THE ROYAL SCHOOL 1839-1850
Linda K. Menton
Included among the many portraits A similar letter was delivered and the mission voted to accept the and memorials which grace the walls directly to Amos Starr Cooke. Mr. chiefs' request with the following of Honolulu's historic KawaiaHa'o Cooke was a teacher, as was his wife conditions: Church is a large marble tablet Juliette Montague Cooke. They had . . . that they (the chiefs) will carry out dedicated to the memory of the arrived in the Sandwich Islands with their promise to Mr. Cooke's missionary couple: Amos Starr and the Eighth Company of missionaries satisfaction; namely to build a school Juliette Montague Cooke. Engraved in 1837.4 The letter read: house, sustain him in his authority over the scholars and afford him a in stone beneath their names are Honolulu June 1/39 support.8 those of the 16 royal children they Greetings to Mr. Cooke: taught at the Chiefs' Children's Here is our thought lo you that you With the acquiescence of the chiefs School. more commonly known as become teacher for our royal children. to these stipulations, Mr. and Mrs. The Royal School, an institution You are the one to teach them wisdom Cooke were released from the historian Ralph Kuykendall called and righteousness. This is our thought mission to take over their new " .. . of outstanding importance in lo you. assignment. Mrs. Cooke immediately the history of the nation."• The (Signed) Kekauluohi Hoapiliwahine began to draw up plans for the school's alumni included the last five Hoapilikane Mataio' combination school and home where rulers of the Hawaiian Kingdom as Keohok;ilole he and his own family and 16 royal well as other men and women of children would reside for the next chiefly rank who played prominent The chiefs' proposal was debated ten years. Actual instruction began roles in the history of the Hawaiian at length by the assembled on June 12, 1839, when six students nation. missionaries. There was concern began attending school in the The Chiefs' Children's School was expressed by some that the mission Cooke's home.9 These children founded in June 1839.2 It was begun could not allow any of its members continued to board with parents and at the request of King Kamehameha to devote their time to only a few guardians until the permanent Ill and the high chiefs of Hawai'i children unless the school was structure was completed. to Money who presented the following letter to financially supported by the chiefs.• and time were lost in the building of the 1839 General Meeting of the Other missionaries were distressed the school due to the arrival of the Congregational missionaries: with the idea of creating a separate French frigate L'Arltmist and the school for the royal children and problems which resulted from Greetings to you all, Teachers thus encouraging a distinction Where are you, all you teachers. We French demands for $20,000 in ask Mr. Cooke to be our teacher for between the chiefs' children and the reparations money from the chiefs.11 our royal children. He is the teacher of common people.7 Finally, however, To hurry construction along Mr. our royal children and Dr. Judd is the these reservations were overcome Cooke took on the job of one to take care of the royal children superintending the erection of the because we two hold Dr. Judd as building. Mrs. Cooke completely necesssary for the children and also in assumed aU teaching responsibilities certain difficulties between and you all. to free Mr. Cooke for this chore. (Signed) Kamehameha Ill Kekauluohi HoapiliwahineJ
17 Finally the house was completed at a Reed Bishop and foundress of The calling for the steward to come and cost of about $1,500 and the Cookes Kamehameha Schools; Abigail sleep with him. It is a very trying time and their royal charges moved in on Maheha; Jane Loeau, half-sister of for them and us, too. They bear it thus April 11, 1840.11 Abigail; Elizabeth Keka'aniau; Emma far better than we anticipated. Do you remember how homesick I was at Aunt The school consisted of 17 rooms Rooke, the future Queen Emma Caldwell's? I suppose they feel of various dimensions. It included a after marriage to Alexander liholiho; somewhat so and I know how to pity large schoolroom, a dining room, a Peter Young Kaeo, cousin of Emma them.•• kitchen and quarters for the Rooke; James Kaliokalani, brother of After this difficult beginning the children, the Cookes and their David Kalakaua and Lydia children adjusted rapidly to the assistants. The school enclosed a Kamaka'eha; David Kalakaua, the restrictions placed upon them in central courtyard and included a future King David Kalakaua; Lydia their new surroundings. Mr. Cooke 13 playground for the students. It was Kamaka'eha, sister of James and reported on their conduct in his I840 located adjacent to the old palace.14 David, the future Queen report to the American Board of On April 15, 1840 the school was Lili'uokalani; Mary Pa'a'aina, adopted Commissioners for Foreign Missions dedicated by the Reverend Hiram daughter of John 'l'i; and John Pitt in far-away Boston: Bingham in the presence of the king, Kina'u.16 chiefs