E Komo Mai! (Welcome!) to Koloa Union Church
We are followers of Jesus with a distinctly Hawaiian identity. Some of us are descendants of the native people of these islands and we celebrate with the language and customs of our ancestors. As an inclusive community of faith, reflecting the diversity of the people of Hawai‘i, we respect all cultures and backgrounds.
Our mission is to embrace, enhance and nurture God’s diverse and unique faith community, all to the glory of God.
Whoever you are and wherever you have been on life’s journey, you are welcome here!
Church Location:
3289 Poipu Road, Koloa, HI
We are located in the heart of Koloa on Poipu Road between Old Koloa Town and Koloa School and Library. As you are driving along Poipu Road, you’ll see our church set back from the road between the large monkey pod trees. It is a lava rock church with a large white cross in the window. Parking is available in the front and south side of the church.
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 536, Koloa, HI 96756
Directions from Old Koloa Town:
From Koloa Road, turn onto Poipu Road by the Texaco Gas Station. As you drive on Poipu Road, look to your right in about a block and a half.
Directions from Kukuiula (The roundabout where Poipu Road runs into the Shops at Kukuiula):
Exit the roundabout onto Poipu Road towards Old Koloa Town. As you drive on Poipu Road, look to your left just past Koloa School and Library (& Snorkel Bob’s).
Phone: 808-742-6622
Alan Akana Gallery
Koloa Union Church hosts a gallery featuring the works of Kahu (Pastor) Alan Akana. The gallery is just around the corner from the church at 3281 Waikomo Road in the historic Smith Memorial Parsonage, a beautiful building on the grounds formerly owned by Congregationalist missionaries. Proceeds from sales at the gallery support the maintenance, upgrades and repairs of the parsonage. Dr. Akana has been watercoloring the flowers of Hawaii since 1993 and features his work of nearly a quarter of a century. Gallery hours are 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday through Thursday. See www.alanakanagallery.com to learn more about the gallery and Dr. Akana’s art.
A Message from Kahu Akana
“The Greatest Commandments”
On Sunday, I shared a couple of stories about gay friends of mine who were physically and emotionally tortured. The people inflicting pain believed they were doing God’s will, and had Scriptures to back up their actions. I wholeheartedly disagree with their interpretation and use of biblical passages. There are commands in both the Old and New Testaments which are troublesome and conflict with others. I shared some of those commands (and the ensuing punishments) which are so outlandish that no followers of Jesus would ever attempt to follow. People have used the Bible to defend slavery, abuse women and children, and inflict judgment and pain on those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and gender-nonconforming.
So how do we interpret the difficult biblical passages—or any parts of the Bible, for that matter? I said in my message that we should first pay attention to Jesus when he gave tha answer to the question, “What is the greatest commandment?” His response was, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Since Jesus said that these are the two greatest commandments, it seems clear to me that all other commandments should be seen in light of these two.
Our church is going through the process of moving toward becoming an official “Open & Affirming” congregation of the United Church of Christ. By doing so, we will publicly state that everyone is welcome to worship and participate in the full life of our church. Since many people often struggle the most with welcoming people of “other” sexual orientations and gender identities, I offered a Bible study on this topic on Sunday afternoon so that we could take a look at what the Bible actually says and how we might interpret certain passages. I will be offering an identical Bible study at my home on Wednesday evening this week, February 6, at 7 p.m. I invite anyone who is interested in attending. If you haven’t already done so, please let me know if you plan to attend. If you have any questions about the Open & Affirming process or its implications, please don’t hesitate to ask.
Aloha nui!
Kahu Alan Akana
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Our Kahu (Pastor) offers a weekly message in church most Sundays during the year. Click HERE to see a video of a recent message from Sunday morning. You may see the Koloa Union Church YouTube channel to see many of his past messages and subscribe in order be notified when a new message is posted. Please share these videos with friends and invite them to church. Please feel free to “Like” any of the videos you see and share them on social media, such as Facebook, so that others will notice them.
“A Message from Kahu Alan Akana” is provided most weeks by the Kahu (Pastor) of Koloa Union Church, a congregation of the United Church of Christ (UCC), a member of the Kauai Association and Hawaii Conference.
