Finding Our Safe Space

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.