Light of the Pacific/Issue 1/Text
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HAWAII BAHÁ’Í NEWS
THE LIGHT OF THE PACIFIC[edit]
No. 1 BAHÁ’Í YEAR 121 AUGUST 1964
RECOGNITION STATUS ACHIEVED HAWAIIAN BAHÁ’Í COMMUNITY CALL FORMATION RIDVAN 1964 NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY HAWAIIAN ISLANDS SEAT HONOLULU STOP NINETEEN DELEGATES TO BE ELECTED BY MEMBERS COMMUNITIES EXISTING-ASSEMBLY AREAS REQUEST YOUR ASSEMBLY ALLOCATE ARRANGE ELECTION DELEGATES CALL SEND YOUR REPRESENTATIVE CONVENE FIRST HISTORIC CONVENTION STOP SHARE MESSAGE FRIENDS HAWAII ASSURE PRAYERS HOLY SHRINES SUCCESS NEW PILLAR UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE VAST PACIFIC AREA. LOVING GREETINGS.
(Signed) UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE
THE NEWLY ELECTED NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHÁ’ÍS OF THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS
Back row, left to right, Jim Wada, Honolulu, Dr. Claude Caver, Honolulu, Kaneohe, Jacques Smith, Honolulu, Michael Woodward, Honolulu. Front Evelyn Musacchia, Hilo, Lei Chapman, Kaneohe, Elena Marsella, Kailua, Gertrude Garrida, Honolulu.
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MESSAGE FROM THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE TO THE BAHÁ’ÍS OF THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS[edit]
Bahá’í World Center Haifa, Israel April, 1964
Dearly loved Friends,
It is with special joy that we greet the newly formed National Spiritual Assembly of Bahá’ís of the Hawaiian Islands. Immensely blessed by being the resting-place of the unique and saintly Martha Root; highly honored as the birthplace of yet another Hand of the Cause of God who was among the earliest believers to respond to the call of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and, with sublime faith, carried the Message to the nations of the Far East; enriched by a population drawn from many different races; favoured by material well-being; and boasting a united and vigorous Bahá’í Community, these Islands are surely destined to play a prominent role in the awakening of the entire Pacific area. Now, as the Bahá’í world embarks on its second globe-encircling enterprise, we call upon you to:
Raise the number of Local Spiritual Assemblies to nine;
Incorporate the National Spiritual Assembly;
Consolidate, assisted by the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States, Marshall Islands, by establishing at least one group there; Caroline and Mariana Islands, by raising the number of localities where Bahá’ís reside there to give, including three local Spiritual Assemblies, in each group of Islands;
Acquire a national Hazíratu’l-Quds in Honolulu, by converting the local Hazíratu’l-Quds if feasible;
Establish a National Endowment;
Acquire a site for the future Temple, in or near Honolulu;
Contact and teach as many people of different ethnic and minority groups as possible, including Caucasian, Chinese, Filipinos, Hawaiian, and Japanese;
Obtain from the civil authorities recognition of Bahá’í Holy Days;
Assist the National Spiritual Assembly of the Philippine Islands in printing literature in Tagalog and Ilocano.
May the Almighty abundantly confirm your self-sacrificing efforts in His service.
THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE
ELECTION OF N.S.A. HIGHLIGHTS FIRST ANNUAL CONVENTION OF THE BAHÁ’ÍS OF THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS[edit]
In October of 1963, a cable was received from the Universal House of Justice. (See Page 1)
Plans were immediately initiated for the formation of the first N.S.A. of the Hawaiian Islands.
As a prelude to the National Convention, a gala public meeting was held at the Princess Kaiulani Hotel. The introductions were made by Miss Evelyn Mussacchia of Hilo, Governor John A. Burns gave the opening address the meeting, which also honored Miss Agnes Alexander, Hand of the Cause and first Hawaiian Bahá’í. Governor Burns statement that, "An important goal of your organization - - world peace - - is certainly an ideal with which no sane person can quarrel."
