To partner with those who have the greatest needs in our community, empowering them to enhance their well-being through education, health, and recreation.
Palama Settlement has been a cornerstone of community life since its inception. Our timeline showcases the milestones that define our journey.
June 1, 1896
Revitalizing Community Spirit: The Legacy of Palama Chapel
P.C. Jones, President of C. Brewer & Co. and a Founder of Bank of Hawaii built Palama Chapel on the corner of Liliha and King Streets. Central Union Church managed its operations. Activities included Boys’ clubs, sewing society, and singing classes. A primary school was established.
Due to reported cases of the Bubonic Plague, the Board of Health ordered fires to be set to a portion of the Chinatown district. High winds spread the fires, burning the entire Chinatown and neighboring areas and displacing thousands of residents. Tenement houses were built in the Kalihi-Pālama area.
1900
Palama Chapel Transitions to Hawaiian Evangelical Association Leadership, Welcomes Social Workers
The supervision of the Palama Chapel work was transferred from Central Union Church to the Board of the Hawaiian Evangelical Association. Social workers Mr. and Mrs. James Arthur Rath arrived to lead changes at Palama Chapel, focusing on public health and recreation services.
1906
Nursing Program
Name changed to Palama Settlement that reflected the work and activities of the social service agency. The first public health Visiting Nursing Program was established in the Territory of Hawaiʻi.
1907
Pure Milk Depot
The Pure Milk Depot was established to supply babies’ formulas.
1909
Gymnasium
The gymnasium was built over the swimming pool. Also, two bowling alleys opened.
1910
Pa Ola Day Camp
A special day camp for children with tuberculosis opened.
1914
Recreation and Health Services
A camp offered women and children respite from their busy, urban life. A free dental clinic was established by the Dental Association. Recreation added a playground, tennis court, and basketball court on campus. Dr. A.F. Jackson opened a free medical clinic.
1916
Athletics and Education
Palama Settlement Athletic Association was formed. Night school offered English, American History, Civics, and Geography classes.
1917
Fresh Air Camp
Cottages for a camp in Kaipapau were built.
1919
Head Nurse Mabel Smyth
Mabel Leilani Smyth was the first head nurse at Palama Settlement. She would become the first Director of the Public Nursing Service for the Territory of Hawaiʻi.
1925
Palama Settlement in New Location
Palama Settlement moved to a larger campus at its present location on Vineyard Boulevard. Nine buildings were built on eight acres.
1929
Mr. James Arthur Rath
After 22 years of service, Executive Director James Arthur Rath passed away. Under his direction, Palama Settlement grew to operate baby clinics, a general dispensary, specialized medical clinics including chest, dental, dermatological, obstetrical, orthopedic, and eye, ear, nose and throat services, a gymnasium and swimming pool.
1933
Campus Gardens
During the Great Depression, vegetable gardens were offered for populations who were unemployed.
1934
Around O'ahu Relay Marathon
Palama Settlement sponsored the first annual Around Oʻahu Relay Marathon. Coached by Wilder Parker, Palama Settlement’s participants competed against Schofield and Citywide teams in the 85-mile race. Schofield won by 17 minutes at 8 hours and 45 minutes.
1936
Health and Recreation
Palama nurses offered bedside nursing services, recording 11,694 cases. Recreation facilities included gymnasium, pool, locker rooms, athletic fields, children’s playground, pavilion, club house, carpentry shop, domestic science building, tennis courts, auditorium, game and club rooms, reading rooms, public library annex, and offices.
1938
Movie Screenings in the Auditorium
With the purchase of a new portable “talkie” movie machine, motion pictures were shown in the auditorium. 92 clubs and classes were offered.
1939
Health and Recreation
45 community groups, including nine high schools, six elementary schools, 11 military units, and one religious group, used athletic facilities. 35,000 people received health care from Palama Settlement.
August-november 1941
Jackie Robinson and the Honolulu Bears
Prior to joining Major League Baseball, Jackie Robinson was recruited by the Honolulu Bears, a semi-professional football team. The team practiced on Castle Field at Palama Settlement. Many young fans came over to watch the Bears play and interacted with Robinson, who showed them football techniques.
December 7, 1941
The first aid station during WWII
After the attack on Pearl Harbor, the National Defense Program was enacted with Palama Settlement designated as a medical emergency unit. It also became the headquarters for the air raid warden zone and evacuation planner center. The cafeteria and other campus facilities provided recreation and entertainment for national defense workers and soldiers stationed nearby.
