The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1907-03-22

!
Thirty-nine guests of Mr. L. E.
Pinkham sat down to luncheon at the
Pacific Club yesterday. had something
hams explanation of his plan to re-
claim the Waikiki swamps., There
was a discussion afterwards and an
expression of the sense of the meet
ing.
After the salad course Mr.. Pinkham
arose and read the following paper:
MR.. PINKHAMs PLAN
Gentlemen: In the year 1876 my
attention was drawn to Los Angeles,
then a town of about six thousand in
habitants, as a place of residence for
people of independent means desiring
mild climate, as two gentlemen of
MY acquaintance removed that year
from the severe climate of the East
TO that place.
Los Angeles was founded solely on
climate, and the sale of that climate
has built up a city of two hundred
and twenty-five thousand inhabitants
AS consequence business and prop
erty values have thus been created
that are marvellous.
Honolulu has a far more desirable
climate, and given proper steamship
accommodation, has as marketable a
climate and conditions as Los Angeles
can offer.
1.-The trend of events indicate that
within decade Honolulu will be dis
tinguished as the noted American
stronghold of national defense. The
only other alternative would appeas
to be to become an Oriental outpost
There is no middle ground.
I'm this Territory health is a para
mount consideration, hence rice, ba-
nanas, fish and ducks must eventually
give way in the Waikiki district to
sanitary reclamation. Not at present,
but in a not too distant future the
transformation Of this district into an
attractive residence section will en-
nance real estate values far beyond
anything that can be expected under
present physical conditions.
THE unique advantages of the loca-
ton and climate of these islands can
be only temporarily eclipsed.
"An undertaking of the magnitude
of this necessary reclamation cannot
be well left to private initiative or err
ratio plans. A comprehensive lands
cape and utility scheme must be
adopted and carried out under gov
ernmental authority.
Private ownership and volition are
to be respected, but individual inter-
ests are of short duration while civic
life may continue for ages, hence we
must consider municipal will and in
terests paramount.
Il apprehend civic right, interest
and pride indicates a city should dis
tinguish itself in it's attractions, and
that the further the look into the
future, the greater the scope of inI-
provement possible. The cost is there
by rendered infinitely less.
THE striking feature of the scheme
before you is the securing of the nee
essary filing material from withia the
area itself with the resulting water
way. 1t is the only economical and
logical source for material. The ex-
act lines of either waterways or
streets can of course be varied from
the suggestions. That the waterway
will always be fresh and never stag
nant has been demonstrated in a small
way.
1.-The details of street construction,
installation of public utilities, and es-
Establishment of building line limits are
interesting and worthy of some study
and reflection.
1.-The main points before us are the
securing of some expression from the
larger owners of the property in
volved.
LAS neither the government nor own
ers are in a financial position to under
take so great an enterprise at present
we should consider what steps are to
be taken to render ultimately possible
the accomplishment of this inevitable
sanitary measure.
Il apprehend the government should
now take steps through proper legisla-
tive enactmentS, to
First, establish legal and sanitary
grades throughout the entire district.
Second, to prohibit building, except
when lots have been filed TO the legal
grade.
Third, to establish the street lines
and lines of waterways and public park
areas, and give legal notice thereto.
Fourth, to establish building lines
in front of which no building or ex-
tension may be built
Fifth, to legally notify owners and
fix condemnation values, which values
are to be based on present conditions
and values.
Sixth as the government is not now
prepared financially to take over the
areas to be condemned legal provision
be made so the government may at It's
convenience take over the land involv-
ed in said proposed streets, waterways
and parks at values so fixed.
Thanking you for your presence and
rendering such information as may be
requested, 1 leave this meeting in your
hands"
Judge Cooper opened the discussion
with some reference to the manner in
which the Boston Back Bay district
had been reclaimed Though the CO.
opera tive work of the property owners