Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1916-06-06
Mrs. Leopold, in an Interesting
Paper, Outlines ConGi-
tons and Prospects

THE following paper entitled Work
Among Hawaiian Women and Girls
Its Present Condition and Prospects"
was read at the annual meeting of
the Woman's Auxiliary OF the Episco-
pal church by Mrs Leopold Kroli:)
Before speaking of present condi-
lions and prospects of the work among
Hawaiian womea and e:ias, it is neces-
sary to lock hack on carrier condi-
tions in order TO appreciate the re-
markable progress that has been
1 mGde. BY a comparison of what was
and what is, we can reasonably expect
even greater progress in the years to
come.
It has been oniy three generations
ago that the work of leading the Ha-
! waiians out CT primitive condition
was begun. At that time, conditions
in the islands were far from pronlis-
ing, everything tended towards a life
. OF case, there was no necessity for
thought OF the future, incentives for
mental activity were entirely lacking,
nature supplied all wants for the
twelve months of the year, and out
side OF few primitive arts, materials
for which required little preparation,
there was little need or opportunity
for the creative faculty to develop.
The coming of the white race changed
all this. With the higher ideals of
life and material conyeniences, more
demands were made upon the natives
to adjust themselves to environment
to which they had never been accus-
toned and make use OF faculties which
had never, before been brought into
activit.
The change Of conditions was so
radical and sudden that large per-
centage of them were soon found in
/ e.ass far beneath that OF the new
corners. Many felt that this was
sign of race inferiority, but others who
could see beneath the surface and had
the true Christian spirit OF service
thought otherwise. The former were
only too ready to let the Hawaiians
drift along and by so doing be in a
better position to exploit them and
fhet- beautiful home On the other
hand the latter set to- work to train
aid educate the people to fit them for
theSrew economic condition. n6
n this they found a willingness on
the part OF the natives but the frst
steps were feeble and many stumbled
by the way. The worldly ones were
ouiek I'm saving sWhat Is the use of
doing anything, but in the face OF
such remarks and ID spite of the OBJ
staeles that were IN the way, schools
were opened, workers labored on year
after year along definite lines and re-
suits have been obtained We are net
so Tar removed frS1ll 5the beginning Qf
things but that We dan see the same
principles muse Our Church schools
and especially the Priory. realized the
surrounding IN which most Elof I the
children had been BROUGHT up 5and
worked on the principle that a large
part of right growth depended upon
environlne Rt.rsigs ~ FaFxHe}Egk -
The idea Of home was the first thi ing
to be brought TO them. 70 many, even
at this present time, home has been
merely place for shelter. The fam.
ily life with its affection and hope Of
the future welfare Of the members
was an unknown quantity. Our bishop
has many times emphasized this point
and stated that our schools are to be
homes and net institutions for hool.
learning. This family life necessitat.
ed the exercise of se1f-restraint where
in the former condition this was not 50
necessary, for MOTT eff the time was
spent out of doors ana the children
were allowed to do pretty much as
they pleased.
Possession of the necessities and
conveniences of life required order,
order required planning and planning
required thought The church's serV-
ices, sacraments and teaching were
placed in the forefront from the very
beginning and they have had much to
do in the upbuilding of the present
generation. 1t is therefore a proven
fact that it was not a lack Of mental
ability or eapability, nor matter OF
racial inferiority that left the earlier
and even some of the present genera
ton of Hawaiians stranded on a low
er plane of life. The material Tor
moro useful and better life was there
but it needed time to bring ont. Today
we find our women and girls, for it is
these that our article is concerned
with, equalling their white sisters IN
faithfulness of service, ability to plan
and carry cut, to hold positions or
responsibility and appreciate Ideals OF
q higher life.
1t is a satisfaction and encourage.
nent to the workers to look back
few years at field such as one finds
ct Lahaina, and take note of the little
ones who came under the influence CT
the church, gradually change and
blossom out into fuller life. It was
the close association with the workers
in the school and at the parsonage.
the taking part in the church services