The Maui news. [volume] (Wailuku, Maui, H.I.) 1900-current, 1922-09-26
Molokai Land MAY
Be Acquired For
Forest Reserve
George Freeland, Nv. F. Pogue
and Joaquin Garcia Named
Appraisers for the Terri
tory.
ASSOCIATED PRESS

HONOLULU, Sept. 23-William F,
Pogue George Freeland, and Joaquin
Garcia of Maui, were named a board
of appraisers today by Governor Wal
lace r. harrington, looking to the ac-
quirement for the government forest
reserve system of about 1901 acres,
more or less, of mountain land run
ming up to the rim of the Kalaupapa
pail. Mr.. Pogue was named by the
governor to act as chairman.
The Molokai land in question was
once heavily wooded but, by reason
of long continued use as pasture, has
now become almost denuded of trees.
The land is at present a part of the
Meyer estate.
On the map of Molokai it shows
as a part of that islands forest res
serve, but has never been fenced and
no attempt has been made to keep
stock from the lands with the result
that cattle have had and still have free
run of it. The territory now pro-
poses to acquire it, either by the
usual condemnation proceedings, that
is applicable to such instances, or, by
an equitable exchange. The latter
method would require a special act
of congress.
whichever choice is made" the
governor said, ''it is first necessary
to determine what amount of money
would be involved.
important Water Supply
In a report to the governor, G. S.
Judd, superintendent of forestry,
writes that the lands are important
as source of water supply, because
they lie at the edge of the cloud belt
and their water producing capacity
is manifested by the permanent body
of water called Meyers Lake" near
Puu Olelo and by numerous springs
further mauka.
"All of these lands We're at one
time heavily forested but, because of
continuous grazing, the forest on
them has now almost entirely dis
appeared. 1t is important for water
conservation purposes that the forest
on this area be brought back. This
is particularly so because of the plans
of the Hawaiian Homes commission,
which contemplate the development
of reservoirs and bitches on these
lands. Every gallon of water that
can be saved here will be used to
advantage on the dry farming lands
at the lower elevations.
Potent Streams
From a water supply standpoint
this is a highly important portion of
Molokai, because, while the area is
small, only about one mile square
1t Is subject to heavy rainfall, while
from its location the Waihanau is a
stream that could readily be diverted
and put to use. Speaking of this
stream, the Waihanau, Lindgren
says: "Swamps line the borders and
much water comes in from springs on
the sides of the abrupt canyon in
which it flows...-....I conclude that the
streams can be relied on for 3,250,00O
gallons per q hours from November
l to June l. for 100000 gallons dur.
ing June and July, and for at least
100000 gallons from August to No.
vember l."
When water is as badly needed
and as valuable as it is on Molokai
1t is not good policy to use such an
important catchment area as this fol
grazing. On a good portion of upper
kahanu the native forest would prob
ably come back naturally if cattle
were excluded. Lower down artifi
clal planting would be necessary.