CLICK HERE FOR PRINTABLE ANNUAL MEETING PROGRAM
CLICK HERE FOR EXECUTIVE DIRECTORʻS ANNUAL REPORT,
Mahalo for joining us for the 173rd Annual Meeting of the Hawaiian Mission Children’s Society!
This yearʻs “Partners in Change, Then and Now” theme focused on the “Visionary Women” – the female leaders in our community who continue to envision social, economic and educational benefits for Hawaiʻi’s people. The Missionary women – who were considered equal partners in the mission – and their contemporary Native Hawaiian women, were all visionary in their contributions that continue to serve present-day Hawaiʻi. These progressive women embraced education, science, technology and diplomacy, and their efforts led the creation of hospitals, schools, and universal healthcare, which was unheard of in the 1800s.MORE INFORMATION BELOW. Learn more about our archival and collection holdings around “Visionary Women” HERE.
We look forward to seeing you again next year!
If you have any questions about enrolled membership, or genealogy, please email Elisabeth Case, Director of Society & Community Relations at ecase@missionhouses.org or call (808) 447-3927.
HAWAIIAN MISSION CHILDREN’S SOCIETY
PROPOSED SLATE OF TRUSTEES 2025-2026
Nominating Committee Members:
Lindsay Mist – Chairman (Member)
Mary M. Feidler (Member)
Elizabeth Lentz Hill (Member)
Patricia Morgan (Trustee)
Wendy R. Peterson (Trustee)
Trustees Up For Re-election:
1. Hauʻoli Akaka
2. Doug Askman
3. Mary Balding
Passed..
Re slate of Trustees, what was proposed was to reinstate/renew the terms for the Trustees that were up for re-election.
Approved for re-election without objection, and nominees accepted the re-election: Hauʻoli Akaka, Doug Askman, Mary Balding
NO changes to other Trustees or Board Officers at this time.
Re the Bylaw change, it was surrounding language for Article 6, Section 2. This was also passed by the Board without objection:
Current verbiage
Article 6. Section 2. Society Relations Director. The Society Relations Director shall be a paid staff member who reports to the Executive Director/Executive Team. The Society Relations Director position is intended to maintain the genealogies of enrolled members and positive public relations with the society’s members. Additional duties and details may be described in a job description.
Proposed Amendment
Article 6. Section 2. Society Relations. The Society Relations role is intended to maintain the genealogies of enrolled members and cultivate positive public relations with the society’s members. This position shall be a paid staff member who reports to the Executive Director or assigned Supervisor. Additional duties and details may be described in a job description.
Partners in Change, Then and Now: Visionary Women
In 2024 we began this now annual tradition “Partners in Change, Then and Now” to 1) remind us that our missionary fore bearers were knowingly or unknowingly participants in the changes that happened in Hawaii in the 1800‘s, and 2) to come together to celebrate here, just a few who have had the opportunity to affect change in this day and age as well.
We chose a theme of “Visionary Women” because our extensive archives—featuring letters, journals, daguerreotypes, and photographs—reveal a powerful legacy of education and empowerment established by missionary women and their Native Hawaiian contemporaries in 19th century Hawaiʻi.
This year’s celebration honored contemporary female trailblazers who continue this tradition of advancing social progress throughout the islands and whose foresight and dedication created lasting impacts on Hawaiian education and society:
The extensive HMH archives—featuring letters, journals, daguerreotypes, and photographs—reveal a powerful legacy of education and empowerment established by missionary women and their Native Hawaiian contemporaries in 19th century Hawaiʻi – listed HERE. This year’s celebration honors contemporary female trailblazers who continue this tradition of advancing social progress throughout the islands. Learn more about our archival and collection holdings around “Visionary Women” HERE.
Image: Patricia Morgan (G.P. Judd descendant), HMH Board President with her brother John Morgan, who is on the Board of Punahou School, accepted the award in memory of Mary Persis Winne , (1876-1951), the granddaughter of Pioneer Company missionaries Reverend Asa and Lucy Goodale Thurston, who transformed Punahou School through her extraordinary 42-year tenure.
Image: Marion Lyman-Mercereau (D.B. Lyman descendant), HMH Board member, accepted the award in memory of her ancestor Sarah Joiner Lyman (1805-1885) who arrived on Hawaiʻi Island in July 1832 accompanying her missionary husband. Her extraordinarily detailed daily journals—meticulously documenting seismic activity and volcanic phenomena—evolved into invaluable scientific chronicles.
Image: Maui resident and HMH Board Secretary, Wendy Rice Peterson (W.H. Rice descendant) accepted the award on behalf of Kristina Lyons-Lambert, a sixth-generation descendant of prominent missionary families including Dwight Baldwin, William P. Alexander, and James Smith, exemplifies her family’s enduring commitment to community service.
Image: Family members accepted the award in memory of Nalani-Alua Olds Napoleon (1937-2024), a fifth-generation descendant of Tahitian missionary Tute Tehuiarii, who was recognized with the prestigious Na Hoku Hanohano Lifetime Achievement Award, and whose visionary contributions include founding the Prince Lot Hula Festival the groundbreaking He Ala Kulaiwi rehabilitation program, which masterfully integrated traditional hoʻoponopono practices.
Image: Among the temporary artifacts on display are Western-style garments fashioned from the bark of the wauke plant and stitched with native fibers from the olonā plant. Western-style kapa wear was a transitional mode of dress for many Hawaiians in the early 19th century.
Donʻt Miss Our Temporary Exhibits in the
Levi Chamberlain House
on view now through April
Drop-In Tuesday – Saturday 10:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
The Chamberlain House holds exhibits of collected and preserved documents and artifacts that provide insight into Hawaiʻi’s history from 1820 through 1863. During this time, Protestant missionaries, Hawaiian aliʻi, and other members of the Hawaiʻi community were known to collaborate on this site.
Currrently on display are our kapa, writing instruments, and more! Drop-In Tuesday – Saturday, 10:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. to view SPECIAL temporary displays on view in the Levi Chamberlain House. FREE 4/22-4/26 for Enrolled Members, or $10 for non-enrolled members, check-in at the Gift Shop cashier.