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Molokai Pond Restoration, 1956

 

 

 

            From:  C. J. HAGLUND

                        5372-D MANUWEA STREET

                        Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii

                        December 6, 1956

 

           To:       Honorable Frank W. Hustace, Jr.

                        Commissioner of Public Lands

                        Territory of Hawaii

                        Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii

  Subject:  Molokai Fish Ponds - Act 216 (H.B. 1176), S.L H. 1955

Dear Sir: 

The following and enclosures constitute my findings and recommendations subsequent to my two trips to Molokai for the purpose of evaluating the extent of damages to Molokai Fish Ponds and the feasibility and economics involved in rehabilitation of same. On my trip of December 4th, accompanied by Mr. James M. Dunn, Territorial Surveyor, and Mr. Charles Meyer of the Hawaiian Homes Commission, we fully covered thirteen ponds owned by either the Territory or the Hawaiian Homes Commission. The findings will be covered by enclosures on an individual pond basis as to condition of pond and suggested feasibility or non-feasibility of rehabilitation. My general recommendations for restorative measures are enumerated as follows:

            1. That a certain small portion of each silted pond not be desilted but rather be left for future lessee- operator to use for propagation of shrimp, which today appear to offer a lucrative market.

            2. That a deal be made whereby the Territorial Board of Agriculture and Forestry be entrusted with the restoration program, perhaps in conjunction with the Department of Institutions.

            3. That the above-mentioned agency be authorized to perform work by its own forces or be authorized to contract certain portions to local individuals or group of individuals; all intents to contract to be submitted to the Commissioner of Public Lands before commitment; the Commissioner of Public Lands to reimburse for all expenditures and to pay all private contractors directly. The private contracts would be small in all cases and should at most cover restoration of stonewalls removal of mangroves and akulikuli, and perhaps installation of makaha.

            4. That a pump, together with the necessary adjuncts such as floats, hose, pipe, etc., be acquired by the Land Commissioner and entrusted to the Board of Agriculture and Forestry for execution of contemplated and future work. One used (condition questionable) four-inch unit together with appurtenances, formerly owned by a Mr. Gould, is now available for purchase on Molokai, and I believe could be had very cheaply. Mr. Dunn knows the present owner and can inquire. A complete overhaul will be needed if this is to be acquired. I am personally of the opinion that a larger pump would give more satisfaction from a labor and expediency standpoint. I have requested certain data from Hawaiian Equipment Company (which represents pump manufacturers) as to costs and capacities. I would like to withhold my recommendations re acquisition until they can furnish this data; also until Mr. Dunn finds out what Gould's pump can be had for. Hawaiian Dredging Company also has 4" unit that perhaps could be bought.

            5. Some thought has been given to allowing time of grace to lessee of fishponds in return for restoration by him. I am firmly convinced that this would not only not give the results envisioned but would also result in lower rentals being offered for the whole lease term. It is therefore imperative that an agency as suggested under Paragraph 2 to perform as under Paragraph 3 be entrusted with and held responsible for the carrying out of the intent of Act 216 (H.B 1176). It is assumed in this report that rehabilitation means just that, in other words, rehabilitate where remains are worthwhile, not restore or rebuild where the original installation is so far gone into disrepair as to make such restoration economically unsound.

            6. Following is a list of enclosures, which contain condition and suggestions for treatment; estimated quantities and costs (not including investment in pumping unit); costs include reasonable division overheads.

            A-1. Kapaakea Pond 5.42 acres

            A-2. Kalokoeli Pond 32.0 B-1. Alit Pond  25.8

            B-2. Pahiomu Pond 20.14

            C-1. Kipapa Pond 10.0 acres

            C-2. Kaamola Pond 44.0,

            C-3. Ualapue Pond 15.48

            D-1. No name pond 3.3

            D-2. Kaluaaha Pond 13.0

            D-3. Mahilika Pond 13.3

            D-4. Panahaha Pond 13.8

            D-5. Ipukaiole Pond small.--no remains

            D-6. Kainalu Pond 19.0 acres

            D-7. Puaahala Pond size and ownership in question

(Pond Indicated by write-in on map, claimed by Kilby's; small pond to west - ownership unknown)

 

Respectfully submitted,

/s/ C. J. Haglund

Project Representatives

 

enclosure:

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A-1. KAPAAHEA POND 5.42 acres

Beyond redemption both from disrepair and silting-vegetation encroachment. Original fresh water springs no longer available.  Suggest abandonment and filling for use by Hawaiian Homes Commission as house lots.

 

A-2. KALOKOELI POND 32.0 acres

            About 600 ft. rock wall rebuilding at $3.50 to $4.50 $2,700.00

            About 200 yds. new rock to wall site at $6.00 1,200-00

            Remove about one acre small mangrove $150.00 to 300.00

            Leave southeast side intact for shrimp.

