293 



The desired and effective end is a continuous stretch of protection 

 forest where it is needed, rather than isolated sections of merely 

 government-owned forest lands. 



Many private owners of such lands have worked toward this 

 end m a gratifying manner and it is expected that the execution 

 of the plans of the new Division of Forestry of the Hawaiian 

 Sugar Planters' Association in cooperation with the territorial 

 goverimient will greatly further the ultimate unification of all 

 lands in forest reserves. 



Damage by Fire. 



It has already been pointed out that fortunately, as a rule, the 

 fire danger in our native protection forest is not great on ac- 

 count of the usual abundance of rainfall. This is all the more 

 reason, therefore, why we should constantly be on the watch 

 for fires and prevent the occurrence of any, because of the great 

 damage they do whenever they get started. 



There is provision in the laws of the Territory for a general 

 forest fire service which covers not only lands in forest reserves or 

 only government lands, but applies to all lands. This is based 

 on the California law and provides for a system of voluntary 

 fire wardens, whose duty it is to report and suppress all fires. 

 There are 55 of such appointed wardens throughout the Terri- 

 tory and they have done very effective service in controlling fires 

 m their respective districts. These wardens have the authority 

 to compel all able-bodied male persons, between the ages of 

 16 and 50 years, to assist in putting out fires. 



The law also provides a penalty of from $25 to $5000 for the 

 setting of fires and that in times and localities of particular fire 

 danger the Superintendent of Forestry, who is ex-ofiicio Chief 

 Fire Warden, may specify that no fires to clear land may be set 

 without first obtaining a burning permit. 



The cause of forest fires is usually carelessness or thoughtless- 

 ness and the people must be educated up to the necessity of care 

 with fire in dangerous regions. The smoking out of bees from 

 a bee tree is the frequent cause of fires and is prohibited on gov- 

 ernment lands. Fortunately, lightning, which is the cause of the 

 starting of 17.5% of the forest fires in the United States, is not 

 a menace here because of the infrequency of electric storms in 

 these islands. 



To keep the fire danger constantly in the minds of the people, 

 cloth fire warnings are posted in conspicuous places and whenever 

 sufficient evidence can be secured the party guilty of starting a 

 fire is brought to justice. 



Damage by Animals. 



The greatest common damage done to our native forests is 

 caused by unrestrained cattle, by horses to a small extent, and by 

 wild goats. 



