Evening Republican, Volume 23, Number 33, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 February 1920 — LEADS TO ODD RELATIONSHIP [ARTICLE]

LEADS TO ODD RELATIONSHIP

Hawaiian Custom of Adoption of Children Has Been the Cause of Amusing Complications. The very old custom of legal adop-’ tion in the Hawaiian islands, which originated when there were many tribes often at war with one another, was intended to bring peace among them. The cause has long since disappeared, but the custom still persists. When a child is “spoken for” by some relative or friend, the little baby, as soon as it can leave Its own mother, will be given to the foster mother, and will be regarded as a sacred trust. A Youth’s Companion contributor tells of one woman who was the mother of eight children, seven of whom had been adopted by friends. When she was asked why she gave them away, she replied sadly, “It Is a superstition. I know, but If they are ‘asked for’ and I refuse I fear some harm might come to them?' The poor soul let them go just because she loved them so much! The custom leads to very amusing complications. One of the native princesses now living has given her baby to her own mother. The little girl Is legally adopted, and therefore has become the grandmother’s daughter.