The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1918-06-11
HAWANANS FEEL
VITAL INTEREST
Native Race Considers Visit Of
Secretary Of Interior I'M
p0rtant To Welfare


come Of Secretary Lanes visit 70 tho
Islands and ar" kcpmIy awaiting his
decision as to the future land polio,
Of the Territory amt other important
matters, Whirh he intends giving close
study while bore. Both DemOc ratio
and Republican lenders alike are show
ing considerable interest in this visit
OF the secretary Of the interior; with
one common cause nj heart and that
belng-th" advancement of Hawaii
along lines Of true Americanism.
The opinions Of the Hawaiian lead
ers here ar" voiced in statement
made bv Palmer p Woods. nrnrinent
Democratic leader, twice elected sen
ator from the Island Of Hawan amt
Mt present secretary to Mayor Fern.
Two Vital Issues
1.-TWO vital subjects which mean
much to the Hawaiian race, will con.
front Secretary Lane when he starts
his Investigations here, - said Former
Senator Woods yesterday. ''Thqv are:
the opening Of government lands to
bona fide hnmestcadcrs and the revo.
cation of the present Konohiki fishing
rights through condemnation proceed
1pgs and purchase Of these fshinu
privileges through an appropriation
from congress-
THE much rnooted land question is
one that is going to be the most diff
cult to solve, but believe that
II the homrsteaders and the plant
ers will get together on a basis
where both interests show an honest
intention to work in harmony, much
can be accomplished. If the territori
al government is sincere in encouray
ing homcsteaders, much can also be ac.
eompliShed toward this end. If the
local government is Indifferent to the
wants Of homesteaders: then all
thoughts for the advancement of these
Islands along lines Of true American
ization may as well he abandoned.
Problem Looms Big
1.-THE recent land bill. which passed
the senate and was killed in the lower
house, had much merit, as far as it
went, but unfortunately, II was drawn
up hurriedly and many minor hut most
salient features were inadvertPntlv
omitted, which resulted in its uIti-
mate demise. Hawaiians will 90 on
the land and plant cane if there is
any reasonable inducement offered
them. A system of payments for cane
must be evolved wherein the home.
steader can make fair living. The
Hawaiian is not extravagant in his
wants and as people are home loving.
A too intricate system of cost charges
is not going to work we'll and if some
simple arrangement can be arrived al,
where the hOmesteadcr gets a certain
prlce for his cane, based on the selling
price Of the manufactured article at
its final market, there win be no diff
Guilty in finding homesteaders in this
Territory, OF. Hawaiian and other ma
tionalities, who would gladly take up
land when 1t is opened for settlement.
Both interests, the planter and the
however. must work in
harmony and the homesteader who
says that he can wen get along with
out the planter, and the planter who
says that there Is no necessity for
h Omesteaders in this Territory are both
making statements which are foolish
on the face of them.
Rights
Regarding the Konohiki Fishing
Rights, continued Mr.. Woods, 81
would like to see this subject brought
TO Secretary Lanes attention as soon
az possible. AS result Of system
which has come down 10 us from the
DID days of the monarchy and which
was incorporated into the Organic Act,
fishing rights were sold or conferred
lpon persons in Hawaii, which gave
hem control Of the rights to fish in
he waters of certain sections of land.
know of no other place in the world
where such a condition exists. 1t is
1ard to make a mainlander believe
hat landowner can prevent anyone
rom fishing from various points on
his rock bound coast or in the shoals
IF these points, if he 30 elects.
Within the past few DAYS, Krawe
laku, a former Democratic politician,
Fought the fishing rights in the waters
III kokO Head from the Damon estate.
Tins particular section of the island
vas n favorite fishing ground for sun
lay spOrtsmen, who not only rnio,rI
pleasant day s outing, but often
ines returned with large bags Of fish.
which added materially to IeSsrnnu
hS high cost of living during these
Troublesome times. Since the purchase
If these fishing rights, Keawehnku has
enred off the approach to this prop
'rty and has forbidden any fishing !
here-all of which, he has il perfect
light to do, under the existing law.
Relief Is Needed
1t would be great relief to the
tawaiians, who are fish loving PEG !
he, if some legislation could he en- |
rted, wherein these laws could be re |
okcd. The law has been tested in the
Court Of the limited States
nd it is held constitutional. but be
eve that condemnation proceedings |
Guild be instituted and the owl rrs re
by either an appropriation
rom congress or from the local tern !
orlnl funds, upon authority granted
' congress.
IF thrs" two important measures
AN h" accomplished h> Secretary !
AN" = VISIT, concluded Mr. Woods,
then the Hawaiian viii hnNr ms
where he can raise his tnru
nd tn" sea will b" open to hru 10
Al, Ia his HSh