34 
streams or pass on down into the artesian basins which are a 
very important source of Honolulu's city water supply. The 
well heads in these basins vary directly with the rainfall on the 
catchment areas above the wells, when these heads are not in- 
fluenced by pumping. On account of the annually increasing 
demand for this water, however, this overdraft has lowered the 
artesian well heads in one basin from 42 feet in 1882 to 28 
feet above sea level in 1915; hence, the importance of absolute 
forest protection on these watershed areas. 
Purity of Water Supply. 
The single fact that surface waters from the area under dis- 
cussion are used for potable purposes should be sufficient for 
the promulgation of the rule. In the protection of the purity 
of its water supply, Honolulu is very much behind the times 
when compared with progress made on the mainland of the 
United States in matters of sanitation connected with the water 
supply of large cities. 
Not only has the Board of Health of the Territory of Hawaii 
gone on record unanimously as approving the promulgation of 
Rule V and any other steps that the Division of Forestry may 
consider necessary in order to protect the water supply of Hono- 
lulu, but its sanitary engineer in a communication dated Decem- 
ber 21, 1921, states as follows: 
''An unprotected watershed is dangerous to public health. 
Wherever it is possible, the right of entry has been denied to all 
except those whose duties require their presence on the grounds. 
''To permit a few trampers to roam at large over the water- 
sheds of Honolulu is contrary to good practice and endangers 
the public health. 
"The people of Honolulu w^ent on record a few years ago as 
against the filtration of its surface water supplies. Such being 
the case, it is very important that the purity of the water on the 
watersheds be kept as great as possible. 
"Statements have been made that in other countries people 
are allowed on the watersheds of the public water supplies. The 
parties making these statements fail to add that it is the rule to 
purify the water, before it is used, by means of storage, filtration, 
or chlorination. 
"We are fortunate in Honolulu. Our watersheds are prac- 
tically uninhabited and are not subject to continued pollution. 
Also the control of same is completely in the hands of the Ter- 
ritory. 
"The future water supply for Honolulu is a matter of serious 
concern. The preservation o'f the forest pn the Honolulu 
watershed is vital to the conservation of the water supply." 
As an administrative measure, in connection with the opera- 
tions of the City Water Works, the promulgation of Rule V 
