Random Acts of Kindness

The evacuation of the military families swelled the Red Cross centers beyond their capacity. Women throughout the island opened their homes to stranded military wives and children.

Here are some of the random acts of kindness:

Mrs. Victoria Bates of 3257 Kaimuki Avenue, wife of Gunner’s Mate 1st Class John Buel Bates, USN, was highly praised by Arthur Keller, Assistant Executive Secretary of the Army and Navy YMCA. Mrs. Bates, acting as a volunteer, and assisted by a group of navy wife friends, found homes for 600 women and children in Kapahulu and Kaimuki homes. Most of these dependents were evacuated from the Pearl Harbor base. (HonoluluStar Bulletin, December 9, 1941)

Sometimes in an emergency, food is the first thought of aid. During the first week after the attack, women would anonymously bring food to canteens, shelters and hospitals. Police radios announced streams of offers of food and thanks. Simple messages were broadcast: “Thank you for what you’re doing. I have coffee, soup and sandwiches at 133 Liliukolani.” “Come for food. 1069 Ilima Drive.” “664 South King Street had soup on the stove." (University of Hawaii. An Era of Change. Vol 1)

Mrs. A.A. Fernandez of Mott-Smith Drive put an ad in the paper offering to share her newly built home with someone who was evacuated under the emergency laws. She indicated a preference for needy persons with a baby.

The first evacuation center was set up by noon of December 7, 1941 at Hemenway Hall of the University of Hawaii. Some evacuees came with no belongings. A call went out for clothes and Mrs. George Angus took it upon herself to sew pajamas for the children. (On December 22, 1941, the last 25 evacuees who had been housed at Hemenway Hall University of Hawaii returned home. As a Red Cross evacuation center, the university served as shelter for about 210 evacuees. 125 of these evacuees were from Hickham Field. Honolulu Star Bulletin, December 22, 1942, Honolulu Advertiser, December 9, 1942)

PHOTO: American Red Cross volunteers with Admiral Hoskins