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LIGHT of the PACIFIC

HAWAII BAHÁ’Í NEWS PUBLISHED BY THE NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHÁ’ÍS OF THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS FOR CIRCULATION AMONG BAHÁ’ÍS ONLY

OCT.-1970 BAHÁ’Í YEAR 127 NO.58

LA PAZ -- The President of the Republic of Bolivia General Alfredo Ovando Candia receives "The Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh" from Amatu’l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum.

TWO CONFERENCES

LA PAZ, BOLIVIA -- CONTINENTAL CONFERENCE

The unique and glorious historic Continental Conference in La Paz, Bolivia, was blessed with the presence of Amatu’l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum, representative of the Universal House of Justice, with five members of the Continental Boards of Counsellors in South and Central America and one Counsellor from Europe. The 641 friends gathered for that occasion also included 12 Auxiliary Board members, 39 National Spiritual Assembly members and representatives of 19 countries including believers from the most northerly territory of Keewatin in the Northwest Territories, Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth McCulloch, who have pioneered for thirteen years among the Eskimos.

Informal receptions were held (cont. on p. 2) [Page 2]on the two nights preceding the Conference. During this time the South American Continental Board of Counsellors announced the appointment of three additional Auxiliary Board members: Miss Katherine Meyer for Protection in Chile; Mrs. Maralynn Dunbar for Propagation in Argentina; Mr. Jamshid Arjomandi for Propagation in Guyana, Surinam, French Guiana, Trinidad and Tobago, and in the Amazon, North Brazil. Two other Auxiliary Board members were appointed during the Conference: Sr. Emilio Ramon Moreira, for Propagation in Uruguay and the beloved native Indian friend, Sr. Rufino Gualavisi for Propagation in Ecuador.

A great Unity Feast took place on the night of August 13th. After prayers in many languages, Amatu’l-Bahá greeted the friends: "We must remember that tens of thousands of Bahá’ís are with us on this occasion."

That night an illuminated (kerosine-lit) sign flared across the range of mountains overlooking La Paz until midnight announcing to the inhabitants of the city in letters, each about five kilometers long, "CONFERENCE BAHÁ’Í."

During the Conference period National Spiritual Assembly members present met in consultation to formulate new plans, and gathered the following statistics of mass conversion victories: From August, 1969 to Ridvan, 1970, 7000 new believers were enrolled in South America and from Ridvan, 1970 to August, 1970 (3 months) there were 23,000 enrollments, thus the South American community has increased by more than 30,000 believers during this past year.

The Minister of Education extended a welcome to the Conference in the name of the President of the Republic and of the Bolivian Government. He said that the government of Bolivia has considered the Conference of great importance.

Public interest in the Conference was great and the Conference was a great Proclamation event throughout Bolivia, proclaimed on television and radio and by the press and attractive posters. 'El ‎Dario Diario‎,' the leading capital newspaper had a full-page article and follow-up stories. 'La Presencia,' which has a wide circulation, featured a half-page and other stories. There was a full hour's television program, as well as a televised program of the Minister of Education's visit with the Bahá’ís. Two radio stations interviewed the beloved Hand of the Cause, and the hall was filled for the public meeting where an estimated 200 people heard Ruhiyyih Khanum speak.

The Conference officially closed as Amatu’l-Bahá addressed the gathering with these words, "God bless you all...as you go forth to conquer South America."

On the day after the closing of the Continental Conference word was received through the Minister of Education that the President of the Republic would receive all the Bahá’ís in the Presidential Palace. About 350 believers, led by the beloved Hand of the Cause, met with the President for a televised interview.

MAURITIUS - INDIAN OCEAN CONFERENCE

Over 1,000 Bahá’ís attended the first Indian Ocean Conference. They were uplifted to new heights of dedication by the presence of three Hands of the Cause, Mr. William Sears, representative of the Universal House of Justice, Dr. Rahmatu’llah Muhajir and Mr. Jalal Khazeh.

At the airport there were signs and placards heralding the big event, and the atmosphere was festive. Newsreel pictures of the arrival of various parties including Hands of the Cause, nine members of the Continental Boards of Counsellors, ten Auxiliary Board members and 104 official delegates representing 20 countries appeared on Television before the Conference opened.

