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[Page 1]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

JAN.-1971 BAHÁ’Í YEAR 127 NO.61

MISS AGNES BALDWIN ALEXANDER

Miss Agnes Baldwin Alexander was interred in the family crypt in the grounds of Hawaii’s famous Kawaiahao Church on the afternoon of the 8th January.

Miss Alexander is the grand-daughter of two of Hawaii’s illustrious missionary families: Rev. and Mrs. William Patterson Alexander, who arrived with the fifth company of missionaries from New Bedford, Mass., in 1832.

After a youth spent close to the Christian missionaries and their teachings, Miss Alexander, who is quoted as saying: "... I always felt that something was lacking..." became a member of the Bahá’í Faith while on a trip to Europe in 1900.

In her "Personal Recollections of a Bahá’í Life," she tells of her discovery of the Faith while in Rome, and how she asked Mrs. Charlotte Dixon why she and her friends radiated such happiness. It was through the kindness and understanding of Mrs. Dixon that Miss Alexander came to the sudden realization that her long search for reality was at an end. As she wrote: "The world had suddenly become a new world and I was re-born."

Agnes Alexander labored in the Cause of God for 70 years, 54 of which were spent as a pioneer living the life and teaching the Faith in Japan and Asia. She last returned to Honolulu from Japan in 1967, and lived at the Arcadia Retirement Residence. Many of us here and Bahá’ís from many parts of the world are privileged to have visited with her these past months, gaining knowledge and insight from her, regarding the Cause of God for this day.

The Guardian appointed Miss Alexander a Hand of the Cause of God in March, 1957. The following prayer revealed by Bahá’u’lláh is for the Hands of the Cause of God, and is our final tribute for Miss Agnes Baldwin Alexander.

"Light and glory, greetings and praise be upon the Hands of His Cause, through whom the light of long-suffering hath shown forth, and the declaration of authority is proven of God, the powerful, the mighty, the independent; and through whom the sea of bestowal

(cont. on p. 2) [Page 2]hath moved, and the breeze of the favor of God, the Lord of mankind hath wafted. We beg of Him--Exalted is He--to protect them through His hosts, to guard them by His dominion, and to assist them by His power which hath conquered all things. The dominion belongs to God, the maker of Heaven, and the King of the Kingdom of Names! (Bahá’u’lláh)

The following cables have been received:

PROFOUNDLY GRIEVE PASSING ILLUMINED SOUL HAND CAUSE AGNES ALEXANDER LONGSTANDING PILLAR CAUSE FAR EAST FIRST BRING FAITH HAWAIIAN ISLANDS STOP HER LONG DEDICATED EXEMPLARY LIFE SERVICE DEVOTION CAUSE GOD ANTICIPATED BY CENTRE COVENANT SELECTING HER SHARE MAY MAXWELL IMPERISHABLE HONOUR MENTION TABLETS DIVINE PLAN STOP HER UNRESTRAINED UNCEASING PURSUIT TEACHING ‎OBEDIANCE OBEDIENCE‎ COMMAND ‎BAUHAULLAH BAHAULLAH‎ EXHORTATIONS MASTER GUIDANCE BELOVED GUARDIAN SHINING EXAMPLE ALL FOLLOWERS FAITH STOP HER PASSING SEVERS ONE MORE LINK HEROIC AGE STOP ASSURE FAMILY FRIENDS ARDENT PRAYERS HOLIEST SHRINE PROGRESS RADIANT SOUL REQUEST ALL NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLIES HOLD MEMORIAL MEETINGS AND THOSE RESPONSIBLE HOLD SERVICES MOTHER TEMPLES

(S) UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

DEEPLY GRIEVED PASSING BELOVED HAND CAUSE AGNES ALEXANDER DISTINGUISHED PIONEER FIRST BELIEVER PACIFIC AREA HER EXEMPLARY PERSEVERANCE PIONEERING POST INSPIRATION FUTURE GENERATIONS ARISE PROPAGATE CAUSE THROUGHOUT VAST OCEAN STOP HEART AND SOUL JOIN FRIENDS PRAYERS COMMEMORATING LOSS OUTSTANDING SERVANT FAITH

(S) HANDSFAITH (Holy Land)

DEEPLY SADDENED NEWS PASSING ABHA KINGDOM MUCH LOVED HAND CAUSE AGNES ALEXANDER HAVE REQUESTED AUXILIARY BOARD MEMBER CLAUDE CAVER REPRESENT CONTINENTAL BOARD COUNSELLORS FUNERAL AND MEMORIAL SERVICES

