The department of land and natural resources, with the consent of the governor, may grant a right-of-way, not greater than forty feet in width, through all public lands, to any corporation as aforesaid for the purpose of building the railroad or railroads. With like consent and approval, the department may grant the use of such public lands, lying alongside and abutting such right-of-way, as may be reasonably necessary for buildings, stations, depots, or other structures, for railroad purposes only.
HRS § 273-2