"The official reception held the night before the registration" said Mr. Sears, "was an unqualified success, surely unique of its kind... in the history of the Oceanic and Continental Conferences." Among the 250 guests present at the reception were the Prime Minister, every member of the Diplomatic Corps including the French Ambassador, four members of the Cabinet, two Mayors, also the UN Representative, the Head of the Peace Corps and leading businessmen in the Island. [Page 3]MAURITIUS -- Group photograph of the Continental Conference with Hands of the Cause Jalál Kházeh, William Sears and Raḥmatu’lláh Muhájir, left center.

The Saturday session was opened with an address by the Minister of Education of Mauritius. He had obviously studied the Bahá’í Writings very carefully and expressed his own ideal of education through the Words of the beloved Master.

The public meeting was attended by 1,500 people, including the Mayor of Rose Hill, the Host city, by other government figures, press, radio and television. The public Conference Hall was filled, and people stood in the corridors and outside the hall as Mr. Sears gave a light-hearted and most delightful introduction to the Faith.

One special evening was devoted to consultation on the needs of Deputization, and the Continental and Panama Temple Funds. A total of 350,000 Rupees (approximately $67,000 U.S.) was pledged or contributed.

The final day was devoted to the most important need, that of pioneers. Twenty-seven former and present pioneers to Africa were called to the stage. Indigenous African believers made a stirring appeal for as many as possible to arise to offer their assistance to the pioneers already assembled on the stage. The response was beyond all expectations. Two hundred and nineteen Bahá’ís, mostly young Mauritians, offered to pioneer in the African and Indian Ocean countries! Sixty of them are already in attendance at a two-month training school now in progress.

On that day, grateful friends held devotions at the newly-acquired Indian Ocean Temple site which nestles beneath one of the Island’s beautiful mountains and rests upon a 16-acre plateau overlooking the vast emerald Indian Ocean and the city of Port-Louis.

At sundown, Mr. Sears closed the session addressing an audience which was ablaze by the fire of love, eyes glittering with tears of joy and sadness, for the Conference had reached an apex, yielded its fruit and now the harvest was to begin.

(From reports by Hand of the Cause Mr. William Sears and by official reporters for the Indian Ocean Conference) [Page 4]Bahá’u’lláh stresses the need for purity, which in its ultimate spiritual meaning refers to purity of motive and detachment from self and the desires of the world. The heart of man must be pure that the love of God may manifest itself therein; it must be kindly that it may attract others to that love and it must be radiant that Divine Love may be transmitted to those who are attracted. “O Son of Spirit, My first counsel is this, possess a pure, kindly and radiant heart that thine may be a sovereignty ancient, imperishable and everlasting.”

A chaste and holy life must be made the controlling principle in the behavior and the conduct of all Bahá’ís both in their social relationships with the members of their community and in their conduct with the world at large. Bahá’u’lláh says that we must detach ourselves from material things and loose our soul from the prison of self. We must practice modesty, temperance, and be cleanminded ‎ard and‎ modest in our dress, language and amusements.

Cleanliness helps progress of man both physically and spiritually, and aids in the achievement of purity. Bahá’u’lláh says, “Be the essence of cleanliness among mankind, let no trace of uncleanliness appear on your clothes, immerse yourselves in pure water.” ‘Abdu’l-Bahá says, “External cleanliness although it is but a physical thing has great influence upon spirituality; the fact of having a pure and spotless body exercises an influence upon the spirit of man.”

Humility, reverence and courtesy are the lord of all virtues. We must overlook the faults of others and see their virtues. We are commanded on the other hand to find out our own faults and take no account of our virtues. “Secret of self-mastery is self forgetfulness.”

The outer self of man is only a temple and is the prison of the real man. The true inner self is latent within them. “O Son of Being, with the hands of power I made thee and with the fingers of strength I created thee, and within thee have I placed the essence of My light. Be thou content with it and seek naught else, for My work is perfect and My command is binding. Question it not, nor have a doubt thereof.”

How can we realize ourselves through meditation? The Bahá’í Faith has given meditation a high station. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá says, “Through the faculty of meditation man attains to eternal life. The spirit of life is itself informed and strengthened during meditation, through it he receives Divine inspiration and heavenly food. Meditation is the key for opening the doors of mysteries, it puts man in touch with God.”

