May 8, 1948 (Saturday):
The Island had a Relief Society bazaar and many beautiful pieces of handiwork were put on sale - we bought a Hawaiian quilt for Marg’s mother. In the afternoon we [?] the other elders had a baseball game at the Kapaa ball park - I succeeded in getting my first sunburn of the year. In the evening, we went to Kauai High School to hear the Kamehameha school for boys gleeclub sing. It was very impressive, and one of the finest exhibitions that I have seen.
May 9, 1948 (Sunday):
Mother’s day today and we attended a very fine Mother’s day program in the branch. Afterwards we were invited to a dinner at the Dew Drop Inn with Chinese food as the bill of fare. It was all very delicious. After the dinner, we took Sis Aiu home and visited with her and her husband for a little while. In the evening meeting the Mothers day theme was again carried out.
May 11, 1948 (Tuesday):
Again we went to the Fernandes home for dinner and more openings came our way than on the previous occasions. It was a fine dinner, and still very little gospel was discussed - although more than before. We completed the plumbing job in the wash house today and installed the laundry tubs. When all were finished, we found that we had some loose connections - they day was nearly over, and so we had to save that until later.
May 12, 1948 (Wednesday):
We arose early and went up to see Ben Ohai about some things and we had quite a conversation with him.
May 13, 1948 (Thursday):
We went to Lihue in the morning to get a haircut and to buy some groceries and take care of a few other things. For the last couple of days, Marg has been taking shots to determine whether or not she is pregnant - from all present indications, it would appear as though she is. If this is the case, it will bring on a number of complications. In the afternoon we attended R.E.
May 14, 1948 (Friday):
In the morning we went visiting to try and round up some lumber - we finally ended up by buying some in order that we could finish up the wash house. While we were working in the afternoon, the local police issued a Tidal wave alarm and the whole town was evacuated to higher ground. It was due to an earthquake somewhere in the Aleutians. We stayed out for about two hours and then returned to go to M.I.A.
May 15, 1948 (Saturday):
We cleaned the home and the yard in the morning and then in the afternoon Elder Harvey and I went down to Hanapepe to attend a Relief Society Board Meeting with regard to an emergency case that came up in Koloa. I made the recommendation before the board that no action be taken to give the family assistance - and that it should be a matter between the branch and the mission. It was received favorably. In the evening we went to a baby Luau at the home of David Kaiu for his granddaughter - Elsie’s daughter. It was a wonderful feast and the Kalua pig was especially good. On the way up there we visited Ben Ohai and Marg met him for the first time. Marg’s birthday and she celebrated by scrubbing and washing.
May 16, 1948 (Sunday):
Sunday School as usual, and then in the afternoon I conducted our first Union meeting on the Island here in Kapaa. I changed the procedure somewhat and arranged it much like we did it on Maui. I also had the last half hour devoted to Teacher training[52]. Many people commented upon the success of it, and I believe that it is some improvement anyway.
May 17, 1948 (Monday):
We finished most of the carpentry work on the building including putting in screen, finishing walls - putting on door and laying the roofing.
May 18, 1948 (Tuesday):
We drove down to Hanapepe to pick up some food and some things for the Relief Society. We were fortunate and got in on some good buys. In the afternoon, we returned in time to go to Fernandez for dinner - After dinner I showed the strip film - “Message of the Ages,” and for the first time had a chance to talk about religion.
May 19, 1948 (Wednesday):
We poured cement in the wash house and finally completed that phase of it in the afternoon. We were all then invited to dinner at the home of Jack Morriss a haole engineer that we met in town. It was delicious.
May 20, 1948 (Thursday):
Painting the wash house was on the agenda for today - we finished up the outside and almost completed building the steps out of the back door. This morning Marg had her first touch of Morning Sickness - another sign of pregnancy. Tonight we went up to Kapaa Heights and visited the Soongs and returned with a supply of eggs and some pineapple.
May 21, 1948 (Friday):
I taught an M.I.A class on the “Personality of God.”
May 22, 1948 (Saturday):
The Kapaa Relief Society had the celebration of their founding - called a Lanhanau. Afterwards we all went over and played baseball.
May 23, 1948 (Monday):
After Sunday School, we had Elders Wyatt and Christianson over for dinner. Marg then spoke in the Japanese meeting in the afternoon while I did some office work. After Sacrament meeting we went over to Geo. Kondo’s where he showed us some of his pictures. While there, his daughter Elenore whipped up a delicious cake in about an hours time.
May 26, 1948 (Wednesday):
We put on the finishing coat of paint on the wash house, visited the Kaui families and then Marg and I went to dinner up at the Cocketts in the evening. The Cocketts are fine people.
May 27, 1948 (Thursday):
Elder Harvey and I went tracting in morning. We all went to R.E. in the morning, and then we went up to visit Ben Ohai - he was home and so we dropped up there - he gave us a bag of papaya, and a bag of sweet corn - enough to last for a week or so. While there, a heavy rain came up, and we were stranded for a couple of ours. In the evening we attended a Scout organizational meeting.
May 28, 1948 (Friday):
After M.I.A. the young people stayed here and sang until about ten o’clock.
May 30, 1948 (Sunday):
The usual Sunday meetings - after Church we had the young people in, including an investigator they sang until about 10:00 and then went home. It is a good thing for them because they usually spend most of their time going to shows.
May 31, 1948 (Monday):
Memorial Day celebration and a holiday - we had an R.E. picnic on the Wailua River, and it was a fine day in spite of an early morning heavy rain. We were exhausted on our return. Mike was left at Sis. Battads.
June 1, 1948 (Tuesday):
We, Elder Harvey and I went visiting members today and got about 4 or 5 families straightened out in our minds. Much work is to be done among them, and someone could concentrate his full effort on the inactive members alone and still have a full time job.
June 2, 1948 (Wednesday):
Elder Harvey and I went out visiting and stayed most of the day and enjoyed ourselves immensely. Was very much impressed with the home of Sis. Belledo. I have never seen such a clean and neat place in all my life. She gave us some cabbage, onions and carrots besides cookies and such. Felt very fine all day.
June 3, 1948 (Thursday):
We all drove down to Lihue this morning to get haircuts, go to the Lihue Store, and to go and visit Sis Aiu. This afternoon was the closing day for Religious Education - only seven children turned out and so we played a game of softball, gave them some soda water and cookies and called it a day.
June 4, 1948 (Friday):
We took the car to the service station to have repaired and then went up to Kehapana and visited the Kaui family’s and Sis. Peters. M.I.A. was held in the evening.
June 5, 1948 (Saturday):
We worked in the yard today, and then went out in the evening and saw our first show since the arrival in Kapaa. It was at the Pono Theatre, and Fillipino’s were smoking all around us - in spite of it all we enjoyed the show “Come and Get it” with Ed Arnold, Joel McCrea.
June 6, 1948 (Sunday):
We had a wonderful fast meeting in the afternoon - the best that we have attended for months. In the evening after church, the fireside was held and lack of planning was in evidence. At the last minute I was asked to show pictures[53].
June 8, 1948 (Tuesday):
We got a late start and as we were about to go out, the C.P.M [Central Pacific Mission] Elders Wyatt and Christianson came by and asked us to go to a party for Elder Christenson who is being transferred to Molokai. We all went up the Wailua river - (left Mike at Horase’s) and had a fine lunch and went swimming - Afterwards we came down and went water skiing - I tried it twice but failed to get up.
June 9, 1948 (Wednesday):
The children of our R.E. Class requested our presence at a party they had planned for us. It was a make shift affair but interesting. On the way up there we visited Sis Fernandes and learned that her husband was very interested. Afterwards we continued visiting and in the evening went to M.I.A.
June 10, 1948 (Thursday):
We went to the home of Elsie Arnellas Kaui and held a cottage meeting there. The topic we gave was on the Book of Mormon. After, we drove down to Lihue to see the dance put on by Koloa Branch. We took Mike along and therefore had to be back early. The Kaui girls also came back with us and they stayed until after midnight.
June 11, 1948 (Friday):
We went to the home of Ray Fernandez where we joined them in dinner before he leaves with the Nat’l Guard for Oahu - things are looking up there and we may be able to do some good. After we attended M.I.A., and then went to Jap. bon dance for a while. The Kaui family stayed until after 11:00 again.
