However, the Society suggested instead that he proceed to Hawaii and pioneer with the Hasletts in order to reach the many Filipino people there.

Eddie was a veteran of World War I, and he used his Navy bonus to pay his boat fare to Honolulu. Don and Mabel were so excited to receive help! They heartily welcomed Eddie and had him stay at the branch.

Pearl Harbor Attack

“A station-wagon load of us were headed for a day of witnessing in Pearl City, just past Pearl Harbor,” said Mabel Haslett concerning December 7, 1941. “We were turned back at Pearl Harbor Road by the police and clouds of billowing smoke. War!” The Japanese armed forces had launched their devastating air attack on Pearl Harbor that made a shambles of the American fleet docked there. Mabel continued: “A few days after December 7, there was a knock on the door. Four men armed with pistols took Don to military headquarters for questioning. Martial law was in force. As one after another of the officers shot questions at him, Don would answer from the Scriptures. One said angrily, ‘Leave the Bible out of this!’ But Don replied, ‘I can’t​—it’s my defense.’ Finally, the one in charge stood up, apparently satisfied, and well after ‘blackout’ time they brought Don home. . . . Although we were occasionally harassed, the work progressed.”