BROOKLYN ENGINEERS' CLUB. 



No. 43. 



ENGINEERING NOTES ON HAWAII. 



BY ARTHUR S. TUTTLE, Mem. B. E. C. 

 PRESENTED NOVEMBER 13, 1902. 



The Hawaiian Islands, comprising the territory of Hawaii, extend 

 iu a southeasterly direction from latitude 22 15' N. and longitude 

 160 30' W. to latitude 18 55' N. and longitude 154 50' W. Com- 

 mencing at the north, the principal islands of the group are Niihau, 

 Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Lanai, Maui, Kahoolawe, and Hawaii; there 

 are a few additional ones of insignificant size lying still further to 

 the north and west. 



Owing to their position, the islands have a commercial and strategic 

 position by no means insignificant, lying as they do in the path of 

 almost every line of steamers crossing the Pacific. Statistics for the 

 year ending June 30th, 1901, show that 662 steamers, war vessels 

 and sailing vessels made the ports of Honolulu and Hilo, over 90% 

 of the number entering the former. The advantage to the United 

 States of ownership of these islands, in connection with the develop- 

 ment and control of our new possessions in the far East, is very great, 

 permitting of the maintenance here of a base of supplies and a naval 

 repair yard. 



There are no incorporated cities on the islands, and the territorial 

 government is conducted entirely from Honolulu, this place having 

 been recognized as the capital since the days of Kamehameha I, the 

 first monarch of the group, whose reign began in 1795. Here is 

 clustered the greatest population, probably aggregating 45 000, Hilo, 

 on Hawaii, ranking second. A movement to establish city, town 



