July 21. On this date in 1875, Agnes Baldwin Alexander, born in Honolulu on July 21, 1875, to descendants of Christian missionary families, the Baldwins and the Alexanders, who were among the families of whom James A. Michener said, "They came to the islands to do good, and they did right well."

July 21. On this date in 1875, Agnes Baldwin Alexander, born in Honolulu on July 21, 1875, to descendants of Christian missionary families, the Baldwins and the Alexanders, who were among the families of whom James A. Michener said, "They came to the islands to do good, and they did right well."

She became a Bahá’í in 1900 while visiting Italy.

After returning in 1901, she remained in Hawaii for 12 years, and of her experiences there wrote Personal Recollections of a Bahai Life in the Hawaiian Islands. Upon 'Abdu’l-Baha's request, Agnes Baldwin Alexander moved to Japan in 1914. In 1921 she became the first to introduce the religion to Korea. Except for extended vacations in Hawaii, Alexander spent over thirty years in Japan. 

Also at the request of 'Abdu’l-Baha, Alexander became an early advocate of Esperanto and used that new international language to spread the Bahá’í teachings at meetings and conferences. At Shoghi Effendi's request, Alexander wrote two histories: Forty Years of the Bahá’í Cause in Hawaii: 1902-1942 and History of the Bahá’í Faith in Japan: 1914-1938. Both of these volumes were published posthumously. In 1957, Shoghi Effendi appointed her a Hand of the Cause of God. In 1964, Alexander represented the Universal House of Justice, at the election of Hawaii’s first National Spiritual Assembly, which is distinct from the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States. After suffering a broken hip in 1965, and spending two years in a Tokyo hospital, Alexander returned home to Honolulu in 1967. 

On January 1, 1971, Alexander died. She was buried behind Kawaiahao Church with her missionary forebears.

May 7. On this date in 2016, Jenabe Esslemont Caldwell died in Wailuku, Hawaii. Born on August 7, 1926 in Butte, Montana, he and his wife Elaine were named Knights of Bahá’u’lláh for pioneering to the Aleutian Islands in July, 1953 where they started a king crab and salmon cannery. They sponsored the Bahá’í­ singing group Windflower that toured Europe, including the United Kingdom, in the 1980s. He authored several books.

May 7. On this date in 2016, Jenabe Esslemont Caldwell died in Wailuku, Hawaii. Born on August 7, 1926 in Butte, Montana, he and his wife Elaine were named Knights of Bahá’u’lláh for pioneering to the Aleutian Islands in July, 1953 where they started a king crab and salmon cannery. They sponsored the Bahá’í­ singing group Windflower that toured Europe, including the United Kingdom, in the 1980s. He authored several books.

April 19. On this date in 1981, the Universal House of Justice wrote the NSA of Hawaii wrote "about the enrollment of individuals who are mentally incompetent, drug users, alcoholics, etc."

April 19. On this date in 1981, the Universal House of Justice wrote the NSA of Hawaii wrote "about the enrollment of individuals who are mentally incompetent, drug users, alcoholics, etc."

259. Mental Instability Has No Bearing Upon Acceptance of an Enrollment
"In response to your letter of 11 March 1981, conveying the question of one of your Local Spiritual Assemblies about the enrollment of individuals who are mentally incompetent, drug users, alcoholics, etc., the Universal House of Justice asks us to convey the following.
"The acceptance of a person into the Bahá'í community should be based not on whether he is leading an exemplary life, but on whether the Assembly is reasonably certain that he is sincere in his declaration of faith in Bahá'u'lláh and that he knows of the laws which would affect his personal conduct, so that he does not enter the community under a misapprehension. The question of mental instability has no bearing upon the acceptance of an enrollment unless it is of such a nature that it affects the ability of the declarant to judge whether or not he believes in Bahá'u'lláh."
(From a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Hawaiian Islands, April 19, 1981)

March 17. On this date in 1924, Robert ‘Pat’ E. Moul was born. An America Baha’i who pioneered to Alaska, American Samoa and Hawa'ii, he served as the first Chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly of Alaska. His nickname was Pat because he was born on St. Patrick's Day.

