History of Hawai‘i Hospitals
An Illustated Talk by Benjamin B. C. Young, M.D.
The Hawaiian Historical Society invites its members and friends to its annual membership meeting and program on Thursday, April 30, 2009, at the Kana‘ina Building (Old Archives Building).
The business meeting and election of trustees will begin at 7:00 p.m. with the evening program following at 7:30 p.m.
The program will feature an illustrated talk titled "History of Hawai‘i Hospitals" by Dr. Benjamin B. C. Young.
Dr. Young will look at the reasons for the estabishment of Hawai‘i hospitals, including power struggles for wealth, hidden agendas behind political maneuvers, and the need to isolate the "pests" of society.
He will show how the backgrounds of Hawai‘i’s hospitals follow the fascinating panorama of Hawai‘i’s history and how thery are linked to migrations throughout the Pacific, shifting patterns of populations, and changes in the economic landscape.
According to Dr. Young, "From the changes in the different populations and out of personal and tragic experiences emerged some of Hawai‘i’s most prominent and noble medical instututions. Today, these institutions remain shining examples of shelters caring for the sick , the maimed, and the diseased."
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The Oahu Insane Asylum, which opened in Kapālama in 1866, served long-term psychiatric patients. The legislature of the Hawaiian kingdom voted to establish the hospital in 1862. Four years later, six mentally afflicted patients were removed from the prison to the asylum. (Hawaii State Archives photo) |
The Kana‘ina Building (Old Archives Building) is located on the grounds of Iolani Palace. Free parking is available on the grounds. The program is free and open to the public.
For further information, contact the Hawaiian Historical Society office, 560 Kawaiaha‘o Street, Honolulu, Hawai‘i 96813. Telephone 808-537-6271. E-mail hhsbarb@lava.net.
The annual business meeting of the Hawaiian Historical Society will take place at 7:00 p.m., April 30, 2009, prior to the program on the history of Hawai‘i hospitals. The meeting will feature the presentation of the Society president's report for 2008–2009 and will elect new trustees for 2009–2012 terms and the president for 2009–2010.
A nominating committee composed of Mary M. Cooke, Kylee Pōmaika‘i Omo, and Benjamin B. C. Young has proposed the following slate for consideration by the membership.
For president for a one-year term, May 2009 to May 2010
John Clark, deputy fire chief (retired), Honolulu Fire Department. Clark is the author of Hawai‘i's Best Beaches and Hawai‘i Place Names. His latest book is Guardian of the Sea, Jizo in Hawai‘i. He has previously served on the Society's Board of Trustees and as president for 2007–2009.
For trustees for three-year terms, May 2009 to May 2012 (four to be elected)
- M. Puakea Nogelmeier, Ph.D., associate professor, Kawaihuelani Hawaiian Language Program, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa.
- Gary A. Okimoto, M.D., senior vice-president and chief medical executive, Rehabilitation Hospital of the Pacific.
- John P. Rosa, Ph.D., assistant professor of history, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. Dr. Rosa's research interest is the twentieth-century history of Hawai‘i. He has a forthcoming book on the Massie/Kahahawai case.
- Janet Zisk, archivist, Kamehameha Schools Archives, Kamehameha Schools, Kapālama Campus.
The newly elected trustees will replace Mary M. Cooke, Leinani Keppeler-Bortles, Kylee Pōmaika‘i Omo, and Benjamin B. C. Young, who are completing their terms of service on the Board.
