The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1899-09-12
Honolulu. December 6, 1898.

Honolulu, December 6, 1898.
In addition to the circular, we have
also sent out in some cases, bit of
the history Of our school. which Mr..
f. c. Bond has thus written.
in response to request for some
information concerning the origin and
history of the Kohala Girls School, I
will state as follows:
1T is my impression that the school
originated in the demand of the time
for schools that would give to the Ha-
waiian girls higher and broader edu-
| cation than was available at the pub
lie schools. and probably In an accep-
tation of the adage that the character
of a nation depends largely on the
character of its mothers. What other
influences may have combined with
| these for the inception of the school,
! am unable to say.
THE building operations must have
begun about the middle of the year
1874. 1t will be noted that this was
previous to the passage of the reci-
procity treaty: consequently previous
to the time of prosperity which fol-
| lowed that event.
Money was scarce and mechanics
were not readily secured. A carpenter
was found to undertake the building,
but the work must be pushed, and,
with characteristic force, Rev. Elias
| Bond at that time pastor of the ma
tive church and founder of the school,
devoted his unstinted energies. body
and soul, from early dawn to the dark
ening hours of evening, to the speedy
| accomplishment OF the work. in the
capacity of laboring mechanic and
| overseer, in a manner that seriously
injured and permanently undermined
his health.
"The school opened December /.
1874, with Miss +. w. Lyons, who had
been teaching in the Hilo Boarding
School for Boys, as principal, with one
assistant teacher. and Rev. s. G. Lu-
hiau as assistant in charge of the man
ual labor department, which at that
time consisted in keeping the grounds
in order, and preparing the native food
after Hawaiian methods. Father Bond
conducted the business affairs of the
school and held, the general supervi-
sion. The principal was conscientious
and faithful to the discharge Of the re-
sponsibilities devolving upon her.
I'm three years from the time of its
opening. the pupils numbered IS to 60,
| being the full capacity of the accom-
modations. But the corps Of assistants
was at times inadequate, and at the
close of the term in October. 1882, she
resigned, which resulted in closing the
school for term Of years.
"In 1889, after fruitless endeavors
through a large correspondence and
the agency of friends, to secure anoth-
err principal-which may be noted as
an indication that teachers for schools
were not as readily available as at the
present time-and finding that his own
failing health would prevent his ever
again assuming the responsibilities OF
such school, Father Bond decided the
property. In trust, to the Hawaiian
Beard. BY singular coincidence
there was at that time In Honolulu a
| tourist, or visitor, in the person of Miss
Henrietta Whittier, a relative OF the
| wc!l-known poet of that name, who
on being interviewed by the officers OF
the Hawaiian Board, consented to as.
sumo charge OF the school, selecting
her own assistants. A board Of mana.
gers was appointed, and the school
reopened October 81, 1889.
"The number of pupils admitted the
first year was 81, and in the following
year 20, and the attendance In 1912
appears to have been 60.
1.-THE building had been improved
and extended after the close of the first
year. Various changes have taken
place in the corps of teachers. The fac.
ulty now numbers 5.The attendance the
past year was A. and at present date
is IS, a number being unable to enter
for want of ability to pay the mOder-
ate charge OF $50 year for board and
tuition. II Is not to be supposed tina,
this charge will cover the current ex-
penses OF the establishment.
We were at first limited by the Ha-
waiian Board to this Island In the dis
tribution OF our circulars. This. OF
course, retarded the work. But now
that the distribution is more wide
spread, the receipts are more encour'
aging. Mr.. G. M. Cooke has most gen.
erously rememh cred us with $1,000.
Probably about $500 OF this will be pu,
on the endowment fund, which will
make about 81 900 for that purpose In
the Kohala treasury. We have not YET
heard from those appointed In other
places to receive funds, but we have
had so many encouraging answers tt
our circulars and so many promises OI
money. that We feel that We have pros
pered. We are, at least, rich In kind
friends, and we are very glad ~ THU
opportunity 10 thank them for all iheil
sympathy and helpfulness,
NAV neII TRIfETr