Evening star., 1928-10-28

1t is possible that some 300 miles will
be cut OF important trade routes across
the Pacific when findings of the Coast
and Geodetic Survey are published AL
ways in the past captains have pre-
ferred giving scattered little islands of
the Hawaiian group wide clearance
rather than risking the safety of their
. vessels by sailing near then. because
they were not accurately charted. It
will no longer be necessary for ships to
allow this large margin of safety when
atolls and islands which are really only
dots are mapped.
Because the Hawaiian Islands are at
the junction of the principal trade
routes of the Pacific. their Importance
commercially and strategically are well
worth consideration. Recent statistics
show that they are constantly increas-
ing in prosperity. Greater crops, ex-
ports and imports, larger bank deposits,
more schools, reduced death rate and
consequent improved health conditions
and tourists in increased numbers are
all indications of the economic and So
cial we'll being of the home of the
ukulele, surf board and pineapple.
The chief source of wealth in Ha-
waii as the group is careleSsly called,
is agriculture. The most up-to-date
ton and the industry of the people,
who are more active and hardy than
the usual natives of the tropics, pro-
duce crops that in turn produce good
revenue Sweet, indeed, is the yield of
the sugar cane, for annually it is valued
al between $55, 100000 and $4,000, 600.
That of 1927 amounted to more than
100000 tons. 1t comprises about three
fifths of the shipments from the islands.
The greater part of the sugar crop is
exported in its raw form to the West
Coast of the United States to be refined.
However, some refined sugar is exported.
Exporting annually nearly $35, 900, ,00O
worth of canned pineapples makes this
crop second in importance in the agri-
cultural industries. 1t is a finished
product when it leaves the islands, be-
ing canned and Grated. A can opener,
nest of lettuce, ball of cheese and dress
ing are all that are necessary to make
the fruit party salad.
Other important exports to the United
States are coffee, bananas, fish, mo-
laSSeS and hides. The total value of the
exports to this country in 1927 was
nearly $l10,000,000, an increase Of about
$l0,000,000 over the preceding year
Shipments to foreign countries amount
10 dDOuI Sz,OOV,uUU atlnuAlly.
What the Islands Import. i.
Balancing the exports are the imports
which have been increasing especially
those from the United States. In 1927
they were valued at $79, 1865, ,662, a
s., ,000, 900 increase over the preceding
year and nearly $7,000,000 increase over
1925. The principal imports are from
the United States and comprise about
seven-eighths of the trade coming in,
They are live stock and dairy products,
vegetables, beverages, tires, tobacco
wood, paper, mineral oils, machinery and
vehicles.
The remaining one-eighth of the i'm
ports are from Japan. India, Chile,
China and the Philippines, and are Spe-
cial food the japanese in Hawaii de-
mand, jute bags Tor sugar, nitrateS, cot
ton, silk and tobacco.
1t is considered that the increase OF
bank deposits amounting to $1,000, ,000
signifies the sound financial condition
of the islands, especially when the total
in 1927 was the respectable sum OF
$75, 900 900. The assessment Of real and