9i 
formerly  covered  with  forest.  Last  fall  we  found  a few  Wili- 
wili  trees  and  in  one  portion  of  the  Island  some  Algerobas. 
For  miles  and  miles  the  vegetation  had  been  killed  off  and 
the  soil  simply  blown  away.  In  one  portion  there  were  little 
hillocks  of  soil  4-8  feet  high  above  the  hard-pan.  Where  the 
grass  protected  the  soil  these  little  hillocks  were  left;  all  the 
rest  had  blown  away.  Mr.  Newell  has  traveled  all  over  the 
Western  States  and  has  seen  all  kinds  of  arid  land,  but  he  said 
that  he  had  never  seen  anything  which  could  compare  in  deso- 
lation with  the  Island  of  Kahoolawe.  This,  of  course,  is  an 
extreme  condition,  but  it  points  to  the  necessity  for  wise  and 
concerted  action  in  handling  the  forests  and  lands  on  the 
other  islands. 
The  time  has  come  when  there  must  be  created  a public 
sentiment  that  will  not  tolerate  the  wasteful  use  of  our  natural 
resources.  It  may  be  necessary  even  to  interfere  with  private 
owners  so  far  as  to  prevent  waste  which  might  not  be 
lestrained  merely  by  private  interest.  Such  waste  often  results 
in  loss,  the  cost  of  which  is  borne  by  the  community  as  a 
whole. 
I am  very  glad  to  see  that  the  women  of  Hawaii,  as  well  as 
the  women  elsewhere  are  becoming  interested  in  this  subject. 
They  have  a very  prominent  part  to  play  in  the  promotion 
of  the  general  welfare  and  this  can  best  be  done  through 
organization.  I trust  that  the  women  of  Hawaii  will  take  a 
deep  interest  in  furthering  the  cause  of  Conservation. 
MR.  HOSMER’S  ADDRESS. 
Mr.  Ralph  S.  Hosmer,  the  Territorial  Forester,  and  Chair- 
man of  the  Territorial  Conservation  Commission  of  Hawaii, 
was  the  next  speaker.  Mr.  Flosmer  said  in  part : 
Hawaii  takes  a very  direct  interest  in  the  subject  of  Con- 
servation. The  whole  economic  fabric  of  this  Territory 
depends  on  the  right  use  of  three  of  the  great  classes  of  the 
national  resources,  water,  forests  and  lands.  There  are  few 
places  in  the  world  where  these  sources  of  natural  wealth  are 
so  interdependent  as  in  these  islands,  or  where  the  principles 
of  Conservation  can  so  readily  be  seen  in  operation. 
Hawaii  is  essentially  an  agricultural  country.  From  its 
situation  and  topography  it  follows  that  it  must  have  a climate 
characterized  by  contrasts ; one  side  of  the  island  is  moist,  the 
other  dry,  even  approaching  aridity.  But  rich  soil  is  often 
found  in  the  dry  districts,  which  with  irrigation  can  be  made 
highly  productive.  It  follows  that  irrigation  should  be  largely 
practiced.  Over  $15,000,000.00  has  been  spent  by  private  en- 
terprise in  developing  water  on  the  sugar  plantations,  but  there 