June 13, 1948 (Sunday):
A long and strenuous day, but one filled with joy. We arose in the morning early to be down at the broadcasting studio by 7:00 to sing over the local radio program. Sunday School was indeed a surprise and it showed the fruits of work. Murial Fernandes and her children, Sis Panani with Pedro Moniz (the man she lives with) and Sis Agayan, with her daughter were there. The Fernandez situation looks good. We took over an hour getting to Hanapepe and arrived almost an half hour late. Anyway the Union Meeting went off alright, and I conducted, gave the Priesthood Lesson, the Teacher Training and in the morning I gave the Sunday School lesson. We arrived back from Hanapepe just in time to go to church and as that happened Bro. Haase asked me to speak - I almost fell over, but I did it anyway, and so all went well. All in all, I spent better than two hours on my feet. When church was over some of the girls came over and stayed and talked - Marg and Elder Harvey carried the ball while I went to bed around 8:30.
June 17, 1948 (Thursday):
We went to Lihue (Elder Harvey and I) to deposit our money in the Bank, and then on to Hanapepe to go to American Factors to pick up some supplies. We also continued down to see Elder Bartholomew. In the meantime Marg went to Kokee with the Ohai’s - while there they picked plums. It was a fine opportunity for missionary work and a lot was accomplished. Both Ben and Sis Ohai were along.
June 19, 1948 (Saturday):
We took a little trip up to the Wailua Falls - while there we got a puncture, and luckily enough we had a spare. When we got back we studied a bit and then went to the home of Clara Ohai - we found that we had another flat and so we had to walk up there. I blessed and dedicated their home and then we blessed a couple of the kids - After that we returned for a father’s Day program in the branch.
June 22, 1948 (Tuesday):
We visited the Kaui families in the afternoon and got in the midst of some family quarrels and rivalry. To bad that families can’t get along.
June 23, 1948 (Wednesday):
Had one of the finest experiences of our Mission to date - we called on a Mrs. Costa - who at one time was baptized - she seemed to be waiting for the gospel. We had a fine conversation with her for a couple of hours and came away uplifted and refreshed. She said that she wants to come to church and wants a Book of Mormon. She invited us to come back Tuesday afternoon.
June 24, 1948 (Thursday):
We went up to Kehapana to visit the Kauis and we got right in the middle of a family squabble over some Taro land. As it happened we were asked to do a couple of things by both families and either way would have caused pilikia [trouble].
June 25, 1948 (Friday):
In the morning we set out to go tracting up at Anahola - a Japanese fellow picked us up and took us right out to where we were going. We called on several homes including an old Hawaiian woman by the name of Hoomana. We went up to one house, and to our surprise we found a member of the church - she talked and talked until the afternoon was gone and so she then drove us back to Kapaa. The Joe Louis, Jersey Joe Walcott fight was broadcast during the late afternoon, and we enjoyed listening to every minute of it. Walcott was knocked out in the Eleventh round and after that, Louis announced his retirement from the ring.
June 26, 1948 (Saturday):
We got the car from the Garage, and Marg, Mike, Elder Harvey and myself drove out to Kilauea where I had to perform a marriage ceremony between a Filipino non member, and a Hawaiian member. She, Sis Hualu is pregnant 8 months and has been living with the fellow for quite a while. It is her second marriage. After the ceremony, we sat down to a big luau, and stuffed ourselves to the brim with pig, poi, pop, and ice cream and cake.
June 27, 1948 (Sunday):
Elder Harvey and I went to Kalaheo where Sis Vidinha met us and took us down to No milo beach where I had to perform a marriage between Iris Evelyn Palama and a Jewish fellow from Chicago, Martin Hornstine. The wedding was on the beach and many of the Elite came to it.
June 28, 1948 (Monday):
Elder Harvey and I spent the day looking up some doubtful people on record - in the afternoon we went up to Kaui’s to get some wood roses for Bro. McGhie, who is leaving the Islands this next week. While there, David Kaui family insisted that we sit down and have some Kalua pig, poi, soda, fried eggs and cakes. It was the left overs from the birthday dinner that they had for Sis Kaui the day before. We stuffed ourselves till we could barely wiggle. In the evening, we went up to Battad’s where we had a cottage meeting - the Bender family, relatives of Battads were there and were the objects of the meeting.
June 29, 1948 (Tuesday):
In the afternoon Elder Harvey and I went to call on Mrs. Costa as per her request, and we talked to her on the story of Hagoth, discussed Sunday being the Lord’s Day, and tried to show her from the Bible where the changeover was made. Again she was very receptive - she bought a Book of Mormon and invited us back next week. We played volley ball in the evening in the M.I.A. league.
June 30, 1948 (Wednesday):
Elder Harvey and I went tracting in upper Kealia. We came across a Japanese lady by the name of Mrs. Yamaguchi who was very friendly. Her husband is a photography fan and is employed at Kealia Store. She invited us to come back. As per usual we received a few sneers from the Catholics. We ended up at Ben Ohai’s in the afternoon and had a good visit with him including eating an ice cold pineapple. He invited us to go out with him on the 5th of July. We returned and picked up the mail and found that Elder Harvey is to be transferred on the 2nd of July to Lanai - Elder David Taylor will take his place and his arrival date here is uncertain because his father may want to accompany him. It should be on either Saturday or Monday. We went to a birthday party for the little Bender boy, and Mike was sleepy and irritable and so we had to leave early because of it.
July 1, 1948 (Thursday):
I went to Lihue with Elder Harvey in the morning to get his plane reservation and ticket. While there I got a haircut. In the afternoon we visited all the members we could so that he could tell them goodbye. We were all invited up to Henry Sheldon’s in the evening where we had a chicken dinner with all the trimmings. Elder Harvey at the time gave his swan song.
July 2, 1948 (Friday):
The Sheldons picked us up and drove us down to the airport to get Harvey off. He left at 11:00 AM, and was quite touched at leaving. He was well liked, had a fine spirit and should be very successful on his new assignment. I worked on the books in the afternoon, and then we went to M.I.A in the evening.
July 4, 1948 (Sunday):
Elder Harvey’s leaving left a vacancy in the Advanced Jr. Sunday School Class, and so I took that, and it looks as though I will be stuck with the job some time. Marg and I enjoyed a fine dinner by ourselves - leftovers from last night, when Mr. and Mrs. Jack Morris came over for dinner. Late in the afternoon, I went over to the hall to practice in Priesthood chorus for program that evening. At the program, the chorus, directed by Henry Sheldon, sang two nos., a quartet composed of Henry Sheldon Jr. & Sr., Joe Kahamaele, and myself sang “Let the Tower Lights be Burning.” One of the speakers was scared out and so at the last moment, I was called on to take the balance of the time. It was a fine experience, and I gave the historical background of the Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthoods. A fireside was held immediately after meeting and the time was devoted to the telling of some Hawaiian legends. I think that many of them are still believed, and never has the superstitious nature of the Hawaiians been so clearly revealed to me[54].
July 5, 1948 (Monday):
Just before noon, Pres. Smith phoned from Honolulu, and asked me to meet Dean & David Taylor at the airport. The car was still in the garage being repaired, and so I had to hustle them up to get it out and get under way. Just out of Hanapepe, I had a flat, or I should say the re cap on the tire came loose, and when I stopped to fix it, I lost my wrist watch out of my shirt pocket. I was late in arriving at the airport, but they were waiting for me. We returned and visited the remaining part of the afternoon, and then in the evening we went up and visited the Sheldons. I was very much impressed with David and he has a humble, sweet attitude, and is always desirous of dong the right things.
July 6, 1948 (Tuesday):
We started out to take the Dean to Hanalei, but we didn’t go far because of the rain. - instead we took a ride up around the Wailua River. Later in the afternoon, Henry Sheldon took us for a ride up through the homesteads, and told us some Hawaiian legends connected with the points of interest. (large) Bro. Battad gave us four T-Bone steaks to have for our dinner and so we dined in style. After dinner we attended the volley ball game between the Catholics and our M.I.A. team. It was really good. We won one game and the Catholics the other.
July 7, 1948 (Wednesday):
We took Dean Taylor down to the airport and fortunately encountered no difficulty with the car, either on the way or returning. The Dean went over to Maui to spend the balance of the week with Pres. and Sis Smith. Due to the absence of teacher in Priesthood meeting, I had to give lesson on Baptism for the dead. Pop wrote and told of Winnifred [Jardine] having a new baby boy[55].
July 9, 1948 (Friday):
Elder Taylor straightened his things out yesterday, and this morning we started out on our regular routine. For study class, we started the New Testament, and then after that, we set out to visit the members of the Branch. Due to the Pineapple season very few people were home and we covered the whole territory virtually in a day. It is going to be quite a problem this summer because of it. Only the children are home in most houses. M.I.A occupied our time in the evening with the usual volley ball. At M.I.A. I was called upon at the last minute to give a talk.
July 10, 1948 (Saturday):
We cleaned the yard and scrubbed the floors by noon and then had the afternoon free to take care of a few necessities - and also had time to read. This evening we saw the “Long Night,” an unusual picture at the Roxy Theatre.
