UNITED STATES COAST PILOT

HAWAIIAN ISLANDS, INCLUDING THE ISLANDS, ROCKS, AND SHOALS WESTWARD

GENERAL INFORMATION

This volume contains information regarding the islands of Hawaii, Maui, Kahoolawe, Lanai, Molokai, Oahu, Kauai, Niihau, and the adjacent small islands, and includes the islands and reefs extending in a west-northwesterly direction to Midway and Ocean Islands.

The Hawaiian Islands are situated near the northern limits of the Tropics, the larger ones lying between 18°55′ and 22°15′ north latitude, and between 154°50' and 160°30′ west longitude. The islands are mountainous and of volcanic origin, and it is said that their formation occurred at various periods, those at the westerly end of the group being the oldest and those at the easterly the youngest. This difference in the age of the islands accounts for the difference in appearance as viewed from offshore. Hawaii, the youngest island of the group, shows very little evidence, comparatively speaking, of erosion, while Kauai, the oldest of the larger islands, is considerably cut up by gorges and ravines. On almost all of the islands the northeasterly slopes are the most irregular, as the rainfall generally is the greatest on this side, resulting in torrents that cut ravines in the slopes of the islands.

The 20-fathom (37 m) curve rarely extends over 1 mile from shore and usually is only a short distance beyond the coral reef which in some places fringes the coast line of the islands. There are few off-lying dangers, and usually these are indicated by breakers or by a change in the color of the water.

The Hawaiian Islands were first made known to the world by Capt. James Cook, R.N., who sighted them on January 18, 1778. He named them the Sandwich Islands. They became an integral part of the United States of America by annexation on August 12, 1898, and on June 14, 1900, were constituted as the Territory of Hawaii. Distance table. The distance table shown on page 2 is a reprint from Distances Between United States Ports published by the Coast and Geodetic Survey, price 10 cents. The distances are given in nautical miles for the shortest navigable route.

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Area. The total land area of the Hawaiian group is approximately 6,450 square miles, of which the island of Hawaii comprises 62 percent.

Rivers.-There are numerous streams, nearly all of which may be classed as mountain torrents, although small boats can navigate a few of them for short distances. The streams are usually found on the north and east coasts.

Population.-By the census of 1930 the islands had a population of 368,336.

Products.-Agriculture is the principal occupation of the inhabitants. The principal products are sugar, pineapples, coffee, and cattle. Rice, cotton, tropical fruits, and vegetables are also cultivated. Sheep and hogs are raised to some extent.

Trade. The principal trade is with the United States. The port of entry is Honolulu. The subports are Hilo and Mahukona, Hawaii; Kahului, Lahaina and Hana, Maui; Nawiliwili, Ahukini, and Port Allen, Kauai. During the year 1930 there were nearly 11,000,000 tons of arrivals and departures through the ports of the islands.

Standard time.—The standard time of the Hawaiian islands is 157°30′ west longitude time.

Government.-The Territory of Hawaii has a Governor who is appointed by the President of the United States for a period of four years, and a legislative assembly at Honolulu. The Territory is represented in Congress at Washington by a delegate elected biennially. Many of the Government bureaus have offices at Honolulu, including the Coast and Geodetic Survey, U.S. Engineers, Navigation and Steamboat Inspection Service, Lighthouse Service, Hydrographic Office, Geological Survey, and Public Health Service.

Lighthouse Service. The waters covered by this volume are under the jurisdiction of the nineteenth lighthouse district, and all reports or communications regarding lights or aids to navigation should be addressed to Superintendent of Lighthouses, room 201 Federal Building, Honolulu, Hawaii.

Bureau of Navigation and Steamboat Inspection.-The waters of Hawaii come under the jurisdiction of the first district, with local inspectors in the Federal Building, Honolulu.

Marine hospital.-Information as to relief furnished seamen will be found in the regulations of the U.S. Public Health Service, which can be consulted at the station of the service located in the Federal Building, Honolulu. This is a class II relief station and has contract hospital space. The nearest marine hospital to the Hawaiian Islands is located at San Francisco, Calif.

Quarantine.-National quarantine laws are enforced in the islands by officers of the U.S. Public Health Service. Quarantine officials are located at the ports of Honolulu, Hilo, Mahukona, Kahului, Lahaina, Nawiliwili, Ahukini, and Port Allen. Information regarding quarantine regulations may be had at the offices of the service in the Federal Building, Honolulu.

Plant and animal quarantines.-The regulations of the U.S. Department of Agriculture prohibit the importation into United States waters of certain fruits, vegetables, and plants from the Territory of Hawaii. Other fruits and vegetables may be imported from the Territory only when accompanied by certificates of inspection.

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GENERAL INFORMATION

Regulations of the Territorial Board of Commissioners of Agriculture and Forestry prohibit the importation into Hawaiian waters of certain fruits and vegetables unless accompanied by certificates of inspection. Dogs and cats imported into the Territory coming through any country, State, or Territory not officially declared free from rabies are kept in quarantine from 90 to 180 days at the expense of the owner. They may be imported only through the port of Honolulu. Dogs and cats belonging to vessels must be securely confined on board while in Hawaiian waters.

These regulations are for the purpose of reducing the spread of plant and animal diseases. They apply to small as well as large quantities, and must be strictly complied with.

Chart agencies.-Charts and publications of the Coast and Geodetic Survey and of the Hydrographic Office are kept for sale at the Honolulu Paper Co., Ltd., 1045 Bishop Street, Honolulu. These publications may be inspected free of charge at the offices of the above Federal services.

Pilotage is compulsory for certain vessels. There are pilots at the principal ports who come off in small boats to vessels making signal outside the entrance. Pilotage fees and extracts from the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Harbor Commissioners of the Territory of Hawaii will be found in the appendix.

Rules of the Road.-International Rules to prevent collisions of vessels, are published in the appendix.

Navigation laws of the United States are published by the Bureau of Navigation, Department of Commerce, at intervals of four years, the present edition being that of 1931. The volume can be obtained from the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C.; price, $1.

System of buoyage. In conformity with section 4678 of the Revised Statutes of the United States, the following order is observed in coloring and numbering buoys in United States waters, viz:

In approaching the channel, etc., from seaward, red buoys with even numbers, will be found on the starboard side.

In approaching the channel, etc., from seaward, black buoys with odd numbers, will be found on the port side.

Buoys painted with red and black horizontal stripes will be found on obstructions, with channel ways on either side of them, and may be left on either hand in passing in.

Buoys painted with white and black perpendicular stripes will be found in mid-channel, and must be passed close-to to avoid danger.

All other distinguishing marks to buoys will be in addition to the foregoing and may be employed to mark particular spots.

Perches with balls, cages, etc., will, when placed on buoys, be at turning points, the color and number indicating on what side they shall be passed.

Nun buoys, properly colored and numbered, are usually placed on the starboard side, and can buoys on the port side of channels.

Day beacons (except such as are on the sides of channels, which will be colored like buoys) are constructed and distinguished with special reference to each locality, and particularly in regard to the background upon which they are projected.

Aids to navigation. The lighthouses and other aids to navigation are the principal guides and mark the approach and channels to the important ports. The buoyage accords with the system adopted in United States waters. Hawaiian aids are described in Light Lists, Pacific Coast, published by the Lighthouse Service and sold by the Superintendent of Documents; price 50 cents.