(S) SUHAYL ALA’I

GRIEVED PASSING BELOVED UNFORGETTABLE HAND CAUSE AGNES ALEXANDER SHINING LIGHT OF WHOSE LIFE WAS UNTIRING DEVOTION THAT EARNED HER GREATLY PRIZED POSITION AMONG VANGUARD STALWART EXECUTORS DIVINE PLAN ABDULBAHA HER BRILLIANT RECORD WILL DOUBTLESS OPEN FOR SUCCEEDING GENERATIONS AS YET UNTROD PATHS OF SERVICE TO CAUSE GOD THAT SHE SHOULD BE LAID REST HONOLULU THEATRE ONE OF HER MOST CELEBRATED VICTORIES ALONG WITH MARTHA ROOT PREEMINENT MEMBER GALAXY TEACHERS TO WHICH SHE BELONGED MUST BE SOURCE DEEP PRIDE RICH INSPIRATION YOUR MUCH LOVED COMMUNITY FERVENTLY PRAYING ALMIGHTY WELCOME HER SOUL ABHA KINGDOM

(S) BAHAIWILMETTE

ADVICE RECEIVED PASSING HAND CAUSE AGNES ALEXANDER STOP PRAYING DIVINE CONFIRMATION EXCELLENT BAHAI SERVICE PACIFIC AND ASCENSION ABHA KINGDOM

(S) NATBAHAI (Sydney)

GRIEVED PASSING DISTINGUISHED HAND AGNES ALEXANDER OUTSTANDING SERVANT DEVOTED TEACHER CAUSE BAHAULLAH STOP ASSURE HANDS RELATIVES FRIENDS PRAYERS DEEPEST SYMPATHY SWISS BELIEVERS

(S) BAHAIBERN

DEEPLY GRIEVED PASSING DEAREST HAND CAUSE AGNES ALEXANDER EXPRESS FEELINGS SYMPATHY PRAYERS PROGRESS SOUL

(S) NSA ITALY

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Memorial services for Miss Alexander were held at the National Hazíratu’l-Quds on Sunday, January 31, with her non-Bahá’í niece and nephew, Mrs. Mary D. Smith and Mr. William P. Alexander, in attendance, and about eighty Bahá’í friends.

Mr. David Stuart read the eulogy, and prayers for the departed were read by Mr. Tracy Hamilton, Mr. William Shattuck and Mr. William Foster. The service closed with Mr. Alden Marshall singing "The Sweet Scented Streams."

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Woman must especially devote her energies and abilities toward the industrial and agricultural sciences, seeking to assist mankind in that which is most needful. (Promulgation of Univ. Peace, p. 277) [Page 3]The following morning we stopped at the High School and met with the principal to request a showing of "The New Wind." He said school was on vacation but he would be glad to call the teachers in to see the film as they were grading tests and it would be a good break in their work schedule. We set the time for 1:30 PM, and I then proceeded up the hill to the radio station. Mr. Thomas spent about an hour with me asking questions pertaining to the Faith and discussing the pamphlets I had left with him previously. He then decided we should do a 30-minute interview, since to his knowledge, it would be the first time the station had done anything on the Bahá’í Faith and he found it so very interesting. The session was done in English and he played it back for us to hear. He then decided it would be on at 5:30 PM that evening and replayed again at 9:00 PM the same night. We then went to the High School and showed "The New Wind" to the principal (who is Ponapean) and twenty teachers, all of whom are from the mainland. After the showing we had about 15 minutes of questions. We stopped by Rose’s home to inform her of the radio time, then went to the local employment office to see about possibilities of jobs for pioneers to the area.

On the walk through town we saw children, some clothed, some naked, laughing and playing between the old wood-and-tin buildings - among old foundations of buildings used by the Japanese during their time on Ponape. That afternoon we spent at the souvenir shop which, as with most local businesses, is a co-op. This happened to be the day the people brought their crafts in to sell. The work is all hand done, everything from wood carvings to handbags woven from coconut fiber, (which is very silky) -- to love-sticks, shell leis of all hues as well as head and neck leis of cloth which is very colorfully sewn to resemble flowers.

Later we went to the airport to watch, with the rest of the townspeople, the arrival of the first jet. It was a trial run and even though a big celebration was scheduled for the official arrival the following week, everyone was anxious to see the first jet land on the new runway. The excitement was rampant through the crowd. Transportation to the scene was by car, truck, bicycle, motorbike, outboard motorboats, outrigger canoes, and by foot.