However, meditation is not a substitute for action. Everyone must be engaged in some one occupation such as arts, trades and the like. Occupation is identical with the worship of God the True One. Work done in a spirit of service is equivalent to worship and is regarded as a form of prayer. Now work and progress depend on education. We must all have some form of spiritual and intellectual education that will benefit ourselves and others.

The importance of daily prayers must be stressed as it is conversing with God. Through prayer we commune with God and the spirit of Bahá’u’lláh. Prayer is our spiritual food, the food of the soul. It cleans the dust on the mirror of our soul, we attain spirituality. It is not sufficient to merely accept and observe the teachings, we must cultivate the sense of spirituality which is through prayer.

Fasting must also be stressed as it strengthens and purifies the soul. Observing the Bahá’í Holy Days and attending the Nineteen-Day Feast, and participating in the process of the Bahá’í administrative order are also of great importance. We the youth must now prepare ourselves for pioneering. Bahá’u’lláh says, “Such a service is indeed the prince of all goodly deeds and the ornament of every goodly act.” The virtue and benefit of voluntary giving is more fruitful than compulsory sharing. [Page 5]Bahá’u’lláh says, "O Children of Dust, to give and to be generous are attributes of Mine, well it is with him that adorneth himself with My virtues."

The purpose of all this is the distinction of being a Bahá’í. Our thoughts and acts should so distinguish us from our fellows as to not only arrest his attention but to have us seem a different kind of person. The mind and soul of a Bahá’í has been dedicated to the service of his fellow men through the instrumentality of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh.

Rúhíyyih Khanum in her letter to youth says, "We can picture the relation of the Bahá’ís to the rest of the world as that of a new continent rising out of the sea. The human beings upon this new land possess traits of character, customs, and systems entirely different from those of the inhabitants of the old five continents of our earth. These people live in a truly new world ... as Bahá’ís we feel ourselves to be integral parts of something which the people of the world do not possess as yet. Our function is to be consciously different from those who surround us."

But now we ask ourselves, how can I as a Bahá’í youth attain all these goals? The answer is FAITH. Nothing is more essential for success in life than faith, faith in God and His teachings. We must follow the Divine Plan of Bahá’u’lláh and study the messages from the Universal House of Justice as they are of great importance to us today. Now we must take one step further and deepen in the Cause. This means to read the Writings so thoroughly as to be able to give them to others in their pure form. There is no limit to the study of the Cause. The more we read the Writings the more truth we find in them, the more we will see that our previous notions were erroneous. Bahá’ís must deepen in the Writings so they can redefine social, political, economic and personal issues. Intensive study is recommended to all the Bahá’í youth.

The youth must follow the three fields of service defined by the Universal House of Justice in its Letter to the Youth of Every Land:

(Concluded on p. 8)

GROUP OF BAHÁ’ÍS AT COMMEMORATION

MARTHA ROOT

On Sunday, September 27, a memorial service, commemorating the passing of Hand of the Cause Miss Martha Root, was held at her grave in Nuuanu. Prayers were read by children of the Sunday classes who attended with their parents.

An excerpt from God Passes By was also read. Shoghi Effendi devoted eight pages in this publication to Miss Root.

GRAVESTONE OF HAND OF THE CAUSE MISS MARTHA ROOT, IN NUUANU VALLEY, HONOLULU. [Page 6]

INFORMATION FOR PROSPECTIVE PIONEERS TO HANA, MAUI

Hana is located on the eastern coast of Maui, the second largest of the Hawaiian Islands. It is a 2½ hour drive over a narrow winding road from the urban center of the island, making Hana a relatively isolated community.

It is a lush, tropical seacoast village. Summers are hot (average temperatures 85-90 degrees) and winters are cool and very wet (average temperatures 70-75 degrees--nights much cooler.)

The residents are mainly Hawaiians who work for Hana Ranch, a large cattle ranch, or Hana Hotel, an expensive resort.

The Hawaiians speak 'pidgin' English, actually a substandard English dialect containing many Hawaiian words.

There are no Bahá’ís in the area at the present time, although there are local assemblies in the other populated areas of the island.

