The Hawaiian gazette., 1910-02-04
JUDGE DOLE AND
THOMAS SQUARE
Athletic Field Champion Returns
to the Attack-Asks Some
Pertinent Questions.

Judge Dole is by no means convinced
that the proper use for the mauka end
Of Thomas Square is not to use it as
an athletic field for the pupils of the
Mckinley High School, Since he pro-
posed the clearing off of the mauka
half of the square, short time ago,
the idea has been vigorously com
bated. To slam the proposal was the
most fashionable thing to do, during
all of which slamming the proposer sat
tight, waiting for the storm to blow
itself out.
This having happened. Judge Dole
returns to the attack, having address
ed the following letter on the subject
to The Advertiser. He writes:
Editor Advertiser:-It was expected
that the proposition to turn over por-
ton of Thomas Square to the McKin-
ley High School for an athletic field,
would raise some opposition-more in
deed than has so far developed. The
DIRECTORS appear to take it for granted
that the proposed plan will seriously
prejudice the existing public enjoy
ment of the square. Would this be
the casef
The part of the square taken over as
a playground, if the scheme goes
through, will become an open space of
grass surrounded on its edges by trees.
Open lawns of any considerable size
have not as yet become so common in
Honolulu that they do not create favor
able comment and appreciation wher-
ever established. That the Makiki
parade ground could hardly be more
appreciated if planted with shade
trees, gather from the commendatory
words spoken to me of late in regard
to its fine appearance. The old play
ground of Oahu College makes beau
tiful feature of the college grounds. 1t
is most likely that after the play
ground is established in Thomas Square,
if that is to be the course of events,
one-half of the Honolulu population
will never notice it, and the other half
will know of it only through a vague
and underlined sense that in some way
or other the square has greatly improv-
ed in appearance.
A tree is not to be given space or
l. L
may be a nuisance or it may be in the
way of something better.
The Mckinley High School-T-one of
the most important and promising of
all the government schools-needs an
athletic field. The mental training of
its pupils has been well provided for,
but nothing has been done, so far, for
their physical development. A school
that cannot furnish opportunities to
its pupils for athletics, is not an equip
ped school. Such opportunities, with
| the rivalries they afford with other
| schools, have an influence upon the
| school spirit and all the things that
go with it, that is too great to ignore.
The influence of athletics on the book
studies of a school is most favorable.
Physical training is stimulative of
mental activity and in general way
| it promotes the health of the body
which is a necessary condition Of the
best mental effort.
The. Mckinley High School boys have
been badly handicapped since the
school was opened, in their rivalries
with other schools. Using the Makiki
parade ground as their practise field,
| they have been subjected to serious
tax on their time and convenience in
] going and coming, and want of dress.
ing rooms. 1t is much to their credit
that they have, under the circum-
stances, shown the perseverance and
pluck and made the records which are
now part of their story.
AS to the girls, they, who need these
things perhaps more than the boys,
have had no chance at all. Basketball,
tennis, croquet, hockey and the rest
| are unavailable, and the girls are left
to spend their recess periods and after
school time as best they may-the
former generally.in sitting around, and
the latter in getting away as immedi-
ately as may be from the school prem
Uses.
Are not the interests of this large
number of girls and boys of vastly
more Importance than the vague in.
terest of the public in a few dozen
trees and shrubs, few of which are of
value as trees or plants, either on ac-
count of their rarity or beauty?
When in the course of half dozen
years or more, the College of Hawaii
yacates the adjacent premises, there
will be afforded a nucleus for a play
ground, which can only be reasonably
developed through the purchase of adj
ditional space to the east, whereby its
area may be doubled. With such a
happening in view, the use of Thomas
Square could be regarded as TEN
porary one. The proposition of Mr.
Dodge to look for n playground fol
the High School makai Of King street
should be contemplated only as last
resort; the distance being serious OBJ
lection, especially as such ground
would not be likely to be located on
the building lots next TO the street but
rather nearer the shore.
Would not the proposed use OF
Thomas Square be an investment which
would bring large retums,-yastly
greater than the necessary sncrihce OF
the trees and the accompanying dis
tfess Of those who dislike 10 see trees
destroyedf y. H. DOLE.
ID
aIn TAnlEE laIAn lanTl