Mrs. Velma Sherrill, who was a member of the N.S.A. of the United States and is now an Auxiliary Board Member, was the main speaker. The subject for her talk, "Foundations of World Unity," was enthusiastically received.
The Honolulu Bahá’í Mid-Pacific Center was the site of the Convention. Early on Saturday morning, April 25, the delegates and friends began to gather from the Islands of Hawaii, Kauai, Maui, Molokai, and Oahu. The moving devotional period set the mood of love and unity that pervaded the two-day conclave. Presiding over the initial phase of the meeting was Mrs. Sherrill, who with a sure and loving hand guided the deliberations. Her first acts were to read a letter of authorization and instructions from the Mother Assembly in Wilmette and an inspirational greeting from the Hands of the Cause in the Western Hemisphere. Beloved
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Hand, Agnes Alexander, was then presented and spoke of her introduction to the Faith and of how the Word of God had found its way to Hawaii so long ago. In all humility she said, “God uses those who are nothing - - if you are anything, He cannot use you.”
Mr. Patrick Moul of the National Assembly of Alaska personally brought the greetings of that sister community.
The 19 delegates to the election of the First National Spiritual Assembly of the Hawaiian Islands. Second from left, first row, is Mrs Velma Sherrill, Auxiliary Board member representing the N. S. A. of the United States. At her right is Miss Agnes Alexander, Hand of the Cause, from Japan.
The business of the roll call and election of convention officers done, the moment finally arrived when the Messages from the Universal House of Justice were read, delineating the Nine - Year Plan for the Baha’i World and the specific plan for the Hawaiian Islands.
Stirring talks on the spiritual foundations of the National Assembly, its functions and responsibilities and the institution of the Baha’i Fund were heard and discussed. The first day of the convention, with its fruitful and enthusiastic consultation, centered on the newly assigned goals, drew to a close as the friends moved from the Center to the resting place of Martha Root - - ‘Leading Ambassadress of His Faith and Pride of Baha’i teachers’-- to read prayers.
Inextricably woven into the fabric of each national convention is the celebration of the Ridvan Feast. The commemoration of this holy period took place on Saturday night, April 25. Baha’is and their friends, numbering some 150, heard of the significance of the occasion and had audibly demonstrated to them the oneness of the religions and peoples of the world through reading from many Holy Books. Prayers were read, and the taped messages from believers from four continents brought loving greetings. Miss Alexander and Mrs. Sherrill added further words about the Faith’s power and the importance of the World Center.
On Sunday morning the 19 delegates cast their ballots for the first National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of the Hawaiian Islands.
The thrilling announcement of the election of the first National Assembly of the Hawaiian Islands brought tears of joy and humility to the eyes of the entire assemblage. Deeply touched was Miss Henriette From, one whose tireless efforts for the Cause since its earliest days in Hawaii, made her a staunch and loving pillar of the Faith.
SHOWN ABOVE IS MAURY WILLOWS AND BELOVED HAND OF THE CAUSE, AGNES ALEXANDER.
“Whosoever ariseth among you to teach the Cause of his Lord, let him, before all else, teach his own self, that his speech may attract the hearts of them that hear him.”
Gleanings, p. 277.
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HISTORY OF THE FAITH IN THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS[edit]
The Bahá’í Faith was first brought to Hawaii in 1902. Some of the early believers were: Agnes Alexander, Elizabeth Muther, Clarence Smith, Helen Goodall, Harriet Laughlin and the first declared Honolulu believer of Japanese descent, Kawachi Yamoto.
The Faith grew slowly those first years with the addition of Katherine Baldwin of Maui and the continuing stream of visitors who came to promote and strengthen it. The first messages to the Island of Maui were in 1902, where the earliest believers included May Fantom, Mary Clarke, Alice Cameron, Sila Smith, and Anni Hanson. Dr. and Mrs. Jacob Augur arrived in Honolulu in 1906. Dr. Augur was one of the Disciples of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Abby Francis Johnson, daughter of a minister declared herself and later Ella Louise Rowland. Soon Bahá’í travellers were carrying the Message from Honolulu to Japan.
