Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1913-02-25

to the commission by Commissioners
Aiken that, during a recent visit to
Lahainaluna he found such an oppo-
sition among the parents to placing
the boys at work in the cultivation
of cane, that the school is losing
many of its pupils. The attendance
is failing on In other words there is
among many Hawaiian- Americans OF
the Territory q well-defined prejudice
against having their boys taught to
grow cane, because they feel that this
their Toys for the work OF coolies. =
This is an interesting side
light on the effect of coolie
labor on the native citizens of the
islands and its tendency to degrade
the dignity of agricultural labor as
performed on the large plantations OF
the territory. II is most unfortunate
state of affairs, but it is nevertheless
condition and creates a real prob
lem whether it is better to confine the
activities Of Llahainaluna strictly to
trades or try to overcome the preju-
dice against labor associated in the
minds of some of our fellow-cOuntry-
men with the coolie laborer.
Work Of Time and Money.
ITO establish vocational high schools
in each county is work that will
take considerable time and calls for
the appropriation of considerable
sums of money to provide these insti-
tutions the proper working equipment.
They will eventually come. because
the ultimate destiny of Hawaii's place
under the American flag was never
more certain than the coming in these
islands of practical application of edu-
cation to the activities of every day
citizen toll
What to do in the meantime is a
matter that has received much
thought
Your committee in this connection
recommends that there be provided
for each county Supervisor of Sew
ing and Domestic Science. and SUI
pervisor of Agriculture. The duties Of
these supervisors in their respective
counties will be to give instruction in
the schools of their. county in much
the same manner as music and other
branches are now taught by special
teachers who visit the several schools
within their Jurisdiction. This special
teacher should be equipped to go into
school, size up the situation, deal
with the peculiar problems found and
lay out program for the teacher to
follow in sewing and domestic science
for the boys.
1T will be noted that in the two
branches dealt with the equipment
need not be, and from the very nature
Of the work should not be, elaborate.
Nearly every school is today teacn;ns
more or less sewing. Nearly every
school has its garden where the chiit;-
rem are learning to some extent the
A. B. C. of agriculture. Travelling su
pervisors for this particular phase OF
practical education could accomplish
a great deal in putting more life an,
enthusiasm into what is now being
done and in many instances, no,
doubt, promote higher standard of
efficiency in the teaching as well as
the results among the pupils.
IF we should find it matter Of
some years before the vocational high
schools are realized, this preliminary
preparation will be invaluable through
the development of children who viii
most readily respond to such a train
ing. children who will find in it an
opportunity to perfect themselves for
taking up an occupation for which
they are especially adapted. Thus
they improve their own condition "a
life and increase their value as a.
community asset for good citizenship
''This committee cannot speak too
strongly for the practical side of edu-
cation. The department cannot make
q mistake in adopting the recommen-
dation offered, and if some flaw might
be found, We prefer to err on the side
of action rather than commit the I'M
sin of doing nothing"