and children. After a feast, The Cookes were assisted in their The second week the children became more reconciled to their new home and paid for by the children's parents, work with the children by John Ti are not happy at school and at play and various speakers addressed the and his wife Sarai. John Ti, an early apparently in the restraints already assembly: Mr. Dibble spoke of the convert to Christianity, was educated beginning to surround them. importance of English while Dr. Judd with David Malo in the palace of They have not been so difficult to stressed the need of the children to King Kamehameha II. He later manage as we anticipated, submitting live an orderly life which included became the superintendent of to the rules of the school without a exercise, frequent bathing and schools on O'ahu, a member of the great deal of opposition.to regular hours for eating and House of NobJes, a member of the A year later Mr. Cooke outlined sleeping; Mr. Richards concluded the Privy Council, and an associate for the Board the order of the day ceremonies by emphasizing to the justice of the Hawaii Supreme and the course of studies employed children the importance of their Court.t 7 in the school. Everyone arose at S growing up together, with similar Originally John and Sarai were to a.m. with perhaps time for a walk or habits of thought and understanding, be the only lcahu, retainers, in the horseback ride before prayers at 6:30 so that when they became rulers and school. Later, more help was needed a.m. These included readings from were scattered to the different and the children had various the Old Testament, in Hawaiian, islands they would still be united in servants assigned to them. Initially, with the memorization of a Bible their plans.is however, a determined effort was verse in Hawaiian. After a 7 a.m. A few weeks after this ceremony, made to separate the children from breakfast-during which the use of 11 children entered the school as their numerous attendants. Some of the Hawaiian language was boarders. The oldest was I I -year-old the children arrived at the school forbidden-the children attended Jane Loeau; the youngest, two-year with as many as 25 or 30 kahu whose three hours of class work. Supper old Victoria Kamamalu. During the sole charge was to care for the was at 5:30 p.m. with evening next few years five other children young chiefs. Separation, considered prayers immediately afterward. came in to the school. The I6 royal by the Cookes and others as These prayers and readings from the children then included: Moses essential to the success of the New Testament were conducted in Kekuaiwa, presumptive governor of children's education, was painful to English. The same Bible verse Kaua'i; Lot Kamehameha, brother of children and bhu alike. In a letter learned in Hawaiian in the morning Moses, presumptive governor of dated May 5, 1840 Mrs. Cooke was memorized in English in the Maui and the future King described the leavetaking: evening. At 7 p.m. the children Kamehameha V; Alexander Liholiho, Our scholars have entered the family retired to their rooms and the small brother of Moses and Lot, the heir this day. The Governor was here to ones went to bed. Lights were out apparent and the future King dinner and is to sleep here tonight. He for all the children at 8 p.m.zo When Kamehameha IV; Victoria is much affected. He and all the bih11 the children were older, evenings Kamamalu, sister of Moses, Lot and have been weeping and some of the were spent in reading aloud to each children have cried themselves to sleep Alexander, the future kuhina nui; other, in singing, and in correcting - now all are asleep but one, and he is William Charles Lunalilo, the future the journals they were required to King William lunalilo; Bernice keep.21 Pauahi, the future Mrs. Charles
18 In school the children were divided The children frequently sang a song letters long after their formal into classes according to age. All for visitors entitled "Sparkling and association with the school ended.J6 instruction was conducted in English. Bright" which began with the words: The Cookes also had continuing The curriculum included reading, ''Nothing is so good for the youthful assistance in their endeavor from Dr. writing, spelling, arithmetic and blood as clear and sparkling Gerrit P. Judd. Although the children geography. Mrs. Cooke taught water... ."z • were healthy for the most part, Dr. reading, singing, writing and Not unexpectedly discipline at the Judd promptly attended to any drawing.22 As the children grew Royal School was strictly maintained, sickness the children suffered. older other subjects were added sometimes with the use of corporal Routine illnesses caused great worry including composition, algebra, moral punishment. "When we thought the to the Cookes. They believed the science, domestic science and ancient case demanded it we have not seriousness of the children's Greek and Roman history.zl Texts hesitated to use the rod," wrote Mr. condition was often exaggerated by used included Parity's Geography, Cooke, "taking them alone and the scholars' former kahu, many