Highlights from the 203rd ‘Aha Pae‘āina in 2025
- Hawai‘i Conference
- Jun 18
- 3 min read
Photos by Angie Warren (AHEC), Kalani Wong, Kristen Young
The 203rd ‘Aha Pae‘āina was held Thursday, June 12 through Saturday, June 14, at Kapa‘a First Hawaiian Church and Kapa‘a United Church of Christ on Kaua‘i. The theme was "Kūkulu ‘ia ma ke kahua kūpaʻa," Built on a Firm Foundation, based on Matthew 7:24-27.
Reflecting on the gathering, a word that comes to mind is “abundance”: abundance of hospitality, love, welcome, helping hands, joy, creativity, talents, sharing, fun, natural beauty, singing, inspiration, ‘ono food, blessings.
June 11, 2025 – The ‘Aha Youth Track welcomed 31 youth as they met at Waineke Cabins in Kōke‘e before joining the wider Conference on Friday, June 13.
June 12, 2025 – The Association of Hawaiian Evangelical Churches held their ‘Aha Nā Kai ‘Ewalu and the State Council of Hawaiian Congregational Churches held their Annual Meeting.
Photos by Angie Warren
Highlights from the ‘Aha Makua portion of the meeting include:
Opening Worship on Thursday evening featured Phiwa Langeni, former Ambassador for Innovation & Engagement of the United Church of Christ and now Associate Conference Minister for the Southern California Nevada Conference, delivering the keynote address.
Four workshops, ranging from “Prayers for the Hawai‘i Conference and the World” (Janice Ogoshi), to “Pū‘a Foundation—Bringing to Life the Parable of the Talents” (Toni Bissen), to “Church Governance and the Future of Your Church” (Caroline Belsom), to “Transformational Yet Stable: Rethinking Effectiveness in Mainline Christianity” (Irene Hassan).
After spending two days at the Waineke Cabins in Kōke‘e, the youth joined the plenary on Friday afternoon and added much enthusiasm, energy, and singing to the group.
Churches on Kaua‘i hosted a makeke selling handcrafted items, with the proceeds going to various mission projects of the respective churches.
A visit from Richard Chun, 101 years young, who celebrated his 75th anniversary of his ordination!
Thanks to our churches on Kaua‘i, attendees enjoyed a delicious dinner at Taste of Kaua‘i on Friday night, followed by a rousing E Himene Kakou.
The business session of the ‘Aha Makua, convened on June 14:
The nomination slate was approved as presented by the Conference Nominating Committee. The members of the 2025-2026 Conference Council:
Roberta Jahrling, Chair
Benjamin Sheets, Vice-Chair
Lorna Motas, Secretary
Linn Garcia, Treasurer
Galen Kaohi, Youth/Young Adult At-Large
Nate Timoteo, Youth/Young Adult At-Large
Joyclynn Costa, President, Association of Hawaiian Evangelical Churches
Wryen Kiwaha, President, Hawai`i Island Association
Tiffany Marotte, President, Kaua`i Association
Irene Willis Hassan, President, O`ahu Association
James Aarona, President, ‘Aha O Na Mokupuni Association
Joan Sakaba, Administration Missional Team Chair
Henry Kalani Wong, Formation Missional Team Chair
Heather Barfield, Innovation & Engagement Team Chair
Cheri Dennis, Justice and Witness Team Chair
Frank Mulec, Representative, State Council of Hawaiian Congregational Churches
Andrew Bunn, HCF Executive Secretary (ex-officio)
David Popham, Conference Minister (ex-officio)
“A Resolution Calling the Hawaii Conference United Church of Christ to Oppose the 2025 Immigration Rollbacks and Support Immigrants, Refugees, and Pacific Island Communities,” was passed and adopted with some debate and discussion. A parallel resolution has been submitted to the General Synod by Hawai‘i PAAM (Pacific Islander and Asian American Ministries).
FYE2026 Budget passed following a creative budget presentation by the Missional Team Chairs. There was crepe paper, a puppet, and a song!
Two special offerings were collected during the ‘Aha: $1,061 was collected for Our Church’s Wider Mission (OCWM) and $1,018.01 was collected for the Vesper Maile Ito Fund.
Photos by Kalani Wong
It is so good to gather as family—renewing ties and welcoming new members into our ‘ohana. Mahalo nui loa to all who attended, and especially to our host churches and sister churches on Kaua‘i for their endless hospitality and aloha.