March 17. On this date in 1924, Robert ‘Pat’ E. Moul was born. An America Baha’i who pioneered to Alaska, American Samoa and Hawa'ii, he served as the first Chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly of Alaska. His nickname was Pat because he was born on St. Patrick's Day.

March 13. On this date in 2002, Elena Maria Marsella died of a heart attack in Kailua, Hawaii. She was named a Knight of Bahá’u’lláh for pioneering to the Gilbert and Ellice Islands with her husband, Roy Fernie and served as Secretary of the NSA of the Bahá'ís of Central America and the Antilles, on the NSA of Hawaii, and as a Counsellor for Northeast Asia.

March 13. On this date in 2002, Elena Maria Marsella died of a heart attack in Kailua, Hawaii. She was named a Knight of Bahá’u’lláh for pioneering to the Gilbert and Ellice Islands with her husband, Roy Fernie and served as Secretary of the NSA of the Bahá'ís of Central America and the Antilles, on the NSA of Hawaii, and as a Counsellor for Northeast Asia.

Elena Maria Marsella was born in Providence, Rhode Island, in August 1913. She became a concert pianist in Boston, and later joined the U.S. Foreign Service. Elena became a Bahá'í in 1939, and began travelling to teach the Faith in 1945, first visiting the Dominican Republic, and pioneering to Ciudad Trujillo with Ofelia Montalvo that year. In Trujillo she taught a study class, and all six members of the class declared as Bahá'ís in 1947. She also visited Santiago to teach the Faith that year. In 1951 she was elected to the first National Spiritual Assembly of Central America, Mexico, and the Antilles. She was also appointed to the Central American Teaching Committee, moving to Panama City to serve on both bodies. In 1952 she was elected Secretary of the National Assembly.

In 1953 she married Roy Fernie, and together they pioneered to the Gilbert and Ellice Islands in 1954, being named Knights of Bahá’u’lláh. She was appointed as an Auxiliary Board member for Asia in 1954. Due to opposition to the Faith from local Catholics Roy was forced to leave the islands, however Elena was able to remain until 1956 when Francis Heller pioneered to the islands allowing her to join her husband in Hawaii. From 1958 to 1964 she traveled the Pacific extensively as an Auxiliary Board member. In 1964 Elena was elected to the first National Spiritual Assembly of the Hawaiian Islands, and also to the first Local Spiritual Assembly of Koolaupoka Oahu. Roy died later that year, on October 21, 1964, in Honolulu, Hawaii.

In 1969 Elena visited Alaska where she taught at the Juneau Summer School on Great Religions of the Past.

In 1973 Elena was appointed to the Continental Board of Counsellors for Northeast Asia, which was responsible for Hawaii. In July 1973 she taught at a Tainan Bahá'í Teaching Institute. In 1974 she attended the Bahá'í International Youth Conference which was held in Hawaii, moderating a discussion on pioneering. In 1975 she gave a talk on Agnes Alexander at an International Women's Year Banquet held in Honolulu. She also attended the 1975 Hawaiian Bahá'í Convention in Honolulu. In December 1976 Elena attended a dinner commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the Bahá'í Faith in Hawaii in Honolulu. She attended the 1979 Hawaiian Bahá'í Convention. She helped launch a Hawaii teaching campaign in June of 1980. Her service as Counsellor ended in 1980.

Elena Maria Marsella died in Kailua, Hawaii, after suffering a heart attack.

March 11. On this date in 1981, an LSA in Hawaii asked "about the enrollment of individuals who are mentally incompetent, drug users, alcoholics, etc."

March 11. On this date in 1981, an LSA in Hawaii asked "about the enrollment of individuals who are mentally incompetent, drug users, alcoholics, etc."

