As an accomplished artist raised in an activist household, it is no surprise that Kate Harland Kelly would be fascinated with the Baha'i Faith.
“The Baha’i Faith began in 1844 in Persia, now modern day Iran. The Prophet-Founder Baha’u’llah was banished and imprisoned for over 40 years for teaching principles to establish peace and the unity of mankind.
These teachings were brought to Hawaii in 1901 by Agnes Baldwin Alexander, a daughter of early missionaries, who learned of the Faith on a trip to Europe. Alexander was the first person born in Hawaii to embrace the Baha’i Faith and Mary Kealiikahumoku Tilton Fantom was the first indigenous Hawaiian to become a Baha’í and to serve in its administration. The Baha’í message was also presented to Queen Liliʻuokalani in 1915, who was interested in its message of peace. There has been a Baha’i community on Molokai since the 1950s.
From 1910-1913, despite ill health, ‘Abdu’l-Baha travelled to Egypt, North America and Europe, where he proclaimed the essential principles of the Baha’í Faith, such as the equality of women and men, universal peace, removal of all forms of prejudice, the harmony of science and religion, and a spiritual solution to economic problems.”
Disciples of Baha'i were, and still are, found on every island in Hawaii. Kate converted to the Baha'i Faith, and it was an inspiration for John as well. His fine, detailed drypoint etching portrait of ‘Abdu’l-Baha depicts the religious leader with depth and skill.
For more information on the Baha'i Faith and Hawaii's branch of the religion, visit bahaihawaii.org.