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
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
I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who made our capital campaign celebration this past Sunday such a great success! After four years of generous giving, hard work and prayers, our money has been raised and, except for a few “smaller” projects that Dan Giovanni is still working on, all of the work is done! It was an honor to dedicate the capital campaign plaque, which mentions all donors as well as each special gift that was given in memory or in honor of a loved one or special group of people! The plaque now permanently hangs above the Deacon’s cabinet and is made of glazed aluminum in a beautiful wood frame made specifically to match the cabinet below.
I am grateful for the special music by Debbie and Chris, Doug, Kathleen and our choir, as well as the beautiful hula by Rose! We welcomed and honored The Rev. Dr. David K. Popham, our brand new Conference Minister of the Hawai`i Conference of the United Church of Christ on his first day on the job, and enjoyed a message he delivered.
Our Deacons showed up early and made the sanctuary especially nice. Missy made another exceptional floral arrangements and lei for Rev. Popham and capital campaign leaders. Our Aloha Hour ladies and Kiawe Roots did a great job on the special luncheon.
Thank you to all who helped and participated on Sunday and to everyone for your love and commitment to God and to our church!
Aloha nui!
Kahu
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Click HERE to see a video of a recent message by Kahu Akana 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, an Open & Affirming (ONA) congregation of the United Church of Christ (UCC), a member of the Kauai Association and Hawaii Conference.
Weekly News of the Church
COCONUT WIRELESS Koloa Union Church is the first article this week in the Coconut Wireless! The article highlights our capital campaign celebration on Sunday, with photographs of the event and a link to The Garden Island Newspaper article about it. Click HERE to see the latest issue of the Coconut Wireless (the weekly e-news from the Hawaii Conference of the United Church of Christ).
CHURCH CHOIR REHEARSAL Rehearsals are every Thursday 7-8 p.m.at the church. Bring your voices and your friends. You will enjoy being part of this melodious group under the direction of Kathleen Dahill.
FOOD PANTRY Please keep in mind that Koloa Union Church is partnering with St. Raphael Church to provide food to local families each month. We will be collecting and donating non-perishable foods to the St. Raphael Food Pantry and school snacks for Koloa Elememtary School kids. Please drop your donations off at church on Sundays or at Penny’s office Monday – Thursday 9 a.m. – noon. Call office 742-6622 before delivery. Call Amber Strong if you have any questions, need to arrange pick-up or would like to volunteer at 907-227-9045 or amberkn@yahoo.com.
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 Jeremiah 8:18-9:1; Psalm 79:1-9 or Psalm 113; Amos 8:4-7; 1 Timothy 2:1-7; Luke 16:1-13.
COMING UP . . . .
ALL CHURCH BREAKFAST Our next breakfast will be Tuesday, September 24, at 7:30 a.m. Join the church members and friends for a fun, relaxing breakfast at the Holoholo Grill located in the Koloa Landing complex on Poipu Road. Please let Michael Horning or Penny Osuga know if you would like to join us so that we can notify the restaurant ahead of time.
NEIGHBORS IN NEED The Neighbors in Need offering is on October 6, 2019. Neighbors in Need (NIN) is the United Church of Christ’s annual offering to support ministries of justice and compassion throughout the United States, including the Council for American Indian Ministries, justice and advocacy efforts and direct service projects.
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“Weekly News of the Church” is provided by Koloa Union Church, an Open and Affirming (ONA) Congregation of the United Church of Christ (UCC), a member of the Kauai Association and Hawaii Conference. Please contact the church office if you would like to have our weekly news sent directly to your inbox. Join us at 3289 Poipu Road in Koloa!