‘Aha O Na Mokupuni ‘O Maui, Moloka‘i A Me Lāna’i gathers for Spring Mokupuni

Submitted by Robb Kojima and Jimmy Aarona

At the Spring Mokupuni of the ‘Aha O Na Mokupuni ‘O Maui, Moloka‘i A Me Lāna’i on May 16, there were about 30 in attendance at Wailuku Union Church, representing over half the churches in the Association. The theme of our ‘Aha Mokupuni was, “Take, Bless, Broke, Share” focusing on God as the Great Distributor of Justice (not retribution).

The Committee on Ministry announced that Ulysses Pacil fulfilled the requirements of an Authorized Licensed Minister and we will look forward towards recognizing this as an Association at later date. As with most of our churches, we find ourselves having more leadership positions than willing people to fill them. We will have to have some important conversations as a Mokupuni to address these concerns.  

Updates of Officers

• President: Cliff Nakoa, Po‘okela Church (newly elected, 2-year term)

• Vice-president: To be filled 

• Secretary: Dennis Barger, Keawala’i Congregational Church (serving another 2-year term)

• Treasurer: Cheryl Matsui, ‘Iao Church (4-year term)

• Committee on Ministry: Kimberly Fong, Edie Kapiko, Janice Ogoshi (Class of 2029)

Jack Belsom led us in worship reminding us all that Christ himself was a radical. Robb Kojima in Communion impressed upon all that we are all equal and that we are all thus equally fed and blessed. Former president Jimmy Aarona thanked Kailani Ross for her service to the ‘Aha Mokupuni as Treasurer and to Dennis Barger and Kimberly Fong for serving on the Board of Directors. Lei of greetings and congratulations were given to Mitch Nelson, seated pastor of Keawala‘i Church; Verl Klassen, licensed Minister at Waihe‘e Church; and Ulysses Pacil, granted approval as Licensed Minister by the Committee on Ministry at Maui Evangelical Church. We thanked Robb Kojima and the congregation of Wailuku Union Church for hosting the ‘Aha.

New business going forward is "What role can the ‘Aha Mokupuni fulfill in assisting the member churches going forward in the coming years?"