The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1906-09-12
4 SURVEY
Of WATER
Federal Investigation Is
the Hope of the
Governor.

Governor Carter has not been idle in
the matter of surface and underground
water supply in the survey of the Ha
waiian Islands, since he gave utterance
to this policy at the opening of the
Wainiha power plant on Kauai several
| weeks since. The Governor wrote to
the Department of Geological Survey
to urge a federal investigation of the
1 local water supply.
| Mr.. Newell, chief engineer of the de-
partment of Reclamation Service, re-
| pied to the Governor, and suggested
that perhaps the Territory of Hawaii
1 could use the proceeds of the sales of
| public lands. Governor Carter states
| that this fund is too small. even the
| whole amount realized since annexation,
to make such a survey. The revenues
from the public lands, leases. etc, are
| necessary to the taking up of the bond
| ed Indebtedness of the Territory, and
| other expenses. There is no sinking
fund in the Territorial government with
| which such survey could be made
The Goeernor is hopeful, however, that
| such a fund may be authorized by the
| coming legislature.
The Governor will reply to Mr.
Newell to state, also, that the Hawai-
| ian Islands are a part of the United
States, and that whatever fund may be
set aside by Congress for water surveys
| in the United States is applicable to
Hawaii much as to Arizona or New
York State. The Governor will probab-
| ly ask the coming legislature to appro-
20 o% c4 e..
liminary work to be made in conjunc-
tion with any fund made available by
the next Congress.
Governor Carter foresees a vast value
| to the islands to have such a survey
made, especially by experts of the
United States. The methods of water
surveys are very accurate. In various
sections where such surveys have been
made the experts have been able to
point out danger, for instance, from
continuing artesian well pumping. In
some cases where the warning was dis
regarded the artesian supply in these
places was exhausted and it is reported
in official papers to the departments
at Washington, that years and years
viii be required before the supply will
again be available. This is only an
instance of the value of the water sur
vey Mr.. Newell s letter is as follows:
Washington, D. C, Aug. %, 1906.
Hon. G. r. Carter, Governor of Ha-
waii, Honolulu, Hawaii.
Dear Sir: Your letter of August 8
to Mr.. Walcott has been referred to
me. He is now in Utah, but | will
probably see him in Idaho in few
days. Without waiting, however, to
discuss details with him, / will take
the liberty of making some sugges-
tions
The photographic Branch of the
Geological Survey has been making
measurements of surface streams and
also investigating the extent and
character of underground waters in the
United States. / have personally de-
sired to extend the work to the Ha
waiian Islands, and have taken tie
liberty of publishing more or less
about the water resources of these IS
lands whenever facts were available. |
l am impressed with the great oppor-
tunities for the development of power
and of irrigation, and the necessity of
the government of the islands keeping |
such control of the water resources as
viii enable the largest possible develop !
ment.
we nave PZUU,OUO 6dI W ludhO
these Investigations. The last Con-
gress, however, through desire to
economize, cut the appropriation to
$150,000. 1t is hoped that the amount
viii be restored to 100000, and 1 /
should be glad to see an authorization |
permitting US to do work in the Ha-
waiian Islands. The present approprI-
alton is contained in the Act appropri-
ating for sundry civil expenses of the
government, under the head of the
Geological Survey, and is as follows:
''For gauging the streams and de-
termining the water supply of the
United States, and the investigation
of underground waters, including ar
tesian wells, and the preparation of
reports upon the best methods OF
the water resources, etc.
An amendment might be made by
the words "including the
Hawaiian Islands, after the words,
- United States''
It occurs to me as entirely proper
FOR you officially to urge the Secretary
Of the Interior to recommend that this
in current legislation be
made and to follow up this matter IN
Congress. The regular course Of pro- 1
,edure would be for the Secretary to
make a recommendation and for your
Delegate and other citizens TO urge
Congress that the recommendation be
adopted.
Even with our diminished appFoprl- | !
.tion I believe that some work could
,e done in the islands, and if we sue
.eed in getting a larger appropriation,
t would then be practicable to enter
Systematically upon the Investigations
As you are doubtless aware, there ,
las grown out of the Investigations
# the Geological Survey the actual
construction of large works for re-
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