The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1907-10-28
CIVICS' REPORT
tContlnued from Page one.l

slips at and near the foot of Alakea
street in which at least three large
steamers can simultaneously dock and
has made plans for the dredging Of
other slips to the west which will ac-
commodate as many more II is seen
then that the Territory has made such
provision for commercial shipping as
will be ample certainly until the Pa
mama Canal is completed.
The Fishmarket lot should be reserN-
ed from sale. Its commanding posi-
ton in relation to the new slips de-
mands its retention and dedication to
public use.
1t is, and long has been, the policy
Of the Territorial government not to
part with waterfront property. This
property is one of the most prominent
lots adjoining the harbor. With the
increase in demand for waterfront re-
atty, which will surely follow the op-
ening of the Panama Canal, this is a
poor time to change the policy
1t would be unsound to hand this
lot over to a private corporation for a
nominal sum when it is needed to serve
the convenience of every person and
corporation who do business on the
waterfront. 1t is at the front gate OF
the city through which an increasing
ly large stream of traffic will here
after flow. Not only should the beauty
of this entrance not be marred by
hideoB coal piles but ample provision
should be made for the increase i'll
traffic which will follow the regular
use of the new slips. To Honolulu
this is particularly important because
of the tourist trade for which we are
putting forth every effort. On account
of the value of first, and we might say
last, impressions, the entrance should
be slightly. The congestion at the
head of the naval wharves on any
steamer day argues strongly for some
such provision for hacks, automobiles
and express wagons and for convent
ences for the steamer day crowd as Mr.
Robinson has suggested in the section
of his report on the water entrance"
In possessing the F'ishmarket site,
Honolulu has the opportunity to make
an entrance which combines utility
and beauty, to secure the equal OF
which other cities are willing to pay
millions of dollars,
These convenient and attractive
features for the travelling public can
be brought about without serious in
convenience or financial loss to the
steamship companies.
In spite of the statements of some,
most of the waterfront property be-
longing to the government is being
used for commercial purposes. The re-
quest that this small block be reserv-
ed for public use is a moderate one.
Justification could be found for
much larger demand.
BY reference to the map of Homo
lulu harbor and vicinity, recently pre-
pared by the Survey Bureau, it will be
seen that the local government has re-
latively little land not under lease
along the mauka side of Ala Moana,
Allen st, Fort St., and Queen St., to
the Nuuanu River.
From the Sewer Pumping Station to
the U. S. Naval Station, a distance of
1880 feet, all the property mauka of
Ala Moana is in the control of one es-
tate, and large part of its holdings
is under long term leases to various
corporations and others.
Next to this property is the tract
comprised in the Naval Station, with
frontage of over 600 feet on Ala Moa-
ma and about $50 feet on Richards st.
The next block is the so-called Fish
market block, bounded by Ala Moana,
Halekauwila and Richards streets
owned and controlled by the local
government and not encountered by
leases, and next is the block extending
from Alakea street to Kilauea street,
the mauka half of which is owned in
fee simple by the Hawaiian Electric
Co. and the makai half by the U. s.
Naval authorities and used for coal
storage.
The third block in the series from
Kilauea street to Kekuanaoa street is
owned entirely by the local govern
ment and only one-sOVenth Cat the ma
uka end) is leased to private parties,
while the remaining portions are oc-
cupied by tenants at will, or by the
government itself. One more block
completes the series to Fort street,
and that is nearly all covered by long
term leases. so that it should be class
ed as strictly business property.
Therefore blocks have a frontage on
Ala Moana of 200 feet each and
depth of $50 feet to Halekauwila |
street, and three of them form tn.
major part of the Territorial govern
ment holdings in that part OF Homo
lulu.
Between Fort street and the Oceanic
wharf there is a small remnant occu-
pied by the Oceanic Co. for warehouse