The Mt. Sterling advocate. (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) 1890-current, 1901-01-01
HAWAIIAN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
They Are in Splendid Condition and
Are Doing Fine Work.

Statistics may seem dry reading,
but a visit to Honolulu schoolroom
would be far from dry OF uninterest-
ing, says correspondent Of the Bos-
ton Transcript. Last June l went
through the fine new Kaiulani pub
lie school, named for the lamented
Princess Kaiulani. This has pupils
from the beginners in the lowest
primary to class ready to enter the
high school, and in these rooms we
saw side by side children Of all sorts
of nationalities, having the same care
and training and all learning to be
good American citizens. Observing
the little people in the primary de-
partment gave the clearest idea of the
difficulties to be faced. Here were
the little almond-eyed, bequeued
mites from China, tiny Japs in pic
turesque kimonas, shy, native chill
dren bedecked in leis, unkempt Por-
tuguese and numerous other kinds of
little humans which the census man
alone can sort out. All these yield to
the sway of a gentle teacher, and sub
stltute for their various dialects the
difficult English which falls sweetly
from her lips and is patiently repeat
ed seventy times seven"
As We visited the highest room in
the building, listened to the intelli-
gent recitatations and remembered
that these students had come from
just such material as we saw in the
first grade, we knew that training and
patient endeavor tell. Some of the
most interesting and successful stu
dents in our schools are the children
ofnlixed Hawaiianand Chinese parcn-
tage. and there are many such now
in the schools. They have the at
tractive ways of the native, combined
with the patience and industry Of the
Chinese. Allthe Chinese children rank
high as students, and the young Chi
nese now growing up will maIE ex-
cellent citizens.
The high school is doing work to
be proud of, and has found a home in
the fine mansion of Mrs. Bernice
Pauahi Bishop, a native princess,
who died a few years ago. The spa
cious rooms were easily converted
into schoolrooms, and the extensive
grounds, full of rare trees and flow
ering shrubs, give plenty Of outdoor
space. They took me to the roof and
showed me a wonderful view of city,
mountains and harbor.
And, lastly, comes the normal
school to crown the system. This is
doing a much-needed work to train
the young Hawaiian teachers, and
summer schools are held for the bene-
Mt Of those who are busy during the
year. Kindergartens have not vet
been incorporated into the public
schools, but doubtless will be before
long. There are several good ones
supported by private generosity and
presided over by trained kindergart-
ners from the states. The work in
these schools is most interesting,
with all the queer little atoms of hui
manity that assemble here. Very lit
tie children Of any nationality are
charming. In several places the
sugar plantation supports kinder
gartner for the children Of its labor
ers.
Manual training is now receiving
much attention in all the schools. /
think have never seen more prac-
teal work done in this line in any
schools.
Men and women of large hearts
and broadest culture. are working at
these problems, and our schools of
the mainland must look well TO their
laurels, for Hawaii will rest satisfied
with nothing short of the best.
Over every public schoolhouse in
the islands floats the American flag,
through the thoughtfulness of the
Grand Army of the Republic. From
a neighboring schoolroom | often hear
the strains of America" float out on
the summer air, and these brown,
black, yellow and white children are
gaining each month a wider knowl
edge ofand a deeper love for The grand
republic which spreads the aegis of
TIC M >, ~, o,ro,, 49,.