July 11, 1948 (Sunday):
Sis Sheldon called up at the last minute and asked me to take her Sunday School class - ranging in age from 14 to 18. The lesson material was very interesting and it was an enjoyable experience. Sis Aiu brought a dozen eggs to us, and Sis Peniani gave us a loaf of bread. The afternoon was so warm that we couldn’t stay inside and so we went out and read on a blanket on the lawn. At sacrament meeting, Marg and Elder Taylor were asked to speak a few minutes before it began and they both gave excellent talks, and they fit in very nicely together. I had Mike during the meeting and when he saw his mother at the pulpit, he could hardly be contained. He certainly does recognize his mother.
July 12, 1948 (Monday):
Elder Taylor and I set out in the morning to go to Kealia and tract. We met nothing but ridicule from children during the day - very few houses had adults in them because they are all working. We did have one fair conversation with a Budhist lady. We are going to have to figure out some way of using our time to a better advantage until the pineapple season is over.
July 13, 1948 (Tuesday):
We went out and called on some houses, but with little result as before, finding very few at home. In the afternoon we had an appointment with Mrs. Costa, but when we went there, found her in Honolulu. Later on during the day Clara Ohai gave us some mangos and some turtle steaks. This evening we played in the regular volley ball league.
July 14, 1948 (Wednesday):
Elder Taylor and I decided to try a new way of making contacts, since we have had such discouraging results due to people being in canneries. We set out for Anahola and got a couple of rides both of them good contacts, tracted in Anahola for a couple of hours, and then set out for Kilauea taking several rides to get both ways and making good contacts in almost all of them. The only trouble is that they may be a bit difficult to follow up. All in all, it was a very profitable day, and we’ll try it more often. Tonight Priesthood was held again and again I was asked to take the lesson.
July 15, 1948 (Thursday):
Elder Taylor and I went to Lihue to go to the Bank and while there we got haircuts. It was a rainy day all day, and we didn’t know what to expect from one minute to the next as far rain was concerned. We hitchhiked both ways and in so doing, we made a couple of fair contacts. In the afternoon we returned and went up and called upon an investigator - Pedro Mouing[?] - he is living with Sis. Pamani out of wedlock. They insisted that we stay and have dinner with them. Volleyball again was the evening program in the gym.
July 16 1948 (Friday):
We had some business pertaining to the car to take care of, and we managed to get a new spring and some wiring for it. In the afternoon we went to Anahola and got into some fine contacts. All along the south side of the Village there seems to be a fertile field and if we concentrate on that area, I believe that a lot of good can be done. We got one Cottage meeting lined up for next week out of it. At M.I.A. a large crowd showed up and among them were many investigators.
July 17, 1948 (Saturday):
This morning we cleaned the yard and scrubbed the floors - later we went up and picked up the car and it worked out all right - After it is painted, it will look just about like a new car. We all went across the street to a show later. We visited the Soongs and in talking to them, learned that a couple of weeks ago, I sold an English - Hawaiian New Testament to a lady who couldn’t read or write. I found that she wanted to improve her Hawaiian and so I suggested this, and I guess she didn’t want me to know she was illiterate. Pres. Smith called from Honolulu before going to the show, and told me to get in touch with Elder Parry and have him move over to Oahu on Wednesday by Inter-Island and to pick up Elder Moffatt at Navilli Willi to replace him.
July 18, 1948 (Sunday):
Today there was a smaller group than usual in Sunday School, this was no doubt due to the summer canning season. During the afternoon, we went up to the homesteads and visited with the Querito’s and the Billedos. It is the first time that Marg had visited them. When at Billedos they fed us ice cream and insisted that we take a bunch of bananas and a number of cans of pineapple - at Queretos they forced us to take a dozen eggs. They seemed to be so glad to see us that they couldn’t do enough for us. This evening we went to fireside and there were quite a number in attendance.
July 19, 1948 (Monday):
This evening we went up to Anahola where we held a cottage meeting with a family by the name of Kaleiohio. They don’t belong to any church and are a bit leary of church organizations. They did listen with interest, but they may come around. Mike made quite a hit with them, and if for no other reason, I think that we will be invited back because of him. We were saddened to hear by cable of death of Marg’s Grandfather Sorensen[56].
July 20, 1948 (Tuesday):
I worked on my monthly report in the morning and in the afternoon we went up to see Mrs. Costa - according to appointment. She was busy however, and so we went over to the pineapple cannery and went through it. After that we went up to see Ben Ohai. I gave him the book “Three Mormon Classics” that the Folks had sent for him and he was noticeably pleased. Out of a clear blue sky he mentioned that he was going to pay his tithing and that it would be about 30 young pigs, a tenth of his expected increase of 300 for the next few months. It presents quite a problem but a pleasant one.
July 21, 1948 (Wednesday):
We arose early, caught a little breakfast on the fly and Elder Taylor and I hurried down to Nawilibili to meet Elder Madison Moffatt who was coming in on it. We then took him out to Kalihi-Kai, and then took Elder W.C. Parry, whom he replaced, down to Hanapepe to catch the same ship on its way to Honolulu, where he will labor at Nanakuli. While at the other side of the Island, we picked up quite a supply of food at American Factors, and also went out to Kekaha to roundup a couple of reports. While out there, Sis. Aipoalani gave us a bunch of fish that were rare, and that supposedly only bite about every 20 years. At Priesthood meeting this evening I gave the lesson (unexpected again) and ordained Bro. Jose Billedo to the office of an Elder.
July 22, 1948 (Thursday):
We went up to Anahola again today - it was very rainy, and between Kapaa and Kealia we were caught in a rain storm and had to duck down below an embankment to avoid getting drenched. We walked quite a way out of Kealia before we got a ride. However, when we got out there, it was well worth our while - among those we contacted were Sis Kahounaeles father and he showed quite an interest - we distributed two Hawaiian tracts[57]. During the evening, we returned and played in the volley ball league.
July 23, 1948 (Friday):
We stayed in this morning while I completed my report and then we went to Lihue afternoon to make a Bank Deposit. A large crowd was present at M.I.A. this evening, and the usual program was carried out. During the day we administered to Bro. Kemuki who is all crippled up with rheumatism.
July 24, 1948 (Saturday):
We received a call from Daynes Ohai stating that he wanted to be administered to - he is home on furlough from the army and has been having trouble with his memory. We administered to him and then we visited with him better than an hour. He feels the need of church service. We worked in the yard all afternoon.
July 25, 1948 (Sunday):
I completed an article on the Volley Ball League that was organized here for the Church News - before Sunday School. At Sunday School, Daynes and Reuben Ohai were out. Reuben mentioned that he would likely be coming out all of the time from now on. If he could be directed in the right paths, he would surely be a valuable asset. After church, the Sheldons brought us a quarter of a watermelon which was a real treat.
July 26, 1948 (Monday):
Elder Taylor and I decided to go up in the territory behind the sleeping giant[58]. We walked for a good two hours before we came to any houses - it must have been five or six miles. We did find a couple of people home but came across no especially good contacts. We called on one house, and the man was a haole, and a minister of one of the Pentecostal Churches. He invited us in and gave us a glass of milk, and then he started in on us, and ripped us down one side and up the other. He showed us statements of supposedly x-members of the church who proclaimed it all a fraud, and he also had a printed statement from the Smithsonian Institute stating that the Book of Mormon has no Scientific foundation or truth in it. He quoted Paul that by grace are we saved, and said that the church mattered not. Whenever he would calm down for a minute I tried to slip in a word edgewise, and asked where he got his authority from - and he quoted the commission of Christ to the Twelve Apostles when he told them to go out into all the world to preach the gospel. He then started in on the Prophet and said he knew the Smith family and had affidavits that they were nothing but drunkards and that they were murderers and thieves, and I have never in my life seen anyone carry on such as he did. He ran the claim of the plates up and down, claiming that they would weigh too much to carry - there are few subjects that weren’t covered in fact, and we had little chance to talk. Before we had been in there very long his wife came in with another couple and they chimed in too, and we had a near battle royal on our hands and in that spirit of course nothing came out of it but confusion. Between every sentence or so they would inject a Hallelujah or a “Praise God Brother.” They asked us to pray when we left, and I was mouthpiece, and I couldn’t think clearly because of their “Praising God” and carrying on. Talk about the spirit of the adversary - they surely had it. We may go back later with a few facts on the things we were unable to present because of lack of references. It was quite an experience though and one that I wouldn’t trade - made us realize how much we have yet to learn about the Bible. In spite of it all we did hold our own pretty well. We spent about 3 hours at his home, and when we left we were worn out and so we started on the long road home. After we had gone down the road a few hundred yards, a car drove up and asked us whether or not we would take a ride to Kapaa - he said that he wasn’t due to go in for an hour or so, but since he had seen us, he would go in early just to give us the ride. Talk about an answer to prayer - that was it. This evening I helped Henry Sheldon Jr. with his correspondence course in Plane Geometry. He needs it for entrance into the University - I will continue to tutor him throughout the balance of the summer. Nothing gives more satisfaction than teaching.
