The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1896-05-23

new departure. No more children we're
TO be sent around Cape Horn to heart
/ breaking experiences of homesicknesss
the new generation was to take it's
chances henceforward in the new land
and become a part OF the growing So
ciety of the Islands, to influence IL, or
be influenced by it, as the case might
be, according to individual achieve
ment in character building.
These ten years of the conduct of the
school in the middle wing were years
of pioneer work. The institution was
poor in material resources. Economy
had to be practiced in managing the
finances. The food supply to a great
extent came from the school farm, the
work of which was largely done by the
boys, working several hours daily. Du-
ring this period Rice and Dole halls
were built, replacing a portion of the
One-story quadrangles, and the north
and south wings were extended.
The school was at first a large fam
lily of children. The pupils were of
fairly good material They came from
homes where there were plenty of books
and where education was valued more
than money. According to the stand
ards of the present day they were poor,
but by those of that period they were
in comfortable circumstances.
1t is not difficult to picture the expe-
riences of that opening day, July II,
1912. Some of the children were
strangers to each other. Those from
the isolated homes of the other islands
were undoubtedly homesick and shy.
One of them was by his own account
so overwhelmed with despair as his
father, who had brought him to school,
said goodbye and disappeared
through the front gate, that not being
able to think of anything more express
Sive of his emotions, he ran his head
against one of the veranda posts. The
children from Honolulu, in the ma
jority on that day, and already the
germ of the Honolulu clan of the sue
ceeding years, were eager and conf
dent. Not much studying was possi-
bic, but great deal of talking was ac-
complished in recess and after school
was dismissed. Views were exchanged
about school books and teachers and
COWS and gingerbread. Perchance
some lifelong friendships were begun
over the noon lunch pals.
The time came at length when more
commodious quarters were necessary
for the school. The second school
house. from which Oahu College is now
promoted into Pauahi Hall, was built
in response to this need. 1t has been
in constant use for forty-four years.
1t tells also of limited finances and alb
stinance from luxury, and it stands as
a monument of the fidelity with which
it's builder, Mr.. Rice, made the most of
unpromising and unskilled labor.
lrvsIE TNf4.
and lime burnt on the grounds from
coral stone, and lumber from Oregon,
which had to be reduced to required
sizes at the Punahou saw-pits, it was
evidence of solid growth, of larger de-
mands and of confidence in the future
of the school, 1t was a recognition OF
the growing Importance of the social
life of the Islands. 1t represented an
era of wider acquaintance with the
world 1t began to have pupils who
represented wealth. Some increase Of
polish was discernable. Social matters
began to assume a greater Importance.
From school for the children of tho
Punahou had already
opened it's doors to others, and ii soon
became national in character A larger
variety of origin, race and traditions
became visible among the pupils.
This development and various other
considerations, prominent among which
vas the supposed promising business
outlook of the country, resulting from
he discovery of gold in California, led
he trustees early in the history of the
second school house to organize the
chool into a college, and thus the in
titution received the new name, Oahu
College. The competition, however, of
oreign colleges and the collateral ad
-antages Of change of scene and change
# teachers have proved too great for
he success of this enterprising plan.
20 pupils could be found to complete a
'egular college course at Punahou and
he institution remains in fact high
school or academy.
The forty-fOur years of usefulness of
his school house have covered the
greater part of the history Of Punahou,
md a large part of Hawaiian history as
we'll. They have seen many changes
md vicissitudes in the school There
lave been times of prosperity and large
attendance of pupils, and periods of de-
preston and anxiety. Public interest
became csnteTed in the school in an in
reased degree until it became possible
With popular assistance to connect Rice
md Dole Halls by the present brick
building in place of the old One-story
with it's store rooms and kitch-
n at the same time the three old pic
uresque wings were removed, which
eft the pleasant quadrangles with their