Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1912-09-07
HAWAIPS ROAD TO commerce PONIEDOUTBY
E.E. PAXTON; PANAMA CANAL AND HONOLULU

Sdus r IdIlCISGD $ 10 -1uhU- : -
Total via San Francisco 7,7s2
Panama TO San Francisco. 3.2l6 ~
San Fran. TO Honolulu .2.070
Honolulu to Yokohama 1894 >..
Total via San Francisco - s.ea
and Honolulu !.......- S,T10
1t Is obvious from the above that
merely from the standpoint of dis.
lance, the theoretical route between
Panama and the Orient is via San
Francisco and the great route, pass
ing some $500 miles north of Homo
lulu. The excess distance, however
is only 297 miles via Honolulu and
92S miles via both San Francisco aud
Honolulu. Notwithstanding the adj
ditional distance, the logical and
commercial route will be via Pacific
Coast ports and the Hawaiian isl
anGs. The same reasons which make
Honolulu half way station for. the
existing steamer lines between San
Francisco, Asia and Australia will
also apply to the commerce of those
countries via the canal. The imag-
mary great circle route stretches
across a vast unbroken expanse of
ocean, trayersing in its course the
cold and dreary ATTITUDES of the
North Pacific. No sane person would
take such route in preference TO
the somewhat longer voyage via the
islands, over calmer seas and through
softer chimes.
Honolulu viii BE Rendezvous.
As the distance from Honolulu to
Yokohama is about 200 miles short
er than from San Francisco to Yoke
hama direct, a large steamer, by re-
.plenishing fuel and other supplies at
Honolulu can carry several hundred
tons more cargo on the through yoy-.
age. The. paths of ocean commerce
lead to points where freight is to be
secured and where passengers wish
to go. The greater the number of
ports visited en- route, the more op.
portunities there are for developing
permanent traffic. The conclusion is
therefore inevitable that Hawaii
must be the rendezvous for tramp
steamers and sailing vessels carrying
full cargoes which would probably
take the shortest possible route to
destination
No other point in mid Pacific can
begin to offer the facilities which
will be afforded at Honolulu and
other island ports for dor king steam
ers and replenishing fuel and other.
supplies. Large sums are being spent
by the Federal government in the i'm
provement of Honolulu, Hilo and.
Kahului harbors, while the Terri
tory is now engaged in the
construction of additional wharyes
at Honolulu and Hilo. Further
connection with its great works al
Pearl Harbor is constructing 1.00a
drydock, which will be available and
amply sufficient to handle the larg-
est vessels that are likely to float in
The Pacific.
The steady growth of tourist travel
to the islands during the last several
years in itself attests the unusual at
fractions they have to offer. With.
the opening of the canal 1t js likely
that excursion steamers, similar to
the Cleveland, will make winter
cruises from the West indies through
the canal, along the California coast
thence westward via the Hawaiian
Islands
With a semi-tropical climate, tenn
pered by the ever-blowing trades to-
a perpetual spring, stupendous noun
tain scenery, the greatest extinct and
living volcanoes, a great military anu
naval base, all combined with every
comfort and luxury provided modern
civilization, Hawaii lis destined to be-
come the center of attraction for
trans-Pacific travel, as land OF
pleasure, rest and recreation