THE ARTESIAN WATER SUPPLY.
Among the interesting physical features of Oahu is the abund ant water supply derived from artesian wells. All other islands possessing a similar structure are capable of yielding similar re turns to effort ; so it may be well to present the history of the operations by which great benefits have been derived.
The need of a bountiful supply of water vitally concerns house hold and agricultural affairs. The numerous sugar plantations need very much water for irrigating the land. These were at first located upon the other islands like Kauai and Maui whose numerous streams supplied the necessary liquid both for irriga tion and transportation. Oahu was neglected because it is com paratively arid. Near Hilo, upon Hawaii, the rainfall amounts to one hundred and seventy-five inches annually ; in East Maui to two hundred and thirty inches annually ; while about Honolulu it varies from twenty-four to thirty-eight inches ; at Ewa and vicinity from sixteen to forty inches, and is quite variable by years, and insufficient for the growth of the cane. At first at tempts were made to supply water by irrigation. Like other cities, Honolulu receives much water from mountain streams brought by pipes for household and manufacturing purposes, as well as for the flowage of extensive tracts of rice land. The
great need of water led to suggestions of an artesian supply. In 1879 James Campbell sunk the first artesian well upon the island, near the Pearl River lagoon. Water commenced to flow from the depth of two hundred and forty feet, and the auger penetrated thirty-three feet farther. The next one was sunk the following year at the mouth of Manoa Valley, where the discharge proved to be abundant from the depth of two hundred and ninety-eight feet. In the same year Judge McCully obtained a still greater supply from the depth of four hundred and eighteen feet. This last well was within the city limits, where it was easily seen by the public, who thoroughly appreciated its value. Many other persons followed the example of these pioneers, till now there are more than two hundred wells upon the five leading plantations, yielding daily over three hundred milion of gallons, and there are many more within the city limits of Honolulu.