Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1917-12-04
REPRESENTATION
IS DISCUSSED BY
SUGARPLANTERS
UpIands Neglected, Says PreSI
dent, Because Owned BY
Government

something TO say on the subject OF re-
toresting after a report from the for
estTy committee was submitted BY
David Forbes, manager OF the Waia-
kea plantation.
H. A. Baldwin told Of the COnSer-
walton work on Maui and said THAI
from 3OO0 to 5000 acres were bcIE1
planted each year, but that the lor-
ests had suffered in me past from
depTedations OF cattle. Native trees
were subjected TO insect attacks, H.
said
President Tcnney declared. 1t be-
hooves US all TO give serious consld-
Grafton to this question and We all
r should cooperate in refOresting. he
particularly emphasized that atten-
ton should be given TO the reforest-
ing OF the uplands which the remarks
of the various plantation managers
had shown were not getting much at
tentiCn because they were TO a large
extent government lands over which
plantations had no control
Mr.. Forbes had complained that
only recently a large area containing
timber on the slopes OF Mauna kea
had been released, and presumably
for cattle grazing. 1t was then that
Mr.. Bishop holly declared that the
planters should camp on the trail OF
the government until conservation
was assured. He said his companies
would be willing to follow Whatever
orders were issued so far as the 10 or
Is properties represented by {. Brew"
er & Co. were concerned.
John Scott stated that he believed
W. H. Shipman, leaser Of the Mauna
Kea land, had fenced off the forest
Dart. This was after he had told OF
the distress caused by the water
shortage on Hawaii during the
rdrouth.
r. Renton Hind wanted to know II
snything was being done to secure
the cooperation of the homesteaders
who were usually on land lying be-
tween the plantation lands and the
;mauka forests.
According to Kauai, Hawaii and
Maui plantation managers It seemed
generally agreed that ironwood made
the better firewood, although an UNI
dergrowth for water conservation
purposes at the desired elevation was
not secured by the planting OF this
and other woods. ri.
On the motion of ]. F. c. Hagens II
was voted to approve OF the working
plan of the forestry department so
far as practical, -.
In part Mr.. Forbes report on the
subject was as follows:
II "Our main industries are solely ag-
ricIltufal, and in order to maintain
those, water is essential, and that in
abundance, for both irrigation and
transportation of our crops. Without
forests we may have water periods
caIly; for / do not claim mo forest,
no water" although / do maintain
that more forest greater chances OF
more rain, and an economically well
distributed water supply.
There is little use our trying to
sidestep the facts that Ia mary Of the
upper reaches Of our islands the ma
tive forests are slowly but surely be-
ihg denuded, and with it diminishing
81 our water supply for industrial pur-
poses, while our requirements are
yearly increasing.
sTwo factors are mainly responsible
IN bringing about such lessening OF
our forest area on uplands. surround.
ing the sources of streams or drain.
age areas Of tributaries. leading to
such streams. First cattle and In a
lesser degree insect pests.
In our native forests, the under
growth consists Of shrubs, tree seed
lings, vines and ferns which form a
natural and complete covering to the
surface, thereby lessening evaporation
az water, an well as retarding the rapid
Glow which otherwise takes pace on
our steep grades from uplands. When
the surface becomes denuded OF it's
thick covering, by the inroads OF cat
tie. It's place is quickly occupied by
4Iilo grass When the latter gets es.1
tablished, there is no further hope Of
a tree seeding finding its way to the
suns rays. or If successful. win soon
ret nibbled off as delicacy by the
wandering steer. *.
within the past 80 years 1t becomes
Fery noticeable on the Island of Ha-i
wall that our streams rise more sud-
denly after q few inches of rainfall
around the sources, flow higher and
fall more suddenly than formerly when
dense vegetation covered all of the
water sources and conserved the flow.
Protection of. such sources, as already
stated, are Of vital interest to our sugar
crops. IT,. ..-.< K "
"As an association we do not have
The power OF land adjustment or dis
tribution, but as a. body OF business
men we have the right to recommend.
We realize very web that the govern
uaent must have revenue to keep state
affairs In order. We also know that
plantation lands and crops are source
OF considerable revenue to the govern
ment, as long as profitable to cult.
yate, but the writer believes that IL by
certain conditions such lands should
prove to be unremuneratfye through
lack of water brought about by con-
tinued leasing Of forest lands covering
our water sources and exposed to cattle
depredations, and for a paltry rental,
for which purpose such only would be
reasonable. Recommendations to the
government would quickly be forth
coming that all lands on higher eleva-
lions be set aside as forest reserves,
whether government or private pos.
sessions. BY such recommendation