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September 8, 2017 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

George Paul Cooke

Born in Honolulu, December 2, 1881, George Paul Cooke was grandson of missionaries Amos Starr and Juliette Montague Cooke and son of Charles Montague Cooke and Anna Charlotte (Rice) Cooke.

After preliminary schooling in Honolulu and at Hotchkiss in Lakeville CT, Cooke attended Yale University (his roommate was Sophie’s brother, Charles S Judd Sr.) He received his BA degree in 1905, returning to Honolulu to take the position of stock and bond clerk for the Hawaiian Trust Co, Ltd, continuing with that institution until 1908.

He married Sophie Boyd Judd (granddaughter of missionaries Gerrit Parmele Judd and  Laura Fish Judd, daughter of Albert Francis Judd and Agnes Hall Judd) (April 4, 1906.) (They had six children, Dora, George Paul, Jr., Francis Judd, Thomas Hastings, Stephen Montague and Phoebe Cooke.)

In 1897, a group of Honolulu businessmen (including Judge Alfred S Hartwell, Alfred W Carter, and AD McClellan) purchased 70,000 acres from the trustees of the Bishop Estate and leased another 30,000 acres from the Hawaiian government. Molokai Ranch was formed.

At that time, American Sugar Company began sugar cane production on the lands. Cooke became bookkeeper for the American Sugar and Molokai Ranch.

About 10-years later (December 1908,) the land was bought out by Cooke and his father; George Cooke took over the operation; George, Sophie and daughter Dora moved into the former manager’s house, composed of ‘three plantation houses put together’.

“The development of this property as a sugar cane plantation failed for the reason that the pumps, which had been installed in surface wells to irrigate the cane fields, were of such large capacity that they soon exhausted the sweet water, and pumped water with such a high salt content that it could not be used for cane culture.” (Cooke) The sugar plantation was abandoned.

“My father and I determined upon a policy to increase the revenue of Molokai Ranch and to improve its value. We planned to pay off the debt incurred when the sugar plantation failed; to develop water sources and extend pipe lines; …”

“… construct new buildings and a new camp; raise fodder; prevent overstocking by dividing the range into smaller pastures and increase the planting of trees in the forest area.” (Cooke)

“The first attempts at dry-land agriculture were made at the nine hundred foot elevation at Kualapuʻu. Here, Father CB Andrews of the Sandwich Islands Mission raised wheat and Irish potatoes to supply the miners of the California Gold Rush days. Here also, Kamehameha V had planned a sugar plantation. Our first attempts at agricultural experiments were in the same locality.” (Cooke)

“In keeping with our policy of development, an arrangement was made in 1909 with the U.S. Experiment Station in Honolulu to find crops suitable to our conditions. We were to supply the land, provide the labor and retain the crops. The Station was to furnish all seeds and planting material and report their findings of all crops obtained.” (Cooke)

Three types of corn were planted (they succumbed to the weevil;) three grains (they to cut worms;) three cottons (they to the boll-worm;) and three types of legumes (they to the aphis.)

“Alfalfa was grown there successfully for many years. Alfalfa hay made in our fields invariably was awarded first prize at many County of Maui Fairs and Territorial Fairs on Oahu because of its fine green color and its leaf-holding quality and length of stem. This hay received very favorable comments from the Judges.” (Cooke)

They raised cattle, planted sweet potato and wheat crops and produced honey. It became the second largest cattle ranch in Hawaiʻi and a major producer of beef.

In the early days, the focus was on raising beef cattle for market, plus horses and mules for use and for sale elsewhere. Over time, other ventures were tried, with varying degrees of success. Some of these included raising sheep for market, honey production, a small dairy, and various grains and row crops.

Cooke was a Representative from Maui to the Legislature, 1911 to 1913, and served Hawaiʻi as a Territorial Senator for 34-years (becoming President of the Senate.)

The Molokai Ranch was out of debt and on a paying basis. The Cookes moved to Honolulu to aid in war work (World War I) and to educate their children. They started Hanahauʻoli School (happy, joyous work) in 1918 for their six children and those of many of their friends (it started with 16-children from ages 6 to 11 years old.)

It was a small school, from kindergarten through sixth grade where all the children cooperated as in a large family; it’s in the same location on the corner of Nehoa and Makiki Streets.

Cooke was first in the movement to make the island of Molokai a source of food supply for Honolulu. He established a model dairy ranch at Mapulehu, Molokai, in 1920, and constructed the “Leleiona” and later the “Pualele,” motor propelled sampans, to make deliveries of crops and milk to Honolulu, proving beyond question his theory that such an undertaking was feasible.

He was also the first Executive Secretary of the Hawaiian Homes Commission, where he was empowered to execute the Act; he “initiated leases and regulations, prepared the lands for settlement, distributed domestic and irrigation water and helped to select the first homesteaders.” (Cooke)

He also encouraged research into water resource development and management, geological knowledge and the cataloguing of native and exotic plants, all with an eye to finding crops that would improve the economy of Molokai.

