The Maui news. [volume] (Wailuku, Maui, H.I.) 1900-current, 1922-04-21
H CURFEW LAW

Approaches have been made to Sheriff Crowen asking a strict
enforcement Of the Cufew Law on Maui such as has been under
taken in Honolulu and has been urged at Tilo. The subject has
been brought up before the Maui Woman's Club and is under con-
sideration of the Humane Department of that organization. Chiefly
complaints as to children being out late into the evenings have come
from Waikiki, which is natural as there are more crowded housing
conditions and more to attract the attention of the youngsters. Maui
News is told by a member of the Humane Department that there
is little complaint heard and little cause for complaint in the vicinity
OF the plantations or the canneres. As a matter of fact the main
cause OF criticism OF conditions has been found on Market street,
Waikiki.
Attendance at picture shows is not objected to by those back
of the movement so much as the gathering of children outside the
picture houses Oh NOSE VINO nave not the price OF admission but
hnger eagerly just outside, night after night. They may go in once
a week, perhaps, but they have not the money for nightly attendance
forth through the streets.
Man is a gregarious animal and he is only a child of a larger
growth. just how young the gang spirit starts it is hard to
tell but when very young there appears the inclination to 'follow
the crowd" that is seldom ever outgrown, to ego where they all
60" The Boy Scouts and the Girl Scouts have taken advantage of
gregariOuSness, the gang spirit and have made and are making
1t a source OF benefit and usefulness instead of harm as it formerly
was Fac troop Is only a gang with activities directed rightly
instead of wrongly in social instead of unsocial directions.
1t is probable that much of the street wandering of children
at night as well as by day comes from unattractiveness of the homes
the greater attractiveness of other places. That is an old, old prob
lem in the towns as well as in the cities. A curfew law may send
Such children reluctantly seamperng homeward and to bed, but they
go under the compulsOn of the law. 1t is the parents, more than
the children, who should be blamed for the conditions that exist
and they may not have the knowledge or ability to keep their off
spring with them. 1t is with the parents then, that the law en-
forcement suggested should have the most influence. If they had to
accompany a child to court once or twice to explain, to leave work
or business to do so, they would likely see that the child was at
beneficial.
Lack of atractveness at home is shown by the number of chill
dren who visit the Library reading room evenings and stay till clos
ing time. Occasionally some of them are so wearied that they 90
to sleep over a book or magazine and have to be awakened and sent
home. If they are to be out they could hardly be in a better place.
They have merely sought surroundings that please them and they
indulge their sense of pleasure at the cost of health and growth and
strength in later life.
In most instances there is nothing wrong in youngsters seeking
the streets. Here in Hawaii perpetual summer leads to the tendency
of spending as much time as possible out of doors. But it must
be admitted that street life, away from restraining and governing
influences is not good for the young. They are more apt to fall in
with evil associations there than elsewhere. Yet the problem is to
make the children see this and to exercise restraint where necessary
in time, To that end, it may be enforcement of the Curfew Law
that is needed.