The 58th National Convention of the Baha’is of the Hawaiian Islands was held April 26-28 at the Baha’i National Center in Honolulu. Thirty-eight delegates elected by Bahá’í communities across the islands assembled to elect their national governing council—the National Spiritual Assembly—and consult about ways to best contribute to the spiritual and material progress of the nation.
“The Bahá’í community has a unique approach to selecting those who serve on its administrative institutions,” said Ed Young, a delegate from O’ahu. “It is non-partisan, there are no candidates, no campaigning, no acrimonious debates or clash of personalities, no electioneering, no craving for seats of power or financial benefits, by those elected to serve.”
This novel approach, Bahá’ís believe, offers a pattern for new forms of governance that will take democracy to a new level of effectiveness.
“In contrast to partisan politics,” notes Young, “the Bahá’í electoral system relies on spiritual inspiration. This year, for example, the convention was preceded by a day of spiritual preparation for the delegates, who met to pray for guidance at the resting places of three early proponents of the Bahá’í Faith in Hawaii.”
Agnes Baldwin Alexander, the first person to bring the Bahá’í Faith to Hawaii, in 1902, is buried at the cemetery at Kawaiha’o Church. Martha Root, considered the foremost international teacher of the Faith is buried at O’ahu Cemetery, Nu’uanu, as is Dr. George Augur, another early Bahá’í in Hawaii who became the first Bahá’í to reside in Japan.”
On Saturday, the delegates elected the 61st National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the Hawaiian Islands, a nine-member council that administers Bahá’í activities across the islands.
“We were delighted to welcome an online visit to the convention from Miss Evelyn Musacchia,” commented another delegate, Mollie Sperry. “Evelyn served on the first National Spiritual Assembly of the Hawaiian Islands, elected in 1964. Lovingly known as ‘Miss Mike’, the 97-year-old remains an active member of the Bahá’í community on the Big Island.”
The consultation of the delegates centered on the need to expand the process of community building currently underway and to contribute to profound social transformation, in ways that lead to both spiritual and material development.
“Our explorations incorporated rich learning and sharing of stories,” observed Sperry, “joyful expression of the arts, and prayerful meditation. Much of the discussion centered on supporting youth as they endeavor to soar and meaningfully connect to their peers in a world full of travails and confusion.”
The newly elected members of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the Hawaiian Islands.
The delegates to the annual convention of the Bahá’ís of the Hawaiian Islands and others attending the convention.