July 27, 1948 (Tuesday):
In the morning we all went up to Kehapana to visit the Kaui families and then ended up by visiting Muriel Fernandez. She insisted that we come back to dinner that night and then had us go out and kill a couple of their chickens to be used for dinner. It was the first time that I had ever chopped the head off a chicken and picked it clean, and so it was quite an experience. We took one of the chickens home and Marg cooked it, and she also baked a cake. Late in the afternoon we called on Mrs. Costa according to the appointment we made, and talked with her an hour, and on the way back we met Reuben Ohai and talked with him also. Dinner in the evening was good as usual - we talked little religion to them - they will come around some day.
July 28, 1948 (Wednesday):
Michael is 9 months old today, and he can stand alone - unsupported and it shouldn’t be too long until he starts to walk. This morning we went out in back of the Sleeping Giant again to tract, and we had a fairly good day - the people there are all farmers and as a result, most of them have more time to sit down and talk. However, the homes are quite a distance apart, and so we walked a good ways. This evening Pres. Weenig is in town and so we called our Phd [priesthood] meeting off to let the C.P.M. people have a meeting - we attended and enjoyed seeing him again.
July 29, 1948 (Thursday):
We went up to Keahia to visit Dr. Cockett this morning for Marg to have her pre-natal examination - while there I made an appointment with him to return later in the afternoon for a complete x-ray of my teeth. Later we went down to Lihue, where Marg visited with Sis. Aiu and we got haircuts. This evening we went up to Ammon Ohai’s to show our pictures of Southern Utah - also there was a Mrs. Brown, besides the Ohai family. They seemed to enjoy the pictures and wanted to see more - that will give something to work on in the future. We did make an appointment with Reuben to hike over to Kalalau valley next Friday and Saturday.
July 30, 1948 (Friday):
We decided that we should stay home and get at painting the car - after we got the car all sanded down and ready to go, we discovered that we had gotten the wrong color of paint we had to scout around and try and find the proper pigment to color it with, and even then we were rather dubious of the whole situation. We did get the pigment and it didn’t turn out so bad being a light blue. This evening the M.I.A had a social that was a lot of fun.
July 31, 1948 (Saturday):
The usual clean up was in order, and later I finished painting the inside of the car, dash board and window boarders. This evening we all went to a show at the Roxy called “Down to Earth” with Rita Hayworth and Larry Park, and it was rather refreshing.
August 1, 1948 (Sunday):
I am reminded that this is Juddie’s birthday - he has been out on his Mission for almost six months now[59]. This morning at Sunday School, Reuben Ohai was again present, and he brought two of the Kupihia girls with him - again at evening meeting he attended with the same two and he surely showed an eagerness and said that before we leave, he wants to have the chapel filled. If he can keep enthused he will be one of the most valuable assets of this Branch. The C.P.M. held a baptismal service in the afternoon, in which eight were baptized - the faunt in the chapel was used. This evening the meeting was under the direction of the Primary and Marg wrote the program and it was fine. After meeting a fireside was held in the gym and Hawaiian legends were the program.
August 2, 1948 (Monday):
This morning we took care of our weekly reports and Bro. Gonzales[60] of Waimea came in with some business and as a result we got a late start. We headed out toward Anahola and were picked up by a Mr. Barnes again who is the head of one section of the plantation. That is the second time he has picked us up and he is surely a likeable fellow. At Anahola we re-visited many of the people that we had seen before, and in most cases received a very cordial welcome. We came across one woman that is all engrossed in mysticism and spiritualism and we are going to go back and see her again and see if possibly we can’t do a little good. While there also, we met a Montgomery fellow who is the father of one of our members. This evening we attended an organizational meeting of the M.I.A. recreational league.
August 3, 1948 (Tuesday):
Our appointment with Mrs. Costa fell through again and so we went up and visited the Kaui familys and while there got in on a feud between the Kupiheas and the Peters family over some land. The evening we went to Kalihi-Kai where I married a Japanese couple[61] who are not members of the church. They were very friendly however and a lot of good was done I feel through the contact. It was performed in the chapel there and refreshments were had later.
August 4, 1948 (Wednesday):
This afternoon we struck out for Hanapepe, Elder Taylor and I, - we were all invited to a luau at Harold Ching’s to celebrate the baptism of his wife. We decided to go down early so we could get to American Factors and get some food, and so we set out Hitchhiking and left the car with the C.P.M. Elders who came down with Marg and Mike later in the afternoon. We had an interesting time hitchhiking and met some fine people who picked us up. That is an excellent way to make contacts. The dinner was a Japanese one, and it was delicious.
August 5, 1948 (Thursday):
This morning Sis Louisa Sheldon called up and asked us to come over and have lunch with her and so we did. She delivered a kiss and hug from mother and was flowing over with the goodness of the people to her on her recent trip. She returned yesterday. We had almost a regular luau with pork, poi, lomi lomi Salmon, rice pudding, and water melon. After lunch we talked for the greater part of the afternoon. She told of her visit with our folks and expressed her appreciation for all the things they had done. She also told of her experience in Chicago of meeting Bro. Weaver and calling Br. Edmunds. It surely is a small world and it gave me a real thrill to hear of them again. After we returned Reuben Ohai[62] came over and gave us a dozen baby tuna fish, and then stayed for several hours - he seemed to want to talk about something and he opened right up. He will surely make a fine leader.
August 6, 1948 (Friday):
We left at noon and drove out to Haena and from thence hiked for a couple of hours to a valley called Hanakapiai on the Napali coast. Reuben Ohai took enough food along with him to feed us for several days and it was no joy packing it because of a lack of a convenient way of carrying it. For dinner we had steak, fried potatoes, beans - all in abundance. Before returning we took a swim in the nearby stream and then started to sleep on the beach - about midnight we had to roll up our blankets and head for shelter because of rain. The remainder of the night we spent fighting for our lives from mosquitos in an old broken down shack. I don’t think I slept more than an hour or so all night.
The Island had a Relief Society bazaar and many beautiful pieces of handiwork were put on sale - we bought a Hawaiian quilt for Marg’s mother. In the afternoon we [?] the other elders had a baseball game at the Kapaa ball park - I succeeded in getting my first sunburn of the year. In the evening, we went to Kauai High School to hear the Kamehameha school for boys gleeclub sing. It was very impressive, and one of the finest exhibitions that I have seen.
May 9, 1948 (Sunday):
Mother’s day today and we attended a very fine Mother’s day program in the branch. Afterwards we were invited to a dinner at the Dew Drop Inn with Chinese food as the bill of fare. It was all very delicious. After the dinner, we took Sis Aiu home and visited with her and her husband for a little while. In the evening meeting the Mothers day theme was again carried out.
May 11, 1948 (Tuesday):
Again we went to the Fernandes home for dinner and more openings came our way than on the previous occasions. It was a fine dinner, and still very little gospel was discussed - although more than before. We completed the plumbing job in the wash house today and installed the laundry tubs. When all were finished, we found that we had some loose connections - they day was nearly over, and so we had to save that until later.
May 12, 1948 (Wednesday):
We arose early and went up to see Ben Ohai about some things and we had quite a conversation with him.
May 13, 1948 (Thursday):
We went to Lihue in the morning to get a haircut and to buy some groceries and take care of a few other things. For the last couple of days, Marg has been taking shots to determine whether or not she is pregnant - from all present indications, it would appear as though she is. If this is the case, it will bring on a number of complications. In the afternoon we attended R.E.
May 14, 1948 (Friday):
In the morning we went visiting to try and round up some lumber - we finally ended up by buying some in order that we could finish up the wash house. While we were working in the afternoon, the local police issued a Tidal wave alarm and the whole town was evacuated to higher ground. It was due to an earthquake somewhere in the Aleutians. We stayed out for about two hours and then returned to go to M.I.A.
May 15, 1948 (Saturday):
We cleaned the home and the yard in the morning and then in the afternoon Elder Harvey and I went down to Hanapepe to attend a Relief Society Board Meeting with regard to an emergency case that came up in Koloa. I made the recommendation before the board that no action be taken to give the family assistance - and that it should be a matter between the branch and the mission. It was received favorably. In the evening we went to a baby Luau at the home of David Kaiu for his granddaughter - Elsie’s daughter. It was a wonderful feast and the Kalua pig was especially good. On the way up there we visited Ben Ohai and Marg met him for the first time. Marg’s birthday and she celebrated by scrubbing and washing.
