REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF HAWAII. EXECUTIVE CHAMBER, Honolulu, Hawaii, August 31, 1915. SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1915: GENERAL CONDITIONS. The Territory remains, in spite of all efforts, a two-crop country, and the second crop, pineapples, is meeting with some discouraging conditions. The board of agriculture and College of Hawaii made to the governor, and through him to the legislature, a report on the agricultural industries of Hawaii, and the legislature in turn directed, in the following concurrent resolution, the governor to transmit it to the honorable Secretary of the Interior, which was done through the courtesy of the First Assistant Secretary of the Interior, then favoring the Territory with his presence. Be it resolved by the senate of the Territory of Hawaii, the house of representatives concurring, That the governor of the Territory of Hawaii is hereby requested to invite the honorable Secretary of the Interior, under whose department this Territory is controlled, to take steps to verify, through the Department of Commerce or the Federal Trade Commission or such other means as he may elect, the statements made in the attached certified copies of communications of the Territorial department of agriculture and forestry jointly with the College of Hawaii, the Territorial land commissioner, and the Territorial treasurer. A copy of the agricultural report referred to will be found under the heading "Bureau of Agriculture and Forestry," on page 47. On other grounds than tariff I urge the national administration to carefully verify or correct this report, as it is normally of vital importance to this small Territory. The export of sugar for the year was 640,459 short tons, valued at $52,953,099, against the year 1914 of 557,445 tons, valued at $33,194,912. The export of pineapples for the year was in value $6,319,129, against the year 1914 valued at $5,061,525. The total other exports for the year were $2,923,358, against the year 1914 value of $3,274,995. Owing to the increased output and high prices of sugar, as above shown, the Territory has been very notably prosperous. How generally this prosperity has been diffused can hardly be calculated." No outward expressions of discontent among labor have attracted public attention. Under the sliding scale, to quite a degree established among the plantations, certain employees and cane growers profit by the advance in sugar prices. Pineapples have suffered a decline in prices to such an extent the dependent grower is in distress. There is general evidence of prosperity in the improvements throughout the Territory, particularly in the great number of attractive, artistic, unpretentious homes being erected in Honolulu and Hilo There is an absence of construction of mansions or expensive residences. Through the issue of $150,000 of $100 4 per cent "baby bonds" citizens, particularly the Hawaiians, are becoming individually interested directly in the finances of the Territory. Bankers doubted either the advisability or success of such an issue, but their judgment was in error. Savings-banks deposits show a heavy increase. The table is rather misleading as to certain orientals, who remit large sums to their mother country and invest very considerably in their local businesses and enterprises, as the chart on local "business control" shows. No government-assisted immigration has taken place during the year. At government expense 149 persons were repatriated to their European homes at their own request. Privately assisted Filipino immigration had little effect on the net total population of that race as of June 30, which was 15,220, as compared with 14,992 at the same date in 1914, a net increase of 228, which nominally offset Filipino births for the year, the same numbering 219. Our school accommodations under the bungalow system of buildings, so adapted to our climate and financial resources, are rapidly supplying the demand for room for the marked increase of pupils. Pupils in public and private schools numbered 36,529 on June 30, 1915, against 33,288 on the same date in 1914, an increase of 3,241. With a lack of skilled employment, the problem of occupation for the educated youth presents quite an enigma. The only sensible solution has seemed one to encourage to a greater degree an education that will not induce largely dependence on mental employment rather than physical. The course of study as adopted has the above in view, although every facility and opportunity is provided for those mentally equipped, ambitious, and able, that they may pursue higher education. Public works are being energetically forwarded and cover quite a range of objects, particularly that of wharves and water-front improvements. Nearly every island port has had attention and the coming year should show completion of most projects not in conjunction with those of the Federal Government. The finances of the Territory are in a satisfactory condition and cover the normal requirements. All of the Territorial departments are effective, and have been as active as means permit, they performing their duties efficiently and faithfully. PROBLEMS OF HAWAII. Facing page 568 are diagrams which present the seven vital problems of the Territory so graphically that a glance is equal to chapters of discussion. PROBLEM OF PUBLIC LANDS. Nearly all the land designated as "arable agricultural land” is under leases long since made, but beginning to expire in 1917. That in Government possession lacks water for irrigation. Homestead areas opened and undertaken give quite an opportunity for selection. PROBLEM OF POPULATION. The rapid increase of the oriental races, comprising over 60 per cent of the population, deserves notice. PROBLEM OF BIRTH INCREASE AND RATE. Although the proportional increase to the total births would indicate Japanese births should total 2,442, their actual increase was 4,606. The Portuguese rate indicates a ratio of 522 while the actual was 883. Any observer of the two birth charts can arrive at some conclusion as to the future population. PROBLEM OF FOOD SUPPLY. Brilliant skies and abundant foliage are not a criterion of what may be done in food products in the Territory. Green and uncured products can be grown, but those of a character requiring curing, such as the world generally depends on, to date are found possible only in a restricted degree. PROBLEM OF EDUCATION. The chart discloses the extraordinary care given all classes. Setting aside all theories it is a fact the Anglo-Saxon and Germanic races are immeasurably less served than other races and are thrown on their own private resources. PROBLEM OF BUSINESS CONTROL. The chart of 1914 sufficiently illustrates this problem for this period. PROBLEM OF COMMERCE. Until arrangements are made with the Department of Commerce for advance figures, it is impossible to complete tables in time for the specific date this report must be in the hands of the Department of the Interior. NATIONAL GUARD OF HAWAII. It is quite obvious from the situation of these islands that an efficient control of the population is demanded by ordinary prudence and that in case of necessity the National Guard should assist the regular troops of the United States Army stationed here. The citizenship of the Territory is alive to the situation, particularly the Hawaiians, who constitute over 70 per cent of our militia force. Relative to citizen population, if the United States Militia were equally organized, it would have available for immediate action 1,500,000 well drilled soldiers enlisted for three years. Enrollments are in hand ready for service, provided the War Department will furnish the usual equipment, that will double our strength. The legislature has authorized the establishment of a company of Naval Militia and its organization is under way. Hawaii deserves credit for prompt action. |