The Hawaiian gazette., 1907-11-15

Since the last meeting of the Asso-
citation three forest reserves, one each
on Oahu, Maui and Kauai, have been
set aside, having a combined area of
! $3.50 acres. 1t is now proposed to
form additional reserves in West Maui
Makawao, HONOLULU and at Kohala
Each of the forest reserves set apart
during the past year." said Mr.. Hos
mer, sis made with the idea of pro-
tecting the forest on the watersheds of
streams important for irrigation, pow
er development or other use. They
are all essentially protection forests
forests within their boundaries be kept
strictly intact. The same statement
holds true of the projected reserves on
Maui and on the .Kohala mountain.
TWO CLASSES OF FOREST.
1T is perhaps pertinent at this juno
ture to consider certain essential diff
ferences between the two main classes
of forest in Hawaii. AS 1 have pointed
out in previous reports the primary
Importance of the Hawaiian forests
lies in their value as a protective cover
on the watersheds of the streams of
the Territory, of which the water is
needed for irrigation, power develop
ment, domestic supply and other uses.
In practically all of the forest reserves
on the windward side of the islands,
or in districts where the reserve pro-
tects permanently running streams or
springs, the forest cover should be kept
intact, in order that the forest as
whole, including both the trees of the
main stand and the shrubs and smaller
plants of the underground, may exer-
else to the full their function of re-
tarding' the run-off and thus helping
to maintain a moderately even flow in
the streams. For this reason 1 re-
ported adversely. last July. on prop
ostion to lumber the forest on the |
government land of Piihonua, Hawaii |
in the Hilo forest reserve. on the |
ground that the opening up of the |
forest on that land would be detri-
mental 10 the favorable conditions ex-
listing on the drainage basin of one OF
the most valuable streams in the Ter
wailuku river.
THE COMMERCIAL FOREST.
ION the leeward side of the islands.
however, and IN districts where be-
cause OF topography and other factors
here is no permanently running water,
4 quite different condition obtains.
Here the commercial value of the for
EST takes first place in an estimate OF
is worth. Especially Is this true of
Hawaii and particularly of the Kona
district, although It also holds good
" sections of Kau and Puma. 1t is /
hereby necessary to remark that in the /
of the forests in these dis
riots the work ought to be done with 7
lue regard to the future. Except In I
ocalties where 1t is obvious that the 7
and can be used 10 better advantage
or other purp, ses than growing trees.
he indication is for methods of con-
ervative numbering. whereby the
nature trees OF merchantable value
ow on the land may be removed in
uch way that the forest viii be left !.
4 good producing condition. which will
/ time permit the harvesting of other
rops. Fortunately for the Territory -
ne owners OF the large private estates a
re alive to the Importance OF handling p
heir forest properties in accordance u
18th the methods OF practical forestry, y
} that there is every reason to ex-
ect that the major part of the lum-
ering done viii be carried on in a pl
'stematic and carefully planned man. CT
er. This being the case the advent eC
this new industry is to be welcomed W
! a development of much Importance a.
the Territory. eff
TREE PLANTING ON WASTE en-
LANDS.
Outside OF the work in connection 81
It'll forest reserves the energies of the -
vision OF Forestry during the past =
ar have been mainly directed Cd to-
ard cooperative assistance TO indivi-
ais and corporations desiring to
ant trees and 90 to the Introduction
exotic trees and shrubs of value to
e Territory. Under its offer OF as
'tance to private owners the Divf- n
m OF Forestry stands ready at all u
mes TO prepare planting plans for IN
rsons desiring to establish groves or -
mutations OF forest trees. or who wish -
do other forest work This matter ~
ould be of peculiar interest to the h
mbers of this Association for there
hardly a sugar plantation on the
lnds but that has some areas of
ste land that might well be devoted =