259. Mental Instability Has No Bearing Upon Acceptance of an Enrollment
"In response to your letter of 11 March 1981, conveying the question of one of your Local Spiritual Assemblies about the enrollment of individuals who are mentally incompetent, drug users, alcoholics, etc., the Universal House of Justice asks us to convey the following.
"The acceptance of a person into the Bahá'í community should be based not on whether he is leading an exemplary life, but on whether the Assembly is reasonably certain that he is sincere in his declaration of faith in Bahá'u'lláh and that he knows of the laws which would affect his personal conduct, so that he does not enter the community under a misapprehension. The question of mental instability has no bearing upon the acceptance of an enrollment unless it is of such a nature that it affects the ability of the declarant to judge whether or not he believes in Bahá'u'lláh."
(From a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Hawaiian Islands, April 19, 1981)

November 1. On this date in 1914, Agnes Baldwin Alexander, later named a Hand of the Cause God, reached Japan. Between the time of her arrival and 1967, when she left for the last time, she spent a total of about 31 years in Japan.

November 1. On this date in 1914, Agnes Baldwin Alexander, later named a Hand of the Cause God, reached Japan. Between the time of her arrival and 1967, when she left for the last time, she spent a total of about 31 years in Japan.

On July 21, 1875, Agnes Baldwin Alexander was born in Honolulu to descendants of Christian missionary families, the Baldwins and the Alexanders, who were among the families of whom James A. Michener said, "They came to the islands to do good, and they did right well."
She became a Bahá’í in 1900 while visiting Italy.

After returning in 1901, she remained in Hawaii for 12 years, and of her experiences there wrote Personal Recollections of a Bahai Life in the Hawaiian Islands. Upon 'Abdu’l-Baha's request, Agnes Baldwin Alexander moved to Japan, arriving there on November 1, 1914. In 1921 she became the first to introduce the religion to Korea. Except for extended vacations in Hawaii, Alexander spent over thirty years in Japan.

Also at the request of 'Abdu’l-Baha, Alexander became an early advocate of Esperanto and used that new international language to spread the Bahá’í teachings at meetings and conferences. At Shoghi Effendi's request, Alexander wrote two histories: Forty Years of the Bahá’í Cause in Hawaii: 1902-1942 and History of the Bahá’í Faith in Japan: 1914-1938. Both of these volumes were published posthumously.

In 1957, Shoghi Effendi appointed her a Hand of the Cause of God.

In 1964, Alexander represented the Universal House of Justice, at the election of Hawaii’s first National Spiritual Assembly, which is distinct from the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States. After suffering a broken hip in 1965, and spending two years in a Tokyo hospital, Alexander returned home to Honolulu in 1967.

On January 1, 1971, Alexander died. She was buried behind Kawaiahao Church with her missionary forebears.

October 24. On this date in 1967, the NSA of Hawaii wrote the Universal House of Justice asking about "the use of marijuana, LSD and other psychedelic products" to which the Universal House of Justice quoted Abdu'l-Bahá's words on hashish ("Gracious God! This is the worst of all intoxicants, and its prohibition is explicitly revealed. Its use causeth the disintegration of thought and the complete torpor of the soul.") and alcohol ("'Alcohol consumeth the mind and causeth man to commit acts of absurdity, but ... this wicked hashish extinguisheth the mind, freezeth the spirit, petrifieth the soul, wasteth the body and leaveth man frustrated and lost").

October 24. On this date in 1967, the NSA of Hawaii wrote the Universal House of Justice asking about "the use of marijuana, LSD and other psychedelic products" to which the Universal House of Justice quoted Abdu'l-Bahá's words on hashish ("Gracious God! This is the worst of all intoxicants, and its prohibition is explicitly revealed. Its use causeth the disintegration of thought and the complete torpor of the soul.") and alcohol ("'Alcohol consumeth the mind and causeth man to commit acts of absurdity, but ... this wicked hashish extinguisheth the mind, freezeth the spirit, petrifieth the soul, wasteth the body and leaveth man frustrated and lost").

1184. The Use of Marijuana, LSD and Other Psychedelic Products

"In reply to your request of October 24, 1967 that we issue a statement concerning 'the use of marijuana, LSD and other psychedelic products', we have already informed the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States that Bahá'ís should not use hallucinogenic agents, including LSD, peyote and similar substances, except when prescribed for medical treatment. Neither should they become involved in experiments with such substances.