Weekly News of the Church
MEN’S BREAKFAST Join the men of the church and their friends as they continue this winter tradition. The men meet each Tuesday (except the 4th Tuesday of each month when they are welcome to join the All-Church Breakfast) at 7:30 a.m. at Kalapaki Joe’s in Poipu for this time to catch up with returning snowbird friends and church members.
BIBLE STUDY Kahu will offer a Bible study for people who would like to read passages in the Bible and learn about how they are interpreted; we will read biblical texts that encourage welcoming and accepting people who are different, as well as texts that are often used to condemn people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered and those who question sexual and gender norms. There will be a time for questions and conversation. You are welcome to attend the Bible Study on Wednesday, February 6, at 7 p.m. at the Smith Memorial Parsonage (3281 Waikomo Road).
CHURCH ENSEMBLE Singers are asked to meet at the church on Saturday, February 9, at noon for practice. You will be featured on Sunday, February 10, during Ka Mele Makana.
THE LATEST COCONUT WIRELESS The Hawai`i Conference of the United Church of Christ shares news on the Coconut Wireless, the regular weekly newsletter of the HCUCC. If you would like to keep abreast on news, opportunities and events, please click HERE for the latest news. If you like what you see, you may subscribe and get every issue of the Coconut Wireless automatically and get the very latest news hot off the press.
LECTIONARY READINGS (Old & New Testament Readings for the Week) Each week, Christians throughout the world read biblical passages from the Revised Common Lectionary, including the Old Testament, Psalms, New Testament, and Gospels. After three years, a good portion of the Bible is included and the cycle begins again. RCL passages are often read in church worship services, and Kahu Akana usually includes at least one of them on the following Sunday. This week’s readings are Isaiah 6:1-13; Psalm 138; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11; Luke 5:1-11.
PARKING REMINDER We want to make sure that our visitors, our elderly, those with mobility issues, and those who carry things for worship, Sunday school and Aloha Hour are able to park on the church property. For all others who are able, please consider the following:
- Walk from home if you live in the neighborhood.
- Park at Koloa School / Koloa Library. We have their permission to use their parking area on Sundays.
- Park on Waikomo Road between Poipu Road and the Smith Memorial Parsonage.
- Carpool if there is more than one person attending from your household or even with a neighbor.
If you are running late and need to “double park” in order to attend on time, please move your car immediately after the worship service for those you may be blocking. (There are usually people leaving at that time, so you can hopefully take their space if you want to stay for Aloha Hour.)
- As construction continues, the men’s restroom is back open and the women are asked to use the restroom directly across from the kitchen door or the porta-potty behind the kitchen.
- The workers are also working on the church office expansion and plan to have that project done by the end of February as well.
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COMING UP. . . .
MOVIE NIGHT Friday, February 15, 6 p.m. Movie TBA. We will enjoy hot dogs and popcorn. Bring your lawn chairs, warm jackets and sleeping bags for a fun time.
HENRY OPUKAHA`IA SUNDAY Sunday, February 17. Each year we collect a special offering in honor and in memory of “Henry O”, the first Native Hawaiians known to become a Christian. Henry Opukaha`ia is credited with motivating the early New England Protestant missionaries to moving to Hawaii. The money collected supports the training of current and future clergy for Christian ministry by providing financial aid for seminary students.
OFFICE CLOSED Monday, February 18, for Presidents’ Day.
CHURCH ON THE BEACH Join us on Sunday, February 24, 11 a.m. for an outdoor worship service at the Pavilion across from Nukumoi Surf Shop at Poipu Beach. Come early if you want to hang out.
Worship will begin at 11:00, followed by a potluck luncheon, followed by bingo and games for kids. Bring something to eat for the potluck and your lawn chairs if you have any. There will be no worship service at the church on this day. (P.S. This also coincides with Kahu’s 5th anniversary with us at Koloa Union Church.)
CONGREGATIONAL MEETING Sunday, March 3, after the worship service. We will vote on our Open & Affirming Covenant.
KALAUPAPA SPRING SERVICE RETREAT April 24-28 on Moloka`i. Our friend, the Rev. Dr. Phyllis Meighen, will lead this retreat to Kalaupapa. The cost is $700 and a $200 deposit it due by February 28. For more information, contact Phyllis at 647-4346.
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“Weekly News of the Church” is provided by Koloa Union Church, a congregation of the United Church of Christ (UCC), a member of the Kauai Association and Hawaii Conference. Join us at 3289 Poipu Road in Koloa!