Inquiry into the cost at which it is possible for a woman or girl to live independently in Honolulu was based on two propositions:
First.—That she live in the home family of a friend or relative, and pay her quota of expense.
Second.—That she either board or room in the community.
I have given first consideration to the proposition that she live in a family because experience has proven that to be the most desirable place for the average working girl.
The Children’s Aid Society of Boston has set its face against the philanthropic home or hotel for working girls because it fails to give them a background for their future life as wives and mothers. The Clara de Hirsch Home in New York City,—a most successful institution,—cares for immigrant girls without family ties until they may safely become members of the community. As soon as a girl is considered to be earning a sufficient wage and acquainted with the customs of her new environment, she is placed in a private family, these families being carefully selected by the authorities of the Home.
Girls who have been committed to Orphan Asylums in their youth are also “bridged over” by residence in this Home, to membership in the normal community.
Training in various trades is given. There is a gymnasium, and a varied social program.
The girls pay from $3.00 to $6.00 a week, according to earning capacity.
In Honolulu I should say such a home would be valuable for girls who, as in New York, have been brought up in Orphan Asylums; for those who are taken away from improper home surroundings by the Courts; and for any other girls without family ties who may not be sufficiently well grounded in character to live safely in the community. I do not consider, however, that the normal wage-earning girl should be provided for in this way.
I am told that native girls who earn fair wages and live in families other than their own, pay $2.50 a week, usually in fish, or poi, or canned goods, rather than in money. I was unable to find any specific girl who is now doing this; but was told of the practice by women who had known of instances at other times, and whose knowledge of conditions is unquestionably accurate. This does not represent the actual value of accommodations, however, as will be shown.