The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1871-01-14
The Government Reformatory
School.


This institution, situated at Keoneula, less
than a mile from Honolulu, is perhaps the very
best investment of the public funds that has ever
been made, and is becoming, under the present
careful management, deseryedly popular. AT its
first inception several years ago, a good deal OF
misunderstanding and distrust existed among the
people in regard to its objects and management,
and parents were very loath to allow their chill
dren. however u~nmanageable at home, to be sent
to the school. AT the present time, however,
these misrepresentation have given way to an
implicit confidence in the really benevolent and
beneficial character of the institution. No par
ent or guardian is heard to object to a child's
being placed there, and what speaks volumes for
the management OF the school is the fact that the
children, when allowed to go out to visit their
friends are always anxious and glad to get back
again. Many of these children are orphans {;
many whose parents are living are victims of the
great sin-fOr it is nothing else-ofa total absence
of family government. So long as there is such
a paucity of comfortable homes and well regu-
lated households among the Hawaiian people, so
long will it be necessary for government to pro-
vide schools where wholesome restraints shall be
iuROcO0 OI ehOcO VOL Va ONiSJ oHN "HSN
they may be removed from the influence of vicious
companionship.
Most of these children have been exposed to
corrupt associations, surrounded by bad examples,
with no elevating influences. They have learned
nothing of self-respect, have become lawless, and
fallen into petty crimes. And still, nOtwithstand-
ing their ignorance and degradation, many of
them have good natural abilities, and it is the
task of the teacher to foster and develop these
no easy task, as may be supposed. But when
once access is gained to their better natures, they
manifest a readiness to learn and to strive for a
better life, that is encouraging.
The school is entitled by the law under which
it was established, a. The Industrial and Re-
formatory School," All human experience goes
to prove that work-steady, active, honorable
works the basis of all good, and more espe-
cially all reformatory discipline. This principle
we believe is adhered to in a thoroughly practical
sense at Keoneuls. Physical labor is there con-
sidered essential not only to the development of
the physical nature, but to the mental and moral
as well. While it is essential that the young
should be Injured to habits of industry, this is not
enough for the class of youth found in schools of
this character. They should be educated to bust
ness. Something equivalent to a trade should be
acquired that will furnish a means of support
when they 60 forth into the world for themselves.
This end has been sought to be attained by a pro-
vision in the law by which they may be appren-
ticed out during minority to traGesmen. But
this provision is of doubtful benefit, for the boys.
away from the influence of their teachers, would
be likely to relapse into old habits. Better give
them a trade or its equivalent in the institution
itself. This end being attained, a place of en-
ployment being found, a reasonable share O
attention being given to them for a time aftel
leaving the school, we may safely hope for gooC
results. But without a trade or its equivalent
not only will the labor and means expended il
the youths 80 called reformation be lost, but b
himself, for want of a remunerative employment
will be liable to fall into d~issolute habits anC
share the common fate of an idler.