AHEC gathers at Ewa Community Church for Fall ‘Aha Hālāwai

Photos courtesy of Rennie Mau and Karen Franks-Welsh

The 2022 Fall ‘Aha Hālāwai of the Association of Hawaiian Evangelical Churches (AHEC) was held from October 21st to 22nd at Ewa Community Church on O‘ahu. This was the first in-person Hālāwai in three years! The theme was "E Mālama Pono Kākou i ka ‘Āina a Iēhova ke Akua," Take care of the land that belongs to the Lord God, from Deuteronomy 12:1.

AHEC Luna Ho‘omalu (President) Kahu Brian Welsh shares, "A highlight was the Saturday teaching by Ron Williams called "From Ku to Cook", a presentation about the summer research trip to the New England archives. Important documents and artifacts were shared that may change the way Hawaiian history is viewed as further research comes to light."

"Another highlight was the wonderful State Sunday School Ho‘ike on Friday night with many amazingly talented musicians sharing their gifts in song. Business was also conducted and the Hālāwai passed two Resolutions of Witness. More information will be shared in the months before the next General Synod, but the titles are 'A Resolution Calling for a New Study by our Church on our Relationship with the Indian Boarding Schools and the boarding schools in Hawaii' and secondly, 'A Resolution to Urge All Responsible Entities to Join In Reparations to Fund Christian Hawaiian Language Education Programs to Undo a Century of Extinction. Americanization and Indoctrination Policies Extinguished the Original Christian Hawaiian Alphabet.'

Great thanks and appreciation are given to our host church Ewa Community Church for the wonderful food and hospitality!"