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.
Another Message from Kahu Alan Akana
I’m sure everyone has heard stories by now about the devastation and loss felt by many people on our island due to the recent storms. The flooding of the past few days has been greater than many of us have ever seen. I am not surprised at all that many members and friends of Koloa Union Church are asking, “How can we help our neighbors?” Although there are several groups coordinating relief efforts and the needs seem to be changing daily, there are three specific areas in which I believe our church can assist right away.
Kauai Association of the United Church of Christ
The Rev. Glenn Frazier, a retired minister who is a member of Church of the Pacific in Princeville, has preached at our church on several occasions, lives in Princeville, and is helping to coordinate recovery efforts on the north shore. According to Glenn, there are people who need immediate assistance, and he is happy to talk to potential volunteers who are willing to help. You can call Glenn at 808-634-0041 for further information, or the Church of the Pacific office at 808-826-6253. Waioli Huiia Church in Hanalei suffered extensive damage from the flood; according to Glenn, they have been receiving plenty of help and do not need additional help at the moment. Clyde Fujikawa, pastor of Church of the Pacific, is a kalo farmer in Hanalei, and his farm has suffered tremendous damage. He will soon need volunteers with chainsaws to help him clear debris and labor help in general (not immediately, but soon). Anyone who might be able to assist can call Clyde directly at 808-639-9601.
Koloa Union Church
Beginning this weekend, Chel Hauser, will be making daily trips to Princeville to deliver supplies and assist in the clean up and restoration efforts. Chel is working with a variety of organizations who are partnering in these efforts: Ha Coffee Bar (a donation drop location), Natural Pet Hawaii (providing and transporting animal foods, medicines and supplies) and Kauai Animal Welfare Society (assisting in the clean up of homes, businesses, schools, churches, etc). I have agreed to let Chel use our church storage shed to collect supplies, which she will deliver on a semi-daily basis. Feel free to drop off any of the following items on Sunday morning, or else Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to noon:
Household:
Butane canisters and propane (all sizes)
Large storage totes
Chainsaws
Coolers
Tarps
Gloves
Big black contractor trash bags
Gasoline (labeled regular and diesel)
Hand sanitizer
Bleach/Clorox Wipes/Spray bottles
Personal:
Toothpaste, toothbrushes, toilet tissue
Diapers – sizes infant through 5
Shampoo and conditioner
Body soap
Rubber boots
Sleeping bags
Blankets
Food:
Fresh fruits and vegetables
All Bran cereal
Soy/Rice/Almond milk
Juice, coffee, tea
The Shops at Kukuiula/A&B Properties, Kukuiula Development, Hawaii Life, and Poipu Beach Resort Association
These organizations are collecting items for a Kauai Disaster Relief Drive tomorrow, Wednesday, April 18, from 3pm-6pm at The Shops at Kukuiula in the Palm Court area and 10am-6pm (Poipu Beach Resort Association Office); specifically collecting bottled water, non-perishable food items, toiletries, gloves, trash bags, etc. Items will be delivered to Kauai Red Cross for distribution. Financial donations will be dispersed to Kauai Red Cross and Malama Kauai. Anyone with questions can call The Shops at Kukuiula management office at 808-742-9545 or the PBRA office at 742-7444.
As a reminder, it is important to work directly with an organization or resident of an affected home or area. Sometimes well meaning people can get in the way or cause further delays by trying to help in ways that are not helpful. Furthermore, limited resources should be used to provide meaningful assistance, rather than clutter or interruptions of important work.
If you hear of immediate needs here in Koloa where people can contribute or volunteers can become involved, let me know and I will be happy to pass on the information to others. In the meantime, let us continue to pray for our neighbors on Kauai who have experienced many losses. If anyone wants to contribute a financial donation through the church, you can do that at any time; please make checks out to the church with “Flood Recovery” in the note section, and we will make sure it is used in the best way possible to help victims of the flood.
Mahalo Nui Loa for your Kokua!
Kahu Alan Akana
Weekly News of the Church
YOUTH FUNDRAISING GALA This Sunday, April 22, at 5 p.m. at Kapaa United Church of Christ, the youth of the Kauai Association will be serving dinner, providing entertainment and hosting an auction.
WAINEKE WORKDAY Saturday, April 21. Volunteers are asked to participate in the care and maintenance of the Waineke cabins and grounds in Kokee. Some volunteers spend Friday night in the cabins and clean on Saturday. Meals will be served.
THE LATEST COCONUT WIRELESS The Council of the Hawaii Conference of the United Church of Christ shares news on the Coconut Wireless, the regular newsletter of the HCUCC. If you would like to keep abreast on news, opportunities and events, please click HERE for this past week’s 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.
PRAYERS & SQUARES Contact Angela Dressel if you would like to get involved in praying for people in crisis or helping to make quilt squares for those in crisis.
AND COMING UP…
LECTIO DIVINA Join us again on April 25 at the Parsonage for a time to quietly reflect on the Scriptures. We will meet on Wednesday, 7:00-8:30 p.m. for Lectio Divina at the Smith Memorial Parsonage (3281 Waikomo Road). In Christianity, Lectio Divina is a traditional practice of scriptural reading, meditation and prayer intended to promote communion with God and to increase the knowledge of God’s Word.
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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!