The Garden Island. [volume] (Lihue, Kauai, H.T.) 1902-current, 1919-05-06
FILIPINO DINNER TO
MEET MANAGERS

Last Friday evening the FlllpinO
National Association gave a dinner
at the Lihue Hotel, complimentary to
the managers of the several planta-
tions on Kauai. The occasion was the
celebration of the establishment of a
branch of the society on Kauai and the
introduction of the society to the plan.
tation managers. so that they might
become acquainted with its ideals
aims and purposes.
Rev. Nicholas Olson, founder and
president of the society acted as host
for the evening and Mr.. Valentine Co
| bacha was toastmaster.
Unfortunately, not all of the plan
tation managers were able to be pres
ent; those attending were Messrs
Moler of Lihue, Larsen of K.lauea
Alexander of McBryde, and Ewart of
Waimea. Other guests present were L.
Sheriff Rice, Philip Rice, Rev. S. II.
Ahn, and others whose names are not
at hand Many members of the So
ciety were also present
AltCl d iouuN'ioh
by the POSTMASTER, Sheriff Rice was
called upon as the first speaker CT the
evening and in replying he briefly out
lined the position of the Filipinos as
members of he community and COM
mented favorably upon the loyalty
they showed during the war, and also
upon the present general tendency to-
wards decrease in the number of
crimes committed by Filipinos.
During the course of the dinner the
POSTMASTER complimented Mr.. Larsen
on the excellent treatment accorded
the Filipinos at Kilauea and said that
this treatment had resulted in Kilauea
having gathered together one of the
best groups of Filipinos in the Terri
tory. Mr.. Larsen was then called
upon for few remarks and responded
with a brief statement of what had
been done for the laborers at Kilauea
in the way of providing places of
amusement, etc, and said that he had
found that the Filipinos responded
readily to anything that was done for
them and showed it in loyal support of
the management and increased eff
cheney in their FORK
The other managers were then call
ed upon in turn and each responded
with a few brief remarks appropriate
to the occasion and commented upon
the increased efficiency of the Fill.
pinos as laborers, their loyalty during
the war, and their tendency to adapt
themselves to local conditions and
requirements and harmonize with the
other races employed on the planta-
tions.
The address of the evening was then
given by Rev. Nicholas Olson. who,
speaking as the founder and the presi-
dent of the Filipino National Associa.
ton, said that he took the opportunity
to present the association it's ideals.
. aims and purposes, to those present
that they might have better under
standing of the Filipino and the as
sociation He said that to deal with
+ the Filipino understandingly one must
e first have a knowledge of his character
f charac Ter; for instance, the years OF
y Spanish oppression have left their
t mark upon the Filipino race, which
4 appears in the hesitancy with which
t of another race and also in the ex-
treme sensitiveness of the F.lipinos
He said that the Filipino could not be
forced to do anything against his will,
if he did not understand why his own
view of the matter was not correct,
but that he would respond readily if
i the matter was fairly, considerably
l. and clearly explained. That a great
d deal of the trouble with Filipinos in
the past was due to misunderstanding.
Continuing. Mr.. Olson said that the
Filipino National Association was
founded as was the Y. NJ. c. A
e through prayer-by a man, for men,
e and was the result of the realization
e of the high percentage of crimes com
1, mitted in these islands by Filipinos
d and and earnest desire to bring this
l. realization home to all Filipinos in
S the islands. so that unitedly. through
o an association. the better element
D. might instil in all a pride, of race and
that understanding their own faults
It and weaknesses they might strive Il
g. overcome them and through an i'm
y provement of themselves win for tn,
1t Filipinos better reputation and high
e, er standing throughout all these is
1t lands, and this would rebound to tn,
lie credit of their race and their believe,
d. native land.
!r Mr.. Olson said that he wanted I
Continued on Page g.