years. Following is
the Commissioners letter to the Gov
etnor:
October "a, 1906
Honorable G. r. Carter, Governor of
I Hawaii.
I Sir: Pursuant to the policy of this
administration wherein 1t has been
held that in disposing Of our public
land the first consideration should be
that the manner Of disposition must be
that which will produce best economic
results during both present and fu-
ture, desire to formally submit the
proposition of disposing Of the govern
ment interests In the Island of Lanai,
by way of exchange for other real
property which may be required for
public purposes.
The total area OF the Island of Lanai
ia about SO, 400 acres, and of this total
the government retains title to about
47,448 acres.
With the exception Of 1000 acres re-
served for water and forest purposes,
all the government lands are under
lease, at rental of $1,000 per annum.
The various leases expire as follows:
Kaunolu, 71S9 acres, Feb. 9, 1907.
Mahana. 1865 acres, Nov. 1, 1907.
Kealia-Paawili, 6433 acres, June %,
1908.
Kamao. 2714 acres. June %, 1908.
Kamoku-Paomai, 17,147 acres, Jan. /,
1916.
Kalulu, 5000 acres, June 2. 1925.
Forest and water reserve, 1000 acres.
Total, 47,44S acres.
A glance at the map of Lanai Will
show the peculiar, mixed situation OF
the government and private interests.
The land divisions or ahupuaas IN
many cases run from beach to beach,
entirely across the island. The lessee
of government land must cross the
private lands in many places to gam
access to the land he controls, and the
owner of the private lands Is up
against the same proposition regard i
ing the public lands.
The land Is subject to prolonged
droughts and dependent for water sup
ply on a very limited amount furnished
by a spring on that portion of kalulu
which covers the upper or mauka END
of the Maunalei valley. This spring
water must be raised about 500 feet to
be utilized by any occupant of govern
ment land.
The most valuable portion of the Is
land Is a table land of about 5000 acres
(of which area the government owns
about three fourths) about 100 rect
above sea and consisting of a light
sandy loan. which with plentiful
supply of water would be ideal agri-
cultural land, but which under present
conditions dries rapidly and Is being
literally blown away to sea- Trees
shrubs, grasses or some sort or Vege-
.ation, which will take root and spread
on this dry soil and hold it down,
should be planted without delay, and
this requires an outlay which no lessee
will undertake and which no home
,teader could undertake. In fact capt.
al is needed here. and capital will not
ook at the land unless 1t may control
/ and look for a return in future
years.
1 have visited and gone over these
ands in as thorough manner as
nan could go, and am convinced that
hey are absolutely unfit for home !
,teadins. and therefore have endeavor- {
"A IN And some other manner of dis