Back at the hotel we sat in the diningroom to hear the radio program. When it came on another fellow came over, sat and listened, then introduced himself as Rose’s boss. We went back to Rose’s home for dinner and she had four of her ladyfriends who also stayed for the meeting. Asher, his wife and two children, Rose’s daughter, and Simon Poll joined us. We showed the film and shared the float booklet as well as the scrapbooks. It was great to sit on the floor, explaining the different aspects of the Faith, and having Rose translate. At 9:00 PM we turned on the radio for the program and again Rose translated some of the thoughts. Simon drove me back to the hotel on his motorcycle and we spent over four hours talking about local customs and the Faith. The following morning, after packing for this was the day I had to leave, I spent a few hours with Rose. Asher brought by some seed leis his wife had made and asked that they be given to my wife and daughter. Rose gave me a beautiful tortoise shell comb for my wife. I went next door to the gift shop for a few purchases and then it was time to go to the airport.

While waiting to board the plane one of Rose’s friends came over to say how much she enjoyed the previous evening. Raleigh George was also at the airport having just arrived from Kusaie where he now lives. Once aboard the plane, looking out at the sea of beautiful brown faces, with some mainland types dotted here and there, I felt the strong urge to step off the plane and stay.

(To be continued)

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REMEMBER THE TEMPLE SITE FUND [Page 4]

WHAT FAITH DOES

Some people have said that it's easier to lose weight and stop smoking if you try with someone else. Our will power gets a boost knowing that someone else is making the same effort. Perhaps this is part of the wisdom in universal participation. An act of will is required to contribute to the Fund, but wouldn't it be easier if we got caught up in the excitement of giving with a united will, knowing that every single person in our community intends to give also during that same 19-day period. What a good feeling would be generated if it were a success -- if every single person gave! What a feeling of unity! What a victory for the community!

Hand of the Cause William Sears told a true story about how universal participation consecrates money contributed to the Fund, regardless of the amount. To paraphrase: There was a small community that wanted to initiate a proclamation project but needed money to do it. They decided to employ the principle of universal participation. Even husbands and wives gave separately. Everyone gave. The amount collected was a relative pittance. The treasurer was quite skeptical, but a boy in the community mentioned that since they had used universal participation, God would bless the money somehow and their effort would bear fruit.

The only idea they came up with for the money was to buy a copy of "Some Answered Questions" which an LSA member said she would read and maybe the community would be that much better off. On the way home, due to the ‎fulness fullness‎ of the bus, she found herself seated beside a gentleman who continued to show an interest in her reading matter. This bothered her somewhat until the light dawned that maybe something was happening. She changed her attitude from impatience to cordiality. He told her he was a newspaper man and asked to borrow the book since he was doing a series of articles on different religions. She didn't refuse. What grew from this was his beginning and ending his series with articles about Bahá’í, and giving radio, newspaper and TV publicity worth thousands of dollars to the Faith, if the Bahá’ís had had to pay for it themselves!

Imagine their joy. Certainly each individual was inspired. Their community must have been awed by the evident power of universal participation. Their story is spurring on other Bahá’ís around the world, and the Word was proclaimed.

During these inspiring days in Hawaii, let's find a way in our own communities, without compromising the principle of voluntary contributions, to bring universal participation to an all-time high -- a sustained, unrelenting outpouring of our money into the Cause we love. Let's come together and in radiant unity, every single Bahá’í contribute and make the spirit of universal participation a reality. Let's obey the desire of our Universal House of Justice, and then watch as the Supreme Concourse assists us to victory.

USE OF BAHÁ’Í GREETING

"The Bahá’ís are free to greet each other with Allah’u’Abhá when they meet, if they want to, but they should avoid anything which, to outsiders, in a western country, might seem like some strange Oriental password. We must be very firm on principles and laws, but very normal and natural in our ways, so as to attract strangers." (Guardian to an individual believer, June 6, 1954. Bahá’í News 288)

"The use of Allah’u’Abhá in the east is, generally speaking, confined to a greeting. It is not said at the end of prayers and ‎the the the‎ Guardian feels that the less it is used freely in public by the Bahá’ís in the west (before strangers) the better, as it gives a very peculiar impression of us, and makes us seem like some strange Oriental sect."

(Shoghi Effendi, through his secretary, Principles of Bahá’í Administration, p. 16)

We, verily, have decreed in Our Book a goodly and bountiful reward to whosoever will turn away from wickedness and lead a chaste and godly life. (Gleanings, p. 117) [Page 5]Seven representatives of the Bahá’í Communities of Maui were present in the administrative offices of Maui recently, as Mayor Elmer F. Cravalho signed a proclamation of World Religion Day for the County of Maui. The Mayor concurred heartily with the aims of the January 17th national observance and invited the Bahá’ís to stay after the signing for discussion of the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh on human rights. The Mayor expressed some surprise at the inclusiveness of the Bahá’í teachings. Pictured, left to right: Mayor Cravalho, Sharon Kaaihue, Mike Marcial, John Thurston, Dick Graham, Paul Kobayashi, Christine Newman and Lucy Vogele. Resting peacefully on the Mayor's desk is Nabil Olinga Vogele.

