FOREST FIRES. 



With the exception of a few small brush and grass fires on 

 Oahu and Kauai, all of which were extinguished before serious 

 damage had resulted, the forest fire record for the years 1911- 

 1912 is fortunately smiall. One of the fires on Oahu occurred in 

 Manoa Valley in April 1911. The others, and there have been 

 a number of them, were in the Ewa District in the vicinity of 

 Leilehua and Wahiawa. The fires on Kauai were in the woods 

 back of Kilauea. Both occurred in June, 1911. 



But while fortunate in escaping much damage from forest fire 

 during this period, the Territory is by no means immune from 

 forest fire danger. The liability of fire is always present unless 

 there is a watchful and efficient forest fire service ready and able 

 to take prompt action when ever necessary. And further, back 

 of any system of fire fighting there must be public sentiment. 



Thanks to the efforts of the local district fire wardens a much 

 better appreciation of the dangers of forest fires prevails now 

 than formerly but there is still room for improvement. Particu- 

 larly is it true that new comers to Hawaii should take more than 

 ordinary precautions in the use of fire in or near the forest. Much 

 of the native vegetation, even that growing in the truly wet for- 

 ests, is extraordinarily inflammable. The common Staghorn fern 

 and the le-ie vine are both examples. Both will burn readily 

 even when in full leaf. Then, too, the Staghorn always has a 

 lot of dry leaves and twigs underneath, that add to the flames. 



The number of grass and brush fires, especially on Oahu in 

 1911 and 1912, indicate clearly enough a lack of care in throw- 

 ing down burning matches and cigarettes. So far, thanks to 

 prompt attention, serious damage has been averted, but one can 

 never tell when the time will come when a fire may get beyond 

 control and spread over half the Koolau range. Besides, each 

 time a grass or brush fire has to be fought, it means just so much 

 expense and loss of time for those who turn out. 



Everyone who has to do with the forests of Hawaii in any way 

 should have it on his mind to be careful about fire. All those 

 in charge of others would do well to issue strict instructions in 

 regard thereto. Only through the cooperation of all concerned 

 can we expect to be wholly free from this danger. 



In this connection the recommendation is again made, and 

 that most urgently, that a special fund be provided from 'some 

 source for fighting forest fires on Government land. At pres- 

 ent this Department is powerless to take effective steps, except 

 through the voluntary cooperation of corporations or individuals, 

 in combatting fires in the forest reserves that consist of unleased 

 government land. There should be an emergency fund of at 