1942
Preschool and Other Classes
Preschool was offered to children whose mothers worked for the war effort. Medical services declined at Palama Settlement while English classes, delinquency prevention, and music and craft classes became the emphasis.
1943
Medical Services
Victory Gardens were planted during World War II. Palama Settlement’s Department of Public Health closed as responsibilities turned over to the Territory Board of Health. Heart and chest clinics developed.
1946
Music School
The Music School was launched as the Silver Anniversary was celebrated. Many programs were reinstated after the war.
1952
Public Housing
The Hawaii Public Housing Authority completed the Mayor Wright Homes but with no recreational facilities.
1954
Preschool
The Preschool added an after school care program.
1955
Canteens and Clubs
Canteens gave space to teenagers. 30 youth clubs were created at Palama Settlement.
1956
Palama by the Sea
The campgrounds at Palama by the Sea in Waialua were demolished by a tsunami.
1957
Palama Uka
Palama Settlement built campgrounds at Opaeula and named it Palama Uka.
1960
Gymnasium
The gymnasium designed by Ossipoff & Associates was constructed and opened to the public.
1961
Swim Teams
Palama swimmers and coaches received state and national recognition.
1964
Education and Recreation
Parent education programs were offered to parents living in public housing.
1968
Hale Kokua at Mayor Wright Homes
After conducting studies on its organization, programs, and community impact, Palama Settlement reorganized to emphasize social welfare services and neighborhood development. The pilot project for the Pākōlea Program began.
1969
Pākōlea Program
Palama Settlement’s Pop Warner team, Scorpions, traveled to San Diego. For the players, it was their first trip to the U.S. continent.
1970
In-Community Treatment Program
The In-Community Treatment Program was launched, offering hardcore multiple status offenders a last chance from detention though guided group interactions to build academic and social skills.
1972
Pākōlea Program
Palama Settlement’s Pop Warner team traveled to Annapolis and Washington D.C., and met with Senator Daniel Inouye, Senator Hiram Fong, Representative Patsy Mink and Representative Spark Matsunaga. The Pākōlea basketball team traveled to Portola, California.
1974
Palama Scorpions
Palama Scorpions won 24 consecutive games of Pop Warner football in three years, losing only one game in five years. Palama basketball team won 55 straight games in five years.
1977
Fire at Palama Settlement
Damages from the fire on the second floor of the Administration Building caused by an electrical short circuit were estimated at $350,000.
1979
Residencies for Girls
Corbett House residential home for runaway girls opened.
1982
Summer Enrichment Program
Summer Enrichment Program was launched, combining academics and recreation.
1983
Higashino Building
The dining and meeting complex designed by Ossipoff & Associates was completed and dedicated to former executive director Robert Higashino.
1985
Swimming pool
Palama swimming pool reopened after being closed for over six years.
1989
Leland Blackfield Youth Activity Center
The Leland Blackfield Youth Activity Center opened in the Rath Building, offering neighborhood youth a recreation room.
1990
Learning Center
Computers were installed in the Learning Center.
1991
Baseball Program
Baseball program was reinstated after a 40-year absence.
1993
Brother Noland
First Lady of the United States Barbara Bush visited Palama Settlement. Brother Noland led the Performing Arts Program with ʻukulele and guitar classes.
1994
Kumu Hula Tony Conjugacion
The Hawaiian dance program was reinstituted under the direction of Kumu Hula Tony Conjugacion. The piano program was reestablished.
1995
Strong-Carter Clinic
The Strong-Carter Clinic closed, ending 80 years of neighborhood dental service at Palama Settlement. The Leland Blackfield Educational Scholarship Fund was established.
810 North Vineyard Boulevard Honolulu, Hawaii 96817
Palama Settlement stands on the Native Hawaiian ancestral lands of Kapālama and Honolulu. We acknowledge that in 1893, Queen Liliʻuokalani yielded the Hawaiian Kingdom under duress to prevent bloodshed. We honor the generations of Kanaka Maoli whose knowledge systems and lifeways continue to steward the ʻāina, wai, and lewa, protecting the lāhui to this day. With a deep sense of kuleana, we integrate Indigenous values and traditions into our programs and services, fostering a community rooted in respect and resilience.
