So it was in 1929 that the full-time preaching career of Joseph Dos Santos began. He later remarked: “I went throughout the chain of islands of Hawaii in my 1927 Dodge truck for three and a half years, planting the seeds of truth without even one flat tire!”

Since the territory was vast and he was the lone worker, he concentrated on spreading the message primarily by literature placements. Describing what it was like, he wrote: “Because of the pace of the Kingdom work at that time, the Bible Students used big book bags or valises to carry spiritual ammunition. People were kind, and there were no insults or slamming of doors. It was like eating candy! People were glad to see you and quickly contributed a dollar for four books, which was the usual offer. I was then young and vigorous and could walk for miles on mountain trails and climb mountains with two valises full of literature, and I enjoyed many wonderful experiences. In some places the roads were so rough and rugged that I could neither drive the car nor walk, especially in the Kohala district on the Big Island. Sometimes I literally crawled to reach the homes. I even left a sizable amount of spiritual victuals for the lepers in the leper settlement on Molokai.”

He maintained a rigorous schedule, preaching six days a week and averaging 230 hours of service a month. In the three and a half years he spent working alone through the Hawaiian Island chain, he placed 46,000 pieces of literature.

On returning to Honolulu in 1933, Brother Dos Santos advised Brother Solomon that his next move was to go around the world with the good news. As matters turned out, however, he traveled only as far as the Philippines, where he spent almost 17 years. During that period, he withstood intense opposition, including three years of cruel imprisonment meted out by Japanese occupation forces during the second world war.

In 1949 Brother Dos Santos returned with his family to Hawaii, where he and his wife continued in the pioneer service until he finished his earthly course in 1983 at 88 years of age. His determination and fiery missionary zeal had considerable impact on the Kingdom work both in Hawaii and in the Philippines.

“My Health Improved”

It was in January 1933 that James and Dora Harrub finally realized their long-awaited dream of entering the pioneer service. During their first year, they remained in Honolulu, awaiting the construction of the house trailer that was to become their pioneer home on wheels. After its completion, they moved to Maui, covering the island in six months, placing literature and using the phonograph to play recorded Bible lectures to the people. Next was the Big Island of Hawaii, where they spent an entire year covering the territory, but with minimal response.

Moving to the island of Kauai in 1936, they settled on the east side of the island near Kapaa. James loved the people there so much that he wrote to the Society and requested permission to make Kauai his permanent assignment. Permission was granted.

When James and Dora began to pioneer, both had poor health. Dora recalled: “My health improved with pioneering, and I didn’t worry about it.” With Jehovah’s help they went on to complete a lifetime of rich blessings, enjoying full-time service. The self-sacrificing spirit and absolute faith of this husband-and-wife team won them deep respect and love on Kauai, where many people still remember them fondly. After James’ death in 1954, Dora sold their home and, right in character, used the money to finance the construction of a Kingdom Hall in Kapaa on Kauai. She completed her earthly service as a regular pioneer, in August 1984 at 94 years of age. She and her husband had the grand hope of receiving their reward in the heavens.

A Pioneer Moves to Hawaii

Eddie Medalio arrived in Honolulu in 1936 to strengthen the small group of publishers. After his baptism in 1932 in Los Angeles, California, he wrote to the Society’s headquarters in Brooklyn about his desire to go to the Philippines at his own expense to preach full-time among his fellow countrymen in Manila. 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. Later, he married Eulalie, and the family left for their assignment in Hilo, where Eddie was appointed as overseer of that small congregation. While pioneering, the Medalios would cover many of the outlying towns and ethnic communities of workers on sugar plantations, called camps.

Eddie’s pioneer motto was: “Trust in Jehovah with all your heart.” (Prov. 3:5) He would repeat these words to himself and others constantly throughout each day, and they would unfailingly be included in his admonition to young ones who sought out his advice. By his life course, it could be seen that he truly lived by those inspired words. He was unflagging in his zeal, full of zest for living and for worshiping Jehovah. Eddie was also fondly regarded for his good humor and positive spirit regardless of the problems he personally faced. His frequent and infectious cackling laughter was a trademark. Many young ones appreciated his deep and sincere interest in them and affectionately called him Grandpa.

Brother Medalio served as a regular pioneer until his death due to pneumonia and other complications on January 3, 1990. He was 93 years of age and had completed 58 years of whole-souled service to Jehovah. Till the end he was still sharp of mind and single-minded in his devotion to Jehovah. On the last field service report he submitted, just two days before his death, he wrote: “My spirit is willing, but my flesh is getting weaker. I keep praying for Jehovah’s help.”