Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1904-08-02
Waikiki SCHOOL IS
No Waste Of MONEY

Editor Evening Bulletin Wal
luku they are now building a $4,000
in town where there are
1874 school children. II is a waste of
money. 1t is like Bishop without a
congregation. 1t is political measure
under the present system"
The above quotation is taken from
the remarks of that eminent educator.
Prof. NJ. NJ. Scott, before the County
Act Commission last week.
The attendance at the government
school in wailuku town has been in
deed poor. and the Board of Education
is really responsible for this unhealthy
condition of school affairs, because 1t
placed teachers there who have been
instrumental in keeping children away
from school. The teachers succeeded
indirectly in driving away children be-
cause they did not possess qualities
and qualifications to attract pupils
They did their best. to be sure, but
mark the results. The paucity Of pu-
pills at the government school does not,
however. necessarily mean that Wal
luku has no children Of the school age
Both the Boys and Girls Catholic
schools in Waikiki are crowded almost
to overlooking. Besides the Chinese
schools in Waikiki there is a private
school conducted and taught by Rev.
WIN. Ault. OF course there is an
abundance of children of Aslatics in
Waikiki who are all eager to learn,
and, this is no small problem for us to
solve. But To say that there are only
1874 school children in Waikiki is just
az absurd as to say that the pupils of
the High School. Honolulu, constitute
the school children Of Honolulu.
Why is the High School crowded
II is simply because the Board Of Edu-
cation has been lavish in furnishing II
with first class teachers. The reverse
Is true with Waikiki of the past.
Waikiki Is having new school
house built of stone to cost about S23.-
900, and yet Prof Scott calls II a waste
OF money. II he had studied the ques-
ton properly and understands Wal
luku's needs, / am sure he would not
the first place. the major portion of
glaui's tax revenues during the past
thirty or forty years have been spent
away from home, for II all her revenues
were used at home. Honolulu would
not possess the magnificent improve
mems. the costly public buildings. the
broad macadamized roads, splendid
harbor improyements,-yes. In a word.
Honolulu would not have acquired the
most enviable position that she holds
today. But money spent in public i'm
provements. although used away from
home. Is never wasted, although we
would have been more grateful had we
been allotted with but 50 per cent of
our revenues.
According to reports, however, Wal
luku school is to have new bloods to
infuse new life and vigor to the pupils
for efficient teachers, like eloquent pas
tors, are objects Of attraction. Bot II
must not he expected that the new Wal
luku school can be built up In a day,
for Mr.. Scott must remember that the
work OF remodeling a school to meet
the requirements OF the times is no
easy task.
II would indeed be pretty hard mat
ter to get children away from the Cath
Iolic schools. but II the standard of the
new government school would be raised
above that OF the local Catholic schools
II would be quite an easy matter to at
tract pupils to the new government
school, for Hawaii's future, and espec-
tally Wailuku's, depends on the educa-
tional progress OF Its sons and daugh-
tiers, no matter from what source they
obtain IT,
The only political aspect connected
with the building Of the new Wailuku
High School was when the Senators
and Representatives from this electoral
division opened their ears to the pray
ers OF the Waikiki citizens for better
educational facilities. and our prayers
were heard In the shape OF a handsome
appropriation by the Legislature Of
1903.
IL the Government Is so blind as moi
to provide sufficient efficient teachers
for Waikiki school and by that | mean
college graduates from reputable Amer
ican educational institutions. then. ant
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