41 
Damage Done by Trampers. 
Although the chief damage, which this rule seeks to terminate, 
is the spread of Hilo grass through the forest, a phenomenon 
which works the most insidious and the most extensively, it is 
desired also to obviate the direct damage which trampers do 
in this region, unintentional to be sure, but none the less real. 
The following quotations from an article by Mr. T. P. Cadle 
published in the "Honolulu Star-Bulletin" of December 17, 1921, 
describe most admirably the ruthless manner in which some of 
this damage is done and the evidences of destruction following 
in the wake of a group of hikers on and near this very same 
watershed. 
"The party then turned to the left and ascended a precarious 
ridge which continuously gave way, and showers of rocks and 
trees and small bushes fell to the great depths below." 
''Th ascent was made up Palolo valley and Palolo falls. **** 
A little brook runs down this valley carrying water throughout 
the year. Even in the driest times the slopes on either side are 
green with luxuriant vegetation. Banana trees and ti plants 
grow in profusion along the way. The ascent was made directly 
over the falls, sometimes in the water and sometimes a little 
to one side. A short visit was paid to the new Palolo tunnel, 
which, by the way, does not appear to be furnishing as much 
water as it did a year ago." 
''Dark, thick clouds are ever the bane of the mountain climber, 
for they confuse the direction, and by depositing moisture, even 
though no rain falls, cause the trail to become slippery and 
landslides easy to form." 
'Tn spite of the fact that over a year had elapsed since the 
former descent was made, no difficulty was experienced in find- 
ing where the other party had gone down.****Vegetation that 
has given away under the foot, little broken twigs, bent grass and 
bushes all indicate that some one has been over the trail before; 
He***" 
"The soil which covers the hard rocks is not over an inch or 
two in depth and so precarious is its hold that excessive rains 
or falling rocks start landslides that do not stop until they reach 
the bottom. ****A person must at most times sit on the ground 
and gradually work himself down, and if he feels himself falling 
to throw himself full length upon the ground with arms out- 
stretched in order to get the advantage of every obstruction. 
This was the method pursued by the group making the descent." 
"A few lehua trees manage from point to point to maintain a 
precarious hold in the rock. These give some support, but too 
much reliance cannot be placed upon them." 
"These were subjected for half an hour to a continual rain 
of small stones and large rocks that were loosened by those 
above. It was about as safe as in a battlefield to stand there 
