HI HR198

Congratulates the Maryknoll Sisters for 100 years of dedicated service and outreach to help those in need around the world and to better the lives of individuals and communities.

First Maryknoll Sisters arrived in Hawaii on September 5, 1927, invited by Bishop Stephen Alencastre to establish parochial schools including Sacred Heart in Honolulu and St. Ann in Heeia.

Established Catholic Social Services in 1943 (precursor to Catholic Charities Hawaii) under leadership of Sister Victoria Francis Larmour, introducing adoption, foster care, social action, parish outreach, and group homes.

Designed interfaith Project RESPECT in 1983, which became Project Dana sponsored by the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii, serving 900 frail elderly with 700 volunteers.

By the end of the 1990s, Maryknoll Sisters volunteered in hospitals, parishes, prisons, and women's shelters while working with children, abused women, immigrants, and the elderly.