E Komo Mai!
Welcome to Koloa Union Church!
We are followers of Jesus—the man who opened his arms to all kinds of people (including the scorned and oppressed, the poor, those living on the margins of society, and people from other places), who gave voice to the voiceless, who fed the hungry and healed the sick. Following in his footsteps, we welcome people from all ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, cultures, nationalities, abilities, sexual orientations and gender identities; and we share God’s love in its many forms. We are a diverse community where everyone has something to offer. Come and join us—let us follow Jesus together!
No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you’re 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 in old Hawaiian style with a large white cross in the window. Parking is available in the front and south side of the property.
Scroll to the Bottom for Directions!
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 536, Koloa, HI 96756
Phone: 808-742-6622
A Scent-Free Environment: We have members, friends, and a kahu who are highly allergic to various scents, often resulting in coughing, sneezing, difficulty breathing and speaking, as well as other symptoms. Heavy perfumes and colognes are particularly troublesome. We are requesting that our church be, as much as possible, a “scent-free” environment during worship services, social activities and meetings. We realize that there is no way to keep all scents away, and we plan to continue having fresh flower arrangements each week and leis for special occasions, but we do ask everyone to be sensitive to the needs of those around them when it comes to perfumes, colognes and lotions.
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 2 to 5 p.m. on Sunday and by appointment. See www.alanakanagallery.com to learn more about the gallery and Dr. Akana’s art.
A Message from Our Kahu
Hau`oli Makahiki Hou!
As we enter into a new year and decade as a church, I hope you do so with the same spirit of celebration that I have. It has been a great year! As I think back over the past 12 months, here are some of the things for which I am most grateful:
- The unanimous decision of our members to become an official “Open and Affirming” congregation of the United Church of Christ
- My 3-month sabbatical in southern Europe where I focused on “Beauty, Art and Spirituality” while traveling in France, Portugal, Spain, Italy and Switzerland
- Our Open and Affirming celebration on Pentecost Sunday in June
- Our participation in Kauai’s first Pride Parade and Celebration
- Our Capital Campaign Celebration in September with our new Conference Minister David Popham
- Growth in attendance, membership and giving
- A church choir that sounds better than ever, as well as inspiring and meaningful music every week of the year
There are many other reasons to celebrate as well! I am so grateful to be the Pastor of such a generous, accepting and talented congregation. As I look forward to 2020, I have complete confidence that this will be another year of growth in many ways! I thank you ahead of time for your part in it!
I wish you a very Happy New Year!
Aloha nui loa!!!
Kahu
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“A Message from Kahu Alan Akana” is provided most weeks by Koloa Union Church, an Open & Affirming (ONA) congregation of the United Church of Christ (UCC), a member of the Kauai Association and Hawaii Conference.
To see a video of a recent message by Kahu Akana, click HERE. 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.
You are welcome to join us on Sunday mornings! To see our Sunday morning schedule, click HERE.
Kahu Akana is also an accomplished artist! He specializes in creating vibrant watercolors of the flowers of Hawaii and hosts a Sunday afternoon reception in a gallery at his home, the Smith Memorial Parsonage. He also meets visitors by appointment. Most of the profit from the sales go for the maintenance and upkeep of the parsonage. To see a video about his art and gallery, click HERE. To see the gallery website, click HERE.
To learn more about Kahu Akana (and the rest of the staff at Koloa Union Church), click HERE.
Weekly News of the Church
MEN’S BREAKFAST
The men’s winter breakfast has begun. Meet them at 7:30 a.m. Kalapaki Joe’s in Poipu. The men meet there for breakfast every Tuesday but the 4th Tuesday of the month. Church men and women meet on the 4th Tuesday, 7:30 a.m. at the Holoholo Grill in the Kōloa Landing complex.
COCONUT WIRELESS
Click HERE to see the latest issue of the Coconut Wireless (the weekly e-news from the Hawai`i Conference of the United Church of Christ).
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 49:1-7; Psalm 40:1-11; 1 Corinthians 1:1-9; John 1:29-42.
PARKING NOTES
Thanks to all who are able and have been making parking more manageable on Sunday mornings! Those who have been carpooling or parking at the school and on Waikomo Road have made a big difference in making room for the elderly, our visitors, and those who have trouble walking.
Coming up….
CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED
The church office will be closed on Monday, January 20 in observance of Marin Luther King Jr. Day.
ALL CHURCH BREAKFAST
Tuesday, January 28, 7:30 a.m. Join the church members and friends for a fun, relaxing breakfast at the Holoholo Grill located in the Kōloa Landing Complex. Let Michael Horning or Penny Osuga know if you would like to join us.
PRAYERS & SQUARES
Prayers & Squares is our ministry promoting prayer using hand-tied quilts. The group meets the first Tuesday of every month in Kahu’s office, 1-3 p.m. All sewers and non-sewers are welcome!