A Moment in our History: Elizabeth Fuller
Thousands of Hawaii’s residents, professionals and out-of-town visitors attend events, conferences, weddings or other functions in our banquet room known as Fuller Hall. Its formal name is Elizabeth Fuller Hall. Until we opened the Patsy T. Mink Center for Business and Leadership (MCBL) in 2013, Fuller Hall was the only room in Laniākea that was named after a person. Since the building opened in 1927, this multi-function room has been carrying this name.
Entrance of Fuller Hall. Hundreds of events take place in the largest room in Laniākea every year.
Who is Elizabeth Fuller?
Elizabeth Fuller in 1919– Second from the right in the group photo with the members of Hawaiian Girls Club
Elizabeth was a charter member and the second president of the Hawaiian Girls Club, playing an active role in building and growing the club. A 1917 honors graduate of McKinley High School, she graduated from the territorial normal school the following year. Elizabeth taught in the public schools while continuing to invest her time and energy towards the betterment and enrichment of the lives of Hawaiian girls. She also taught Sunday school at the Kawaiahao church.
Hawaiian Girls Club in a gymnastics class.
The Hawaiian Girls Club was introduced to YWCA through sports such as basketball and volleyball. Mrs. C. Montague Cooke, Jr. – our board president between 1930 and 1936 once wrote about the athletic competence of the Hawaiian Girls Club as she observed the club play against the YWCA team.
“Before we leave the old Hotel Street building (note: our first headquarters building), I must tell you how I tried to start a volleyball team; and asked the Hawaiian Girls Club to participate. We in the morning gym class challenged the Hawaiians to play aginst us. We thought we were the best players in town. Well, we were very soon shown that we were infants at the time.”
Hawaiian Girls Club became one of the clubs under the organization of YWCA and Elizabeth continued to play an active role.
Hawaiian Girls Club often beat other local teams in tournaments both in basketball and volleyball
Club members not only participated in our programs but also helped fundraise for Laniākea. As the capital campaign started, Hawaiian Girls Club donated $1,000 towards the creation of a new gym. Our board was touched by their generosity and decided to “Give them the choice of naming any room in the building.”
On Laniākea’s opening day in June of 1927, Elizabeth could not be there for the celebration.
Elizabeth (third from the right) with her club sisters
In addition to her athletic skills, Elizabeth was also known as a talented hula dancer and singer. She was part of an entertainment dance troupe that traveled to promote and share the spirit of aloha and Hawaiian culture outside of the United States.
During a trip to India in June of 1923, Elizabeth became ill and passed away at the age of 25.
“While she was in India, Elizabeth was told not to drink the water there but she did,” said Haulani Fuller, one of Elizabeth’s decendants who was part of Café Julia’s crew. “As she consumed the contaminated local water, she contracted cholera from that and she died there.”
When Laniākea was completed, club members chose the largest room on the ground floor and dedicated it to their beloved leader Elizabeth.
A dedication ceremony was held on November 22, 1927 in honor of Elizabeth Fuller
Honolulu Star-Bulletin: November 19, 1927
With its original wood flooring, Fuller became not only a popular spot for social gatherings but also for certain classes, especially dancing. More than 90 years after it’s opening, Fuller Hall continues to be a gathering place for the people of Hawai'i.
Hawaiian Girls Club Concert
Tap dancing class
Saturday night dance
Fuller Hall then
Fuller Hall now
-Noriko Namiki, YWCA O‘ahu CEO