            Lessee to remove akulikuli when trenching for shrimp beds.

            No fresh water except bottom percolation.

            300 ft. small wall restoration at $1.00..............300.00                                                                                                 Install two makaha with wings at $250.00 ............500.00

            No dredging at this time

            Cost $5,000.00

            Overhead 20% $1,000.00

Total Cost $6,000.00

This pond is well worth restoring; comparatively little encroachment.

 

B-1. ALII POND 25.8 acres

            Remove 2-1/2 acres heavy mangrove at $300.00 ......$ 750.00

            Remove I acre mangrove seedlings at $50.00 ...........50.00

            1-1/2 acres akulikuli to be trenched by lessee for shrimp beds

            Repair 5 minor breaks in wall - 300 ft. at $1.00.... 300.00

            Install makaha; repair wings (minor) $1-200.00 ......200.00

            Dredge 20 acres - 1-ft ave. = 33,000 yds, Labor, fuel, move in and                                                                                          

            move out at 12 cents per yd.32960.00

            Cost  $5,260.00

            Overhead 20%   $1,052.10

Total cost    $6,312.00

Add pro rata for procurement of pump. Above treatment should render about 24 acres productive pond, based on last survey.  Pond well worth rehabilitation. About 3-1/2 acres encroached by mangrove and akulikuli.

One acre light mangrove seedlings.

 

B-2. PAHIOMU POND 20.14 acres. Under lease

            Lessee should be notified to keep mangroves from getting good start.  Remove slight growth existing.

            After pump acquired, may be able to work out desilting deal to increase fish potential.

 

C-1. KIPAPA POND 10 acres

            This pond has considerable encroachment by akulikuli, mangroves and kiawe.

            Encroachment of silt to the extent of building land both on the east and south sides.

            Believe about 6 to 7 acres could be reclaimed by dredging average 2-3 ft. depth.

            Dredge about 33,000 yds. Labor, fuel, move in and out at 121 per yd. ....$3,960.00

            Minor repairs to 1,370 lin. ft. wall at 50 cents......685.00

            Remove about 1- 1/2 acres kiawe and mangrove at $250..375.00

            Lessee to remove akulikuli to provide shrimp beds

            Install new makaha ...................................150.00 

            Cost $5,170.00

            Overhead 20%   1,024.00 

Total Cost    $62204.00

Add pro rata for cost of pump. Above should yield 6 to 8 acres of revenue-producing pond, unless conditions have changed greatly since last survey.

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C-2. KAAMOLA POND 44 acres

            Complete rebuilding job required 3,100 ft. of wall.

            Original wall all gone;

            water okay; no encroachment;

            right-of-way for access questionable.

            Recommend abandonment.

            Guess cost $35-45,000.00.

 

C-3. UALAPUE POND 15.48 acres

This is good pond requiring no work except repairing small breaches in wall and perhaps repair of makaha. Clams existing in pond.

Invite bids for lease - upset price $500.00 per year bidder to stipulate dollar-wise how-much to put pond in first class condition  by him, after which maintenance becomes his liability.

 

D-1. No name pond 3.3 acres

            Walls completely broken down.

            Some silting.

            Suggest abandonment.

 

D-2. KALUAAHA POND 13 acres

            No mentionable remains; complete rebuild job required;

            originally 2,070 ft. of wall.

            Question how much rock recoverable.

            Cost of rehabilitation guessed at $16-22,000.00.

            Suggest abandonment

 

D-3 MAHILIKA POND 13.3 acres

            Same as D-2 in practically all respects

            Cost of rehabilitation guessed at $16-22,000.00.

            Both have sand bottom which may be conducive to clams.

            This oneD-3 is stream-fed.

            Suggest abandonment.

 

D-4 PANAHAHA POND 13.8 acres

            In all respects same as D-2 and D-3.

            May be less rock recovery.         

            Complete rebuild job

            Cost of rehabilitation guessed at$18- 24,000.00.

            Suggest abandonment.

 

D-5 IPUKAIOLE POND

            No remains - complete rebuilt job required.

            Recommend abandonment.

 

D-6 KAINALU POIND

            Same as D-5

 

D-7 PUAAHALA POND Size unknown - guess 12 acres

            This pond claimed by Kilby's who live across road.

            Map has write-in in red claiming Aupuni.

            Pond in fair shape; some silting requiring dredging;

            whole wall needs minor repairs.

            Would guess rehabilitation job to run $3,000.00, plus pro rata cost of pump.

 

Small pond to west of above 

            ownership unknown

            not shown on map

            requires extensive rock work and new makaha.

            Do not believe repairs justified even if government-owned.

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