of Emtrwn·s Nor/h Amtrican Arilhmrlic, conversing with them awhile before whom continued to linger near the Websler·s Spelling Book and the Wormier we applied it and the result has school. Mrs. Cooke wrote: Readers.24 Each child had his own desk generally been a happy one."Ja For One of the children, Victoria, has been in the school room where at least six small offenses the children were sent taken with chickenpox and I suppose it hours were spent each weekday as to their rooms and deprived of will have to so through the family. well as Saturday mornings. The playing with the others. Sometimes There is a great fuss made when walls were hung with blackboards, they ate alone in their rooms as anything ails them, and the l:ahu tell it charts, and texts from Scripture.zs punishment.J I over and over and talk about it so On Sundays the children attended In spite of the restrictions placed much that it grows wonderfully before native church services twice and on the children, recreation was an it has gone the rounds. We have found some of the older children attended important part of their lives and was it necessary to be very particular to give an account to the relatives of all English services also. Queen carefully scheduled into their daily sickness immediately. If William has a Lili'uokalani wrote many years later routine. At the insistence of Dr. sore nose, or falls down and hurts his of her memories of Sundays at the Judd, the children were encouraged head, Mr. Cooke writes to his mother Royal School: to play ball, fly kites, swing, Foll on Maui about it.37 hoops, and ride horseback.J2 As they We never failed to go to church in a During such illnesses and recovery grew older a late afternoon walk to procession every Sunday in charge of from childhood accidents parents and Nu'uanu Valley or Tantalus to swim our teachers, Mr. and Mrs. Cooke, and guardians usually arrived to stay occupied seats in the immediate vicinity and bathe in sex-segregated groups with their children. Although the of the pew where the King was seated. was an almost daily outing." children were forbidden to leave the The custom was for a boy and girl to The responsibility for educating grounds without permissionJB or to march side by side, the lead being taken and supervising so many children in visit their parents' homes,n they by the eldest scholars. Moses and Jane so many aspects of their lives rested were not cut off from their families had this distinction, next Lot and heavily on the Cookes. In addition to Bernice, then liholiho and Emma (after while at school. Public examinations the la tier had joined the school), James the royal children they eventually became the parents of seven of their were held from time to time during and Elizabeth, David and Victoria, and which the young chiefs "declaimed" own children, five of whom were so on, John Kinau and 1 being the for the edification of their parents born during the time of the school's last.10 and demonstrated their academic existence.J4 " ... I have a new pupil Another aspect of the children's or boarder," wrote Mrs. Cooke in skills. These displays were well formal religious training was attended by parents and foreigners 1842, "a child of three years. Sixteen enrollment in the Children's alike.4a Parents were also invited children; four under four years. I Temperance Society whose members wish for patience, firmness, guests at the many birthday parties promised to abstain from alcohol and forbearance and skill in teaching."35 held for the children each year. In tobacco.21 Temperance was strongly the latter years of the school the emphasized even for the students In order to help them, especially in Cookes lifted the ban on the who did not formally pledge their teaching duties, the Cookes students' visiting their parental abstention. Their classroom was hired a succession of teachers to homes and the children often left the adorned with a large painting of a assist them. Nathan Sturgess, school on Saturday mornings to do fountain which symbolized their Thomas Douglas, Maria Whitney, so.41 membership in the "Water Army."za and Warren Goodale all served as teachers in the school with their salaries defrayed by the chiefs. Some like Thomas Douglas remained in contact with the children through
19 As the children grew older they Moses became more and more After their departure in February also had more contact with unacceptable to the Cookes. True to 1849 the number of children in the foreigners who were frequent their word, the king and chiefs school decreased to eleven. Two of visitors to the school. In turn, the backed the teachers in their the older girls, Abigail Maheha and children were often invited on board disciplining of the children. On Jane loeau, had married. Bernice many of the ships that crowded several occasions the king or the Pauahi was being assiduously Honolulu Harbor. "Our scholars visit governor arrived at the school to courted by a young haolt named almost every Man of War and remonstrate with the recalcitrant Charles Bishop. The Cookes realized sometimes they are saluted by boys.u The attempts of the