CELEBRATING TOYO NISHIDA
On Sunday we celebrated Toyo Nishida’s 99th birthday! Toyo has held nearly every position in our church and for years was our own “menehune”— discreetly tending to chores (big and little) needing attention. He also continues to be an historian for our church and community. There are no words to show our gratitude. We love you, Toyo! Happy Birthday!!!
LABYRINTH AT MAHA’ULEPU
On Sunday, I shared some of my experiences walking on labyrinths, including the one at Maha’ulepu in the photo above. I walked on this particular labyrinth last week. It is in a stunning location: surrounded by beautiful mountains and the Pacific Ocean.
A labyrinth is a pathway on the ground on which you walk in a circular pattern while thinking about God. After you come to the end of the pathway in the middle, you turn around and walk in the opposite direction until you end up where you started. Unlike maze, there is only one path and no possibility of losing one’s way.
Here are some of the thoughts I have while walking on labyrinths:
It is amazing how many things that pop into my mind when walking on a labyrinth. One of the things that I shared with the congregation on Sunday is that we can walk a long way without every stopping to reflect upon God’s presence or what it is that God might be trying to tell us or show us. On the other hand, there is a much greater chance to see and hear God if we make the time and space to do so.
I hope you will see, hear and feel God’s presence this week as you walk on your journey. And I hope to see you in church on Sunday!
Aloha nui loa!
Kahu Alan Akana
MOVIE NIGHT!!! 
Friday, August 14, 2015, at 6:30 pm. Join us at the church to watch a fun, entertaining, feel-good movie appropriate for elementary school-aged children through adults. We will provide hot dogs, popcorn and drinks.
Kōloa Sugar Mill
Koloa Plantation Days!
This is a busy week for our town and our church!
On Sunday, I shared with the congregation about the rich history our church has played in our community since 1835. I focused on the Smith-Waterhouse Family, beginning with Dr. James and Melicent Smith, who arrived in Koloa in 1842 and lived on this island until they died. I shared the story of how Dr. Smith single-handedly traveled all of Kauai and Niihau in order to vaccinate the people from smallpox. When that disease came to Hawaii in 1853, only person died on these two islands, although thousands died of smallpox throughout the Hawaiian Kingdom. People have been here all along, following the example of Jesus in helping to make life fuller and richer for others: physically, spiritually and socially. Yet, there is still a lot we can do. I also talked about the importance of following another example of Jesus: getting proper rest and rejuvenation. In light of this, I challenged the congregation to consider three questions this week:
We had nearly 70 people attend Monday’s “lecture, walk and tour” about the missionaries of Koloa…and received lots of positive feedback from attendees. One of those attendees wrote the music to one of the songs in our Hawaiian hymnal, Na Himeni. (We are going to sing that song on Sunday!) Thanks to all of the church members and friends who helped to make that event such a great success!
I’m looking forward to our church being in the parade on Saturday (the 25th). As a reminder, come to the church at 8 a.m. and enjoy coffee and treats; we have to line up for the parade at 8:45 (and Poipu Road will be closed to traffic at 9:00!). Those who would like to help decorate our “float” can come to the parsonage on Friday at 3.
As always, I look forward to seeing everyone in church on Sunday as well! I trust that your life this week is full and rich!
Aloha nui!
Kahu Alan Akana
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