"Although we have found no direct reference to marijuana in the Bahá'í writings, since this substance is derived from what is considered to be a milder form of cannabis, the species used to produce hashish, we can share with you a translation from the Persian of a Tablet of Abdu'l-Bahá on hashish:

'Regarding hashish, you had pointed out that some Persians have become habituated to its use. Gracious God! This is the worst of all intoxicants, and its prohibition is explicitly revealed. Its use causeth the disintegration of thought and the complete torpor of the soul. How could anyone seek this fruit of the infernal tree, and by partaking of it, be led to exemplify the qualities of a monster? How could one use this forbidden drug, and thus deprive himself of the blessings of the All-Merciful?...

'Alcohol consumeth the mind and causeth man to commit acts of absurdity, but ... this wicked hashish extinguisheth the mind, freezeth the spirit, petrifieth the soul, wasteth the body and leaveth man frustrated and lost.'"

(From a letter of the Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Hawaiian Islands, November 11, 1967)

July 21. On this date in 1875, Agnes Baldwin Alexander was born in Honolulu on July 21, 1875, to descendants of Christian missionary families, the Baldwins and the Alexanders, who were among the families of whom James A. Michener said, "They came to the islands to do good, and they did right well."

July 21. On this date in 1875, Agnes Baldwin Alexander was born in Honolulu on July 21, 1875, to descendants of Christian missionary families, the Baldwins and the Alexanders, who were among the families of whom James A. Michener said, "They came to the islands to do good, and they did right well."

She became a Bahá’í in 1900 while visiting Italy.

After returning in 1901, she remained in Hawaii for 12 years, and of her experiences there wrote Personal Recollections of a Bahai Life in the Hawaiian Islands.

Upon 'Abdu’l-Baha's request, Agnes Baldwin Alexander moved to Japan in 1914. In 1921 she became the first to introduce the religion to Korea. Except for extended vacations in Hawaii, Alexander spent over thirty years in Japan.

Also at the request of 'Abdu’l-Baha, Alexander became an early advocate of Esperanto and used that new international language to spread the Bahá’í teachings at meetings and conferences. At Shoghi Effendi's request, Alexander wrote two histories: Forty Years of the Bahá’í Cause in Hawaii: 1902-1942 and History of the Bahá’í Faith in Japan: 1914-1938. Both of these volumes were published posthumously. In 1957, Shoghi Effendi appointed her a Hand of the Cause of God. In 1964, Alexander represented the Universal House of Justice, at the election of Hawaii’s first National Spiritual Assembly, which is distinct from the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States. After suffering a broken hip in 1965, and spending two years in a Tokyo hospital, Alexander returned home to Honolulu in 1967.

On January 1, 1971, Alexander died. She was buried behind Kawaiahao Church with her missionary forebears.

February 1. On this date in 1898, George Jacob Augur arrived in Hawaii. An early American Bahá'í who converted in Hawaii, he was the first Bahá'í to pioneer to Japan and was named a Disciple of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá by Shoghi Effendi.

February 1. On this date in 1898, George Jacob Augur arrived in Hawaii. An early American Bahá'í who converted in Hawaii, he was the first Bahá'í to pioneer to Japan and was named a Disciple of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá by Shoghi Effendi.



George Jacob Augur was born on October 1, 1853, to Abraham Augur, a farmer, and Ellen Morris in West Haven Connecticut. He attended Hopkins Grammar School, then Yale Preparatory School, and then studied at Yale University Medical College from 1876 to 1879. After graduating he worked at New Haven State Hospital until 1882, when he moved to Oakland, California where he worked as an allopathic physician until 1895 when he began practicing homeopathy, alienating him from the medical community.



He married Ruth Barstow Dyer in 1892 and they had a son, Morris Curtis, who was born March 1, 1894. In 1898 the family relocated to Honolulu, Hawaii, where George opened a practice. Ruth's sister who also lived in Honolulu became a Bahá’í in 1905, and George and Ruth also declared between 1907 and 1909 and began holding weekly meetings to teach the Faith in their home. George began correspondence with 'Abdu'l-Bahá after declaring and received six letters from him receiving the first in 1909. George became Treasurer of the Honolulu Bahá’í community in 1911.



