The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1898-05-11
EDUCATION
DETAILS OF \ TEACHERS
PROPOSAL.
Would Have the Government Provide
the Means. and the Pupils Taught
Agriculture ENperimentally.
lConclnded from yesterday.l


Schools situated on the Island of
Hawaii are perhaps naturally favor
ed for the purpose of agricultural
work. Cane and coffee represent the
chief staples of commerce, but num-
erous other crops could be raised. Po-
tatoes. corn and squash can be chang
ed, if not sold. into hogs, and every
one knows that hog raising in these
Islands is practically neglected. Fruit
raising on large scale is out of the
question, with perhaps few eNcep-
tons, among which | might mention
lines. oranges and citrons. The rails
ing of the castor oil bean would fur
nsh lucrative employment for many
schools. needing little machinery to
put a first class oil in the market.
which would be readily bought for
cash by all sugar mills.
| believe. and many are of my opin-
ion that the government should take
some steps to give this system a grad
ual trial by starting at least one agri-
cultural school on each Island. taking
care to have a thoroughly practical
man in charge.
Book farmers generally and 1gri-
cultural college men i'm particular,
seldom know Il hame strap from a
moving machine with eNceptions).
1t is always safe to include these FEW
words in brackets. to escape the fury
of some offended person. IT he turns
up. he is the exception of course.
1t seems a great pity that a race,
having so many natural good traits,
should disappear under the evil effects
of civilization. 1t is Il known fact
| that whenever aboriginal races come
in contact with civilization as we UNI
derstand it, they assimilate all the ev-
/ lis and reject the benefits.
AS it is in our power to mitigate to
a certain extent, this state of affairs,
we should experiment with different
| systems of education and not blind
| ly pursue course which we know
has brought such disastrous conse-
/ quences in other countries.
Through the body we must teach
/ the soul. When the Hawaiian chang
es his habits of living he will also
change his mode of thinking. and
with the superior wants OF his body.
more elevated thoughts will arise
The Hawaiian was richer and better
off fifty years ago, for the simple rea-
son that his wants were few ana
simple. Today, civilization has fore
ed upon him necessities that he is in
capa of providing for himself.
Though he may have the physical
power to do it,
You may lilien him to fine mule
hitched to cultivator and turned
loose into a field.
Without the guiding knowledge he
is useless. | hear often of planters
advocating the share system of plan
ting sugar cane. Is there "A planter
in these Islands who would refuse a
government school five. ten or even
twenty acres of land. to be planted
by the scholars on the share system?
/ have too high an opinion of the
men at the head of our plantations to
think that single one could be
found. | think on the contrary that
they would not lose, an opportunity
by which children of all races could
be trained early in the cultivation of
a crop which is the only source of
prosperity to this country.
To come down to a plan | propose
the following:
l. The government should secure
at once suitable lands for each school,
the site to be determined by expert
enceu men, nOt ny some clefh IN non
olulu.
.. The Bureau of Public instruction
should furnish each school with fenc-
ing material, tools, etc, list of
which can be furnished by any com
petent man.
3. \ room or closet in each school
house. or even separate shed, to he
built where all tools can be kept I'M
der lock and key.
From noon to . o'clock of each day
to be devoted strictly to agriculture
in the first stages Afterwards,
when farm has been properly start
ed, two or three days a week to be de-
voted to farming instruction. A small
delivery wagon. a team. harness. etc,
etc, to be furnished each school, and
the delivery of all produce to be made
when necessary Many difficulties
will arise in the starting of such a
school. For instance, it would not
be out of place to state that this agri-
cultural education system might be
started without interfering in any
way with the present system.
Going side by side, an unbiased
opinion may be formed of the merits
and results of each