The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1858-04-29
Pbyslcal EJucatiOls.

Mr.. EDITOR As you always seem DESTROYS Of
bringing error to light, even when it is advocs-
ted by your cotemporary, I wish to bring to your
notice some of his statements in reference to the
wants. and treatment, Of this "impassioned and
sanguine people,
He has written in the darkest ignorance of facts,
which seems strange when he declares that. eve
have had opportunities Of knowing Them The
whole article, in f,ct, IS nothing more than another
verse Of his favorite song. that the Missionaries are
digging the grave Of the Hawaiian Islanders; It is al
WAYS easy to see on whom he wonld throw the blama
for any obnoxious condition OF our social system.
But for facts he wants to know what has been
done, and what is doing, for the physical education
Of our children" and the Board Of Education apA
the Trustees Of Oahu College and others, are efhed
to account. Though not a member OF eithh OF those
bodies, I can give him some light, as any one can
who knows anything Of our schools. In every native
school on these islands which is above the grade of a
common school, physical eNeation is an exercise for
at least two hours every day; there is not indeed the
apparatus of a gymnasium to be found, but vigorous
muscular action is regularly required; they all nay
their own way by the sweat of their brow their ply |
steal education is of a solid. practical kind, and the
result is seen in the rsreness Of mortality amongst
them, in their freedom from disease. and in their
progress and morality. Only a few DAYS since the
editor of the Pofy 7esian was at Hilo, where one Of
the best of the Hawaiian high schools is located-did
he visit it? If not, his wonderful anxiety in regard
to educational. interests is merely specious, and if he
did, he never would have written as he has.
Bnt the Trustees of O,hu College can give their
answer to this theoretical advocite of physical elnca-
ton all who permanently reside at Punah n. labor
in the fields two hours per day, and by seven and a
quarter O'Clock their work is done; added to this. are
the manly sports of the students; and these are sufi-
Gent to quiet all fears of the editor in regard to their
physical welfare.
That the Hawaiians are laboring under a IS mental
dependency is a novel idea, and its only merit is
originality; this race has always seemed to me to be
unimpressed with the degree Of their abjectness,
or with aspirations for a better condition.
It is quite unfortunate that the radical defect of
our school system has so long been undiscovered. and,
II the editor is in earnest. he will no doubt urge its
uron the next legislature; but, let him
only remember tina. in our 1--WE or six high schools
things are all right, and that in the common schools
the pupils are enjoying most excellent health, and
are not troubled to find sources Of amusement.
That the missionaries have preached down. or that
my party has put down. surfbathing, the spear
exercise or foot-racees twill only be asserted BY those
whose feelings are bitterly hostile to such persons.
ne l~icentious r~svellines which constifnted the RAJ
NHEN