HCUCC Pastor Thanked for Helping Rebuild After Katrina 
After hurricane Katrina, many volunteers from UCC churches around the country went to New Orleans to help with rebuilding efforts. One such person was HCUCC Pastor Wally Fukunaga. Because of the work he did, the members of Beecher Memorial Church wanted to say thank you. A few weeks ago, while visiting New Orleans, the members of the church presented Wally with this quilt to say thank you for all he had done to help the people of New Orleans. Wally is pictured here with members of the church and Waiokeola Church member Marion Carpenter and Church of the Holy Cross member Janet Fujioka, who accompanied Wally on the trip. Since returning from New Orleans, Wally and this quilthave visited some of the churches here in Hawai'i that have supported his efforts in New Orleans, as a way of passing along his thanks as well as that of the members of the New Orleans church.
Pastor Receives Award from FSM President
Radigan David, Pastor of the Pohnpeian Ministry at Central Union Church, was recognized for his outstanding contributions to Micronesians living in Hawai'i. This award was presented by the President of the Federated State of Micronesia (FSM), Manny Mori, at a special reception on September 27. 
Radigan was one of several people chosen because of the difference they have made as role models for FSM citizens who make Hawai'i their second home. Three outstanding citizens were selected from each of the FSM states of Chuuk, Pohnpei, Yap, and Kosrae. Akendo Onamwar, Pastor of First Chuukese Christian Church, UCC, offered the invocation and blessing for the evening.
Lana'i Union Youth Reflects on National Youth Event
Cody Tacderas of Lana'i Union Church wrote this poem before attending the National Youth Event (NYE) July 25-28 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Cody was one of 6 youth and 2 adults from Hawai'i who attended the gathering of 3,000 youth from churches throughout the United Church of Christ. Cody said he feels this poem illustrates what the United Church of Christ stands for and he wanted to share it as a reflection on his NYE experience.
Ores
Scattered iron shards,
Sifted golden flakes,
And rusty steel chips.
We are meek metal.
The smithy's vision
is in the glittering masses.
Melt and maim and
Cast and create us!
Fused with futures,
Reinforced, and refined.
The smithy's vision
is in the glittering masses.
Hawai`i Man Named Ginoong Pilipinas USA
Kapono Kobylanski, a member of Nu`uanu Congregational Church, was recently named winner of the Sixth Annual Ginoong Pilipinas (Mr. Filipino) USA pageant held in Los Angeles. Kapono grew up in the Nu`uanu church and now works as a financial analyst on the mainland. Click HERE to read more.
UCC Member Named Social Worker of the Year
Dominic Inocelda, a member of Pearl City Community Church, was recently honored by the National Association of Social Workers in Hawaii as Social Worker of the Year in Social Justice/Advocacy.
Outstanding Educators Recognized
Recently, one educator from each of O`ahu’s 22 public high schools received the Outstanding Educator Award for 2007-2008. Richie Lau, Kalaheo High School teacher and member of UCC-Judd Street, was one of the educators who “distinguished themselves by their inspired service to the students and academic community.” If there were other award recipients who are UCC members, please let us know.
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Making Music in Wisconsin
Kazukiyo "Jiggs" Kuboyama has taught hundreds of people how to make their own ukulele. Jiggs is a member of Makiki Christian Church and recently taught a course at the University of Wisconsin on ukulele-making. His story was featured in an article in the July 27 Honolulu Advertiser. Click HERE to read the story.
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Hawai`i Person on National Search Committee
Sachi Fujita is on the 14-person national Search Committee for the new General Minister and President of the United Church of Christ. Sachi is a member of Waipahu United Church of Christ, works at the Hawai`i Conference Office assisting with Search and Call and Church Development, and has been a member of the UCC General Synod Nominating Committee. She’s an active volunteer with the Pacific Asian and American Ministries (PAAM) and on the steering committee for the Transition House, a ministry of the O`ahu Association. Sachi is the wife of the Rev. Tom Fujita. Click HERE and scroll down to view a photo and see a list of all the Search Committee members.
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People News for July - December, 2007 and January - June, 2008 can be found on the news archive page (click HERE).