Youth Workshop Visits Hana
February 20, 1996
The following report is an initial one to followed by additional information as it becomes available. This information is reported by Bob Vogel and Ryan Palmer.
As an overview of what occured, it is obvious that a very important step in the progress of the Faith, and specifically towards entry by troops, was taken place this weekend. Certainly one of the bedrock communities of indigenous Hawaiians, was profoundly touched with the Faith in very loving manner.
By all standards, the response to the Maui Bahá'í Youth Workshop was unequalled by the shear numerical support of this weekends activities. Both Dot Pua and Bob Vogel, long time residents of Hana, shared that no event, either professional entertainment or of a polical issue, has been surpassed in attentance.
On Friday the 16th at 1PM, the Workshop performed for the 7th - 12th grades at Hana High. At the completion of the performance the workshop members where uncertain as to how the audiance had responded. Several of the teachers came over to the Workshop group and said that it was the most fantastic performance they had seen and that it had mesmorized the students. 'Quiet' was good. "You had their undivided attention!". "They (the students) had never paid attention to anything like they did to your performance".
In the late afternoon, after the performance, Nick and Crystal Okamoto, friends of the Hana Wresting team worked out together. Nick is a County Wresting Champion in the 125 weigh division. The rest of the workshop went and set up their sleeping arrangements.
That night, the Hana Community Association with the Collition 'A Drug Free Community', sponsored in honor of the Maui Bahá'í Youth Workshop a Dance at the Helene Hall Community Center. The Hana Youth where obviously very touched by the Bahá'í Youth and the performance that day. The adults could not believe the transformation from raudy to respectful. The dance was attended by about 250. It was a very fun evening.
Saturday morning the Workshop did a Community Day Clean up project and then where treated by the Hana Community Association to a lunch which was followed by volley ball and swimming at Hana Bay.
Saturday evening, the Workshop performed at the Helene Hall Community Center. The performance was to begin at 7PM. At 7PM, there where just a handful of people. On stage behind a curtain the youth did some last minute preparations and as the curtains where drawn back, the workshop was taken aback for a second or two. The place was standing room only! It was packed and more where coming. Estimates are at between an average of 75 to 150 people in attendance, at various times through the evening.
It was a festival and everyone was in a party mood. The workshop did their full routine and it moved alot of folks. It was just a tremendous success. Bob Vogel said that his moment had finally arrived. That moment when all you have done both knowing and unknowing as a pioneer for the love of Bahá'u'lláh had arrived. The Faith of Bahá'u'lláh in the eyes of the people in Hana will always have respect! The Bahá'ís are good people!
After the performance another dance! Song and dance. Laughter and smiles!
Sunday the workshop meet at the beach and it was a day of fellowship, volley ball, swimming, surfing, etc.
Sunday evening the workshop held a fireside at Helene Hall where about 25 to 30 friends attended.
Again this is an overview and their are many individual accounts that no doubt are very touching. Mathew Hart in passing shared that it was an awesome experience and another high light in his Bahá'í Life. Between 25 and 30 Workshop youth and about 12 Bahá'í adults supported the weekend.
The next events are Kihei School, Makawao School and some other activities.
I hope you are sensing the building cresendo of spirit which is surely going to erupt.
Bob Palmer,
Public Relations,
Maui Bahá'í Youth Workshop
Get more information about the Hawai`i Bahá'í Community Hawaii Bahá'í Page including the Light of the Pacific Hawaii National News Organ.
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Return to the Hawaii Bahá'í Youth Page.