The need to help the thousands of residents left homeless in 1900 after officials set Chinatown ablaze to quell an outbreak of bubonic plague spurred the creation of Palama Settlement, now celebrating a century of serving the area’s families and immigrants.

The nonprofit, community-based social-service agency will host "Malama Palama: Festival of 100 Voices" Nov. 20 on its grounds on North Vineyard Boulevard, with family activities, food, entertainment, demonstrations and more.

Centennial chairwoman Paula Rath, whose ancestors incorporated Palama Settlement in 1910, said there are only two other similar settlements left in the United States: Henry House in New York and Hull House in Chicago. The organizations were established on the premise that social workers could better serve the community if they lived among its residents.

Palama Settlement began as Palama Chapel at King and Liliha streets, where it was established in 1896 by Central Union Church. In 1905, social worker James Arthur Rath Sr. and his wife, Ragna Helsher Rath, transformed the chapel into Palama Settlement to provide social services to the Kalihi-Palama community.

With a growing population of Pacific islanders mixing into the ethnic blend of the old community, the settlement has evolved to offer a range of educational, recreational, athletic, cultural, social and health programs for children, youths, adults and senior citizens with funding from Aloha United Way, grants and donations. Facilities include a swimming pool, gym, playing courts and athletic field, the Leland Blackfield Youth Activity Center and the Henry and Colene Wong Computer Center.

Services include an in-community treatment program for troubled youths ages 12 to 17 who are referred by Family Court, the Pakolea Program that uses sports to foster character development and academic success in youngsters ages 7 to 17, a kindergarten readiness program for children who have not had the chance to attend preschool, summer enrichment activities, scholarships, and an annual community holiday celebration with a visit from Santa and wrapped gifts from Toys for Tots and other donors for every child in attendance.

The newest program is the Children’s Savings Project, which teaches children the importance of savings. When they open an account at Amercan Savings Bank, the settlement matches their deposits up to $20.

In all, 400 to 500 children participate in Palama Settlement programs.

The kids participating in the agency’s art program worked over a series of Wednesday afternoons to create a 9-by-15-foot mosaic of marine life that will be installed near the swimming pool.

The artwork will be unveiled at the centennial celebration.

Rath said preparations for the 100th anniversary have extended to the larger community.

"The event has enabled us to reconnect with neighbors such as Honolulu Community College, whose MELE (Hawaiian music) program is providing all the sound equipment and engineering for the stage," she said.

The entertainment lineup includes EMKE, the Kevin Jones Experience, V. Mary, neighborhood youth groups, the Palama Settlement Senior Dance Program, the Ching Wan Music Club, and Elaine Kam, a Palama girl who danced hula in the 1960s. Also featured are a bake sale, produce sale, a craft and vendor village, health screenings, tours, children’s storytime with Wally Amos, bounce houses, open swimming, stand-up paddle boarding, and demonstrations by Farrington High School’s national-award winning ROTC drill teams, the girls’ water polo team and the McKinley High School robotics team.

The Malama Palama Country Store will offer apparel, jewelry and hotel and restaurant gift certificates. Early birds will be given a loaf of Portuguese bread, taro rolls or Honolulu Cookie Co. cookies, while supplies last.

Advance tickets for the store can be obtained by calling 848-2502.

Free parking will be available behind the Palama Settlement gym and at Likelike Elementary School.