In 1913 George wrote that he wished to go to Japan to 'Abdu'l-Bahá having spent time there on a holiday with Ruth in 1906. He received the following Tablet in reply:

"O thou dear son! From thy letter the fragrance of the rose garden of significances was inhaled, that praise be to God, thou art assisted by the Divine confirmations, hast found the way to the Kingdom of God and thy heart and soul are quickened. Arise thou to perform the blessed intention thou art holding and travel thou to Japan and lay there the foundation of the Cause of God, that is, summon the people to the Kingdom of God. Japan has great capacity, but there needs be a teacher who will speak by the confirmations of the Holy Spirit. I hope thou wilt become assisted in this."

He lived in Japan from June 1914 to April 1915, and returned in early 1916 with his wife and lived in Zushi until 1917. They returned to Japan a final time in 1918 and stayed there until returning to Honolulu in 1919. The Augurs continued to host meetings in their home in Honolulu from 1919 to 1927 when they moved to a beach apartment in Waikiki.



Augur died due to a stroke on September 13, 1927, and was buried in Oahu Cemetery in Honolulu. Shoghi Effendi conveyed the following message after his death:

"He was deeply grieved to hear of the death of Dr. Augur. He prays that in seeking eternal rest, his soul may soar to heavenly kingdoms and attain an everlasting bounty. Surely he is now where he would much love to be. Please convey to his family Shoghi Effendi's deepest sympathy and regret."

Here is an article about George Jacob Augur from The Bahá’í Encyclopedia Project.

December 26. On this date in 1901, Agnes Baldwin Alexander arrived in Hawaii to "open" the islands to the Bahá’í Faith. She had been born in Honolulu on July 21, 1875, to descendants of Christian missionary families, the Baldwins and the Alexanders, who were among the families of whom James A. Michener said, "They came to the islands to do good, and they did right well."

December 26. On this date in 1901, Agnes Baldwin Alexander arrived in Hawaii to "open" the islands to the Bahá’í Faith. She had been born in Honolulu on July 21, 1875, to descendants of Christian missionary families, the Baldwins and the Alexanders, who were among the families of whom James A. Michener said, "They came to the islands to do good, and they did right well."

She became a Bahá’í in 1900 while visiting Italy.

She remained in Hawaii for 12 years, and of her experiences there wrote Personal Recollections of a Bahai Life in the Hawaiian Islands. Upon 'Abdu’l-Baha's request, Alexander pioneered the Bahá’í Faith in Japan in 1914. In 1921 she became the first to introduce the religion to Korea. Except for extended vacations in Hawaii, Agnes spent over thirty years in Japan.

Also at the request of 'Abdu’l-Baha, Alexander became an early advocate of Esperanto and used that new international language to spread the Bahá’í teachings at meetings and conferences.

At Shoghi Effendi's request, Agnes Alexander wrote two histories: "Forty Years of the Bahá’í Cause in Hawaii: 1902-1942" and "History of the Bahá’í Faith in Japan: 1914-1938". Both of these volumes were published posthumously.

In 1957, Shoghi Effendi Rabbani, appointed Agnes Alexander a Hand of the Cause of God.

In 1964, Alexander represented the Universal House of Justice, at the election of Hawaii’s first National Spiritual Assembly, which is distinct from the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States.

After suffering a broken hip in 1965, and spending two years in a Tokyo hospital, Agnes Alexander returned home to Honolulu in 1967.

On January 1, 1971, Alexander died. She was buried behind Kawaiahao Church with her missionary forebears.

November 1. On this date in 1914, Agnes Baldwin Alexander, later named a Hand of the Cause God, reached Japan. Between the time of her arrival and 1967, when she left for the last time, she spent a total of about 31 years in Japan.

November 1. On this date in 1914, Agnes Baldwin Alexander, later named a Hand of the Cause God, reached Japan. Between the time of her arrival and 1967, when she left for the last time, she spent a total of about 31 years in Japan.

