The Garden Island. [volume] (Lihue, Kauai, H.T.) 1902-current, 1919-12-23
CHAMBER Of COMMERCE ACTS
ON IMPORTANT MATTERS

The December meeting of the Kau-
al Chamber of Commerce was held
in Lihue Thursday afternoon Dec. IS
and was well attended by representa-
tive men from all sections Of the is.
land.
Governor Doubts Feasibility
After the usual reading of the
minutes the president reported a con-
ference which he had recently had
with the Governor in Honolulu in re-
gard to the deep-sea harbor of Kauai
The Governor expressed his doubt as
to the feasibility of meeting the re-
quirements for the Nawiliwili scheme
Even il the necessary railway connec-
tions could be made, he doubted very
much whether the business of the
whole island could be centralized at
Nawiliwili, and failing this he did not
believe the harbor would be con-
structed by the Federal authorities.
Favors Ahukini AS Substitute
Accordingly he favored the develop
ment of Ahukini as a substitute pro-
position. 1t would be much less ex-
pensive undertaking; would require
much less time for its completion;
would meet much less opposition and
would, he thought, fill all the require
ments.
Concessions to the Public
The expectation was that in con-
sideration of the development of this
harbor the Lihue plantation would
cede to the public the necessary
wharf and warehouse sites; salts
factory right of way from the landing
to the public road; would connect up
Kealia and Kapaa with Ahukini, by
suitable railway, and operate this
railway under the utilities commits
sion and in accordance with it's re-
quirements.
Turns On Character Of the Bottom
However everything would turn on
the character of the bottom at Ahu-
kini. II it was a soft coral bottom,
as was probably the case, dredging
would be feasible. But If it was hard
lava rock, dredging would be out of
the question, and the proposition
would be all off.
What We Want: Good Harbor
Mr. Broadbent said that while we
had worked hard for Nawiliwili, and
still fel: that in important ways it was
the ideal enterprise, nevertheless he
personally was ready to accept any
substitute proposition which would
give us a good landing, which would
meet our requirements, and could be
within a reasonable time
II we could concentrate on Ahukini
and divert to it the means and ener-
gies that were to go into Nawiliwili
and Kapaa. we would no doubt have
an entirely satisfactory landing within
a comparatively short time, provided,
Of course, the soundings now being
made proved the feasibility of the
scheme.
A letter was read by the secretary
bonn Col. Newcomer of the Federal
which made it very clear
that it would be a difficult and pro
tracted matter to give the necessary
and meet the necessary re-
luirements for Nawiliwili.
For Formal Approval
e. M. Cheatham was thoroughly of
the opinion that since the difficulties
in the, case of Nawiliwili seemed in
and since it appeared |
that the business of the whole Island |
seemed never likely to come to Nawili- |
will, and since Ahukini would appar, .
emily give us what we needed for our |
freight transportation and more par
ticularly for passenger service, we
should get behind the Governor and .
stand by the proposition with our
neartiest approval and support, and he
made a motion TO that effect.