The first public lecture held in Honolulu was on September 9, 1909, at the Alexander Young Hotel. In April 1910, the first business meeting was held by believers. In January 1911, regular evening teaching meetings were inaugurated.
In 1911, the first newspaper publicity concerning the Faith appeared in the Advertiser. In March 1912, Elizabeth Muther left to attend the Bahá’í Temple Convention in Chicago.
During these formative years, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá wrote many tablets of love and encouragement to the Honolulu believers. In one he expressed the vision of the growth of the Faith in Hawaii as, "smouldering like banked coals for many years and suddenly spreading with the rapidity of a brush fire."
The first letter to the Hawaiian Bahá’ís from Shoghi Effendi was dated January 16, 1924. New growth began to come to the community from other areas in 1925. The first Bahá’í Children’s class was started in September of 1927.
The first Bahá’í message was taken to the Island of Hawaii in 1924 by Agnes Alexander. From 1924-1926, Kauai received several visits the Honolulu Bahá’ís for special lectures and meetings.
State Convention held at Honolulu Waikiki Center, December, 1956.
A group of early Bahá’ís. Three of these are still members of the Honolulu Community. At the extreme left, Miss Henriette From, next is Mrs. Laura Marques. Third from the right is Miss Catharine Nourse.
(HISTORY CONT’D)[edit]
Mrs. Baldwin’s cottage was used from 1927 as the Bahá’í meeting place in Honolulu, and her home on Maui was the meeting place for Bahá’ís until her passing. The first Bahá’í Feast was held on Maui at the home of Mrs. Fred Baldwin on April 24, 1924. The first Spiritual Assembly meeting was held at Mrs. Baldwin’s home on September 6, 1928, and the group was reorganized on April 21, 1935.
In 1939, Mrs. Annie Crockett was the first delegate to the National Convention from Maui. In 1939, Martha Root passed away in Honolulu while on a world teaching tour, and her resting
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place in Nuuanu has become a noted point of interest and loving memory for local and visiting believers.
Elizabeth Muther ascended in 1940 and is buried beside Martha Root.
In 1940, due to the generosity of Mr. & Mrs. J. B. Freitas and Mr. & Mrs. J. D. Marques, a beautiful site for the first Bahá’í Center in Honolulu was obtained in the Waikiki area on McCully Street. Ground was broken for the building on June 11, 1941. The building was dedicated in October, 1941.
Since 1941, the Faith in Honolulu has grown considerably. The property in Waikiki was sold, as the community had outgrown both the old and a new classroom building. The present building on Allan Place was purchased in July, 1960. In spite of the greatly increased size of the new location, the community was rapidly growing beyond its capacity, when word came to divide the community into new assemblies. Presently there are assemblies in Koolau poko, Wahiawa, Waianae, Ewa, Honolulu, Kauai and Hawaii.
The Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds has been transferred to the first N. S. A. of the Hawaiian Islands, (formed in 1964) and the outlying communities are working toward the establishment of their own centers.
Resting place of beloved Hand of the Cause, Martha Root, in Nuuanu Valley, Honolulu.
TREASURER’S REPORT[edit]
The treasurer of the N. S. A. has been instructed to advise the Friends on proper methods of contributing to the Faith.
We are all aware of the thrilling goals assigned to us by the Universal House of Justice in the Nine-Year plan, and each of us should be determined to do his utmost to participate and take advantage of this wonderful spiritual opportunity. Our efforts to accomplish this should be organized and well directed to obtain the maximum results from our sacrifices. As a guidance to this end, the N. S. A. has decided to set up goal budgets and estimates as soon as sufficient information and recommendations have been received from the national committees. Until these can be published, it is best to follow the procedures set forth below. It must be emphasized that Hawaii should first consider increasing its own numbers through teaching as the best way of becoming able to attain the goals of assisting other National Assemblies.
