History of Hawaii Association of the Blind

Charter members of the Hawaii Association of the Blind were all individually selected in order to provide a stable foundation for this new organization. During the first few years of the movement, new members were carefully screened. Once the organization grew in strength and number, membership was open to all blind people in Hawaii. Membership into this new organization was also attained by a few sighted individuals.

The constitution of this group was adopted at its first meeting in August, 1967. Two months later, the organization, then known as the Hawaii Federation of the Blind, received a charter of affiliation to represent Hawaii in the National Federation of the Blind. This new affiliation provides avenues for communication concerning many blind related issues. Now the blind in Hawaii would be able to learn about national legislation that was being introduced, and they could develop an understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of national programs for the blind. Hawaii's blind community could now look to programs or individuals in other states and use their examples as models. With national affiliation, the blind in Hawaii could now ask for assistance from this national body to help resolve specific local needs.

As a state affiliate, Hawaii participated diligently in the various activities of the National Federation of the Blind. These activities included regular attendance at their annual conventions, aiding with fund raising, supporting national legislation, and responding when called upon for assistance.

In 1983, Hawaii seceded from the National Federation of the Blind due to irreconcilable differences over national policies dealing with state affiliates. The organization then changed its name to the Hawaii Association of the Blind (H.A.B.). The H.A.B. functioned without national affiliation from 1983 to 1985. In the summer of 1985, the H.A.B. became affiliated with the American Council of the Blind.