May 16, 1948 (Sunday):
Sunday School as usual, and then in the afternoon I conducted our first Union meeting on the Island here in Kapaa. I changed the procedure somewhat and arranged it much like we did it on Maui. I also had the last half hour devoted to Teacher training[52]. Many people commented upon the success of it, and I believe that it is some improvement anyway.
May 17, 1948 (Monday):
We finished most of the carpentry work on the building including putting in screen, finishing walls - putting on door and laying the roofing.
May 18, 1948 (Tuesday):
We drove down to Hanapepe to pick up some food and some things for the Relief Society. We were fortunate and got in on some good buys. In the afternoon, we returned in time to go to Fernandez for dinner - After dinner I showed the strip film - “Message of the Ages,” and for the first time had a chance to talk about religion.
May 19, 1948 (Wednesday):
We poured cement in the wash house and finally completed that phase of it in the afternoon. We were all then invited to dinner at the home of Jack Morriss a haole engineer that we met in town. It was delicious.
May 20, 1948 (Thursday):
Painting the wash house was on the agenda for today - we finished up the outside and almost completed building the steps out of the back door. This morning Marg had her first touch of Morning Sickness - another sign of pregnancy. Tonight we went up to Kapaa Heights and visited the Soongs and returned with a supply of eggs and some pineapple.
May 21, 1948 (Friday):
I taught an M.I.A class on the “Personality of God.”
May 22, 1948 (Saturday):
The Kapaa Relief Society had the celebration of their founding - called a Lanhanau. Afterwards we all went over and played baseball.
May 23, 1948 (Monday):
After Sunday School, we had Elders Wyatt and Christianson over for dinner. Marg then spoke in the Japanese meeting in the afternoon while I did some office work. After Sacrament meeting we went over to Geo. Kondo’s where he showed us some of his pictures. While there, his daughter Elenore whipped up a delicious cake in about an hours time.
May 26, 1948 (Wednesday):
We put on the finishing coat of paint on the wash house, visited the Kaui families and then Marg and I went to dinner up at the Cocketts in the evening. The Cocketts are fine people.
May 27, 1948 (Thursday):
Elder Harvey and I went tracting in morning. We all went to R.E. in the morning, and then we went up to visit Ben Ohai - he was home and so we dropped up there - he gave us a bag of papaya, and a bag of sweet corn - enough to last for a week or so. While there, a heavy rain came up, and we were stranded for a couple of ours. In the evening we attended a Scout organizational meeting.
May 28, 1948 (Friday):
After M.I.A. the young people stayed here and sang until about ten o’clock.
May 30, 1948 (Sunday):
The usual Sunday meetings - after Church we had the young people in, including an investigator they sang until about 10:00 and then went home. It is a good thing for them because they usually spend most of their time going to shows.
May 31, 1948 (Monday):
Memorial Day celebration and a holiday - we had an R.E. picnic on the Wailua River, and it was a fine day in spite of an early morning heavy rain. We were exhausted on our return. Mike was left at Sis. Battads.
June 1, 1948 (Tuesday):
We, Elder Harvey and I went visiting members today and got about 4 or 5 families straightened out in our minds. Much work is to be done among them, and someone could concentrate his full effort on the inactive members alone and still have a full time job.
June 2, 1948 (Wednesday):
Elder Harvey and I went out visiting and stayed most of the day and enjoyed ourselves immensely. Was very much impressed with the home of Sis. Belledo. I have never seen such a clean and neat place in all my life. She gave us some cabbage, onions and carrots besides cookies and such. Felt very fine all day.
June 3, 1948 (Thursday):
We all drove down to Lihue this morning to get haircuts, go to the Lihue Store, and to go and visit Sis Aiu. This afternoon was the closing day for Religious Education - only seven children turned out and so we played a game of softball, gave them some soda water and cookies and called it a day.
June 4, 1948 (Friday):
We took the car to the service station to have repaired and then went up to Kehapana and visited the Kaui family’s and Sis. Peters. M.I.A. was held in the evening.
June 5, 1948 (Saturday):
We worked in the yard today, and then went out in the evening and saw our first show since the arrival in Kapaa. It was at the Pono Theatre, and Fillipino’s were smoking all around us - in spite of it all we enjoyed the show “Come and Get it” with Ed Arnold, Joel McCrea.
June 6, 1948 (Sunday):
We had a wonderful fast meeting in the afternoon - the best that we have attended for months. In the evening after church, the fireside was held and lack of planning was in evidence. At the last minute I was asked to show pictures[53].
June 8, 1948 (Tuesday):
We got a late start and as we were about to go out, the C.P.M [Central Pacific Mission] Elders Wyatt and Christianson came by and asked us to go to a party for Elder Christenson who is being transferred to Molokai. We all went up the Wailua river - (left Mike at Horase’s) and had a fine lunch and went swimming - Afterwards we came down and went water skiing - I tried it twice but failed to get up.
June 9, 1948 (Wednesday):
The children of our R.E. Class requested our presence at a party they had planned for us. It was a make shift affair but interesting. On the way up there we visited Sis Fernandes and learned that her husband was very interested. Afterwards we continued visiting and in the evening went to M.I.A.
June 10, 1948 (Thursday):
We went to the home of Elsie Arnellas Kaui and held a cottage meeting there. The topic we gave was on the Book of Mormon. After, we drove down to Lihue to see the dance put on by Koloa Branch. We took Mike along and therefore had to be back early. The Kaui girls also came back with us and they stayed until after midnight.
June 11, 1948 (Friday):
We went to the home of Ray Fernandez where we joined them in dinner before he leaves with the Nat’l Guard for Oahu - things are looking up there and we may be able to do some good. After we attended M.I.A., and then went to Jap. bon dance for a while. The Kaui family stayed until after 11:00 again.
June 13, 1948 (Sunday):
A long and strenuous day, but one filled with joy. We arose in the morning early to be down at the broadcasting studio by 7:00 to sing over the local radio program. Sunday School was indeed a surprise and it showed the fruits of work. Murial Fernandes and her children, Sis Panani with Pedro Moniz (the man she lives with) and Sis Agayan, with her daughter were there. The Fernandez situation looks good. We took over an hour getting to Hanapepe and arrived almost an half hour late. Anyway the Union Meeting went off alright, and I conducted, gave the Priesthood Lesson, the Teacher Training and in the morning I gave the Sunday School lesson. We arrived back from Hanapepe just in time to go to church and as that happened Bro. Haase asked me to speak - I almost fell over, but I did it anyway, and so all went well. All in all, I spent better than two hours on my feet. When church was over some of the girls came over and stayed and talked - Marg and Elder Harvey carried the ball while I went to bed around 8:30.
June 17, 1948 (Thursday):
We went to Lihue (Elder Harvey and I) to deposit our money in the Bank, and then on to Hanapepe to go to American Factors to pick up some supplies. We also continued down to see Elder Bartholomew. In the meantime Marg went to Kokee with the Ohai’s - while there they picked plums. It was a fine opportunity for missionary work and a lot was accomplished. Both Ben and Sis Ohai were along.
June 19, 1948 (Saturday):
We took a little trip up to the Wailua Falls - while there we got a puncture, and luckily enough we had a spare. When we got back we studied a bit and then went to the home of Clara Ohai - we found that we had another flat and so we had to walk up there. I blessed and dedicated their home and then we blessed a couple of the kids - After that we returned for a father’s Day program in the branch.
June 22, 1948 (Tuesday):
We visited the Kaui families in the afternoon and got in the midst of some family quarrels and rivalry. To bad that families can’t get along.
June 23, 1948 (Wednesday):
Had one of the finest experiences of our Mission to date - we called on a Mrs. Costa - who at one time was baptized - she seemed to be waiting for the gospel. We had a fine conversation with her for a couple of hours and came away uplifted and refreshed. She said that she wants to come to church and wants a Book of Mormon. She invited us to come back Tuesday afternoon.
June 24, 1948 (Thursday):
We went up to Kehapana to visit the Kauis and we got right in the middle of a family squabble over some Taro land. As it happened we were asked to do a couple of things by both families and either way would have caused pilikia [trouble].
