482 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OB^ FISHERIES. 



The island is divided into the districts of Hamakua, Hilo, Kau, 

 Kohala, Kona, and Puna. Hawaii for its size is not very densely 

 inhabited, its population at the last census being 46,843, and the only 

 places of importance are Hilo on the east, Pahala on the south, Napoo- 

 poo and Kailua on the west, Kawaihae on the northwest, and Laupa- 

 hoehoe on the north. While there are a number of railroads projected 

 for this island, but three are now in operation — the Hilo Railroad, 

 from Hilo to Puna Plantation, 23 miles, and a branch from Olaa, on 

 this road, to Mountain View, on the wa}^ toward the volcano of Kilauea; 

 the Kohala Railroad, from Mahukona to Niulii, a distance of 20 miles, 

 and the plantation railroad from Pahala to Punaluu. The two first- 

 named railroads have been of considerable help to the fisheries, as they 

 have made feasible the shipping of fish to plantations away from the 

 coast and to those on the coast where it is not practicable to conduct 

 fisheries. The islands have been undergoing a period of depression 

 during the last three years, but as soon as this passes away^ — as it 

 seems to be doing at present — there will undoubtedly be a large 

 increase in the railroad mileage of Hawaii, and this can not fail to 

 benefit the fisheries. At present there are many fine fishing sections 

 where, owing to the lack of shipping facilities, practically no fishing 

 is being carried on, or else merely enough is done to suppl}'' the wants 

 of the people in the immediate vicinity. The Territorial government, 

 by opening up new roads and repairing the old ones, is also incidentall}'^ 

 helping the fisheries. 



During the year 1903, 200 pounds of loli (beche-de-mer) was gathered 

 and sold to Chinese at Hilo, who prepared and shipped the product to 

 San Francisco. In the curing process the loli after being split in half 

 and having the entrails removed, are put in hot water in order to 

 remove the slime, etc., and then placed in strong brine for twenty-four 

 hours. On being removed from the brine they are dried in the sun, 

 after which they are ready to ship. This is a new industry and gives 

 promise of a considerable development in the near future, as the loli 

 is quite abundant in the waters surrounding the island. ■ 



Another industry which gives promise of becoming quite important 

 is the raising- of frogs for market. In October, 1899, a shipment of 

 6 dozen frogs from Contra Costa County, Cal., was landed at Hilo and 

 planted in favorable places around the city. Frogs soon became 

 abundant, and in 1900 a few were taken for market, while in 1901 

 some were shipped to Honolulu. In the latter part of 1903 Lucas & 

 Guard, of Hilo, leased the old Wailama canal, which formerly connected 

 several of the fish ponds with the bay, but which had been cut off 

 from the latter by the extension of the Hilo Railroad. This canal, or 

 pond now, is about 200 feet in length by about 70 feet wide. It has 

 been fenced around and a wire screen placed at the narrow opening 



