263 

 FOREST RESERVES. 



Reports of the Superixtexdent of Forestry Makixg Recom- 



MEXDATIOXS WITH REGARD TO ThREE FoREST RESERVES. 



On Island of Molokai. 



Honolulu, July 25, 1912. 



Board of Commissioners of Agricuture and Forestry, 

 Honolulu, Hawaii. 



Gentlemen : — I have the honor to submit as follows a report 

 recommending that a forest reserve be created on the Island of 

 ^Nlolokai, County of j\Iaui : 



OBJECT. 



The object of this proposed forest reserve is to protect and 

 permanently to maintain the forest cover on the upper moun- 

 tainous parts of the island, so that the sources of water — the 

 springs and streams thereon — may be safeguarded, and as far as 

 possible the regularity of their flow assured. 



All along the lee shore of Molokai at the lower elevations, but 

 especially near Kaunakakai, is much land that is potentially of 

 high value for intensive agriculture, could it be brought under 

 ' irrigation. Attempts to secure water on a large scale from wells 

 have proved unsuccessful. Various plans for the development 

 of the mountain water have been proposed,* but up to the pres- 

 ent time only comparatively small quantities of water, sufficient 

 only for watering live stock, have actually been brought out of the 

 hills. 



Sooner or later it is almost certain that some practicable plan 

 will be evolved whereby the mountain water can be collected and 

 led out to where it is needed. Looking forward to that time, it 

 is expedient that provision be made now for keeping the water- 

 shed in the best possible condition. 



This is a matter which interests all the owners of the uplands, 

 private parties as well as the government, for any comprehensive 

 program for the systematic development of the mountain water 

 on ]\Iolokai would doubtless cover the entire island. The chief 

 value of these upper lands is as producers of water. The owners 

 should see to it that when the proper time comes to dispose of 

 it, the largest possible quantities of water are ready to be sold. 

 Because it will help to accomplish just this end is the main pur- 

 pose in setting this section apart as a forest reserv^e. 



* Especially in a report by Waldemar Lindgren, ' ' The Water Eesources 

 of Molokai"; V. S. Geological Survey, Water Supply Paper Xo. 77; Wash- 

 ington, 1903. 



