306 



boundary, together with other hues and an indication of the to- 

 pography, is shown on tlie accompanying map, ])repared by the 

 Government Survey Office. I recommend that this reserve be 

 called the Hpnoluln Watershed forest reserve. 



Object. 



The object of the proposed Honolulu Watershed forest reserve 

 is to protect the water sources, both surface and artesian, on 

 which the city of Honolulu has to depend for its domestic supply. 

 With rapidly increasing population the time is not far distant 

 when every drop of water that can be developed in the vicinity 

 of Honolulu will be needed. By the setting apart of this catch- 

 ment area as a forest reserve, better control can be exercised over 

 it and more effective measures taken to protect and preserve 

 thereon the cover of native vegetation so necessary in Hawaii on 

 a watershed that is to be made to do its full duty. 



Present Sources of Snpplw 



The more important of the present sources of Honolulu's sup- 

 ply are the springs and streams in Kalihi. Nuuanu, Pauoa, Ma- 

 kiki, Alanoa and Palolo valleys, and the artesian wells that are 

 scattered from Diamond Head to Moanalua. 



It is unnecessary here to go into detail as to how the streams 

 are diverted. Sufficient to say that the water tliat flows from the 

 mountains back of this city, either on the surface or in the ar- 

 tesian strata, is the natural, and unless water be brought from a 

 considerable distance — as from valleys in the Koolau range — the 

 only available source of supply. It follows, as has repeatedly 

 and for many years been pointed out by many persons, that 

 greater care should be given the Honolulu watershed. Tlie set- 

 ting apart of this area as a forest reserve is a step toward the 

 adequate protection and conservation of this area. 



Under Section 565 of the Revised Laws of Hawaii (a law 

 based on one enacted in 1860), the superintendent of pulilic works 

 lias the riglit to take and use for the Territory any land and water 

 needed for water works purposes "on the soutlu'in and western 

 slopes of the Konahuanui range * ^' * between I'alolo and 

 Kalihi valleys." Under this law the upper i)art of .Xuuanu val- 

 ley has for many years been held as a water reserve, various 

 pieces of private land having been ac(|nired from time to time to 

 round out the government holdings. The Makiki X'alley water 

 reserve was taken over In' the government under the same law. 

 It has been so held since 1881. 



( )f the other valleys Kalihi and I'anoa are for the most part in 

 private ownershi]). .\ fair ])ercentage of the mountain slopes at 

 the liead of Manoa fortmiatelv still vest in the L;o\-etiimi'nt, and, 

 since the recent ac<|nisition of the area around and iurludiu',; the 

 I'alolo crater, the sauu' can be ^aid of I'aloln \a]le\ \]|< il^i'IIut. 



