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Dr. Joseph Lam, now medical director of the only out-patient clinic in the islands, located in the Palama Settlement on Vineyard Street, again extended help by giving me a clerical job. I am also grateful for his friendship. Encouraged by Mrs. Amy Gottschalk, the director of the social service department, I asked for a year's leave of absence, and on borrowed money attended Simmons College in Boston and received a B.Sc. in Social Work in 1937. When Mrs. Gottschalk resigned, I succeeded her as director. In 1941 when I passed a civil service examination, I resigned and went to work for the City and Health Department of Honolulu at its administrative office and emergency care facility on the grounds of the Queen's Hospital. I served directly under Mrs. Kathleen McDuffie and administratively under Dr. Thomas Mossman, both of whom I remember with fondness.
Hospital care for indigent and semi-indigent residents was given by the City and County of Honolulu in private hospitals; terminal and convalescent care was given in its own facility, the Maluhia Home, and emergency service was available to all. In addition to giving supportive casework, I assisted Mrs. McDuffie in making discharge plans and referrals. I had the sole responsibility for psychiatric patients and their families and in arranging for their care in the Mental Health Unit of Queen's Hospital or in the Territorial Hospital, as recommended by Dr. Richard Chun on the staff. During the Second World War, we were called upon to receive those residents serving in the armed forces who were being discharged for psychiatric reasons.
The Japanese attack of Pearl Harbour early in the morning of Sunday, 7 December 1941, caught us all by surprise, for the U.S. Navy was on maneuvers, on alert supposedly. Mother and I had been home only a few hours from an all-night wake for Aunt Jong Yau when we were awakened by the sounds of airplanes and explosions. Turning on the radio, we heard the hoarse voice of Governor Poindexter repeating again and again, "Take cover. Enemy planes overhead. Take cover. Take cover". Soon martial law was announced and all businesses ordered closed. Our first reaction was to flee from the aggressor, whom we expected to land and kill us any minute, but to where? No one was allowed out after dark without a pass. No lights were to be seen; it was absolute darkness after sunset. We had little fresh food on hand, but we were ready to share it with Cousin Mary and her family when they felt it was