Civilisation or Back to Nature?

Nature?

Interesting Experiment With Native Communities in Hawaii

SHOULD Polynesians strive to adapt themselves to civilisation, so-called, or return to the fish and poi life they enjoyed before. Captain Cook arrived to disturb the even tenor of their existence?

That question has been debated in every part of the Pacific, and is now being put to a test by American scientists in Hawaii.

Two “rehabilitation” movements, which, it is hoped, will eventually enable ethno logists to make some sort of conclusion, are being conducted within a few miles of each other on the island of Molokai.

On the central plateau of this island 50 Hawaiian families are residing under territorial supervision, and financing.

They are being trained as specialists in pineapple production. Automobiles and radios are found in every home. Twice a week “talkies” are shown at the local theatre. On other nights an orchestra blares jazz tunes for community dances.

Liberal credit sends smart clothes, canned fruits and vegetables, and meats from the butcher to each homestead. The community lives up to a strictly modern standard.

Over the island’s 5000 ft. mountain is Halawa Valley, part of the 9000-acre estate of Paul I. Fagan, San Francisco capitalist. There Hawaiian families are given leases for one dollar a year—with one condition. If they wish to live there they must live, as much as it is practic able, in the manner of their ancestors.

The valley has no theatre, no store, no motor cars. From the soil and sea comes the food of the people. Essential con veniences are admitted, but life must be kept as close to the ancient pattern as possible.