Hana living is definitely more expensive than the mainland, and even somewhat more expensive than Oahu. Rent is high, $150 to $200, and housing is very difficult to find. Food is expensive, with the exception of meat, which is available through the ranch store. Wages are lower than those on the mainland.

Very few positions are available, except perhaps ranch work or a teaching position in the school for those with teaching certificates. (Apply to Maui District Office of the Department of Education, Hawaii.) Other possibilities include Hasegawa's General Store, and construction work.

NOTE: Pioneers to the Gilbert & Ellice Islands will need approximately $100.00 U.S. per month for living expenses. If you cannot pioneer yourself, how about sponsoring someone else?

HAWAII'S PIONEERS AT THEIR POSTS - WRITE TO THEM!!

Ron and Jan Pratt, 112 Blenheim Road, Christchurch, New Zealand.

Craig and Pam Quick, 2-1, 6 chome, Shimo-Meguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, Japan.

Dale Eng, c/o Silliman University, Dumaguete City, Oriental Negros, Philippine Islands.

Gil Ayala, c/o 1070-A Roxas St., Singalong Subdivision, Manila, P.I.

Pat and Georgiana Moul, c/o P.O. Box 517, Pago Pago, American Samoa, 96920

---

LE LOC VISITS

Mr. Le Loc, chairman of the NSA of Vietnam, spoke at a public meeting held at Kahului Library on October 3rd. His talk, "Bahá’u’lláh’s Healing Message for the World," was attended by approximately 70 people, including the largest number of seekers ever to be present at a public meeting on Maui.

The Message was presented with great love and understanding, and evoked such interest that most of those who attended sought out Bahá’í firesides to gain further knowledge of the Faith.

The occasion, and Mr. Le Loc's inspiring presence, will long be remembered by the Maui friends.

SUPPORT YOUR NATIONAL FUND

Contributions received during period of September 21 to October 20: Local Assemblies - 15 Groups - 1 Individuals - 7

TREASURER'S ADDRESS

Mr. Ben Ayala, Treasurer, 92-568 Palailai Street, Makakilo, Oahu, Hawaii. 96706 [Page 7]

THE BRUSSES ON WORLD TOUR

"Alláh’u’Abhá! We send love from the Bahá’ís of Samoa, Fiji, New Zealand and Australia. The trip has been absolutely wonderful and far beyond our capacity to describe. To see this great order of Bahá’u’lláh really working in such a sick world is truly a bounty. Our slide presentation has been very well received as a fresh approach to teaching the Message. The boys...are loving the bounty of meeting so many Bahá’í children of diverse backgrounds. We’ve been teaching day and night for 2½ months with five days off!"

ALOHA

Mr. and Mrs. Russell Coover and son have returned from the East Coast and are again members of the Waialua Community.

CHEERS!

Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Schuster have arrived on Molokai, replacing the Cortezes who recently returned to the mainland. We are very happy to have this new LSA re-assured by such sturdy supporters as the Schusters.

NEWS FROM TAHITI

A copy of a letter to the Universal House of Justice from Alice and Bernard Sailhac reports their arrival in Tahiti. They are settling into their new home and are enthusiastic about their new location. En route to their pioneer post they stopped in Samoa where they were entertained by Mr. and Mrs. Suhayl Alá’í and Mr. and Mrs. Kavas and their children.

Until their arrival, there was only one Bahá’í in Tahiti.

NOTE: In any article submitted to "Light of the Pacific," containing quoted material, please include a footnote indicating the source.

Editor muses: When I have a problem that seems insurmountable, I pray it down small enough to step over.

NORTH ATLANTIC OCEANIC CONFERENCE

This Oceanic Conference, called by the Universal House of Justice, will be held in the capital city of Reykjavik, Iceland, September 2 to 5, 1971. The Conference arrangements personnel are anxious to know how many people plan to attend. If you are considering attendance at this Oceanic Conference, please inform the NSA of Canada, 7290 Leslie Street, Willowdale, Ontario, Canada.

ROTARY CLUB TALK

Dr. Claude Caver addressed the Maui County Rotary Club at their invitation on October 7. The 50 or more men present were all prominent business and civic leaders.

