75 
loss through evaporation can be checked by surrounding vegeta- 
tion. 
This recommendation applies to springs and water holes on 
private as well as on Government land and will be made to each 
of the private owners in Kona who have applied to. this Depart- 
ment for advice on the management of their forest tracts. 
The Waiaha water hole is one of the most important water 
holes in Kona, so much so that it was at one time proposed to set 
it apart as an official water head, somewhat after the manner of 
Polipoli Spring on Maui. It is stated that during dry times many 
persons come to YVaiaha to water stock and even to get water for 
domestic use. It is further said that at such times when several 
dozen head of stock are watered at night and the supply exhausted, 
by morning the water hole has again filled. 
The supply seems to be wholly from percolation, but whether 
the water comes from a distant source or is the result of local 
drainage is not known. But from the character of the surround- 
ing lots, which contain boggy spots and one or two small, inter- 
mittent brooks it may safely be assumed that most of the supply 
comes from near by. 
The elevation of the W aiaha Lots and their distance from the 
main road reduces their value as homesteads that could be made 
to pay. It is true that the adjoining lots makai were at one time 
planted in cane, although only one or two crops were raised. 
Should it again appear desirable to grow cane at this elevation it 
would doubtless be possible to do so on Lots 6 and 7 as well, were 
the land cleared. But because a thing is possible it does not 
necessarily follow that it is wise. At present there is no demand 
for the land for cane. Of the other crops that could be raised by 
the homesteader, Irish potatoes sceems the most likely. 
On the other hand it would seem that the water on the Waiaha 
Lots, if developed and properly handled, could be made an asset 
of considerable value to the Government, sufficient indeed to 
justify the use of the land for this purpose. 
At present the Waiaha Lots, Numbers 6 to 10, are covered with 
forest, in which Ohia Lehua, Koa, Opiko and other trees make up 
a fairly dense stand. The trees are generally in healthy condi- 
tion, but the undergrowth has been much opened up by cattle 
and unless protected will soon disappear altogether. Existing 
fences in part protect the lots from cattle, but only in part. If 
made a reserve the entire area should be enclosed by a suitable 
fence. There is, unfortunately, no money now available for 
fencing, but as this is a defect likely to be remedied in the near 
future it should not interfere with the carrying out of the project. 
The following extracts from the report of the Assistant Sur- 
veyor who laid out the lots, Mr. G. F. Wright, further describe 
the area : 
