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This can only be accomplished with the aid of the forest. With 

 our short, steep watersheds, heavy rainfall and lack of adequate 

 storage facilities it is self-evident that the function exercised by 

 the forest on the catchment basins and in general over the water- 

 sheds, is of much more importance here than in most other coun- 

 tries. Far and away the chief value of the Hawaiian forest is 

 as a protective cover for equalizing and making dependable the 

 sources of our water supply. For retarding run-off, protecting 

 the surface against erosion and helping to form a natural reser- 

 voir, from which are fed the streams and springs, it is hard to 

 conceive of a better cover than the dense mass of trees, shrubs, 

 ferns and undergrowth that together make up our native forest. 

 Its value is too evident to require argument. 



But under present day conditions such a forest can only be 

 permanently maintained by being cared for. That this may more 

 effectively be done, forest reserves have been created and a gen- 

 eral program drawn up looking to the adequate care of the for- 

 est. But such a plan takes time to carry into effect and the co- 

 operation of all forest owners, be they the general public, inter- 

 ested as joint owners of the public domain, or more directly, be- 

 cause they themselves control land in fee simple. 



A good start has been made, but much of what has so far been 

 accomplished is but preliminary to what waits to be done. Be- 

 fore the house can be built the foundations must be laid. So 

 with the creation of a forest reserve system. The fixing of 

 boundaries, the proclamations, and the coloring in of areas on a 

 map are but steps toward the realization of an ideal. The time 

 has now come in Hawaii when we must go further. 



And why is it that we must do this? Why this constantly 

 recurring talk of forests and forest protection? Why not leave 

 it to the government officials to look after the forests? That is 

 what they are paid for. 



The answer to these questions is simply and solely because 

 in Hawaii forestry is a business necessity. Wood and water 

 are the first needs that must be satisfied in any community. 

 Both are products of the forest. Wherever it can be got water 

 is the most valuable product that the native Hawaiian forest can 

 be made to yield. In Hawaii, without the native forest we 

 should be without water. And in our planted forests, we have, 

 too, an asset of constantly increasing value ; for the production 

 of wood is one of the pressing needs of local conservation. 



The truth of these assertions is self-evident. But notwith- 

 standing, there is much delay in putting into practice things 

 which everybody agrees ought to be done to make our forests 

 render their full quota of service. The object of this meeting 

 is to bring home to those on whom rests the duty of managing 



