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other uses to which the land could more wisely be put. In 
other words, that as there is so much waste Government land, 
which nevertheless is capable of raising crops of trees, the Gov- 
ernment would not be justified in devoting to this use its re- 
maining lands in the forest belt in Hamakua, which are known 
to be suitable for agriculture. 
I therefore recommend that the project to create a general for- 
est reserve in Hamakua be abandoned. 
The Land Above the Existing Forest, at the East End of the 
District. 
It has been shown that with the leases made in December, 1906, 
the control of the larger mauka lands at the middle and west 
end of Hamakua passed from the Government for twenty-one 
years. This narrows the question down to the Government lands 
at the east end, namely Kaohe, Hoea-Kaao, Kealakaha-Niupea 
and Manowaialee. It is for the lease of these land's that the Ku- 
kaiau Plantation Company has applied, with a proposition to 
plant a certain number of trees between the elevations of 3000 
and 4500 feet. 
On the lands in question the same conditions obtain as to 
stream flow as exist at the middle and west end of Hamakua ; 
further, the argument for the possible influences of a body of 
forest on precipitation is here of less weight, because the lands 
lie on the shoulder of Mauna Kea and consequently have the ad- 
vantage of the natural barrier that that mountain mass presents 
to the trade wind clouds. Owing to the greater extent of the 
fires of 1901 at this end of the district even more of the original 
forest has disappeared than at the west end, so that except for a 
limited area near Puu Loa, artificial reforestation is essential to 
secure a new stand. 
If, therefore, a forest were to be planted in this section of Ha- 
makua its chief value would be on account of the commercial im- 
portance of the wood and timber that it could produce. The 
question at issue is then, the creation of a forest of commercial 
value versus the use of the land for other purposes. 
Of these, homesteading and grazing are the onlv ones that 
appear feasible. Up to 3000 feet there seems good prospect that 
the land can be used to advantage for agriculture at the present 
time or at any rate as soon as conditions of transportation are 
somewhat improved. Above that elevation until there has 
taken place a marked improvement in the available means of 
controlling insects, blights and other kindred' pests, and until 
transportation conditions are decidedly better, the average home- 
steader could hardly be expected to do more than eke out a pre- 
carious existence. Just how soon the conditions will be im- 
proved no man can say. With the building of the Hilo-Kohala 
Railroad the requirements of transportation will be met ; while 