On July 21, 1875, Agnes Baldwin Alexander was born in Honolulu to descendants of Christian missionary families, the Baldwins and the Alexanders, who were among the families of whom James A. Michener said, "They came to the islands to do good, and they did right well."

She became a Bahá’í in 1900 while visiting Italy.

After returning in 1901, she remained in Hawaii for 12 years, and of her experiences there wrote Personal Recollections of a Bahai Life in the Hawaiian Islands. Upon 'Abdu’l-Baha's request, Agnes Baldwin Alexander moved to Japan, arriving there on November 1, 1914. In 1921 she became the first to introduce the religion to Korea. Except for extended vacations in Hawaii, Alexander spent over thirty years in Japan.

Also at the request of 'Abdu’l-Baha, Alexander became an early advocate of Esperanto and used that new international language to spread the Bahá’í teachings at meetings and conferences. At Shoghi Effendi's request, Alexander wrote two histories: Forty Years of the Bahá’í Cause in Hawaii: 1902-1942 and History of the Bahá’í Faith in Japan: 1914-1938. Both of these volumes were published posthumously.

In 1957, Shoghi Effendi appointed her a Hand of the Cause of God.

In 1964, Alexander represented the Universal House of Justice, at the election of Hawaii’s first National Spiritual Assembly, which is distinct from the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States.

After suffering a broken hip in 1965, and spending two years in a Tokyo hospital, Alexander returned home to Honolulu in 1967.

On January 1, 1971, Alexander died. She was buried behind Kawaiahao Church with her missionary forebears.

October 24. On this date in 1967, the NSA of Hawaii wrote the UHJ asking about "the use of marijuana, LSD and other psychedelic products" to which the UHJ quoted Abdu'l-Bahá's words on hashish ("Gracious God! This is the worst of all intoxicants, and its prohibition is explicitly revealed. Its use causeth the disintegration of thought and the complete torpor of the soul.") and alcohol ("'Alcohol consumeth the mind and causeth man to commit acts of absurdity, but ... this wicked hashish extinguisheth the mind, freezeth the spirit, petrifieth the soul, wasteth the body and leaveth man frustrated and lost").

October 24. On this date in 1967, the NSA of Hawaii wrote the UHJ asking about "the use of marijuana, LSD and other psychedelic products" to which the UHJ quoted Abdu'l-Bahá's words on hashish ("Gracious God! This is the worst of all intoxicants, and its prohibition is explicitly revealed. Its use causeth the disintegration of thought and the complete torpor of the soul.") and alcohol ("'Alcohol consumeth the mind and causeth man to commit acts of absurdity, but ... this wicked hashish extinguisheth the mind, freezeth the spirit, petrifieth the soul, wasteth the body and leaveth man frustrated and lost").

1184. The Use of Marijuana, LSD and Other Psychedelic Products
"In reply to your request of October 24, 1967 that we issue a statement concerning 'the use of marijuana, LSD and other psychedelic products', we have already informed the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States that Bahá'ís should not use hallucinogenic agents, including LSD, peyote and similar substances, except when prescribed for medical treatment. Neither should they become involved in experiments with such substances.
"Although we have found no direct reference to marijuana in the Bahá'í writings, since this substance is derived from what is considered to be a milder form of cannabis, the species used to produce hashish, we can share with you a translation from the Persian of a Tablet of Abdu'l-Bahá on hashish:
'Regarding hashish, you had pointed out that some Persians have become habituated to its use. Gracious God! This is the worst of all intoxicants, and its prohibition is explicitly revealed. Its use causeth the disintegration of thought and the complete torpor of the soul. How could anyone seek this fruit of the infernal tree, and by partaking of it, be led to exemplify the qualities of a monster? How could one use this forbidden drug, and thus deprive himself of the blessings of the All-Merciful?...
'Alcohol consumeth the mind and causeth man to commit acts of absurdity, but ... this wicked hashish extinguisheth the mind, freezeth the spirit, petrifieth the soul, wasteth the body and leaveth man frustrated and lost.'"
(From a letter of the Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Hawaiian Islands, November 11, 1967)