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has been badly overstocked, a condition which has resulted 
in the destruction of the original cover of vegetation, fol- 
lowed by erosion and the loss of large quantities of valuable 
soil, much of which has literally been blown away to sea by 
the strong trade wind. 
It is said by those who knew the island in former times 
that there used to be considerable forest on the higher land 
and a good cover of native grasses over the rest of the island. 
In recent years soil denudation has gone on so rapidly that 
now large areas have been eroded down to hard pan. These 
areas are constantly increasing in size, and it is much to be 
feared that unless the process is checked within a compara- 
tively short time by far the larger part of the island will be 
reduced to a like condition. In many places are to be seen 
tall columns of soil protected by a bit of turf. These show 
the original depth of the soil, and serve as an index of the 
great quantity that has been lost. 
In a few of the more sheltered gulches are scattering alga- 
roba trees, and elsewhere on the island are remains of the 
oldtime growth. Relieved of the constant cropping of sheep, 
the young plants from these trees would help in bringing 
back better conditions. 
REASONS FOR RECLAIMING KAHOOLAWE. 
On general principles, it is evident that in 'a community 
believing in conservation, such waste as is now going on 
on an island that was formerly as productive as was Kahoo- 
lawe, ought to be stopped. As erosion continues, the island 
becomes of less and less value to the people of the Territory, 
whereas were Kahoolawe to be effectively reclaimed it could 
in time again be made to be a valuable asset. Personally, I 
am not in favor of any large expenditure on Kahoolawe 
under the financial conditions that now obtain in Hawaii. 
There are a considerable number of localities throughout the 
Territory that deserve and should receive attention before 
the very limited funds at the disposal of the local govern- 
ment are drawn upon for Kahoolawe, except the compara- 
tively small sum that may be needed to rid the island of 
animals that are not removed by the lessee at the expiration 
of the present lease. But I do distinctly believe that the 
island should be definitely withdrawn from the list of lands 
subject to lease and put into a class where, if the time does 
come when there are funds from any source that may appro- 
priately be used for such work, more active steps toward 
its reclamation could at once be undertaken. This I believe 
can best be done by making Kahoolawe a forest reserve. And 
this is the main object of the proposal that it be so set apart. 