June 25, 1948 (Friday):
In the morning we set out to go tracting up at Anahola - a Japanese fellow picked us up and took us right out to where we were going. We called on several homes including an old Hawaiian woman by the name of Hoomana. We went up to one house, and to our surprise we found a member of the church - she talked and talked until the afternoon was gone and so she then drove us back to Kapaa. The Joe Louis, Jersey Joe Walcott fight was broadcast during the late afternoon, and we enjoyed listening to every minute of it. Walcott was knocked out in the Eleventh round and after that, Louis announced his retirement from the ring.
June 26, 1948 (Saturday):
We got the car from the Garage, and Marg, Mike, Elder Harvey and myself drove out to Kilauea where I had to perform a marriage ceremony between a Filipino non member, and a Hawaiian member. She, Sis Hualu is pregnant 8 months and has been living with the fellow for quite a while. It is her second marriage. After the ceremony, we sat down to a big luau, and stuffed ourselves to the brim with pig, poi, pop, and ice cream and cake.
June 27, 1948 (Sunday):
Elder Harvey and I went to Kalaheo where Sis Vidinha met us and took us down to No milo beach where I had to perform a marriage between Iris Evelyn Palama and a Jewish fellow from Chicago, Martin Hornstine. The wedding was on the beach and many of the Elite came to it.
June 28, 1948 (Monday):
Elder Harvey and I spent the day looking up some doubtful people on record - in the afternoon we went up to Kaui’s to get some wood roses for Bro. McGhie, who is leaving the Islands this next week. While there, David Kaui family insisted that we sit down and have some Kalua pig, poi, soda, fried eggs and cakes. It was the left overs from the birthday dinner that they had for Sis Kaui the day before. We stuffed ourselves till we could barely wiggle. In the evening, we went up to Battad’s where we had a cottage meeting - the Bender family, relatives of Battads were there and were the objects of the meeting.
June 29, 1948 (Tuesday):
In the afternoon Elder Harvey and I went to call on Mrs. Costa as per her request, and we talked to her on the story of Hagoth, discussed Sunday being the Lord’s Day, and tried to show her from the Bible where the changeover was made. Again she was very receptive - she bought a Book of Mormon and invited us back next week. We played volley ball in the evening in the M.I.A. league.
June 30, 1948 (Wednesday):
Elder Harvey and I went tracting in upper Kealia. We came across a Japanese lady by the name of Mrs. Yamaguchi who was very friendly. Her husband is a photography fan and is employed at Kealia Store. She invited us to come back. As per usual we received a few sneers from the Catholics. We ended up at Ben Ohai’s in the afternoon and had a good visit with him including eating an ice cold pineapple. He invited us to go out with him on the 5th of July. We returned and picked up the mail and found that Elder Harvey is to be transferred on the 2nd of July to Lanai - Elder David Taylor will take his place and his arrival date here is uncertain because his father may want to accompany him. It should be on either Saturday or Monday. We went to a birthday party for the little Bender boy, and Mike was sleepy and irritable and so we had to leave early because of it.
July 1, 1948 (Thursday):
I went to Lihue with Elder Harvey in the morning to get his plane reservation and ticket. While there I got a haircut. In the afternoon we visited all the members we could so that he could tell them goodbye. We were all invited up to Henry Sheldon’s in the evening where we had a chicken dinner with all the trimmings. Elder Harvey at the time gave his swan song.
July 2, 1948 (Friday):
The Sheldons picked us up and drove us down to the airport to get Harvey off. He left at 11:00 AM, and was quite touched at leaving. He was well liked, had a fine spirit and should be very successful on his new assignment. I worked on the books in the afternoon, and then we went to M.I.A in the evening.
July 4, 1948 (Sunday):
Elder Harvey’s leaving left a vacancy in the Advanced Jr. Sunday School Class, and so I took that, and it looks as though I will be stuck with the job some time. Marg and I enjoyed a fine dinner by ourselves - leftovers from last night, when Mr. and Mrs. Jack Morris came over for dinner. Late in the afternoon, I went over to the hall to practice in Priesthood chorus for program that evening. At the program, the chorus, directed by Henry Sheldon, sang two nos., a quartet composed of Henry Sheldon Jr. & Sr., Joe Kahamaele, and myself sang “Let the Tower Lights be Burning.” One of the speakers was scared out and so at the last moment, I was called on to take the balance of the time. It was a fine experience, and I gave the historical background of the Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthoods. A fireside was held immediately after meeting and the time was devoted to the telling of some Hawaiian legends. I think that many of them are still believed, and never has the superstitious nature of the Hawaiians been so clearly revealed to me[54].
July 5, 1948 (Monday):
Just before noon, Pres. Smith phoned from Honolulu, and asked me to meet Dean & David Taylor at the airport. The car was still in the garage being repaired, and so I had to hustle them up to get it out and get under way. Just out of Hanapepe, I had a flat, or I should say the re cap on the tire came loose, and when I stopped to fix it, I lost my wrist watch out of my shirt pocket. I was late in arriving at the airport, but they were waiting for me. We returned and visited the remaining part of the afternoon, and then in the evening we went up and visited the Sheldons. I was very much impressed with David and he has a humble, sweet attitude, and is always desirous of dong the right things.
July 6, 1948 (Tuesday):
We started out to take the Dean to Hanalei, but we didn’t go far because of the rain. - instead we took a ride up around the Wailua River. Later in the afternoon, Henry Sheldon took us for a ride up through the homesteads, and told us some Hawaiian legends connected with the points of interest. (large) Bro. Battad gave us four T-Bone steaks to have for our dinner and so we dined in style. After dinner we attended the volley ball game between the Catholics and our M.I.A. team. It was really good. We won one game and the Catholics the other.
July 7, 1948 (Wednesday):
We took Dean Taylor down to the airport and fortunately encountered no difficulty with the car, either on the way or returning. The Dean went over to Maui to spend the balance of the week with Pres. and Sis Smith. Due to the absence of teacher in Priesthood meeting, I had to give lesson on Baptism for the dead. Pop wrote and told of Winnifred [Jardine] having a new baby boy[55].
July 9, 1948 (Friday):
Elder Taylor straightened his things out yesterday, and this morning we started out on our regular routine. For study class, we started the New Testament, and then after that, we set out to visit the members of the Branch. Due to the Pineapple season very few people were home and we covered the whole territory virtually in a day. It is going to be quite a problem this summer because of it. Only the children are home in most houses. M.I.A occupied our time in the evening with the usual volley ball. At M.I.A. I was called upon at the last minute to give a talk.
July 10, 1948 (Saturday):
We cleaned the yard and scrubbed the floors by noon and then had the afternoon free to take care of a few necessities - and also had time to read. This evening we saw the “Long Night,” an unusual picture at the Roxy Theatre.
July 11, 1948 (Sunday):
Sis Sheldon called up at the last minute and asked me to take her Sunday School class - ranging in age from 14 to 18. The lesson material was very interesting and it was an enjoyable experience. Sis Aiu brought a dozen eggs to us, and Sis Peniani gave us a loaf of bread. The afternoon was so warm that we couldn’t stay inside and so we went out and read on a blanket on the lawn. At sacrament meeting, Marg and Elder Taylor were asked to speak a few minutes before it began and they both gave excellent talks, and they fit in very nicely together. I had Mike during the meeting and when he saw his mother at the pulpit, he could hardly be contained. He certainly does recognize his mother.
July 12, 1948 (Monday):
Elder Taylor and I set out in the morning to go to Kealia and tract. We met nothing but ridicule from children during the day - very few houses had adults in them because they are all working. We did have one fair conversation with a Budhist lady. We are going to have to figure out some way of using our time to a better advantage until the pineapple season is over.
July 13, 1948 (Tuesday):
We went out and called on some houses, but with little result as before, finding very few at home. In the afternoon we had an appointment with Mrs. Costa, but when we went there, found her in Honolulu. Later on during the day Clara Ohai gave us some mangos and some turtle steaks. This evening we played in the regular volley ball league.
July 14, 1948 (Wednesday):
Elder Taylor and I decided to try a new way of making contacts, since we have had such discouraging results due to people being in canneries. We set out for Anahola and got a couple of rides both of them good contacts, tracted in Anahola for a couple of hours, and then set out for Kilauea taking several rides to get both ways and making good contacts in almost all of them. The only trouble is that they may be a bit difficult to follow up. All in all, it was a very profitable day, and we’ll try it more often. Tonight Priesthood was held again and again I was asked to take the lesson.
July 15, 1948 (Thursday):
Elder Taylor and I went to Lihue to go to the Bank and while there we got haircuts. It was a rainy day all day, and we didn’t know what to expect from one minute to the next as far rain was concerned. We hitchhiked both ways and in so doing, we made a couple of fair contacts. In the afternoon we returned and went up and called upon an investigator - Pedro Mouing[?] - he is living with Sis. Pamani out of wedlock. They insisted that we stay and have dinner with them. Volleyball again was the evening program in the gym.
