FUTURE POLICY. 27 



Appointments of assistant foresters and rangers arc being made as 



rapidly as the needs of the service require. 



FUTURE POLICY. 



No attempt can bo made here to do more than point out the main 

 principles which must govern the future policy of the islands in the 

 maintenance of a forestiy system. These are as follows: 



FOREST RESERVES. 



Nothing less will be effective toward the preservation of the Hawaiian 

 forests than a carefully worked out system of forest reserves, which 

 will include practicall} T all of the mountain forests previously men- 

 tioned, as well as some potential forest land which has been denuded. 

 This reserve system should be established as soon as possible, beginning 

 probably in Kula, Hamakua, and Kohala, since in those districts there 

 is greatest immediate need of protection. The Territorial government 

 owns most of the land which should go into the reserves, but the govern- 

 ment land is largely held by individuals or companies under leases, some 

 of which will not expire for a number of years. The lessees of many 

 important tracts are willing to relinquish the forest land to the govern- 

 ment in exchange for reasonable extension of leases, or for new leases 

 on other lands. Almost all of the reserves will also need to include 

 some land held in fee simple by individuals or companies. Here, again, 

 the only solution of the question is by the government exchanging with 

 the private owners. 



It is evident that each reserve will have to be made, a part at a time, 

 as satisfactory exchanges can bo made, both in leased and owned lands. 

 The possibility of such exchanges is entirely dependent upon the 

 cooperation of the government with the individuals interested. Good 

 results will be accomplished only when both parties fully understand 

 the importance of the proposed reserve, and enter into negotiation 

 solely to secure fair and equitable exchanges. 



As soon as a reserve is formed, all cattle should be driven out and 

 the portions which are accessible to cattle should be fenced. Those 

 wild cattle which can not be driven out should be shot. An effective 

 ranger service should be put into effect to keep stock and tire out of 

 the reserved forest. As soon as practicable, on each reserve men should 

 be employed to hunt down and exterminate the wild goats. 



PLANTING. 



With the reserves well protected, the forest will replace itself on 

 many of the damaged areas, as reproduction under some conditions 

 takes place rapidly. Whore the forest will not replace itself, planting 