Cooke was manager of Molokai Ranch for 40 years; when he left, he took with him a reputation as an honest and fair businessman, and the respect of the Hawaiian cowboys with whom he worked from the saddle. (hicattle)

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Filed Under: Economy, General, Place Names, Prominent People Tagged With: Hanahauoli, George Paul Cooke, Hawaiian Homes Commission, Hawaii, Molokai Ranch

September 1, 2016 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Hanahauʻoli

George Paul Cooke (grandson of missionaries Amos Starr and Juliette Montague Cooke, son of Charles Montague Cooke and Anna Charlotte (Rice) Cooke) and his wife Sophie Boyd Judd (granddaughter of missionaries Gerrit Parmele Judd and Laura Fish Judd, daughter of Albert Francis Judd and Agnes Hall Judd) started Hanahauʻoli School.

Hanahauʻoli (happy, joyous work) was a dream realized for George and Sophie Cooke in 1918, for their six children and those of many of their friend (it started with 16 children from ages 6 to 11 years old.)

It was a small school, from kindergarten through sixth grade where all the children cooperated as in a large family; it’s in the same location on the corner of Nowewehi (now Nehoa) and Makiki street.

Two small buildings surrounded by a lawn dotted with kiawe trees, a jungle gym and working gardens were the backdrop for shop, art, French and music, in addition to the more ‘traditional’ subjects.

An old bronze hand bell is rung to start and end the day. (The first bell was bought in 1914 by Sophie and her mother in Florence, Italy. The bell was first used to call the Cooke children from their play at Molokai Ranch.)

There long-held traditions (events and ‘rituals,’) most from the earliest days of the school, that help to build a strong social foundation for children who learn what it means to plan and look forward to experiences that have held meaning for generations.

These include, Makahiki, a celebration of thanksgiving; the Holiday Program and tree cutting; the 6th grade odyssey that includes stepping stone making; oratories and Olympics; morning flag; the Head of School handshaking at the end of the day and the slipper toss.

Makahiki started in 1932; the children were studying ancient Hawaiians and making Kapas (that they wore for the first time at Makahiki.) In addition, there were games in the school courtyard.

The first stepping stone day was in 1926; shop teacher, Mrs AA Wilson initially used wood for the frames to make the Stepping Stone, but now they use Styrofoam – students carve their designs, representing their personal “enthusiasms” and memories.

Slipper toss, started in the 1990s, is held on the last day of school every year in the courtyard to wish everyone a good summer. (“In case someone has the same slipper as you and for safety we only throw one slipper.”)

Former Principal Mary Ray Pohl Kahanamoku began Birthday Books (“it’s a way to celebrate a child’s birthday and at the same time to give a book to the Hanahauʻoli Library. A student gets to choose a book, then they make a fancy bookplate and put it in the book.”)

The Childrens’ Fair started as Hanahauʻoli Festival (it began 1920s.) In the beginning, the children did all the work, children made all the crafts they sold at the fairs (the 1933 fair raised $21.80 for the school.) Now there are “rides and games and lots more things, we have crafts that children can make at the fair to take home.”

Tree cutting got started because children at Hanahauʻoli used to get their Christmas trees from the Territorial Nursery in Makiki Valley. Later, they planted a Norfolk pine tree by the courtyard and when it got big enough they cut it down but left part of the trunk so another tree can grow for another Christmas. (They soon began growing more trees for future supply.)

Oratories started in 1963. “They use to tell stories and poems now they only tell Greek myths. … 6th graders get to choose which myth they want to present. They present their myths in the music room and people come in small groups to watch them.”

Graduation started in 1920 at the pavilion (back in 1918, only two students would be graduating.) Graduates got orange and white crepe paper lei they had to make themselves; now they’re made of orange and white ribbon.

Still a small school for 208-children from Junior Kindergarten through 6th grade, children are now in multi-age classes that acknowledge individual growth and developmental readiness.

Small wood frame buildings that opened out to play areas are now state of the art classrooms with 21st century technology built in, yet they still open to outdoor work and play areas that honor Hawai`i climate and complement project-based programs.

The 2.5-acre campus has facilities including classrooms for JK and 6th grade and multiage classrooms with homegroup learning spaces for K/1, 2/3 and 4/5; classrooms for each of 5 specialty areas, a library containing 15,000-volumes, Gym, playing field with climbing structure and outdoor hard court surface area.

Similar to the early days, there is a low faculty-student ratio and the curriculum remains true to the belief that disciplines are not separate and that learning integrates school life with the home and world. And, the traditions, events and ‘rituals’ continue. (Lots of information here is from Hanahauʻoli, including quotes from former students.)

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Filed Under: Schools Tagged With: Hawaii, Oahu, Hanahauoli, George Paul Cooke

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People, places, and events in Hawaiʻi’s past come alive through text and media in “Images of Old Hawaiʻi.” These posts are informal historic summaries presented for personal, non-commercial, and educational purposes.

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