There are definite Bahá’í Funds established to which all Bahá’ís are privileged to send contributions directly. They may also be sent through the local and national Assemblies merely by specifying that a part of one’s contribution to the local or national Assembly be sent to the established Funds. If your local assembly has a definite policy to send a certain amount or percentage of its receipts to these Funds you may assume that you are supporting or contributing to those Funds. If not, you may wish to specify some of your contributions for these purposes or you may send them directly. Your local assembly may also permit specified contributions to its local funds such as library, teaching, cemetery, building funds, etc. in making contributions, it is important to use the correct names and address as follows:
1. Local Fund - use the name chosen by your LSA such as “Ewa Bahá’í Spiritual Assembly,” “Molokai Bahá’í Fund,” etc. and give or send to the treasurer. Each LSA should send a portion of its receipts to the National, International, and Continental Funds but individuals should also send gifts directly to these Funds.
“Arise in His name, put your trust wholly in Him, and be assured of ultimate victory.”--Báb’s Address to the Letters of the Living.
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2. National Fund - use the name "Hawaii National Bahá’í Fund." Send to C. V. Caver, M. D., 232 Merchant Street, Honolulu, Hawaii.
3. Continental Fund for the Western Hemisphere - use the name "Continental Bahá’í Fund." Send to Mr. Zikrullah Khadem, trustee, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois.
4. International Fund - Each believer is privileged to send a contribution directly to the support of the World Center and will receive a note of thanks signed by the Universal House of Justice. Use the name, "Bahá’í International Fund," and send to: The Universal House of Justice, Bahá’í World Center, P. O. Box 155, Haifa, Israel. Regular bank checks only should be sent. No money orders, traveler’s checks, or currency can be accepted due to banking regulations.
5. Other established Funds - send to C. V. Caver, M. D.
a. Hawaii Bahá’í Temple Fund - make check to Hawaii National Bahá’í Fund and specify it for the Hawaii Temple.
b. Bahá’í Dawnbreaker Fund - make check to Hawaii National Bahá’í Fund and specify it for the Dawnbreaker.
c. Pioneer Fund - if you wish to send money to any Bahá’í Pioneers, make the check to Hawaii National Bahá’í Fund and specify it for the particular Pioneer.
Shoghi Effendi, in Bahá’í Administration, page 53, stresses the importance of the Bahá’í Fund in this way: "With regard to the Bahá’í Fund, recently established amongst the friends, I trust that the matter now stands clear to every one throughout the country. As I have previously intimated, although individuals, as well as local Assemblies, are absolutely free to specify the object and purpose of their donations to the National Spiritual Assembly, yet in my opinion, I regard it of the utmost vital importance that individuals, as well as local Assemblies, throughout the land should, in view of the paramount importance of National Teaching and as an evidence of their national representative, endeavor, however small at first, to contribute freely towards the upkeep and the increase of the National Bahá’í Fund, so that the members of the National Assembly may at their first discretion expend it for whatever they deem urgent and necessary."
In its message to the Bahá’í World, dated December 18, 1963, the Universal House of Justice said: "The continual expansion of Bahá’í communities makes it more and more necessary for every believer to ponder carefully his responsibilities and contribute as much and as regularly as he can. Contributing to the Fund is a service that every believer can render, be he poor or wealthy; for this is a spiritual responsibility in which the amount given is not important. It is the degree of the sacrifice of the giver, the love with which he makes his gift, and the unity of all the friends in this service which bring spiritual confirmations."
We have been given a glorious role to play in the greatest epoch in the history of mankind. Let us prove worthy of our trust.
National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the Hawaiian Islands
CONGRATULATORY MESSAGES RECEIVED FROM THE BAHÁ’Í WORLD[edit]
The Bahá’ís of Hawaii wish to extend their deep and loving gratitude for the spirit conveyed through the messages from Bahá’í World, which imparted to the convention the feeling that the foundation of this Pillar to the Universal House of Justice rests in the hearts of every Bahá’í.
MARRIAGES[edit]
Stephanie E. Mugford to Duane K. Troxel, May 29, 1964.
Bonita Marie Heaton to Darrell Wesley Anderson, June 15, 1964.
Barbara Ann Sandoval to David Raymond Shirley, June 16, 1964.
Carol L. Esser to Richard John Harr, June 27, 1964.
