The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1907-12-12

Continued From Page One,

In considering this matter, your COM
mittee has not only taken into account
the suggestion of the Kflohana Art
League, that coming before the execu-
tive committee brought the matter to
n head, but has investigated as well
other uses TO which the existing struc-
ture could be put and the general ques-
ton of the best use of the square.
The Federation is already strongly
committed to the policy that this
square be kept permanently for public
use. 1t is unnecessary here to rehearse
the arguments that support that deci-
sion. They have been given wide pub
licity and are generally known.
The present report, then, deals with
the question-sha1l the fshmarket
building be retained and reconstructed
for use as a town hail. suitable for
mass meetings, exhibitions of one and
another sort, social gatherings and the
like, or shall it be removed and the
square held as an open park, with or
without architectural adornment2
Beneath the question of using the
fishmarket structure for ''town hall'
is the larger problem of whether or
not the need of such building is suf-
ficiently urgent in Honolulu at the
present time to justify the necessary
outlay. There is much to be said in
favor of such building and should it
prove financially feasible to carry out
the plan. the building would unques-
tionably be found useful. But it would
cost a considerable sum to make even
the essential changes to fit the present
building for such use-let alone more
elaborate suggestions in regard there
to. Is it wise under existing condi-
tions and needs in Honolulu to use
so much money in this way, now?
Supposing that it were advisable to
have such a town hall, the question
of a site next comes up In the judg-
ment of the committee the ideal place
would be the open lot at the corner
of Richards and Hotel streets, but
which is private property and unavail-
able and next the site now occupied
by the drill shed. at the corner of
Hotel and Miller streets. This is CEN
trail, well served by car lines and in
many ways appropriate. But this land
Is controlled by the Federal authorities
and for the present, at any rate, is
out of the question.
Aala park is the next available place
that has been mentioned. This park,
the committee believes, should be-
maintained as a playground and not
used other than as at present Were
the fishmarket shed moved there as
a whole it would take up large snare
of the park The average distance
across AaIa Park from King to Bere-
Sania street is $50 feet; the average
width is $50 feet. The dimensions of
the f1shmarket are 145x240 feet. 1t is
true that a part of the structure, for
the fishmarket is built in sections
could be used at the nauka end OF
Aala park but this would interfere with
the free use of the park as a play
ground, because when regular games
are in progress, the small children and
others play on the edges of the park.
The compensating advantages of COW
cred meeting place would not offset the
loss of this particular area as play
ground. The large attendance at this
open playground would seem TO sug-
gest that it might be enlarged to ad-
vantage: certainly, none of the present
ground should be given up.
The argument that Aala park is not
a central location and would not be
used generally by all the people of Ho-
nolulu is really an argument in favor
of the present site, for notwithstand-
3 ing its drawbacks. for example as to
dust and dirt, the Alakea street site
has much in its favor. Tt is reached
by two car lines-for the Fort street
cars could on occasions easily be run
on to Alakea street and the building
could be put into shape at small cost
compared 10 moving ii,
This question then settles down 10
whether or not there is money avail
able for the purpose, for were the ex-
listing building to be used as a town
hail. it would have at least to be
painted, to be enclosed. to have stage
and flooring.
At this point the committee would
emphatically express Its disapproval or