397 



can DC appointed next year, could do nuich to keep ordinary 

 strays in check. 



For these reasons 1 believe that the present lack of ability to 

 fence in the trail siiould not sfand against the creation of this 

 Hixa as a forest reserve. 



It has been sng"gested by certain f^'cntlemen interested in the 

 '^ualualei homesteads that a trail should be laid out above the 

 jiomestead lots to connect Lots 3 to 7 with the regular trail 

 over the Pass. Hut as the niauka line of the homesteads in 

 several places runs to steep ridges, over which it is imprac- 

 ticable to build a trail, it would be necessary that such a trail 

 be laid out across rather than above the homestead lots. 



While some of the land above the homesteads in Lualualei 

 could be and now is used for grazing it is believed that it would 

 be of greater benefit not only to the Territory as a whole, but 

 also to those persons having interests in Lualualei Valley, to 

 have this section covered with forest. Above the homesteads 

 there are a ninnber of springs, some of which have in late 

 years run dry. There is no reason to doubt that were the 

 slopes above these springs again forested, water could be 

 developed from them. It is true that the catchment area is 

 limited, but if the retentive cover of vegetation that goes to 

 make up the forest were restored a good share of the rain that 

 does fall would be saved and could be turned to account. So 

 too a forest cover on these upper slopes would assist in holding 

 some of the flood water which in times of heavy rain is now 

 lost. 



I understand that the mauka line of the Lualualei Home- 

 steads was fixed where it is by the personal direction of ex- 

 Governor Dole, with special reference to this very forest ques- 

 tion at a time when there was more forest than at present upon 

 these lands. From evidence in. the gulches and elsewhere there 

 seems to be no doubt that if protected from cattle the area 

 would again become covered with trees. It seems to me that 

 the mauka line of the homesteads is the best line which could 

 be chosen and I accordingly recommend it as the lower line 

 of the Lualualei Forest Reserve. 



Recommendations. 



As the area proposed to be reserved is government land not 

 now under lease it can be declared a reserve and set apart by 