July 16 1948 (Friday):
We had some business pertaining to the car to take care of, and we managed to get a new spring and some wiring for it. In the afternoon we went to Anahola and got into some fine contacts. All along the south side of the Village there seems to be a fertile field and if we concentrate on that area, I believe that a lot of good can be done. We got one Cottage meeting lined up for next week out of it. At M.I.A. a large crowd showed up and among them were many investigators.
July 17, 1948 (Saturday):
This morning we cleaned the yard and scrubbed the floors - later we went up and picked up the car and it worked out all right - After it is painted, it will look just about like a new car. We all went across the street to a show later. We visited the Soongs and in talking to them, learned that a couple of weeks ago, I sold an English - Hawaiian New Testament to a lady who couldn’t read or write. I found that she wanted to improve her Hawaiian and so I suggested this, and I guess she didn’t want me to know she was illiterate. Pres. Smith called from Honolulu before going to the show, and told me to get in touch with Elder Parry and have him move over to Oahu on Wednesday by Inter-Island and to pick up Elder Moffatt at Navilli Willi to replace him.
July 18, 1948 (Sunday):
Today there was a smaller group than usual in Sunday School, this was no doubt due to the summer canning season. During the afternoon, we went up to the homesteads and visited with the Querito’s and the Billedos. It is the first time that Marg had visited them. When at Billedos they fed us ice cream and insisted that we take a bunch of bananas and a number of cans of pineapple - at Queretos they forced us to take a dozen eggs. They seemed to be so glad to see us that they couldn’t do enough for us. This evening we went to fireside and there were quite a number in attendance.
July 19, 1948 (Monday):
This evening we went up to Anahola where we held a cottage meeting with a family by the name of Kaleiohio. They don’t belong to any church and are a bit leary of church organizations. They did listen with interest, but they may come around. Mike made quite a hit with them, and if for no other reason, I think that we will be invited back because of him. We were saddened to hear by cable of death of Marg’s Grandfather Sorensen[56].
July 20, 1948 (Tuesday):
I worked on my monthly report in the morning and in the afternoon we went up to see Mrs. Costa - according to appointment. She was busy however, and so we went over to the pineapple cannery and went through it. After that we went up to see Ben Ohai. I gave him the book “Three Mormon Classics” that the Folks had sent for him and he was noticeably pleased. Out of a clear blue sky he mentioned that he was going to pay his tithing and that it would be about 30 young pigs, a tenth of his expected increase of 300 for the next few months. It presents quite a problem but a pleasant one.
July 21, 1948 (Wednesday):
We arose early, caught a little breakfast on the fly and Elder Taylor and I hurried down to Nawilibili to meet Elder Madison Moffatt who was coming in on it. We then took him out to Kalihi-Kai, and then took Elder W.C. Parry, whom he replaced, down to Hanapepe to catch the same ship on its way to Honolulu, where he will labor at Nanakuli. While at the other side of the Island, we picked up quite a supply of food at American Factors, and also went out to Kekaha to roundup a couple of reports. While out there, Sis. Aipoalani gave us a bunch of fish that were rare, and that supposedly only bite about every 20 years. At Priesthood meeting this evening I gave the lesson (unexpected again) and ordained Bro. Jose Billedo to the office of an Elder.
July 22, 1948 (Thursday):
We went up to Anahola again today - it was very rainy, and between Kapaa and Kealia we were caught in a rain storm and had to duck down below an embankment to avoid getting drenched. We walked quite a way out of Kealia before we got a ride. However, when we got out there, it was well worth our while - among those we contacted were Sis Kahounaeles father and he showed quite an interest - we distributed two Hawaiian tracts[57]. During the evening, we returned and played in the volley ball league.
July 23, 1948 (Friday):
We stayed in this morning while I completed my report and then we went to Lihue afternoon to make a Bank Deposit. A large crowd was present at M.I.A. this evening, and the usual program was carried out. During the day we administered to Bro. Kemuki who is all crippled up with rheumatism.
July 24, 1948 (Saturday):
We received a call from Daynes Ohai stating that he wanted to be administered to - he is home on furlough from the army and has been having trouble with his memory. We administered to him and then we visited with him better than an hour. He feels the need of church service. We worked in the yard all afternoon.
July 25, 1948 (Sunday):
I completed an article on the Volley Ball League that was organized here for the Church News - before Sunday School. At Sunday School, Daynes and Reuben Ohai were out. Reuben mentioned that he would likely be coming out all of the time from now on. If he could be directed in the right paths, he would surely be a valuable asset. After church, the Sheldons brought us a quarter of a watermelon which was a real treat.
July 26, 1948 (Monday):
Elder Taylor and I decided to go up in the territory behind the sleeping giant[58]. We walked for a good two hours before we came to any houses - it must have been five or six miles. We did find a couple of people home but came across no especially good contacts. We called on one house, and the man was a haole, and a minister of one of the Pentecostal Churches. He invited us in and gave us a glass of milk, and then he started in on us, and ripped us down one side and up the other. He showed us statements of supposedly x-members of the church who proclaimed it all a fraud, and he also had a printed statement from the Smithsonian Institute stating that the Book of Mormon has no Scientific foundation or truth in it. He quoted Paul that by grace are we saved, and said that the church mattered not. Whenever he would calm down for a minute I tried to slip in a word edgewise, and asked where he got his authority from - and he quoted the commission of Christ to the Twelve Apostles when he told them to go out into all the world to preach the gospel. He then started in on the Prophet and said he knew the Smith family and had affidavits that they were nothing but drunkards and that they were murderers and thieves, and I have never in my life seen anyone carry on such as he did. He ran the claim of the plates up and down, claiming that they would weigh too much to carry - there are few subjects that weren’t covered in fact, and we had little chance to talk. Before we had been in there very long his wife came in with another couple and they chimed in too, and we had a near battle royal on our hands and in that spirit of course nothing came out of it but confusion. Between every sentence or so they would inject a Hallelujah or a “Praise God Brother.” They asked us to pray when we left, and I was mouthpiece, and I couldn’t think clearly because of their “Praising God” and carrying on. Talk about the spirit of the adversary - they surely had it. We may go back later with a few facts on the things we were unable to present because of lack of references. It was quite an experience though and one that I wouldn’t trade - made us realize how much we have yet to learn about the Bible. In spite of it all we did hold our own pretty well. We spent about 3 hours at his home, and when we left we were worn out and so we started on the long road home. After we had gone down the road a few hundred yards, a car drove up and asked us whether or not we would take a ride to Kapaa - he said that he wasn’t due to go in for an hour or so, but since he had seen us, he would go in early just to give us the ride. Talk about an answer to prayer - that was it. This evening I helped Henry Sheldon Jr. with his correspondence course in Plane Geometry. He needs it for entrance into the University - I will continue to tutor him throughout the balance of the summer. Nothing gives more satisfaction than teaching.
July 27, 1948 (Tuesday):
In the morning we all went up to Kehapana to visit the Kaui families and then ended up by visiting Muriel Fernandez. She insisted that we come back to dinner that night and then had us go out and kill a couple of their chickens to be used for dinner. It was the first time that I had ever chopped the head off a chicken and picked it clean, and so it was quite an experience. We took one of the chickens home and Marg cooked it, and she also baked a cake. Late in the afternoon we called on Mrs. Costa according to the appointment we made, and talked with her an hour, and on the way back we met Reuben Ohai and talked with him also. Dinner in the evening was good as usual - we talked little religion to them - they will come around some day.
July 28, 1948 (Wednesday):
Michael is 9 months old today, and he can stand alone - unsupported and it shouldn’t be too long until he starts to walk. This morning we went out in back of the Sleeping Giant again to tract, and we had a fairly good day - the people there are all farmers and as a result, most of them have more time to sit down and talk. However, the homes are quite a distance apart, and so we walked a good ways. This evening Pres. Weenig is in town and so we called our Phd [priesthood] meeting off to let the C.P.M. people have a meeting - we attended and enjoyed seeing him again.
July 29, 1948 (Thursday):
We went up to Keahia to visit Dr. Cockett this morning for Marg to have her pre-natal examination - while there I made an appointment with him to return later in the afternoon for a complete x-ray of my teeth. Later we went down to Lihue, where Marg visited with Sis. Aiu and we got haircuts. This evening we went up to Ammon Ohai’s to show our pictures of Southern Utah - also there was a Mrs. Brown, besides the Ohai family. They seemed to enjoy the pictures and wanted to see more - that will give something to work on in the future. We did make an appointment with Reuben to hike over to Kalalau valley next Friday and Saturday.
