Despite destruction, Helani Congregational Church continues to worship

Photos by Jonathan Roach and Rollin Rabara

On the morning of October 2, 2025, a fire destroyed the sanctuary building of Helani Congregational Church in Kona, