Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1911-05-19
Meeting FOR
MAHUKA SITE
Kuhio and W. r. Castle In
Strong Statements On
Agitation.

against carrying the Federal building
site question to Washington again and
jeopardizing the chances OF the Ter
ritory securing Federal building at
all.
The meeting was held in the Capt.
tol grounds beginning at 4:3O and was
presided over by President A. +. Grif-
fiths OF Oahu College. The sentiment
against interfering at the eleventh
hour with plans for civic center and
substitute sites after all had been
considered previous to the time of the
final selection OF the Mahuka site
was shown In conclusive and con-
vincing way
Delegate Kuhio pointed out the diff
ficultics that were overcome in the
selection of the site and the appro-
priation of money. In the course OF
his remarks he reiterated the views
that he has always maintained as to
the permanency Of the Mahuka site.
The rostrum from which the speak
ers addressed the gathering was the
Capitol band stand. While the gath,
ering was small In numbers 1t was
representative OF the business COM
munity.
The first speaker was w. r. Cas-
tie. At the outset he stated that he
wished to disagree with the idea ex-
pressed in Chairman Griffiths' open
ing remarks who stated that 1--WE are
here to consider the best site for a
Federal building" This Mr.. Castle
| denied.
1--WE are here to discover some good
reason II we cam he said, why the
site already chosen Mas undergone a
change that has In anyway altered
the good judgment that resulted in
Its selection and approval by the Fed
eral government. And there is none,"
he concluded.
Mr.. Castle then proceeded to trace
the fortunes Of the Federal building
site and said:
This community took up the sub
ject of site for Federal building
with great deal of interest some
years ago. and then Mr. Taylor came
and the meeting on the roof OF the
Young Hotel, which some of you re-
member was held on March 10, 1907.
At this meeting there was a pretty
animated discussion and the civic CEN
ter idea was advanced, but when the
vote was taken It was unanimous for
the Mahuka site, the second choice
being the Bishop block.
There was some correspondence
between the Warehouse Trust Com
pany and the government, and the au-
thorities said the Mahuka site would
not be considered unless Bishop
street was opened. Then citizens
here got together and raised $4,000
soon 1t will be one of the great links
of communication with the water
| front.
Now, why did the business men
unite upon the Mahuka site? Because
II is by all odds the most convenient
to the business center. II il often
urged that the difference of few
minutes does not count, but when you
want to send to the postofice, Gus
! tomhouse or internal revenue Office
/ this is not so. II means a loss of time
of months In year for all OF this
time wasted. Business houses on Bi-
shop street will be well located in
connection with the Mahuka site.
Three Considerations.
| "Mr. Taylor stated that the govern
ment considered three things in con
nection with Its federal buildings:
4 First, for the best interest OF the
community; second, the desires OF the
business community; third, the de-
sires and requirements OF the United
States government. He thought the
Mahuka site was ideal. and the com.
munity rested In the definite secur.
ity that the Mahuka site was decided
upon.'
"Now gentlemen, the United States
government has made its choice. and
the site has been vested In the Unit
ed States. We are not considering
the best site, but why the site should
be changed. Congress is not consid
ering II, the authorities are not CON
sidering It; but If we ask for a change
they may say the people out here
don't know their minds and don't de
serve a building"
Mr.. Castle stated that opposition OF
the Fort street property owners ant
lessees who were to be turned ou
of their property was to be expected
but he stated that this was inevita
BILE. He pointed out that whole block,
of public buildings had been destroy,
ed In the City of New York to pro,
vide site for a railroad depot ant
what appeared on the face to be 4
wholesale destruction OF property WA
IN reality given. an increased asset u
the community.
Mr., Castle stated that the element
of noise, mentioned by Judge Dole II
his letter against the Mahuka site
was not 10 be seriously considered,