The Maui news. [volume] (Wailuku, Maui, H.I.) 1900-current, 1919-01-31
cURTAIL BOARD OF HEALTH POWERS

All Maui. in common with all other parts of the territory, is, by
a board of health order, prohibited from having theater performances,
church services, or other form of public gathering held within doors, as
a precaution against the spread of influenza. Schools alone are except
cd from this ruling.
Does anybody believe that this action was well considered in so far
as Maui was concerned?
Does anyone believe that such an order was justified by conditions
for all parts of Maui?
Granting for the sake of argument that such restriction was war
ranted in Lahana, Paia, possibly Wanuku and other places, is it reason
able that in Makawao, KuIa, Hama, and other sections where health
conditions are normal, it should apply also?
The answer will be that the Honolulu body could not be expected
10 go into local conditions too infinitely, and that any other kind OF an
order would have been impracicabe. And this is no doubt true.
But on the other hand, had the handling of the situation been solely
up to Maui, would it have been handled as it was, granting of course
Almost certainly it woud not. Because a local health board would
have been in position to deal promptly with conditions as they develop
Cd, and to nteIhgentIy impose restrictions exactly where and when they
This is simply another instance of where the territorial board
Of health has demonstrated its inability to deal inteigenty and skill
fully with a local situation. 1t is true that there is not often occasion
instance. But it is a common thing to have the affairs of the counties
outside OF Oahu grossly neglected. An example OF this class was cited
started last August but received no real attention until Maui people,
and finally got the machinery in motion. Even yet the board has done
nothing except to recommend, and it is pretty certain that the real
work and cost of setting things right over in East Maui will be borne
Another instance, A few months ago the number of lepers and
'eper suspect running at large around WaHuku and other parts of Maui
became a matter OF public scandal. One leper died in the county jail.
here was nothing else that could be done with him. And it was re-
ported that 70 or more others afflicted were mingHng intimately with
he pubic. The board of health representative knew and admitted all
ms. lie protested that he had reported the conditions to Honolulu
'nne alter time without any action being taken. The matter was also
eaken to the board by private citizens and still nothing was done. Fin
- was taken up in an open meeting of the chamber of commerce,
ID the weight of public opinion then brought to bear did get quick
aClOn.
The point of all this is that the territorial board of health as it
exists today, is simply a survival of the outgrown and dscredhed
centralized government of IS or 20 years ago, when everything in the
Islands was handled through a board in Honolulu and nothing outside
Of Oahu was efficiently handled.
The functions Of the territorial board of health should be limited
ty the coming legislature TO a few important duties, such as compiling
vital statistics, administering asylums, hospitals, etc, supervising the
pure food laws and bureau of analyses, granting medical licenses, and
furnishing expert advice when required. The rest of the duties, now
neglected or done poorly should be turned over to the counties.
In any OF the recent matters referred to, or in most others that
could be cited, public opinion if nothing else, would force action much
more promptly and effectively than is now possible.