53 



gation. Under the natural conditions that obtain here climatic, 

 geologic, topographic an assured supply of water cannot be re- 

 lied on unless the catchment areas are kept clothed with vegeta- 

 tion. The native Hawaiian rain-forest is the ideal of the type of 

 protection forest needed. It is a plant community that precisely 

 fills man's needs for keeping conditions at the head waters of the 

 streams as he desires them. 



But owing to the extreme susceptibility of the Hawaiian forest 

 to injury and to the rapidity with which it deteriorates when 

 trouble gains a foothold, it is absolutely essential, in order to re- 

 tain and perpetuate the conditions most favorable for water con- 

 servation, that the native forest receive adequate protection and 

 care. This is the reason why forest reserves are created. The 

 areas necessary to protect given streams are set apart that they 

 may be managed to help secure for all time the largest possible 

 flow in the streams or springs whose sources they surround. So 

 too, with the artesian supply. Unless the catchment basins are 

 protected, the flow in the wells below will fluctuate and eventually 

 decrease. 



By far the greater part of the native Hawaiian forests, espe- 

 cially in the districts on the windward sides of the several islands, 

 are of value primarily on account of the water which can be got 

 from them. As has often been said of these forests, water, not 

 wood, is their important product. Their management must 

 therefore be with reference to water. This means in practice 

 that the water bearing forests should be treated strictly as "pro- 

 tection forests," from which men and animals alike are to be ex- 

 cluded- The continuation of primitive conditions is the ideal 

 the elimination of all sorts of trespass. 



That we are yet very far, in Hawaii, from the realization of 

 this ideal is unfortunately true. Technically, to be sure, forest 

 reserves have been set apart on each of the larger islands. Prac- 

 tically, only a few of those created are receiving the care neces- 

 sary to keep them in the condition in which they should be main- 

 tained for the good of all concerned. Through the co-operation 

 of corporations and individuals much, of course, has been and is 

 being done, in fencing, in protection, and in some cases in forest 

 planting. But the need remains for more fences, for the com- 

 plete eradication of wild cattle and goats and in some cases pigs 

 from the reserves, for continuing protection from fire, and in 

 many places for improving the forest cover and extending it, par- 

 ticularly in those forest reserves that are created essentially for 

 water protection. 



These are the needs of the present. They are needs that must 

 be met. For unless the required protection is given, and that 

 speedily, the native Hawaiian forest will recede and disappear 



