The Maui news. [volume] (Wailuku, Maui, H.I.) 1900-current, 1920-09-10
*, Demonstration
Homestead Ready
Building Of Haleakala Homestead
Modelled On Experience Of Super
intendent Extension Division U. s.
Experiment Station.
(By +. G.. Krauss)

the farmer anu especially the hOllS
stcader in settling upon his new hold
ings is the location, designing, con-
structing and e%quipping of his build
ings. This, of course, implies that he
is DESTROYS of combining utility, mod
crate cost and attractive appearance
/ n the final results. Nothing adds to
the contentment of the farmer and
his family or adds so much to heir
efficiency as the well planned farm
stead, which constitutes the residence,
farm buildings and their immediate
surroundings. When the writer. set
tied upon his homestead in the Kuia-
ha-Pauwela government tract near
Haiku, on Maui, he and his family
gave much thought and study to the
planning of the farmstead, which was
to be home for at least a decade. No
planning las proved more profitable
or given greater pleasure than the
little home hat they built then and in
which they have continued to live in
comfort and eontentment for nigh I'M
to a decade. In fact this has beef in
large part the sheet anchor in hold
ing us to the task to carry n
through the trying period of real home
stead pioneering in Hawaii.
With this experience as a basis, the
group of farm building recently COM
rleted at the Haleakala homestead
demonstration farm on Maui by the
territorial government were planned.
Delayed For Several Years
While the fulfllment of these plans
was delayed for several years, during
which time building costs almost
doubled, their final enact~Ent is due
to the untiring effori of Senator
Harold Rice, who ut through the last
legislature + appropriation of $4,000
for the CT 'uction of a group OF
typic1 homestead farm buildings to
be erected at the H~aleakala homestead
tract demonstration farm, and ulti-
mated through the sympathetic and
vigorous cooperation IF Governor Nc
Carthy, who in this cas- as he always
does, championed the cause of the
small farmer and saw the thing
through to completion. The final plans
were worked up by the territorial pub
lie works department, under the super
vision of Lyman Bigelow, chief of the
department, who gave every assist
ance in having the best possible build
ings provided within the appropriation
Copies of those plans would doubtless
ly be available to anyone by merely
paying cost for making blue prints.
Economical Structure
Since it is usually paramount that
the new settler keep his costs to the
lowest point possible, as was the case
with the writer, a large saving can
usually be effected by the farmer do
ing a large part of the work himself.
Much lighter timbers might be used
than the government architects speci-
fed to give a wide margin of safety,
as well as the elimination of much of
the trim" which Is not essential, ex-
cept for appearance. One of the
, features which we have especially ap-
preciated in u own home is the
large, center area, which has been cut
in two in the plans to meet wishes
of the collaborators in charge of
the demonstration farm. Likewise,
have we disposed with a ceiling in u
own home, thus eliminating another
item of considerable expense, besides
dispensing with almost one entire wall
of the house, substituting screening for
obstructive wooden walls. The result
has been that the house, is perfectly
ventilated and altogether well suited
to our mild climate and the needs of
the busy housewife.
The little barn and stable with the
little loft provide ample accommoda-
ton for all the needs of the ordinary
40-acre homestead. Stalls for four
work animals tit would be eminently
suited to house the work animals and
two cows) a generous sized implement
shed, harness and feed room, and the
loft for storage of seeds that must be
kept dry, together with pig cots are
all provided for in n compact unit.
Water Storage Important
One large cost item was the installa-
ton of a 5000-gal., redwood tank, to
provide ample water storage, which
is so important for the household and
stock needs. Where rock and sand are
easily accessible. it might be cheaper
and likewise provide better storage to
have a cistern built. So important
have We considered the matter Of sani-
tation for the farm home, that an eX-
~ceptiolally, large, deep cess-pool wal
built to take care of the drainage and
waste of the household. In u w
home a very successful septic tank