The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1907-05-02

are all to the windward and appear to
have been of volcanic origin while
those on the kona side of the range
show erosion and appear TO have beer
formed by water action. 1 estimate
the watershed as about 5000 acres,
over 1000 of which are included in the
government lands. 1 noted that clouds
covered the mountain in the vicinity
Of Puualii, the greater portion of the
two days that we We're on the island.
The rainfall on the portion of the
range between Haalele and Puunene,
probably averages more thar double
the rainfall at Kalele, the ranch house
quarters. Assuming hat there are
1000 acres of government Ian on this
mountain watershed and tina the
rainfall is 50 inches per annum, $500
900, 600 gallons of water are annually
precipitated. I was informed thai the
stream flow in Maunalei gulch amounts
TO so gallons per minute at the loca-
ton of Mr.. Gays pump in the upper
portion of the valley. In addition the
rainfall of the watershed on Kealia-
kapu, Palawai and Kaohai, probably
amounts to so per cent as much as the
rainfall on the government land.
Il would say hat the possession or
ownership of this watershed or noun
tain range on the Island of Lanai, is
absolutely essential to any form of
agriculture on the island.
Previous to the and exchange con-
summated in December. 1906, the Gov
eminent owned two-thirds of the whole
watershed including the whole of that
portion where the only living stream
of water on the island originates. This
watershed is the key to the whole is
land; its ownership by private land
ownership on the island at the mercy
of the owner of the watershed. Look
ing at h question of ownership from
a private standpoint it's possession
would be worth any sum which a man
could afford to pay.
From my knowledge of the value
of water here in Hawaii, 7 would place
the valuation of the government lands
on the principal watershed of Lana
as cheap at 500, 900. The mere fact
that only the crudest water develop
ment has been undertaken, bears no
relation whatever to the actual present
or prospective value of the government
lands.
This valuation of the main water
shed of the island, added to that OF
the agricultural and grazing lands as
previously fterniZed, would make the
government lands on the Island OF La
mai, worth approximately $3.50, 600.
without access to the watershed
none Of h lower lands can be divided
up for closer settlement. The con-
servation of 1 per cent. of the total
rainfall on fhie mountain -uo,,J5
give an annual supply of about 49,
600, 900 gallons of water available for
agricultural and domestic rpose It
may be too optimistic to say that 1
per cent. Of the total rainfall is cap
able Of conservation but T hold this
out as an illustration of what might
be done towards the development Of
the water Of this island, a.
development which would not require
consideration Of the elevation of my
portion of this water by mechanical
can
A TO the number of families which
the government lands on the Island of
Lanai would support, 7 would say hat
the 1900 acres of frst-class agricuItu-
raj and if properly s~ubdivided, would
maintain from 40 to so families; the
AooV acres OF agricultural
and about 20 families and the remain
ing 10000 acres Of first-class grazing
and s~econd-class agricultural from 20
to 40 families and the 10000 acres of
second-class pastoral land would sup
port 80 families. This estimate is made
the assumption that the owner
ship of the main watershed would re-
main vested in the government and
that its forest and water resources
would be conserved for the benefit of
the owners Of the agricultural and
pastoral lands.
I'm my opinion the question of the
ultimate disposal Of the government
and on Lanai has passed out of the
hands of the Legislature. The only
points now to be judged are questions
of law should the case be appealed to
the United States Supreme Court, but
If upon final review where should be
a reversal, and, also, if those who con-
troll the land policies Of Hawaii should
be SO disposed, I am of the opinion
that the agricultural and grazing lands
Of the Island of Lanai could be made
to support a population of at least 1000
people.
r q SMITH