WORLD RELIGION DAY

World Religion Day was celebrated at Mililani Town Recreation Center on the 17th of January. Sponsored by the National Proclamation Committee, the affair was attended by nearly two hundred people from all over the island of Oahu.

Chairman for the evening was Joe De Sena, and Richard Lewellen read the opening prayer. Miss Elena Marsella gave a brief talk, after which the new film, "It's Just the Beginning" was shown.

Refreshments were served after the meeting.

The Bahá’ís of Maui observed World Religion Day with the presentation of an original play based on the life of Miss Agnes Alexander.

Sisters of St. Anthony School attended the play, entitled "Voice of the Prophets," and were greatly moved by the Word of God as shown by the players. The sisters asked to have the play presented at one of their school assemblies.

Assistance was received from a non-Bahá’í member of the community in the use of microphones and transportation of stage equipment.

SPECIAL EDITION

Due to the postal strike in Gr. Britain, the mails have been brought to a virtual standstill. However, we wish to assure all those who have ordered copies of "The Priceless Pearl" (special edition) that their checks are now in process of being cleared and the books should be forthcoming in the not-too-distant future. [Page 6]

Mr. Enoch Olinga

Nov. 17, 1970 Suva, Fiji

Allah’u’Abha!

I send you, the family and all the loved ones of God, my warmest Bahá’í greetings, and I assure you all of my grateful thanks for the love, kindnesses and affection which you extended to me during my visit to Honolulu.

I love you very much. You are all such beautiful souls! Beautiful souls! I shall write in detail later.

Love, (S) Enoch

MRS. RUHE

A letter from Mrs. David Ruhe in Haifa tells of many visitors to the Holy Land and the observance by the Israelis of their "Shana Tova -- New Year, 5731. She says, "The Bahá’ís here live by three calendars, the Gregorian calendar (minus Thanksgiving and Christmas) our own Bahá’í calendar, and the Jewish one. This strange situation creates some strange time and travel problems. All public transportation stops on the Jewish Holy Days; all stores are closed, etc. It’s all a bit confusing and confused, but it’s interesting and a challenge."

DALE ENG

A letter from Dale Eng in the Philippines tells of the Conference held there, at which Hand of the Cause Dr. Muhajir spoke. The Universal House of Justice was asked, and sanctioned the request for the formation of 100 additional new local assemblies during the Nine Year Plan.

Dale is attending Silliman University in Dumaguete City, and spent his three week semester break with a teaching team that traveled through the virgin territories of Negros. The Visayans have set a goal of 800 new believers for the two month period of October through December, and for the entire P.I. the goal is 4,000!

Also interesting is the news that Orpha Dougherty has returned to the P.I. after finishing her teaching work in Taiwan and Macao.

THE SAILHACS

A letter from Alice and Bernard Sailhac tells of their work in Tahiti and in New Caledonia, where they are now living and teaching the Faith. Bernard is Chef de Cuisine at the Hotel Chateau Royal in Noumea.

Bernard reports that the Bahá’í youth there are a mixture of English, French, Australian, and with a predominance of Melanesian.

Everyone was overjoyed at the visit of Hand of the Cause Enoch Olinga and, as Bernard says in his inimitable English: "It is the most impossible thing for us to translate the impressions of love and spirituality that we have when we are near him."

At their first Feast they were impressed with the people of the Faith who "work with so much love and good sense." The communities are striving toward the achievement of their NSA.

THE PRATTS

Ron and Jan Pratt write warmly from Christchurch, where great Bahá’í progress is being made in awakening the people to the Cause.

Hand of the Cause Enoch Olinga visited the Bahá’ís in Christchurch and celebrated the Feast of Qawl with them. During his talk, Mr. Olinga told of the growth of the Faith throughout the world and stressed that we are working towards quality, not numbers.

To quote the letter: "The teaching efforts are succeeding with declarations in Nelson, and many new Bahá’ís pioneering in goal areas. We expect at least three assemblies by the end of the year."

THE BRUSSES

A fascinating letter from Ernest and Barbara Bruss, who, with their four children, are on a global teaching tour, gives a lengthy account of their journeys to Samoa, Fiji, New Zealand and Australia. After their pilgrimage in January, they plan to go wherever they are needed throughout Europe, giving their slide-lecture presentation of Hawaii. [Page 7]The Bahá’í booth at the 20th annual Hawaii County Fair. The theme, "Progressive Revelation," depicted a nine-pointed star in three shades of blue with gold ribbons tying in the nine symbols, each with Prophet, religion, year and location in blue letters. This year's fair drew 31,500 people, the largest attendance on record.

