The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1910-12-16
HONOLULU HARBOR
WORK GAN WAIT
Chief Of Army Engineers Thinks
Other HarbOrs Should Be
First Developed.
BY Ernest q. Walker.
[ Mail Special to The Advertiser.l

ment of the harbor of Honolulu are eN.
tensive and include the widening of the
harbor and the development of the en-.
trance so as to make ii as safe to enter
by night as it is at present by day,
the chief of the army engineers on
harbor projects believes that after the
present appropriations have been ex.
pended the work here can well wait
until the other harbors planned for the
! Territory are better developed, accord
ing to existing plans. The chief be-
lieves that by holding up work at Ho-
nolulu for the present and concentrate
ing ON the other harbor work the inter
ests for the Territory will be best
served.
Report Just Out.
The annual report of the chief of
army engineers on harbor projects in
Hawaii has just been made public here.
1t covers the last fiscal year and accord
ingly, like most government reports, is
five months old. The report was com
pletcd just after congress had appropri-
ated 100000 for the further improve
ment of the harbor at Honolulu. The
report shows that there was an expend.
iture of $97044 for the improvement Of
Honolulu harbor during the last fiscal
year and $3.50 for maintenance. The
balance expended July l last was $lI9,-
1S4.3S against which there were out.
standing liabilities of only $70S.96.
The army engineers estimate that con-
gress should appropriate $67s, 1914 go
more to complete the existing project.
Hilo Harbor.
The engineers expended $l64, 1909
during the last fiscal year on the inn
provement of Hilo harbor and the bal
ance of appropriations available July l
last was 1864 1860. The amount cover
ed by uncompleted contracts on that
date was $l47 ,s54O9. 1t is estimated
that 100000 will be required to com
plete the existing project, not counting
the 100000 appropriated at the last
session of congress. The engineers ask
for $250,000 to be used during the next
fiscal year, beginning July l, 1911.
Honolulu Harbor.
The report has this to say about the
Honolulu harbor project:
"On June 80, 1910, there was min.
imum depth in the entrance channel of
about 33 feet; within the harbor proper
there was, outside of harbor lines, a
general depth of 80 feet. The normal
tidal oscillation is about feet. The
head of navigation is at the head of the
harbor, about miles from the light
house department buoys marking the
entrance to the harbor
"The commerce between this port
and ports not in the Hawaiian Islands.
for the calendar year 1902 amounted
to approximately 6S1,946 short tons,
valued at $40, 195,021. The commerce
with other ports of the Hawaiian ISL
ands amounted to 346.773 short tons,
valued at about $2s,0S0, 900, making a
total of l,O2S,719 short tons, valued at
approximately 71,275,000
"'What effect the Improvement of the
harbOr has had upon freight rates can
not be stated, but vessels are now able
to enter and leave the harbor with their
full-load draft.
Work to Wait.
f'The approved project of this harbor
is about One-half completed, and the
locality is regarded as worthy of fur
Their Improvement to the extent contem-
plated by said project. 1t appears,
however, that reasonable facilities are
afforded the interests of navigation by
the work already done, while at other
localities in the islands where work has
been undertaken, no special benefit will
result until the respective improve
ments are practically completed, and
unless funds can be provided in ade'
quate amounts for all projects, which
seems impracticable at present, It is
believed that the interests of the Ter
ritorv as a whole will be best subserved
by allowing further operations at Homo
lulu to rest in allegiance for the coming
year and to press the work at the other
island harbors under improvement until
adequate facilities shall have been OBJ
tanned at the latter points. For these
reasons no estimate is submitted for the
next fiscal year Should congress decide
to make further provision for this To-
cality. it is strongly recommended that
funds be made available in sufficient
amount (either by cash appropriation
or by continuing-contraet authorize
tion) 10 permit prosecution of the work
in an economical and advantageous
Kramer. It is believed that 100000 is
the minimum that shouldb7 provided
ut ore time. but prefera blv an amount
in cash and contract author zntior large
ENOUGH TO cov"r oil work that may be
contcmp atcd in he rcar future 80 that
# may be placed under n slnple con
tract. for no small contracts cnn be
made to advantage Cor work in the Hn-
wl.iap fs'a"'s
Fer Night Safety.
"When additional appropriations are
made for this harbor, IL is proposed to
widen the harbor in pursuance with
the approved project, so as TO make It
possible for vessels 20 enter and leave
II at all hours of the day and night,
instead Of by daylight only as at
present
The report comments upon the HilO
project in the following terms'
"Beiween March 2, 1907 aud March
4. 1903, 100000 had been approprlat
ed for work under the approved pro-
ieet, or about twenty-throo per cent Of
the estimated cost Of the work under
thar project
non June 30, 1910, The sum of s235.
1875 had been espcnded, nlI on the
uroseni project no part being for main
ienbnre
r1h0 work of breHkwHtrr enusifue.
zion war continued durlng ihf fiscal
year 60Gls i0ns nf rock hnFing boon
placed In the hreahwnter To- Az luua
3D. 1910. total nf lulltl tons ~
rant HaNY IH.H HIHrTH Iu fIY lrHaI