Eve Hiller Geary to Jeari L. W. Geary, June 27, 1964.
Susan Jean Sawyer to Andrew Brown Hilton, July 18, 1964.
Bonnie Adele Heaton to Frank Speakman Talley, July 19, 1964.
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Local Spiritual Assembly of Koolaupoko, (Windward, Oahu). Left to right: Dudley Blakeley, Howard Orr, Judy Blakeley, Don Stevens, Elsie Umetsu, Hugh Chapman, Elena Marsella, Max Eccles, Paul Umetsu.
Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of South Hilo. Standing: Mrs. Arla Schreiber, Mrs. Lorrol Jackson, Ernest Pauline, Mrs. Evelyn Dasalla, Mrs. LaVerne Pauline. Seated: David Schreiber, Mrs. Nedra Murray, Miss Evelyn Musacchia, John Murray.
Local Spiritual Assembly of Honolulu. Back row, left to right: Gertrude Garrida, Lois Willows, Paul Thiele, Eve Geary, Elizabeth Hollinger. Front row, left to right: Dr. Claude Caver, Maurice Willows, James Wada, Michael Woodward.
Local Spiritual Assembly of Wahiawa, Oahu. Back row, left to right: Carmine Maceri, Philipo Kahuhu, Gordon Schuster, Richard Spray, Larry Watts. Front row, left to right: William Tift, Betty Schuster, Craig Quick, Gunnar Luth.
Local Spiritual Assembly of Waianae, Oahu. Back row, left to right: John Knaus, Floyd Loving, Gladys Johnson, Roy Johnson, Frank Kleinschmidt, Angela Russell, Dorothy Kleinschmidt, Ray Russell.
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YOUTH SEMINAR[edit]
On July 28th, the Aiea State Park was the site of a Youth Teaching Seminar. The function was sponsored by the Bahá’í Community of Ewa and its theme was "The Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá," and "The Institutions of the Faith."
The group met next to a Neiau (ancient Hawaiian healing ground). The natural beauty of the park provided a perfect setting for the inspirational Teachings presented through the course of the day.
Through Dr. Bagdadi to Miss Frances Johnson and the Assembly of the friends, Honolulu, Hawaii.
"He is God. O ye sons and daughters of the Kingdom! Verily I extend the hand in prayer and I thank God for the effulgence of the light of guidance in those hearts, which are overflowing with the love of God. Verily I hope from the favor of El Bahá to make those souls illumined torches and brilliant stars in the horizon of the love of God, in order that those Islands may become enlightened from the Sun of Truth and the banner of Yá Bahá el Abhâ - may be waving therein, and the tumult of Yá ‘Alí el A’lá (O thou supreme of the Most Supreme) may rise above the clouds of heaven.
'God confirmeth whomsoever He wisheth.' 'Verily He is the Omnipotent.'"
(signed) ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ‘Abbás.
Translated by Dr. Zia Bagdadi, September 9 1913, Chicago, Illinois.
WINDWARD SUMMER SEMINAR[edit]
A two-day seminar was held on July 11 and 12 at Atherton Hall, Kokakahi YWCA. Morning and afternoon classes were held on both days, with special classes for children. Dr. Robert Wolfe held the first session on the Covenant.
The second was a two-phase event, the first part was on the Will and Testament, a discussion led by Maurice and Lois Willows; the second a showing of slides of the Bahá’í House of Worship by Elena Marsella.
On Sunday morning Bahá’í Administration was discussed by Michael Woodward, and the special aspects of Bahá’í Administration in the Hawaii area by Dr. Claude Caver in the afternoon.
Children's classes were instructed by Elsie Umetsu and Duane and Stephanie Troxel. About fifty Bahá’ís and non-Bahá’ís attended this seminar with all Bahá’í communities being represented.
Words spoken by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to Miss Elizabeth Muther of Honolulu, in Chicago - March 1912
"From afar! From afar! I entertain the greatest love for them (the Honolulu friends), because they are so far away, but yet they have promulgated the Word of God there.
They have heard it from afar, therefore I am attached to them and bear my greetings to all of them."
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