Distinguished Bahá’í dignitaries, Dr. Firaydoun Javaheri and Mrs. Vida Javaheri, were the guests of the Bahá’í community of Kauai from February 2-4. Dr. and Mrs. Javaheri, who served at the Bahá’í World Center in Haifa, Israel for twenty years, now live in Canada. Dr. Javareri was a member of the international governing council of the worldwide Bahá’í community, the Universal House of Justice, from 2003 to 2018.
The Javaheris are spending three weeks visiting Bahá’í communities across the Hawaiian Islands to share reflections on the efforts of Bahá’ís to contribute to building vibrant, unified communities throughout the islands. A highlight of the visit to the Garden Island was a meeting with Kauai Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami and his Managing Director Reiko Matsuyama. Dr. Javaheri offered praise to the mayor for his efforts in promoting unity on the island. Upon being presented a copy of “The Promise of World Peace”, a document authored by the Universal House of Justice, the mayor commented on how this message offers hope in a world currently going through a period of turmoil.
Meeting with Kauai Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami: From L-R, Barbara Kasadate, Josal Najera-Navas, Max Klutke, Melina Rajaei, Dr. Javaheri, Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami, Elizabeth Hahn, Paul Sjoquist, and City Manager Reiko Matsuyama
The visit also offered a unique opportunity to share the efforts of a Bahá’í-inspired Junior Youth Spiritual Empowerment Program to improve Laukona Park in Hanama’ulu. At the impetus of several Bahá’í junior youth who had met with the mayor to present their proposal, an area that had been a trashed-filled field was transformed into a playground for keiki(children), basketball courts, and a shaded area for picnics and barbecues. The Javaheri’s were delighted by the efforts of the youth to take action to improve their community and noted the support and collaboration provided by the county.
Dr. Firaydoun Javaheri, in black print shirt front row center, visits with representatives of the county and state government and the community on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026 at the covered pavilion at Laukona Park in Hanamalu. The visit to view the improvements to Laukona Park is proof of what can be accomplished when the government and community work together. The improvements project was initiated by the Bahá’í Junior Youth Spiritual Empowerment Program that met at Laukona Park. Photo Credit: Dennis Fujimoto/The Garden Island
Prior to his service at the Bahá’í World Centre, Dr. Javaheri distinguished himself in international development. Born in Iran and holding a doctorate in agronomy, he served for 27 years in Africa, first in The Gambia, and then Zambia, as Chief Technical Adviser for the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations. Meanwhile, his service in the Bahá’í community led to his appointment to senior positions in Africa and in 1998 at the Bahá’í World Centre.
The nine-member Universal House of Justice, of which Dr. Javaheri was a member, is elected every five years through a democratic process by representatives of 185 National Spiritual Assemblies worldwide, including the National Spiritual Assembly of the Hawaiian Islands. Collectively, its members serve as the head of an independent world religion. This institution, with its seat on Mount Carmel in Haifa, Israel, guides a global religious community of several million adherents in over 200 countries and territories.
Since his retirement in 2018, Dr. and Mrs. Javaheri have traveled extensively visiting Bahá’í communities worldwide to observe their contributions to social betterment and to provide encouragement. Their dedication to fostering unity, social progress, and interfaith understanding is deeply aligned with Hawaiʻi’s spirit of aloha.
On their visit to Kauai, the Javaheris were accompanied by Melina Rejaei, the Secretary General of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the Hawaiian Islands, and a small delegation of Bahá’ís. Following his visit on Kauai, the Javaheris continued their tour of the islands on Maui, Hawaii, and Oahu.