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South Kohala News

May B.E. 182

Special Events - This Month

Feast of ‘Azamat (Grandeur)

The Twelfth of Riḍván

Declaration of the Báb
Ascension of Baháʼu'lláh

Cluster Reflection Gathering

Please see our calendar for when and where these events will be held.

outline of the bigisland with a ninepointed star in the middle of it.
Spiritual Assembly of The Bahá’ís of South Kohala
Contact us for any reason

From the Spiritual Assembly

Allah’u’Abha! Dear friends,

With hearts filled with joy and gratitude, we are delighted to share with you the uplifting news from the 59th National Convention of the Bahá’ís of the Hawaiian Islands, held from April 25–27, 2025.

The convention was a spirit-filled gathering where delegates from across the islands came together to consult, pray, and elect the members of the National Spiritual Assembly. We are happy to announce the newly elected National Spiritual Assembly, whose members have humbly accepted the call to serve. Their dedication and spirit of selfless service are a source of strength and inspiration to us all. We pray that Bahá’u’lláh will guide and confirm their efforts as they lead our national community into the coming year, fostering unity, promoting the growth of the Faith, and supporting the friends in their many acts of service.

This Convention was also marked by a moment of heartfelt appreciation and remembrance as we celebrated the extraordinary service of Mrs. Mary Jane "Mollie" Sperry. After 39 years of tireless and steadfast service on the National Spiritual Assembly, Mollie is beginning a new chapter of her life in Colorado. Her shining example of humility, dedication, and nurturing love for the community has left an indelible mark on our hearts. Her decades of service remind us of the power of perseverance, the beauty of service to others, and the enduring impact one soul can have on a community.

As we reflect on these developments, we are reminded that each act of service, great or small, contributes to the collective advancement of the Cause. Let us be inspired by the examples of those who have served so faithfully and turn with renewed enthusiasm to our paths of service, assured that every effort, no matter how humble, adds to the beauty and strength of our beloved Faith.

We ask for your prayers for the newly elected National Assembly and for Mollie, as she embarks on this next stage of her service to Bahá’u’lláh. May we all be confirmed in our efforts to contribute with joy, steadfastness, and unity.

With warmest regards and loving thoughts,
The Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of South Kohala

The Newly Elected National Spiritual Assembly of the

Baha'is of the Hawaiian Islands

"Members of a community gathered outdoors, smiling and wearing colorful leis and tropical clothing, celebrating a special occasion. A woman at the center holds a framed artwork featuring Arabic calligraphy. Trees and a building are visible in the background, creating a joyful and welcoming atmosphere."
Members from left to right: Bob Losey, Heidi Mathison, Nick Okamoto, Melina Rajaei, Clara Whippy, Uʻileiuluwehi Pimental, Antonio Puga, Frank Hernandez, Curtis Jamison. (photo credit Liz Hahn)
A group of around 40 adults and children, many wearing leis, pose for a photo indoors. A framed Arabic calligraphy artwork is centered in the middle row. The setting appears to be a bright, welcoming space with light walls and windows.
Group picture of the 59th Hawaii Baha'i National Convention. (photo credit Liz Hahn)

Universal House of Justice - Ridvan Message 2025

Attached please find the Ridvan Message from the Universal House of Justice for 2025. Below is a link to an audio recording of it and a link to the PDF version.

READ IT

A digital image displays the beginning of a letter. At the top, centered in a slightly larger font, are the words "THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE". Below this, right-aligned, is the date "Riḍván 2025". The salutation follows, left-aligned: "To the Baháʼís of the World" and then, on the next line, "Dearly loved Friends,". The body of the letter begins with the paragraph: "With but a year remaining before the first phase of the Nine Year Plan concludes, we are eager to report on its progress—how, through shining examples of noble endeavour, the vision offered by the Faith is filling more and more hearts with hope." The text is presented in a clear, readable serif font on a white background.

LISTEN TO IT

A stylized image with a dreamy, slightly blurred background of soft blue and white roses and dark green foliage features prominent text. Centered and in a large, elegant white font are the words "RIDVAN MESSAGE". Slightly below and to the right, in a smaller white font, is the year "2025". At the very top center, there is a small, rounded rectangle with a teal background containing a series of vertical white lines of varying heights, resembling a soundwave or equalizer. The overall aesthetic is soft, serene, and suggestive of a formal announcement or greeting related to the year 2025.
The Nine Year Plan 2022-2032 Messages of the Universal House of Justice 179 BE edition

December 30th Message from the Universal House of Justice

If you haven't studied this message yet please download it here.

Videos Released

Below are three videos that have been released. We highly recommend watching all of them.

