The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1896-07-10
Very We'll Told by One of
the Number.
WHAT SHOULD REALLY BE DONE.
Fault of Filling the Heads, But Not
the Stomachs-Childrens should be
Taught Things of Future Value.
Could Easily Earn Their Food.

l have been requested to state the
condition and needs of Hawaiian chill
dren, as found in my experience among
them as teacher.
There are many, more experienced
teachers, who could, state the con-
ditions much better, and we hope to
hear from some of them.
fear we are trying to fill the chill
dren's heads, but sadly negleeting their
stomachs. / am a firm believer in the
old saying, THE way to reach a mans
heart is through his stomach" We all
know it is hard to reason with or in
struct a hungry man. If this is the
case with men, it is certainly applicable
to children. Many Of the children walk
long distance to school, have no
breakfast, take no lunch, walk home
through great heat, and then eat
next evening. 1t is surprising that they
live, and we should not be surprised to
find many poorly prepared lessons. Still
we are expected to bring them up to the
required notch in each branch; and it is
far from feeling of pleasure when we
find we have failed to do so. Some peo-
pie say; "Oh, they are used to it, and
do not need more to eat" Perhaps they
can exist, but ii is very unreasonable to
say that such children can do as much
work as children who have proper food.
do not believe there is teacher on
the Islands who would not prefer well
fed pupils to those who have but one
meal day (be it ever so good). Pupils
should not be taught to work problems
and build sentences only, but to work
with their hands and build up their
bodies properly also. Physical labor
and mental labor should go hand in
hand, but the physical should be little
ahead. For what mind can labor prop
erly unless assisted by a healthy body?
Children should be taught that which
will be of value to them after their
school days are over; but fear many
Hawaiian children never find occasion
to use the knowledge they have gained
in the school room. The younger chill
dren are sure to notice this, and il is
hard to interest them in school work:
Tor even child does not often care for
thing unless he can see that it is of
some value. To be sure, they often es-
innate the value by the amount of
pleasure to be obtained, and not by real
value; but there are few children who
consider it fun to sit in school room
all day. But if they can be taught
.h1ngs OF real value to them, and taught
n way that they can readily see the
Talue, their interest is awakened.
In many places the children could
earn their food, and be much benefited
N both body and mind. There is con-
OF this done at present. but
there is room for much more such,
work. Many people say that this would
De very hard undertaking, for the Ha-
Taiians do not like to work. Perhaps
hey do not, but Hawaiians are not the
only people in that condition, and ii has
not been necessary for them to do a
'reat deal of work. Nature has supplied
hem with food, and about all they have
lad to do was to gather it. But this
an not last much longer. Much of the
and is being taken for plantations, and
he lantana is taking possession of a
sreat deal; so If the Hawaiians get even
me good meal day they must soon
vim 1t by either mental or manual
abor. This is not really misfortune.
1ut the children must be educated to
he new state of affairs. Such an edu-
'atlon can not be gained in the school
DOM alone. If each school could have
small tract Of land to cultivate. it is
ny opinion that more real benefit could
le derived from one years work than
rom two years of school room work
alone. Perhaps the teachers would
lave little more work to do, but some
II us teachers would be benefited bv
more work in the open air, even If we
hould soil our hands and lose the en-
icle OF our noses once in a while. After
While lunas could be appointed from
he most competent pupils There is no
eacher better than Nature, and in no
way could she be used to greater adj
-antage. Natures pupils are taught to
S7 independent, not dependent. If
hlidren are once taught to make their
'Wn living they are not liable to call
lpon other people for support. But if
ney are not taught this, they do not
ave the proper pride and self-relianee.
All plants must have proper food or
hey VIII be dwarfed. VIII not the same
ule apply to children? If such is the
ase, all children will be taught to
now the proper food for both body
nd mind. And not only what it is. but
low to obtain it, and how to use it
roperiy, In this way the children are
aught actual business, honesty. indie
endenee and the value Of labor.
VI course, all this can not be worked
Ut In a few days, but these are some Of
ur teachers ideas as to the present
onditions and needs.