206 



which looms like an oasis some two and one-half miles south of Hale- 

 maumau, consists of seven distinct koa trees of considerable age and 

 two ohia lehuas. The occurrence of heavy-seeded koa trees at so great 

 a distance from all sources of seed is very unusual and is probably ac- 

 counted for by the existence at the spot of a kipuka of soil and vegeta- 

 tion which was not buried when the desert material was originally de- 

 posited. The mystery of the grove lies in the fact that, from such hasty 

 examination as could be made in a brief visit, the actual vicinity of 

 the grove does not seem to differ geologically from the surrounding desert 

 floor. More careful examination will very likely discover the correct 

 explanation of the grove's existence. 



With the Superintendent and Dr. Stevens, a visiting plant pathologist 

 from the University of Illinois, an inspection and collecting trip was 

 made into the Upper Olaa Forest Eeserve. Although Dr. Stevens was 

 chiefly interested in inconspicuous leaf-rusts, it was gratifying that he 

 found the trees of the volcano region singularly free from parasitic 

 fungi. 



The third week of the month I spent in North Kohala for the pur- 

 pose of accompanying the new Forest Eanger, Mr. H. K. Stender, on 

 a general inspection of the Kohala Mountain Eeserve and of the pro- 

 posed addition to that reserve. The cultivation of high altitude cane 

 in the heart of the west end of the Kohala Eeserve is greatly to be 

 deplored. Begun as an experiment, this venture has grown to dimen- 

 sions which constitute a real damage to the forest, a damage which is 

 far too great to be justified by the -financial return from a virgin sugar 

 crop. There can be no question that cane cultivation of this sort is a 

 short-sighted policy which is bound to result in ultimate economic loss 

 to the plantation practicing it. 



"WTiile in Kohala, I killed a crippled bull which had been grazing 

 in the forest reserve for six months while Forest Eanger Denison tried 

 in vain to find its owner. The meat was turned over to the Makapala 

 Nursery and planting crew. 



Four days were spent with the Superintendent of Forestry on an 

 inspection of the northwest portion of the Hilo Forest Eeserve. We 

 were accompanied by Mr. D. S. Macalister, Manager of Kukaiau Eaneh, 

 who furnished horses and equipment for the trip and assisted in finding 

 various boundary lines. The forest in Piha, now protected from grazing 

 for four years, appears in much better condition than the adjoining 

 forest lands which were grazed regularly during that period. In the 

 land of Laupahoehoe mauka a great acreage of akala berries (Bubus 

 macraei) was found widely scattered. It would be of value to study 

 the progress of this shrub, whether or not it is increasing at the expense 

 of tree growth, and what its value may be as a large constituent of our 

 water-conservation forest. It occurs already so vigorously and in such 

 large quantities that it is worthy of serious attention. Airplane photo- 

 graphs of such areas would be of striking assistance in studying the 

 occurrrence, distribution and spread of the plant. 



In Manowaialee, Kaiwiki and Xiupea were observed some of the finest 

 ohia forests that I have seen since coming to Hawaii, and it is to be 

 regretted that much of this splendid forest will be subject to grazing, 

 under lease, for eight years longer. Eight years of continuous grazing 

 can do vast damage in an ohia forest, if not indeed cause its complete 

 destruction. It is vital to the plantations which lie below it that this 

 forest be perpetuated as a water-conserving cover. The area should be 

 designated as a forest reserve and placed under absolute protection as 

 quickly as possible. 



The last two days of the month were spent with the survey party 

 at Ninole, where steady rain had temporarily delayed the work. 



Eespectfully submitted, 



CHAS. J. KEAEBEL, 

 Assistant Superintendent of Forestry. 



