The History of YWCA Oʻahu

April 23, 1900 – Article from “a working woman” urging a place for women like YMCA

April 24, 1900 – An article responding to “a working woman” announced a meeting a “woodlawn” corner of Beretania and Punahou streets on April 30, 1900 at 7:45

April 30, 1900 – About 60 women met to organize the purpose of YWCA in Honolulu at Mrs. B.F. Dillingham’s cottage home. Now, the Atherton Chapel. Topics covered: needing a physical space for working women and newcomers and a gymnasium with swimming baths

A motion was made that “we organize a YWCA here in Honolulu.” It was approved by the majority.

April 25, 1900 – an article was published to describe the sentiment of the meeting and the determination of our founding members. “The need of a pleasant place where ladies could take luncheon was also vigorously and almost unanimously expressed, and different speakers urged the desire for classes in Hawaiian, Japanese, Chinese and domestic science.”

May 1900 – Meetings were conducted at the YMCA Hall located at Hotel and Alakea Streets. As they searched for the first YWCA office space in Honolulu, the board placed importance on having enough lights to make the rooms “bright and attractive.” Our board minutes dated June 4,1900 also mention that “Inquiries for a lunchroom are still coming in and it was decided that at least, our headquarters should provide a place where women might eat a basket lunch and where a cup of tea might be served.”

Fall 1900 – Moved to Progress Building on Fort and Beretania. During the next months until the new year, health and wellness grew to basketball, swim courses, etc.

1904 - Mrs. E. W. Jordan was the first president with 128 charter members. Its headquarters was a small room in the Elite Building on Hotel Street. As membership increased, YWCA moved to two rooms in the Boston Building on Fort Street.

1906 - YWCA O‘ahu joined YWCA USA as an official charter and offers recreational and athletic programs including tennis and swimming classes.

1911 -  Fernhurst is created as a place of shelter, safety, and hope for women.

1912- A group of women at Honolulu YWCA became one of the first in the state to participate in organized swim lessons. Women were normally restricted to wading pools

1914- Queen Liliʻuokalani became a member of Honolulu YWCA until her death in 1917. The first Businesswomen’s Club was established.

1915 - Rolled out first campaign to raise $35,000 to buy permanent home

January 1916 – Acquired first permanent Honolulu YWCA HQ on Hotel and Alakea St.

The new building afforded more classrooms and the gym which soon attracted even more locals to YWCA. One record shows we had more than 2,000 members and served an average of 700 individuals a day.

1920- Honolulu YWCA started the Halekipa (House of Welcome) program, a one-month summer program, the Kahuku plantation. Then later moved to the Waialua plantation

1921- Fernhurst facility opens on the corner of King and Alapai Street. The location was the former residence of Mr. and Mrs. J.B. Atherton

1925 – Created a second campaign to raise $350,000 to build a bigger home, now known as Laniakea. The campaign involved more than 350 people getting involved to raise the funds. The general chairman of the drive was state senator Lawrence M. Judd who later became the seventh Territorial Governor of Hawaii. It raised $392,597

1927 – Julia Morgan finished building Laniakea. Laniakea was equipped with an open ceiling pool, gymnasium, and classrooms. Laniakea opens

1941 - Laniakea was a site to support war efforts. The basement served as shelter and a surgical dressing unit of the Red Cross was on the third floor. Honolulu YWCA served breakfast to men of the new Hawaiian guard.

1944 - Camp Halekipa and Kokokahi were rest camps by the military.

Five months after the war ended, the ground floor and lobby of Laniakea became a USO Services Women’s Lounge. It included a library, information desk, a writing desk and powder bar. The powder room also included hot showers, an iron, and ironing boards.