July 30, 1948 (Friday):
We decided that we should stay home and get at painting the car - after we got the car all sanded down and ready to go, we discovered that we had gotten the wrong color of paint we had to scout around and try and find the proper pigment to color it with, and even then we were rather dubious of the whole situation. We did get the pigment and it didn’t turn out so bad being a light blue. This evening the M.I.A had a social that was a lot of fun.
July 31, 1948 (Saturday):
The usual clean up was in order, and later I finished painting the inside of the car, dash board and window boarders. This evening we all went to a show at the Roxy called “Down to Earth” with Rita Hayworth and Larry Park, and it was rather refreshing.
August 1, 1948 (Sunday):
I am reminded that this is Juddie’s birthday - he has been out on his Mission for almost six months now[59]. This morning at Sunday School, Reuben Ohai was again present, and he brought two of the Kupihia girls with him - again at evening meeting he attended with the same two and he surely showed an eagerness and said that before we leave, he wants to have the chapel filled. If he can keep enthused he will be one of the most valuable assets of this Branch. The C.P.M. held a baptismal service in the afternoon, in which eight were baptized - the faunt in the chapel was used. This evening the meeting was under the direction of the Primary and Marg wrote the program and it was fine. After meeting a fireside was held in the gym and Hawaiian legends were the program.
August 2, 1948 (Monday):
This morning we took care of our weekly reports and Bro. Gonzales[60] of Waimea came in with some business and as a result we got a late start. We headed out toward Anahola and were picked up by a Mr. Barnes again who is the head of one section of the plantation. That is the second time he has picked us up and he is surely a likeable fellow. At Anahola we re-visited many of the people that we had seen before, and in most cases received a very cordial welcome. We came across one woman that is all engrossed in mysticism and spiritualism and we are going to go back and see her again and see if possibly we can’t do a little good. While there also, we met a Montgomery fellow who is the father of one of our members. This evening we attended an organizational meeting of the M.I.A. recreational league.
August 3, 1948 (Tuesday):
Our appointment with Mrs. Costa fell through again and so we went up and visited the Kaui familys and while there got in on a feud between the Kupiheas and the Peters family over some land. The evening we went to Kalihi-Kai where I married a Japanese couple[61] who are not members of the church. They were very friendly however and a lot of good was done I feel through the contact. It was performed in the chapel there and refreshments were had later.
August 4, 1948 (Wednesday):
This afternoon we struck out for Hanapepe, Elder Taylor and I, - we were all invited to a luau at Harold Ching’s to celebrate the baptism of his wife. We decided to go down early so we could get to American Factors and get some food, and so we set out Hitchhiking and left the car with the C.P.M. Elders who came down with Marg and Mike later in the afternoon. We had an interesting time hitchhiking and met some fine people who picked us up. That is an excellent way to make contacts. The dinner was a Japanese one, and it was delicious.
August 5, 1948 (Thursday):
This morning Sis Louisa Sheldon called up and asked us to come over and have lunch with her and so we did. She delivered a kiss and hug from mother and was flowing over with the goodness of the people to her on her recent trip. She returned yesterday. We had almost a regular luau with pork, poi, lomi lomi Salmon, rice pudding, and water melon. After lunch we talked for the greater part of the afternoon. She told of her visit with our folks and expressed her appreciation for all the things they had done. She also told of her experience in Chicago of meeting Bro. Weaver and calling Br. Edmunds. It surely is a small world and it gave me a real thrill to hear of them again. After we returned Reuben Ohai[62] came over and gave us a dozen baby tuna fish, and then stayed for several hours - he seemed to want to talk about something and he opened right up. He will surely make a fine leader.
August 6, 1948 (Friday):
We left at noon and drove out to Haena and from thence hiked for a couple of hours to a valley called Hanakapiai on the Napali coast. Reuben Ohai took enough food along with him to feed us for several days and it was no joy packing it because of a lack of a convenient way of carrying it. For dinner we had steak, fried potatoes, beans - all in abundance. Before returning we took a swim in the nearby stream and then started to sleep on the beach - about midnight we had to roll up our blankets and head for shelter because of rain. The remainder of the night we spent fighting for our lives from mosquitos in an old broken down shack. I don’t think I slept more than an hour or so all night.
FOOTNOTES:
[52]
Dad never explicitly states in his journal that he is President of the
Kauai District. This is the first indication.
[53]
Dad never explicitly states in his journal that he is President of the
Kauai District. This is the first indication.
[54] Blessed Gwendolyn Noelani Reis of
the Kapaa Branch (see Record of Ordinances Performed).
[55]
This is Winnifred Cannon Jardine who was married to Stuart Jardine (see
also entry for April 22, 1949). Winnifred was a daughter of Clawson Y. Cannon,
a son of George Q. Cannon through Caroline Young Croxall Cannon, the fifth
wife. Clawson and Grandfather Cannon were close to the same age and very good
friends. Winnifred was a home economist for Swift Meats and later became food
editor for the Deseret News. The baby was Jim Jardine, who later went to
Harvard Law School and was one of the attorneys for the 2002 Olympics.
Winnifred and Stu lived in the duplex next to Grandmother and Grandfather
Cannon (Ted and Janath Cannon lived in the other side of the duplex at the same
time).
[56] Soren Christian Sorensen died July
18, 1948 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
[57]
Mom says that most people in Hawaii spoke English at that time. The only
people who spoke Hawaiian were either very old or living way back in the
mountains.
[58]
A mountain.
[59]
Judd Brown was the son of Norma Wareing Brown, Grandmother Cannon’s
sister, and her husband, Tom Brown. He was an only child and two years younger
than Dad. He served his mission in the Eastern States. He grew up on Fifth
Avenue very near where Grandmother and Grandfather Cannon lived.
[60] When Dad came back as mission
president, Brother Gonzales was instrumental in getting the missionary work
going in Saipan. He stated: “Alfred Gonzales, a seventy from the Kaneohe Hawaii
Stake had moved in and had been set apart as group leader (Saipan was a
dependent group of the Guam Ward of the Kaneohe Hawaii Stake) by…President
Robert Schutte. A visit with Brother Gonzales revealed that he was the general
manager of construction of the new Saipan International Airport project and was
missionary minded…I had come to Saipan with the intent of recalling the
missionaries because of what I had perceived to be their discouragement and
their physical danger. However, I found a leader who was charged up and eager
to proceed…I quickly sensed the presence of Brother and Sister Gonzales was not
a coincidence…As I talked with Brother Gonzales, I sensed something familiar
about him and began to probe for any tie we may have had in our past. I was
already in awe, but soon found we had known each other previously. It had been
when Sister Cannon and I were missionaries on the island of Kauai…[and] I was
assigned the responsibility as president of the Kauai District…One of the
significant events of our service on Kauai was a flood that hit the town of
Waimea. During this period…Alfred Gonzales had been the young president of the
Waimea, Kauai (Hawaii) Branch at this very stressful time. He showed remarkable
dedication and resourcefulness as he led his parishioners through the crisis.
His example of being at the front of the community effort by physically leading
the way, and by having the savvy to work intelligently was not to be forgotten
by any who had involvement in the crisis. Many of the people on the island
united in assisting the members of the Waimea Branch in digging out and getting
reestablished. I had the opportunity of observing this same Alfred “Mustang”
Gonzales in action. (Brother Gonzales was called “Mustang” by his associates,
and this nickname has endured to this day.) Is it any wonder that I was overjoyed
to be yoked with this man in a gospel endeavor again?…It was not surprising
that he became a key in establishing the church on the Micronesia island of
Saipan when we met again in September of 1975.” Beachheads, pp. 13-14. See the
entry for January 16, 1949. It appears that Dad was mistaken as to the timing
of the floods. It was not while he and Mom were on Kauai, but rather after Mom
had returned to the Mainland and Dad was in the Mission Presidency. Dad was not
actually on Kauai at the time of the flood, but talked to Brother Gonzales
several months after the event while reorganizing the Waimea Branch Presidency.
Brother Gonzales is also mentioned in entries for March 6, 25 and April 12,
1949.
[61]
George Kodama (see Record of Ordinances Performed).
[62]
While visiting Kauai on May 3,
1976, I met Rueben Ohai. My journal entry is as follows: “Rueben Ohai
and his wife were telling me about their niece who was the May day Queen at the high school today.
They were thinking of trying to get us two together, I think. Anyway, they said
that they would like me to write them and tell them where I’m going on my
mission.”
His journal is surprisingly sparse regarding your mom's second pregnancy, especially since he had acknowledged that having children would complicate the mission. Two food-related things stand out: constant references to soda, which must have been a big deal in Hawaii, and the gift of turtle steaks (!).
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