three that a course of action they had been firing,"42 wrote Mrs. Cooke. brothers to secure brandy and cigars considering for some time was now Association with foreigners, for themselves escalated into other feasible-they prepared to leave the however, strained the Cooke's rules actions which the Cookes refused to Royal School. It was decided that the for the children as shipboard parties tolerate. A fantastic plot hatched by children who were left could attend often included dancing. This the boys to run away and live in the classes in a nearby select school diversion the Cookes refused to South Pacific was discovered and under the direction of Mr. Daniel allow. Mrs. Cooke noted the squelched.46 locking the boys in Fuller.s1 They continued, however, disappointment of the children when their rooms and even posting a to board at the Royal School under they were denied permission to watchman did little to curb what the the supervision of the Cookes for attend a ball given by a visiting sea Cookes referred to as another year. The Cookes delayed captain: "It was grating to their "nightwalking." Finally, with the leaving principally for the sake of feelings for they would love to go concurrence of the king and the Bernice who wished to stay at the and dance but we as missionaries and Privy Council, Moses was expelled school until she married and had a as parents put our veto upon it."u from the school in 1847 at the age of home of her own. She married Not surprisingly, some of the 17.4' Within a year it became obvious Charles Reed Bishop on June 4, 1850 children became increasingly restive that Lot and Alexander could no in the parlor of the Royal Schoolsz under these and the other longer be controlled by the sanctions and very shortly afterwards the restrictions which governed their imposed by the Cookes for Cookes moved to the old Bingham lives at the Royal School. Sometimes misbehavior. Arrangements were residence, the famous frame house the children managed to circumvent made to find the boys gainful which stands today on the mission some of the rules, as Queen employment in the community. grounds in downtown Honolulu.n Lili'uokalani wrote many years later These plans were interrupted by the Although the Royal School existed in her autobiography: 1848 epidemics of measles and in its original configuration for only . .. when I recall the instances in which whooping cough which swept the eleven years, both its teachers and we were sent hungry to bed, it seems Islands. Lot and Alexander both its students influenced the course of to me they [the Cookes] failed to contracted measles and recovered. Hawai'i's history. Mr. Cooke joined remember that we were growing Others were not so fortunate; with Samuel Castle to establish the children. A thick slice of bread covered among the many who died during mercantile firm of Castle and Cooke. with molasses was usually the sole the epidemics was their older brother Five of the school's former pupils, article of our supper, and we were Moses Kekuaiwa.4a Alexander Liholiho, Lot sometimes ingenious, if not over The epidemics also effectively Kamehameha, William Lunalilo, honest, in our search for food: if we ended the need for maintaining or David Kalakaua, and Lydia could beg something of the Cook it was the easier way; but if not, anything expanding the Royal School. There Kamaka'eha became rulers of the eatable left within our reach was surely were no new young chiefs to take Hawaiian Kingdom. Bernice Pauahi confiscated. As a last resort, we were the places of those who were Bishop and Queen Emma were not above searching the garden for any growing up; the only two children prominent leaders and esculent root or leaf, which (having who were expected to enter the philanthropists. Tragically, many of inherited the art of igniting a fire from school died during the epidemics.H the former royal children died the friction of sticks,), we could cook Lot and Alexander left the school young; Mrs. Cooke outlived all but and consume without the knowledge of soon after their recovery to work as two of her pupils.s4 our preceptors u clerks for two businessmen in The school itself endured although More serious lapses in behavior, Honolulu but continued to board at it went through a series of especially on the part of the older the school until a house, which was transformations. The original school boys, did not go undiscovered by built for them at the direction of the building was used as a residence for their teachers. By 1845, the Privy Council, was completed.so the royal retainers.ss The name, the escapades of lot, Alexander and Royal School, was transferred to a select school attended by the
20 remaining royal children and white u Report of Mr. Cooke's Labors, op. cit. •tRichards, Mary Atherton. Amos S!arr and half-white students. It later t•Adapted from a list reprinted in Mary Cookr and Julitllr Mon/agur Coolct, Thm became a public school. Its direct Atherton Richards, Thr Hawa11an Ch1rfs Autobiographi'f Glrannl From Thm Journals descendant, Royal Elementary Ch11ilrtn'1 S
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