The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1899-05-13


mentS and 1t Is weIi-known that definite
| measures have been taken Tor carrying
out many plans along this line IN our
| own city, and with intelligent earnest
men and women at the head. success
| must follow.
Many are aware OF the great help re-
ceIyed by Hawaiian women IN the
private prayer meetings and through
the valuable talks given on the care OF
themselves for their children's sake as
well as their own, the care OF children
IN health and disease, moral training IN
the homes, etc.
1t only more women could have the
benefit OF these talks Might there not
be public meetings at stated Intervals
and word spread throughout the city
that would reach the young Hawaiian
wives who so much need suggestions
along these lines? There are many
ladies who through experience and
study are well equipped To give helpful
talks to others OF less experience.
The SOCIAL and literary club known as
the Hawaiian w oman CluD has done
much tor the advancement OF Hawaiian
girls In various directions
Club work among little girls Is de
serving OF high commentator.
Is there not growing danger, how
ever, OF the child seeking ali Its enter
talnment outside OF the home? Ii Is
true that many so-called homes are I'M
worthy the name, yet II is a much re-
GREETED fact that too many young EIa-
waiianS are unacqualnted with real
home life They ind more and more
entertainment on the street and less and
less at home.
If only we could see more true homes
where father, mother and children meet
and really enjoy the society OF each
other and the entertainment provided
by the home.
Whether by public lectures, personal
persuasion, the example OF social set
Elements or by some other means let
one strong feature of womans work
be an attempt to encourage the estab-
lishment and preservation OF individual
homes and strengthening OF the sacred
ties which should bind one member to
another
For many months l have been inn
pressed by the great need OF home
near the central part OF the city for
those Hawaiian girls who do not live
IN the city, but who are employed at
neagre wages or are only III training
Tor paid positions. By home, L do
not mean an industrial home nor a
rescue home, but a home-like boarding
and lodging place where good moral
character shall be the prime requisite
for admittanCe. 1t would lead to a
wholesome independence on the part OF
the girls, and to less imposition on their
generous but poor relatives who SO
gladly give for nothing the last OF their
scanty stock Moreover, such an estab
hshment would furnish profitable en-
ployment for limited number of girls.
The need of such a home was es
pecially felt during the summer school
sessions. The board and lodging could
be provided at merely nominal rates,
the home being made partially selfsup
porting at least. An efficient board OF
managers could easily be secured, but
the primary requisite would be ma
iron, one distinguished for good prac
teal sense and womanly virtues, ii not
for the lighter omplishmentS-one
who shall have at heart always the best
interests of the girls. An attractive
social room provided with entertaining
books, games, pictures, and one or
more musical instruments, should be
provided as a necessity rather than as
a luxury, An occasional entertainment
under the direction of special COM
Inttee would be a pleasant and helpful
diversion for the members OF the home.
Regarding the going and coming OF
the young women, the friends received,
and the times OF receiving them, only
such surveillance on the part of the ma
iron would be needed as we might ex-
pect from any wise mother over her
daughters.
That such home was once started
and given UP is scarcely an argument
against a second attempt. If the plea
be made that the number OF Hawai-
ian girls employed in the city is too
small to warrant the establishment Of
such home, then we make more
earnest plea for greater efforts to be
made to furnish employment, whether
it be sought or not, for the many poor
native girls who roam the streets with
no direction except such as their own
immature judgments or the persuasions
OF baser minds dictate.
There is one objection offered by
worthy ladies of Honolulu which is
thought to silence all criticism regard
ing the unemployment of Hawaiian
girls, that is the fear of communicating
the moral atmosphere surrounding the
young sons and daughters of the home.
1t is a painful fact that there is founda-
ton for the unfortunate experiences re-
lated by those who have had their home
on the island for many years. | be-
lieve, however, that there is less cause
Tor fear in the present day. l believe
it to be rare when the modern Hawai-
ian girl is an instigator to real evil.
Alter close contact with Hawaiian girls
from twelve to twenty years of age for
more than four years, l can sincerely
say that L believe in their beauty OF
character and purity of thought | be-
lieve uprightness of intention to be the
rule rather than the exception l be
lieve their power to stand in crucial
tests has increased marvellously and |
am devoutly thankful, do believe this;
but, | believe also in the great, almost
resistless power of evil and therefore,
that woman's work for woman is to do
all possible to strengthen the character