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 Po‘ipu Road, Koloa, HI
We are located in the heart of Kōloa on Po‘ipu Road between Old Koloa Town and Koloa School and Library. As you are driving along Po‘ipu Road, you’ll see our church set back from the road between the large monkeypod trees. It is a lava rock church with a large white cross in the window. Parking is available in the front of the church.
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 536, Koloa, HI 96756
Directions from Old Koloa Town:
Turn onto Po‘ipu Road by the Chevron Gas Station. As you drive on Po‘ipu Road, look to your right in about a block and a half.
Directions from Kukui‘ula (The roundabout where Po‘ipu Road runs into the Shops at Kukui‘ula):
Exit the roundabout onto Po‘ipu Road towards Old Koloa Town. As you drive on Po‘ipu Road, look to your left just past Koloa School and Library (& Snorkel Bob’s).
Phone: 808-742-6622
A Message from Kahu Alan Akana
The Spirit of Truth
“This is the Spirit of Truth” (John 14:17)
On Sunday, I shared the story of The Boy Who Cried Wolf. The shepherd boy of the village cried, “Wolf! Wolf!” from the top of a hill when there was no wolf. He then laughed at the villagers for rushing up the hill to protect the sheep of the village. It was so funny to the boy that he did it again the next day. After rushing up the hill twice, the people of the village had lost their trust in him. The next day a wolf actually came to the hill and attacked the sheep. When the boy cried out, “Wolf! Wolf!” the people ignored his pleas, as they figured he was just wanting to have another practical joke at their expense. After they realized that there really was a wolf, the shepherd boy asked them why they didn’t come and help him protect the sheep from the wolf, the village elder said to the boy, “It is hard to believe someone who doesn’t always tell the truth.”
Telling the truth is a basic virtue in all religions and cultures. In the Gospel of John, the words “truth” and “true” are found over forty times. It was very important to John to portray Jesus not only as someone who told the truth, but someone who actually embodied truth, who internalized it, who knew that the Spirit of truth was within him and his followers.
The Spirit of truth is within us as well. Imagine how our lives, our relationships, communities and world would be different if we paid attention to the Spirit of truth within us and within others.
May this week be a time where you embody truth as Jesus did. After all, you have the same Spirit within you!
Aloha nui!
Kahu Alan Akana
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Click HERE to watch a video of Sunday’s sermon. Videos of Kahu’s sermons are available most weeks. Please share these videos with friends and invite them to church. You can also subscribe on YouTube anytime you watch a sermon; that way you can easily watch any past sermon and even receive a notification when a new sermon is posted.
“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
BOOK RELEASE RECEPTION On Friday, May 26, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., Kahu Alan Akana will be hosting a reception at Alan Akana Gallery (3281 Waikomo Road) for the release of the revised edition of The Volcano Is Our Home: Nine Generations of a Hawaiian Family on Kilauea Volcano. The Author’s Talk will be at 7:30. Signed copies of the book will be available for sale. The event will be a fundraiser for the Smith Memorial Parsonage And Church Buildings & Grounds. Parking is available at the gallery and at Koloa Union Church. For more information, call Alan Akana Gallery at 353-1347 or check out the gallery website at: www.alanakanagallery.com.
YOUTH BEACH DAY Our youth will be joining other young people from Kaua`i UCC churches on Saturday, May 27, at 9 a.m. to participate in a beach cleanup at Donkey Beach and then picnic and play time at Kealia Beach. Please see Kahu Akana if you did not receive the email with all of the details.
OFFICE CLOSED On Monday, May 29, for Memorial Day.
SALVATION ARMY LUNCH SERVING Our church will be serving lunch at Salvation Army in Hanapepe on Wednesday, May 31. A couple more volunteers are needed. Please contact Judyth Foley if you can help serve.
TWO YEAR ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION! Join us on Pentecost Sunday, June 4, to celebrate the second anniversary of our capital campaign “Maika`i Hana Hou” (Creating Goodness & Beauty Once Again). We will celebrate our accomplishments during our MORING WORSHIP SERVICE at 10:30 and then move out to the lawn for an OLD-FASHIONED CHURCH PICNIC and POP-UP TALENT SHOW! Bakers are encouraged to sign up to bring a pie ahead of time and people who would like to share their talent can sign up on June 4th. We will also have special guests joining us for the celebration, including our Conference Minister, the Rev. Dr. Charles Buck. Come and celebrate all we have accomplished in the last two years! You are also invited to join us in our church tradition of wearing the color RED, which is the liturgical color of Pentecost.
STRENGTHEN THE CHURCH OFFERING On June 4 we will collect the special mission offering called “Strengthen the Church.” This is a special mission offering to reimagine and build the future of the United Church of Christ. Shared at the conference and national levels, STC largely supports youth ministries and full-time leaders for new churches in parts of the country where the UCC voice has not been heard. As God calls our congregations to be the church in new ways, your generosity will plant new churches, awaken new ideas in existing churches and develop the spiritual life in our youth and young adults.
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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!