MAJURO - Marie Fogarty

"There is a Marshall Islands newspaper now and we decided to see about running a Bahá’í ad in it as well as look into radio time cost, with the possibility of sponsoring the news program or some such thing. We also decided to look into having some of the prayers translated."

MAUI

"We are pleased to be able to inform you that KMVI radio has granted the Bahá’ís of Maui time on the air for a fireside. The schedule will be every Sunday from 4:15 to 4:30 P.M."

NEW PAMPHLET

A very fine compilation from the Universal House of Justice, on "The Local Spiritual Assembly" has been put into pamphlet form by this NSA. The attractive little booklet is now available to all the friends at ‎.35¢ 35¢‎ per copy. Every believer, especially LSA members, should have this pamphlet. Please order directly from the National Spiritual Assembly, 3264 Allan Pl. Honolulu, 96817.

HOLY DAYS

A believer in the U.S. Navy has reported that he has been able to obtain sanction for freedom from duty on Bahá’í Holy Days. He suggests that any Bahá’í serving in the military may be able to accomplish this by using the resume supplied by the NSA, regarding our Holy Days.

FIRST PAPERBOUND EDITION AVAILABLE

"God Passes By," history of the first century of the Bahá’í Dispensation, by Shoghi Effendi, can now be purchased in a paperbound edition which has 448 pages including index. Order through the National Library Committee, 3264 Allan Pl., Honolulu, 96817. Per copy - $1.75

NEW BELIEVERS

When registering new believers, it is well to explain the statement on the back of the green card by quoting the following from the Universal House of Justice, p. 32 in "Wellspring of Guidance:"

"The declarants need not know all the proofs, history, laws and principles of the Faith, but in the process of declaring themselves they must, in addition to catching the spark of faith, become basically informed about the Central Figures of the Faith, as well as the existence of laws they must follow and an administration they must obey."

NUGGETS
"The thoughts of universal peace must be instilled in the hearts of all scholars, in order that they may become the armies of Peace, the real servants of body politic, the world." - ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, "Star of the West," IX, p. 99.

HAWAII NATIONAL CONVENTION

APRIL 24-25 [Page 8]

WINTER SCHOOL

The annual Winter School was held at the National Hazíratu’l-Quds on Saturday and Sunday, January 1 and 2, 1971.

Since Hand of the Cause Miss Agnes Alexander ascended to the Abhá Kingdom only a few hours prior to the opening of the school, the entire weekend of study and deepening on the Faith was dedicated to her in numerous prayer sessions and reminiscences of her life and teaching.

Good planning was responsible for the smooth operation of the school, which had an attendance of over eighty people. Thanks go to the School Council and to individual members for their fine assistance.

John and Kimiko Schwerin, Ben Ayala, Elinor Wolff, Debbie Bond, Gloria Hoeppner, Mike Woodward, David Stuart, Stephanie Troxel, Lillian Chou and Claude Caver all lent valuable knowledge and assistance to the success of the school.

COMING EVENTS

Feb. 26-Mar. 1 - Intercalary Days Mar. 2 - FEAST of ‘Alá’ (Loftiness) FAST BEGINS!! Mar. 5, 6, 7 - NSA Convenes Mar. 21 - FEAST of Naw Ruz - FAST ends at sundown Mar. 20 Mar. 21 - FEAST of Bahá (Splendor) April 9 - FEAST of Jalál (Glory)

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: - Dick Graham Phone 879-2539 (Kihei)

Molokai: - Mrs. Betty Schuster, Phone 558-8146 (Kaunakakai)

SUPPORT YOUR NATIONAL FUND

Contributions received during period of December 21 to January 20:

Local Assemblies - 7 Groups - 0 Individuals - 4

TREASURER’S ADDRESS

Mr. Ben Ayala, Treasurer, 92-568 Palailai Street, Makakilo, Oahu, Hawaii. 96706

DIRECTORY CHANGES -

Makawao JD - new secretary Mrs. Dorothy A. Haynes, R.R. 1, Box 431, Kula, Maui. 96790

Kawaihau JD - new address Mrs. Corale Borges, R.R. 1, Box 214-I, Kapaa, Kauai. 96746

Honolulu JD - new secretary Ross Klutke, c/o 3264 Allan Pl., Honolulu, 96817

Majuro - new secretary Mr. Francis Reimer, c/o Gen. Delivery, Majuro, M.I. 96960

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