466 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 
THE FISHERIES OF HAWAII. 
This island is divided into the districts of Hamakua, Hilo, Kau, 
Kohala, Kona, and Puna. The districts of Kona and Kohala are also 
frequently subdivided into North and South Kona and North and 
South Kohala. The only places of importance on the coast are Hilo 
on the east, Kailua and Napoopoo on the west, and Kawaihae on the 
northwest. There have been more railroads completed and projected 
on this island than on any of the others. The Hilo Railroad Company 
was incorporated March 28, 1899, and so far has completed its railroad 
from Hilo to Puna plantation, 23 miles. The Olaa branch leaves the 
main line near Olaa mill and has been located a distance of 17 miles 
through Olaa toward the volcano of Kilauea. Work on the Kohala 
Railroad was begun in 1881 and completed in 1882. This road begins 
at Mahukona and runs along the shore to Niulii, a distance of 20 miles. 
Although constructed primarily for the benefit of the sugar plantations, 
the railroads have been of considerable aid to the fisheries, as they 
have furnished a regular and fairly cheap medium of transportation 
from the fisheries to the plantations, many of which were inaccessible 
to the fishermen before. . 
The Kohala and Hilo Railway Company was incorporated in June, 
1899, and when completed will run from Hilo, through the districts of 
Hilo and Hamakua, to the port of Mahukona, in the Kohala district. 
This will tap an especially good fishing region, which is but slightly 
worked at present, owing to the lack of transportation facilities. 
In August, 1901, the Kona and Kau Railway Company, limited, 
was incorporated. This company intends building in the districts of 
North and South Kona and Kau. 
Along the coasts of the Puna and Kau districts sponges are fre- 
quently washed up during storms. It is said by persons who have 
seen them that, while not of as good quality as the Florida sponges, 
still they are thought to be suitable for some purposes. No attempt 
has been made as yet to utilize them commercially, although it is pos- 
sible there would be considerable money in the business could the 
sponges be properly prepared for market. 
The tables which follow (with those already given) show the general 
features of the fisheries of the island. 
The Hawaiians predominate in the fisheries, 405, counting men and 
women, being employed. Although the Japanese have only engaged 
in fishing on this island about ten years, they already number 134, 
and are rapidly increasing from year to year. Only 8 Chinese and 
2 Americans were engaged. The total number was 549. The line 
fisheries employ the largest number of persons, 408, followed by the 
cast-net fisheries with 105. The seine and spear fisheries employ the 
same number of persons, 67. 
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