220 



In the lower section of the reserve is a dense undergrowth. 

 Perhaps nowhere in the Territory is there a finer example of the 

 fern jungle, with its dense mass of tree and other high-growing 

 species rising above a forest floor covered with the lower growing 

 types and with bracken, than in the forest of Kapapala. Climb- 

 ing vines like the le-ie are also in evidence, although the char- 

 acteristic belt for this species is at a lower elevation. 



Since the forest fence was completed ten years ago a wonder- 

 ful difference has been noticed in the appearance of the forest. 

 Even in the eighteen months elapsing between my two visits to 

 Kapapala the growth of young trees had been sufficient to make 

 impassable on horseback trails over which we rode in 1904. All 

 around the outer edge of the reserve there is excellent repro- 

 duction, especially of Ohia Lehua, as well as, of cours*;, a great 

 increase in ferns and other undergrowth. A detailed examina- 

 tion of the reserve would yield much information of the great- 

 est interest. In this report the description of the forest must be 

 limited to this brief mention. 



BOUNDARY. 



The location of the boundary of the proposed Kau Forest Re- 

 serve was decided on after consultation on the ground with 

 representatives of the two plantations and as fixed meets with 

 the approval of those controlling the two companies. The 

 boundary on the north and west sides is the natural one, as it is 

 the dividing line between the government holdings and the large 

 privately owned land of Kahuku, the greater part of which is 

 without a forest cover. At the east end, while the forest 

 actually extends somewhat further into Kapapala than the area 

 now inclosed by the forest reserve boundary fence, it is believed 

 that enough of the forest has been included to secure the objects 

 for which this reserve is made. The section of Kapapala be- 

 tween the present reserve boundary fence and a line drawn north- 

 west from Ainapo is good grazing land and all things considered 

 I believe it should be so used. 



The location of the lower line of the reserve has been the 

 subject of special study on my part and as finally fixed I think 

 it meets practically all of the requirements. Everywhere the 

 line has been drawn with special reference to excluding from the 

 reserve land suitable for agriculture. It is believed that this 



