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A Subsidiary Argument. 
Along with this main reason why Kahoolawe should be 
reclaimed there is a subsidiary claim that at least deserves 
mention. This is that an opportunity is afforded in the re- 
clamation of Kahoolawe to secure data of great scientific 
interest in regard to the imich-mooted question of the in- 
fluence of a cover of vegetation in producing rainfall. There 
is much verbal testimony (but unfortunately few, if any, 
reliable instrumental records) that in former days, say twen- 
ty-five years ago and before, there were many light, drifting 
showers at the south end of East Maui, at Ulupalakua, which 
originated over Kahoolawe and drifted across the channel 
with the '‘Naulu” breeze. In recent years there is said to 
have been a perceptible diminution of these light rains, which 
in that dry district were of great value. This change is at- 
tributed to the destruction of the cover qf vegetation on Ka- 
hoolawe. Whether this is true or not no man can positively 
say, but there seems enough reason for its being so to justify 
some expenditure in the way of restoring former conditions, 
provided that money for the experiment could be drawn from 
some special fund, not now in sight. 
Under the peculiar conditions of climate obtaining in Ha- 
waii, due to the situation of the islands in the trade-wind 
belt, it often happens that the several factors influencing 
precipitation are balanced with such extreme delicacy that a 
very slight alteration in any one is enough to set off far- 
reaching changes. Kahoolawe is decidedly a case in point. 
Here the problem can be studied almost as in a laboratory, 
for here, if anywhere, can human interference exercise an in- 
fluence over one or more of the natural factors. Careful me- 
teorological records, kept for a long series of years, are an 
essential part of such a study. It would not be an easy thing 
to do well. But the opportunity is an unusual one. Its pos- 
sibilities should not be overlooked. 
The results to be obtained from such an experiment may 
seem too remote from practical application to justify the re- 
quired outlay to carry the work out properly as it should be 
done. But considered strictly from the standpoint of reclaim- 
ing the island that it may some time be put to a better use 
than is now possible, if Kahoolawe is definitely set apart, 
even though nothing more is done for some years than com- 
pletely to remove the stock now thereon, the condition of the 
island can not but improve. Further, if set apart as a forest 
reserve, it will be ready for whatever other program of im- 
provement may in the future seem desirable. 
Should the artificial restoration of vegetation on Kahoo- 
lawe come later to be undertaken, it should be as the result of 
a comprehensive and systematic study of the problem, em- 