“An Expansive Prospect”: New film explores Bahá’í efforts toward social transformation

Shrine of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá: Short film explores the journey of the construction project

Summons to Service

Stories of Abdul-Baha.  Portrate of him with the title to the right of it and seven smaller images of Abdul Baha under it.

12 • Boston May, 1912

A segment of "Luminous Journey: Abdu'l-Baha in America, 1912", a 2.5-hour documentary following the travels of Abdu'l-Baha in the United States and Canada. Divided into geographical sequences, the film also includes introductory segments, flashbacks, and a segment on Abdu'l-Baha's passing.


Children's Corner

Each month we will share something for the children in this section of the newsletter. It may be a video, a website, a project, a song, etc. We hope the children like this and get something from our newsletter as well.

Musical Selection for the Kids!


Hopeful is an upbeat children's song inspired by a quote from the Bahá’í Teachings, "Never lose thy trust in God. Be thou ever hopeful, for the bounties of God never cease to flow upon man."
The lyrics are from Ruhi Materials' Book 3 about "Teaching Children's Classes."

Music Selection

The First Bestowal

This song was created with AI. The following quote from Ruhi Book 5 was used for its inspiration.
“It is clear and evident, therefore, that the first bestowal of God is the Word,
and its discoverer and recipient is the power of understanding. This Word is
the foremost instructor in the school of existence and the revealer of Him Who is the Almighty. All that is seen is visible only through the light of its wisdom. All that is manifest is but a token of its knowledge. All names are but its name, and the beginning and end of all matters must needs depend upon it.”

Song created by Corbin Doak using AI
Video created by Corbin Doak.

Revised Books There are now seven revised Ruhi books available. Exciting news for you to share! Download the first seven books in the main sequence of courses, by clicking the button below.

News and Articles

Here you will find the latest news from around the world.
From the Baháʼí World News Service and other sites

A smiling man with short brown hair and wearing a blue collared shirt is shown from the shoulders up in front of a blurred background. A white play button is superimposed on the lower left of his face. Above him and to the left, the text "BWNS Podcasts" is visible, with "BWNS" in a blue box with a white border.

Insightsfrom the Field
Canadian youth re-envision life’s purpose


BAHÁ’Í WORLD CENTRE — In a recent podcast episode from the News Service, Ilya Shodjaee-Zrudlo from Canada explores how Bahá’í moral and spiritual education programs in that country are inspiring young people to see their lives through a new lens—one where service to humanity becomes the central organizing principle that brings coherence to all aspects of life.

Dr. Shodjaee-Zrudlo, draws on experiences as a collaborator of Bahá’í training institutes in Montreal and as a member of Wordswell Association for Community Learning—a Bahá’í-inspired organization in Canada that empowers youth to develop their academic, intellectual, and moral capacities while contributing meaningfully to community transformation.
A computer screen displays the homepage of a website titled "BWNS" with various articles and images. The screen is tilted slightly and surrounded by other blurred computer screens showing different parts of the same website.

BWNS website sees major redesign on 25th year since launch


BAHÁ’Í WORLD CENTRE — The Bahá’í World News Service has launched its newly redesigned website at news.bahai.org (also at www.bwns.org), representing the latest in a series of developments since its establishment in 2000.

The new site provides seamless access to articles, videos, and podcasts, as well as a visually engaging experience—tailored to each story and featuring a refined treatment of photo essays—that more vividly convey the worldwide Bahá’í community’s ongoing efforts to contribute to social betterment.



An upward, angled shot captures the intricate, geometric design of a building's interior ceiling and upper walls under construction. The ceiling features a repeating pattern of angular, paneled sections, many appearing to be made of a light-colored material held in place by a grid of darker structural elements and numerous fasteners. Some of these panels seem to be covered in protective plastic sheeting. The upper walls transition into this complex ceiling structure with large, light-colored, possibly marble, panels that are partially installed, revealing the underlying framework. The overall scene suggests a modern architectural design in progress, with a focus on geometric shapes and the use of contrasting materials. A faint white play button is visible in the bottom left corner of the image.

Marble installation begins, marking major milestone


BAHÁ’Í WORLD CENTRE — The construction of the Shrine of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá has reached a significant milestone with the commencement of marble installation in the central plaza. This important development marks the beginning of a process that will continue over several months, gradually shaping the edifice’s final form.

Work is also steadily advancing across different parts of the site, including completion of the historic path to the Riḍván Garden, now reopened to pilgrims. Landscaping work is also under way in several areas, and the ‘Akká Visitors’ Centre is nearing completion.

If you would like to join us for our virtual gatherings but don't know how please click the image below to watch a video on how to use Zoom.

How to Use Zoom

Keep in touch with us

Please stay in contact, we have many options for you to connect with us.
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BahaisSoKohala Logo shows Baha'is of South kohals with the bigisland with a nine pointed start between of and South