The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1898-03-21
Benefits Of the Exchange Con-
ducted By Ladies.
is A WORTHY INSTITUTION
On Paying Basis From Small
Beginning-A Devoted Manager.
Help to Natives.

| Few people beyond the ranks or
groups Of the workers in the various
appreciate the accomplishments or
achievements quietly reached by the
local educational, reform, religious and
social mission bodies entirely outside
the church One of these, very nearly
at the top of the list as to Importance,
| is the Woman's Exchange, managed by
Miss Oliver under the patronage and
direction of a Board composed of pro-
minent ladies active in all enterprises
for the general welfare.
It is now about three years since
the Woman's Exchange opened its
doors. 1t then had a small room in
the Way block, on King street. Now
the Exchange has the old Gazette
building on Merchant street and W ats
branch in better business location.
At first the assistance of citizens who
might be interested in such a matter
was sought. The responses were hearty
and sufficient For nearly a year now
the Exchange has been self-supporting
and it is one Of the chief ambitions
of it promoters that it shall never
again be compelled to appeal to the
public or any section Of the citizen
ship. The scheme of Woman's Ex-
change is a simple one. 1t is the mar
ket of articles of household manufac-
ture. The people who make and bring
the goods are called depositors. They
fix price on the merchandise and
the Exchange sells and retains a mod
est commission. These institutions eX-
list in every city in the United States.
They furnish work for those adept with
the needle and usually have in addi-
ton to a salesroom lunch room.
Of the depositors of the Woman's
Exchange of Honolulu, 80 per cent are
Hawaiians. The place is always well
stocked with the handiWork Of native
women, girls, men and boys. From
the homes Of the Hawaiians comes
hats, fans, leis, mats, etc. Boys in
Kamehameha school send paper
knives, machine turned calabashes,
chess and checker outfits, cribbage
boards, etc. Lately girls at Kawaiahao
seminary have been making fans, a
class to instruct them in this work
having been started but few months
ago. Many OF the native families of
Honolulu are supported almost entire
ly by the sale of goods through the
Woman's Exchange. Miss Oliver has
been heart and soul in this work from
its inception and speaks of it most en-
i hn hn
lieves that the Exchange has great and
definite missions and points to the fact
that through this agency Hawaiians
are retaining their olden skill and
genius at producing articles both use
| full and ornamental. The case was
mentioned of one Hawaiian girl who
had learned to make fans through en-
couragement from the Exchange and
who was now in receipt of good
salary from work at home. Miss Oliver
urged the establishment Of the indus
trial class at Kawaiahao and has every
reason to believe that it will be sue
cessful and of lasting benefit.
A we'll made native fan is not a
cheap affair It always commands a
good price from either resident or tour
| list. There is a steady demand fol
handmade calabashes and these seem
to be getting more rare year by year
There is never lacking customer with
a liberal purse when handmade
calabash is offered. There are some
very large collections of calabashes ir
Honolulu and at other places in the
group. In fact some haole as we'll a:
native families take great pride in {
room of calabashes and many Of thu
vessels have interesting stories. 81
keen is the wish for the hand-mad,
product that amateur spectators have
gone from Island to Island and from
house to house buying them up. Il
a great many cases the maker, on &C
count of the middleman, does net ge
the full benefit to which he is entitled
One Of the greatest hits the Elk
change ever made was the publication
of the Hawaiian scenic calendar. Thi
idea was copied, but the Exchange ha
very heavy sale Of the first design
Copies were shipped all over the worl
and both the Exchange and the Island
, given a wide advertisement thrOug,
the medium.
Fancy articles Of needle work ar
always on hand at the Exchange. Or
ders will be taken for articles not o.
hand that can be produced and mend
ing is one of the specialties. The Elk
change will negotiate with any under
taking that will furnish work for
woman and there are many who nee
the employment. A cook book is sol
and is in nearly every home in tn
town.
Just now the Exchange people be
lieve themselves somewhat handicap
ped by the building operations at tn
site of the Judd block, but the bushes
is growing right along. The ladie
who at present comprise the Board are
Mrs. ]. NJ. Whitney, president; Mr.:
0. H. Gulick, secretary; Mrs. H.
Parmelee, treasurer; Mrs. z. W. J0l
: dan, Miss Matte Chamberlain, Mr..
\ T. D. Garvin, Mrs. Walter c. WeedoI
I NJ Of