• Home
  • Applicants
  • Volunteers
  • Support
  • About
  • Contact
  • FAQ
  • In the Press
  • Historical ALA Girls State & ALA Girls Nation
  • ALA Girls State Store
  • Scholarships
  • STAGE 2- Delegates
  • Graphic Design Contest
ALA - Hawai'i Girls State
  • Home
  • Applicants
  • Volunteers
  • Support
  • About
  • Contact
  • FAQ
  • In the Press
  • Historical ALA Girls State & ALA Girls Nation
  • ALA Girls State Store
  • Scholarships
  • STAGE 2- Delegates
  • Graphic Design Contest

Hawai'i has a rich history 
​of Girls State in the ALA

Historical Document | Hawai'i Girls State


HISTORICAL SKETCH 
Compiled in 1961 by Mrs. Ethel E. Tassock, Director

     Subsequent to the organization of Boys State and Boys Nation as an American legion project, several State Departments of the American Legion Auxiliary organized a similar project to train girls of High School age in the responsibility of Citizenship.
     
     The fact that Girls State has not changed in any way in its aims and objectives, and only in minor details from the set up of the original planners, speaks very well for the quality of their planing.

  
 The success of their efforts so inspired other Departments that they decided  to undertake  such a  training  program for  girls.   However,  it was not  until 25 years later that  our Hawaii  State Department  decided  to  inaugurate  a Girls State  program.

     A
group of devoted women worked  hard in 1961 to lay  the  foundation  for a Mythical State following governmental procedure as closely as possible. Many problems of preliminary work, such as planning programs, finding  good  speakers, arranging  for health and accident  insurance,  securing  counselors  and  nurses, overcoming   the   "can't  be  done attitude",  securing  financial  backing,  and  finding  suitable  housing  and  accommodations were  encountered  by  this  inspired  group  of   women  who  supervised  the first session.
  

      The  First  Hnwaii  Girls state became  a  reality in June of 1961..  Thirty-eight  girls in their Junior  year  in High  School  spent  the  week  of  June  18th through  the  24th  at Castle Hall, Punahou School, Honolulu.
 
     Three  citizens  came  from  Kauai.,  representing  Kapaa,  Kauai   and  Waimea  High Schools.
One came from Molokai., representing Molokai High School; one came from Baldwin High School on Maui; Girls came from the "Big Island"  representing Hilo, Waimea, Kau, Kamuwela, Kohala, Honokaa, Konawaena, Laupahoehoe and Pahoa High Schools; Oahu girls came from Roosevelt, Kaimuki, Farrington, Punahou, Kailua, Castle, Kahuku, Leilehua, Kamehameha  High Schools and Sacred Hearts  Academy.
 
     Girls State  was  financed  by Auxiliary Units,  Legion Posts,  individual Auxiliary and Legion members.   Contributions were received from local club.,  firms,  civic minded individuals, of the various communities in the  state  and  one  very  well  known  Trust Company.   The nature of the projec.,  its aims and objectives were   whole heartedly endorsed by the contributors, and as time goes on more and more people will become aware  of  Girls State, more  and more  will  recognize  the  fine work  we  are doing for our girls until  the matter  of  financing will become  established  from year  to year.
 
Each one., as she registered., became a citizen of Hawaii Girls State and was given a number.   The odd numbers designated one  political party   the even numbers
the  other  political  party.,  conforming  to our two-party system   democratic  government but havin  no  connection  or  reference  to  existing political parties.            The names or            ., Alii Nui (High Chiefs) and Na Makaainana (Commoners) were recor.mended by the citizenry and upon approval by the counselors, the two were officially adopted as permanent name; for Hawaii Girls State political parties.



ALA Hawai'i Girls State Alumnae Foundation

The Primary purpose of the Girls State Foundation is to support and promote the
American Legion Auxiliary's Aloha Girls State program and its alumnae. 
If you are an alumnae from Hawaii's original Girls State,
​or another state we welcome you to join our foundation!

    Want to join the Aloha Girls State Alumnae Foundation?
    Provide your information below, and our team will contact you!

Submit

Contact Us!

Department Email - alaALOHAgirlsstate@gmail.com
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • Applicants
  • Volunteers
  • Support
  • About
  • Contact
  • FAQ
  • In the Press
  • Historical ALA Girls State & ALA Girls Nation
  • ALA Girls State Store
  • Scholarships
  • STAGE 2- Delegates
  • Graphic Design Contest