The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1910-11-16
FORESTER HOSMER
ON CONSERVATION
CONTINUED from Page one.)


juch forest can only be permanently !
by being cared for. That |
his may more effectively be done, for
est reserves have been created and a
general program drawn up looking to |
he adequate care of the forest. But |
such a plan takes time to carry into |
effect and the cooperation of all for
est owners, be they the general pub
lie, interested as joint owners of the
public domain, or more directly, be-
cause they themselves co/trol land in
fee simple.
A good start has been made, but
much of what has so far been accom-
plished is but preliminary to what
waits to be done. Before the house
can be built the foundations must be
laid. So with the creation of a forest
reserve system. The fixing of boun-
daries, the proclamations, and the col
oring in of areas on map are but
steps toward the realization of an
ideal. The time has now come in Ha-
wall when we must go further
And why is it that we must do this?
Why this constantly recurring talk of
forests and forest protection? Why
not leave it to the government Off
Gals to look after the forests? That
is what they are paid for
The answer to these questions is
simply and solely because in Hawaii
forestry is a business necessity. Wood
and water are the first needs that
must be satisfied in any community.
Both are products of the forest. Where
ever it can be got water is the most
valuable product that the native Ha-
waiian forest can be made to yield. In
Hawaii, without the native forest we
should be without water. And in our
planted forests, we have, too, and as
set of constantly increasing value; for
the production of wood is one of the
pressing needs of local conservation.
The truth of these assertions is self
evident. But notwithstanding there is
much delay in putting into practice
things which everybody agrees ought
to be done to make our forests render
their full quota of service. The OBJ
ject of this meeting is to bring home
to those on whom rests the duty of
managing the material resources of
Hawaii, the fact that wise use means
not alone the prevention of waste but
as well, and even more, the full utili-
zation of all our resources. The pre-
vention of waste does not mean the
locking up of our natural resources.
That is no part ofthe conservation pro-
gram. On the contrary the key note
of conservation is use. But use from
the standpoint of conservation essen
TALLY means wise use-use by which
we may enjoy the benefits from a
given resource, not only today but also
in the years to come And in Hawaii
this cannot be brought about save
through the cooperation of all con.
cerned.
Now obviously the first step in wise
use is to stop waste. And unfortunate
ly all over the Territory waste is now
going on-waste of waters, of forests
and of lands. This is not good bust
ness. 1t must be put an end to. When
artesian waters are not needed for
actno1 uca tho walls ,,,,,ct no shut off
Where erosion can be checked by al
tering the method of cultivation, that
must be done. And where the forest
by being protected can be made the
better to do its part, it is but short
sighted economy that refuses TO build
the necessary fence.
In an address made at the recent
congress at st. Paul, Mr..
Henry S. Graves, Chief Forester OF
the United States, said; The practice
of forestry by private owners is pub
lie necessity" This declaration is par
ticularly applicable to Hawaii All
the more important of our local forest
are made up of both govern
ment and privately owned lands. To
secure the most efficient management
of these areas requires that the owners
of the lands cooperate with the gov
eminent more actively than they now
do. The most pressing needs in the
forest reserves at present are, in most
cases, fencing; in some the extermin
alton Of wild cattle and goats; and in
others the replacement of the forest
on areas where the growing of trees is
the best use to which the land can be
put. In addition there is always to be
considered the planting of waste land
with trees of commercial value.
1t is no part Of the plan of the gov
eminent to abate its activity in forest
work, nor to shirk any responsibilities
that rightly belong to its officers. On
the contrary il is the desire and inten-