Dr. Caver used the illustrative chart on "Progressive Revelation" and handed out pamphlets on "One Universal Faith" and "Basic Facts on the Bahá’í Faith." He reports the group was impressed by the pertinence of the Faith to today’s problems, and its reverence for and confirmation of the validity of the other religions of the world.

CANADIAN BAHÁ’Í NEWS

A 1-year subscription to the Canadian Bahá’í News is available by sending $4.00 to the Bahá’í News Committee, 7290 Leslie Street, Willowdale, Ontario, Canada.

WEDDING

Miss Marlene Murray was married to Andre E. Ajimine on August 8 in a Bahá’í ceremony performed by the Koolaupoko LSA. The couple is now in Wahiawa Community.

MAUI FAIR BOOTH

The Bahá’í booth at the 4-day Maui County Fair, held October 15 through 18, proved to be a successful proclamation event. Bahá’ís from all communities on Maui participated and answers to the many questions about the Bahá’í Faith were given by the friends serving in the booth. Pamphlets were distributed also. [Page 8]“First, the foundation of all their other accomplishments is their study of the teachings, the spiritualization of their lives and the forming of their characters in accordance with the standards of Bahá’u’lláh. The second field of service, which is linked intimately with the first, is teaching the Faith, particularly to their fellow - youth, among whom are some of the most open seeking minds in the world.... The third field of service is the preparation by the youth for their later years.”

“Let it, therefore, never be imagined that youth must wait their years of maturity before they can render invaluable service to the Cause of God.”

So let us, O Youth, hold hands and as the army of Bahá’u’lláh, walk in His Path today.

--- Elahe Vahdat

COMING EVENTS

Nov. 6,7,8 - NSA Convenes Nov. 12 - Birth of Bahá’u’lláh Nov. 23 - FEAST of Qawl (Speech) Nov. 26 - Day of the Covenant Nov. 28 - Ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá

DIRECTORY CHANGES -

National Proclamation Committee - Appointed: Stephanie and Duane Troxel

National Library Committee - Appointed: Mrs. Jean Salazar, Mrs. Debbie Bond

Consolidation & Deepening Committee - Appointed: Margo Wakeland, Duane Troxel

National Youth Committee - Appointed: Mia McCarter

Maui Goals & Teaching Committee - Appointed: Chris DeLance, Mrs. Ann Marie Brown

NEW TABLET

“Addressing the nations, the Ancient Beauty ordaineth that in every city in the world a house be established in the name of justice wherein shall gather pure and steadfast souls to the number of the Most Great Name (9). At this meeting they should feel as if they were entering the presence of God, inasmuch as this binding command hath flowed from the Pen of Him who is the Ancient of Days. The glances of God are directed towards this Assembly.”

(Tablet of Bahá’u’lláh, newly translated and released by the Universal House of Justice, Aug. 11, 1970)

ATTENTION!!

For the information of friends, and contacts for the neighbor islands:

Hawaii:	- Mrs. Ruth Musacchia Phone 935-0310 (Hilo)
Hawaii:	- Mrs. Nedra Murray Phone 775-0131 (Honokaa-Hamakua)
Kauai:	- Mrs. Serrita Herbert Phone 245-6516 (Lihue)
Maui:	- Mrs. Daisy Sabin Phone 877-6001 (Kahului-Wailuku)
Maui:	- Mrs. Eve Geary Phone 878-1957
Molokai:	- Mrs. Betty Schuster Phone 553-5283 (Kaunakakai)

HAWAII BAHÁ’Í NEWS (The Light of the Pacific) is published for circulation among Bahá’ís only by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Hawaiian Islands, as a news organ reporting current activities of the Hawaiian, Marshall, Caroline and Mariana Islands Bahá’í communities. HAWAII BAHÁ’Í NEWS is edited by an annually-appointed Editorial Committee: Shirley Lombard, Director; Lil Hollinger; Gertrude Garrida, Reviewer and Proofreader. SUBSCRIPTIONS FOR “The Light of the Pacific” are $2.00 each per year to anyone outside the jurisdiction of the Hawaiian Islands. Send your money and your mailing address to: The Light of the Pacific, c/o 3264 Allan Place, Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.A. 96817