The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1909-08-19

available for the Merchant Marine and
viii benefit Pacific Ocean traffic gen.
orally, affording safe place for re-
pair and equipment in the middle of
the Pacific which is becoming an urgent
necessity with the rapid development of
commerce on this great ocean.
Concurrent with the work above
noted, there has been great activity in
Military matters generally. The big
Mortar Batteries are now in place In
! Fort Ruger back of Diamond Head.
Emplacements for huge disappearing
guns are being constructed at Waikiki
and at the entrance to Pearl Harbor.
A company of t. S. Engineers are now
finishing up careful topographic sur
vey of the island of Oahu. The accom-.
modations for officers and men have
| been practically doubled within the year
at Camp Shafter. A large Cavalry force
has been located about Is miles from
Honolulu on an elevated plateau, place
! that, for beauty of situation and health,
| fulness ofsclimate, cannot be surpassed
the world over The force of Marines
stationed at Honolulu has also been
doubled during this period. AS an illus
| tration of the development Of military
| matters, might say that prior to one
! year ago, the pay roll of the Army and
| Navy in Hawaii did not exceed 1000
per annum. Today, it amounts to prac-
tically that amount per month. This
| money reaches all channels Of trade
and is distinct factor in our general
prosperity. As direct result of the
| work of the Chamber an order has just
been issued from Washington establish
ing Commissary Supply Depot at Ho-
noiulu. which will enable our local mer.
chants to compete for the army bust
ness. Hitherto practically all of the
army supplies have been obtained from
the mainland direct.
Building generally has been unusu-
ally active. In addition to the work be-
ing carried on by the Government, sew
eral large structures are under way and
others in contemplation besides num-
Der of residences, large and small.
Though Honolulu is free from earth
quakes, reinforced concrete is entering
largely into the construction Of new
buildings. The permanent quarters at
Schofeld Barracks will be built entirely
of concrete.
Competitive bids for the Federal
Building, Co cost when completed $780,
10000, have just been opened at Wash
ington. A striking design suitable in
every way to local climatic conditions
(where steam heat will not have to be
considered) has been submitted and
work will soon be under way. The
building site is in the center of the bust
ness section of the city, easily reached
by the different lines of street railway.
Plans are also practically completed
for the erection of new Public Library
at cost of upward of $100,000.00. The
Children IS Hospital, to cost 100000,
win soon be finished. The Roman
Catholic Convent School, costing $751;
10000, has just been completed, as has
the Episcopal School for Girls (known
as The Priory) at a cost of $60,000.00,
A number of additional instances
might be cited showing the great activ-
ity in building at the present time,
but this subject is. fully covered by a.
special paper in this report prepared
by one of our leading architects, Mr..
Fl. L. Kerr.
The Koolau Railway adds an addi-
tional mileage each year and is already
proving to be decided factor in the
development Of the windward side of
the island of Oahu, doing for that side
what the Oahu Railway did for the lee
side of the island.
/ The Hilo and Hamakua Railway on
the island of Hawaii is preparing for
a considerable extension of its lines at
a large expenditure, which, however, is
fully justified by the splendid harbor
facilities that Hilo will soon be able
to offer now that its breakwater is be-
ing pushed to completion.
/ The Kauai Railway is also steadily
adding to its mileage and hopes soon TO
be able to serve a large part of that
island from the port of Eleele.
1t is also very gratifying to be able
to report that road building on the diff
ferent islands is making most salts
factory progress. The plan which has
practically been adopted by each island
is to construct macadamized belt road
around the island from which feeders
viii ultimately reach every habitatlon
The building of these roads has re-
suited in the establishment of reliable
and reasonable priced automobile pas
senger and freight service on each Of
the islands covering territory not
reached by the railroads and opening up
many formerly inaccessible beauty
spots TO tourists VINO are coming TO the
islands in rapidly increasing numbers.
Hawaii has more to offer the tourist,
home and health seeker, than any other
spot on the globe, conditions which,
through the Hawaii Promotion Com
mittee, are being made known in most
effective manner and with good results.
Thanks to wise policy on the part
of the Federal Government, the harbor
facilities of each island are being given
the most careful attention, the plan
being to improve at least one harbor
on each island. On Kauai, the haTbors
of Nawiliwii and Eleele are being de-
veloped. Though in excellent shape to
handle large commerce, the harbor
of Honolulu on Oahu is being improved
right along. The entrance channel has
recently been widened and deepened, a
modern light house completed, range
lights placed, the latest improvement
being a modern two-story steamship,
freight and passenger depot at the foot
of Alakea street, alludeG to in my last
report, which has just been completed.