Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1916-11-10
tunnel THROUGH
KOOLAU RANGE IS
ARMY PROPOSAL
Governor Tells of important
Project in Letter Written to
Chamber of Commerce
FOR Military AND
COMMERCIAL PURPOSES
Pinkham Opposes Pail Tram.
way and Tells Possible Cut
to WindWard Oahu

Information that the Hawaiian De-
partment has under consideration the
boring of tunnel through the Koolau
range at the head of Kalihi valley,
capable of receiving the military and
commercial traffic of the island, Is
given in letter from Governor Pink
ham to the Chamber of Commerce
under date Of November 4.
The letter deals with the proposal
Of the Lord.Yuung Engineering Com
pany to establish an aerial tram sys-
TEN from the Pail to. the windward
side Of Oahu and voices in no un-
certain tones protest against the
plan. IN giving the letter to the Star
Bulletin today, Governor Pinkham
made the following statement
Wants Matter Public
I'm reflecting upon the proposed
aerial cable way from the Pail to
the Kaneohe size, have come to the
opinion that my letter of November 4
to the chamber of commerce had bet
ter be made public prematurely so
that people may have data on which
TO make up their minds SO as to know
what Is to the advantage of the COM
munity and the United States army"
Army officers stated today that as
far as they are aware the Kalihi val
ley plan is not very recent from the
standpoint OF the Hawaiian Depart
ment.
Ii was pointed out, however, by per-
sons who have studied the question
closely that such tunnel as men,
toned by the governor will OF neces-
sity come before many years, and that
il will probably be of great value as
a water producer as we'll as furnishing
a short cut to the other side of the
island. II is entirely feasible, accord
ing to engineers, as the cliffs at sever
al points are narrow in the extreme
and the boring of tunnel would be
comparatively short.
Writes TO Champer
The letter which Governor Pinkham
has filed with the chamber of CON-
merce follows in full:
November 4, 1916.
Chamber of Commerce of Honolulu,
Honolulu, 7. H.
Gentlemen: | understand you are
20 consider the proposed aerial cable
carrier over the Pail, intended to
transport fresh pines and other freight
10 the top of the Pali. and freight vice
versa from and to the windward side
of Oahu. The freight would have to
pass up and down Nuuanu avenue.
Traffic for i6e Cars
at Is estimated there are more
pines grown on the windward side
tributary to proposed carrier than at
Wahiawa. The greatest movement Oh
pines in one day from Wahiawa over
the Oahu Railway WAS 20l0 tons.
Twelve tons is the average capacity
per car. hence that one days traffic
required 1853 cars. Similar traffic
would number, in fiye-ton motor
trucks, 402 loads into Honolulu from
the Pail, and 402 empties or part loads
70 the Pail. Side tracks covering
quite a number of acres would be
necessary, besides extensive sheds.
Would Destroy Nuuanu
'Nuuanu avenue would be prohlDl-
tiyely dangerous, and its value for
residence and scenic attraction de-
stroyei, as we'll as the Pail lose It's
character.
1T was my privilege to give the
territorial forester some OF these facts
after he had hastily failed TO appre-
ciate the obstacles. also informed
Mr.. f. j. Lord what my attitude as
governor would be.
.'The Hawaiian Department has un-
der consideration the advisability OF
a tunnel through the Koolau noun
tains at the head Of Kalihi valley for
military purposes, and also civil trans
portation. 1t is not impossible that
such a tunnel might be source OF
water supply for Honolulu. The plans,
WAYS and means will be considered at
the earliest possible date.
Respectfully,
"LUCIUS L. PINKHAM,
Governor of Hawaii.