1990s

New decades build on preceding years, and the Nineties were no exception. In 1991, the membership selected a community focus area. For a minimum of three years, the League would channel all projects, advocacy, training, and fundraising efforts on the “Family.” In 1992, membership identified the more specific issue areas of Domestic Violence and Positive Parenting under the focus area of the “Family” for collaborative projects to be researched and developed.

The AIDS Education Comic Book project, “Bloodstream Follies,” was accepted for presentation at the Annual Conference in 1990 as a model program and received international attention for its effective message delivery.

Although terminated as a League project, Action Line, in collaboration with KHON-TV, still continues as a community service program today, as does Christmas in April, and Honolulu Theater for Youth.

The League passed four new projects in 1994 that reaffirmed the League’s commitment to its focus area. Projects were developed with the YWCA, the Hawaii State Foster Parents Association, and the Friends of the Children’s Advocacy Center to increase our involvement with community agencies.

In 1998, “Family Strengthening” was selected to replace Domestic Violence and Positive Parenting as the League’s new focus area under “The Family”. The Community Investment Fund was developed to commemorate JLH’s 75th Anniversary to allocate $75,000 to community projects. $25,000 was distributed to thirteen past projects, $25,000 was distributed to current projects and programs, and $25,000 was earmarked for the Adoption Connection, a new project beginning in 1999.

During the Nineties, reduced revenues from Stargazing and Commercial Publications led to the consideration of new fundraisers. The Christmas Tree Sale began in 1991 and continued annually until 1998. In 1992, the League and Liberty House teamed up again to present a fashion show featuring the fashions of Victor Costa. A Taste of Aloha was selected as a charter member of Southern Living Magazine’s Community Cookbook Hall of Fame. Royalties from this program have totaled $10,000. The second cookbook, Another Taste of Aloha, was released in the fall of 1993.  The initial print run of 20,000 was followed by softcover editions of both cookbooks in 1995. Commercial Publications revenue netted over $115,000. The Grocery Certificate Sales program was initiated and after five years of generating year-round income, was discontinued in 1999.

In 1996, Another Taste of Aloha was selected for QVC’s national television show featuring products from Hawaii. Two thousand five hundred cookbooks sold out in less than 5 minutes, generating $25,000. Gifts that Give, a holiday shopping fundraiser, began in the fall of 1998. Stargazing continued as a fundraiser throughout the Nineties with the last one, a gala event in honor of the League’s 75th Anniversary, held in the spring of 1999 netting over $66,000. The League had several one-time-only fundraisers in the Nineties: Leeward Theater Opening (1992), Great Aloha Run Pasta Dinner (1993), and Zippy’s Chili Certificate Sales (1998).

The League adopted a new and innovative Strategic Plan.  lmplementing this plan brought many new changes: a definition of “Community lmpact” was determined, committees were restructured, the League’s Placement Plan was revised, and the Provisional course was redesigned. The historical Position Papers were retired and in their place, seven Position Statements were established. These statements reflect the League’s focus areas of Family, Education, Environment, Health, Culture and the Arts, Voluntarism, and Women.

To further enhance long-range planning, a new Community Consultant Group was formed to assist the Executive Committee with financial planning, headquarters search, and marketing. The Executive Committee was expanded to include the positions of Fundraising Vice President and Communications Vice President.

The positions of Administrative Vice President and Corresponding Secretary were removed with their duties reassigned.
In 1997, the League moved its headquarters from the AAUW building in Manoa to Ward Warehouse. In 1999, the headquarters moved to its new location on Beretania Street.

Lila Johnson was installed as Director chairing Council Area VI at the Annual Conference 1990 and completed her term in 1992. Allene Richardson Suemori, appointed AJLI Director-at-Large, finished her term in 1993. In 1996, the League was recognized by the Association for the community edition of the Halawai and the membership development program. Nancy Pace served as an AJLI Area VI Director for a two-year term beginning in 1996. In 1998, she was appointed as Secretary of AJLI.