264 
KAHOOLAWE FOREST RESERVE. 
Honolulu, T. H., June 23, 1910. 
Board of Agriculture and Forestry, Honolulu, Hawaii : 
Gentlemen : — I have the honor to bring before you for con- 
sideration the proposition of setting apart the Island of 
Kahoolawe as a forest reserve. 
As the result of long years of overstocking, Kahoolawe has 
become locally a name practically synonymous with desola- 
tion and waste. The object of declaring the island a forest 
reserve is to put it in a position where, upon the expiration 
of the existing lease, effective steps could be taken toward 
its reclamation. It is true that to bring back a cover of vege- 
tation over the whole island would require a long time and 
a considerable outlay of money ; but not a little toward sav- 
ing what remains can be accomplished through the complete 
removal of the live stock now on the island, so that what 
vegetation there is may be given a chance. This could be 
done at small cost. More elaborate plans can wait. 
Administratively, the reclamation of Kahoolawe can best 
be accomplished if the island is in the control of the branch 
of the Territorial government that is equipped to undertake 
such work — the Board of Agriculture and Forestry. It is 
for this reason, and also that the public may know definitely 
the intentions of the government in regard to this piece of 
public land, that it is proposed- to set Kahoolawe apart as a 
forest reserve. The proposal is made at this time at the sug- 
gestion and request of the Governor. 
DESCRIPTION OF THE ISLAND. 
Kahoolawe is the sm<allest of the eight islands making up 
the Hawaiian group. It lies to the southwest of Maui, about 
eight miles distant. The island is, roughly, about ten miles 
long by from two to seven miles broad ; its area is 28.260 
acres. The highest point is toward the east end, Puu Ka- 
hoolawe, elevation 1427 feet. Kahoolawe is visited by but 
few persons. When one does go, the trip is usually made 
by whaleboat or gasolene launch from Lahaina. 
The Island of Kahoolawe consists of one government land, 
at present under an expiring lease held by Mr. Eben P. Low, 
that runs out on January 1, 1913. This lease was formerly 
held by Mr. C. C. Conradt, now of Pukoo, IMolokai, and was 
transferred by him to Mr. Low a few years since. Prior to 
that time the island had passed through many hands. It has 
been used continuously for many years for the grazing of 
cattle, and especially of sheep. A great part of the time it 
