01-26-2024, 09:52 PM
the southern routes were taken over by the sugar companies, and ownership folded into their lands
If the land and tracks were simply given away, it probably wouldn’t have taken much effort, almost no effort at all for territorial government officials to take possession of the route, and lease it to the sugar companies for a $1 a year. Then, after the sugar companies stopped using the tracks, and stopped growing sugar there would be a route from Puna to Hilo ready for building a highway. No asking or begging required.
Of course 20-20 hindsight is sharper than looking into the future, but still it seems very little would have been required for the territory to take possession.
As Chunkster pointed out, Railroad Ave may not be the best route, but at least it would be a viable option.
If the land and tracks were simply given away, it probably wouldn’t have taken much effort, almost no effort at all for territorial government officials to take possession of the route, and lease it to the sugar companies for a $1 a year. Then, after the sugar companies stopped using the tracks, and stopped growing sugar there would be a route from Puna to Hilo ready for building a highway. No asking or begging required.
Of course 20-20 hindsight is sharper than looking into the future, but still it seems very little would have been required for the territory to take possession.
As Chunkster pointed out, Railroad Ave may not be the best route, but at least it would be a viable option.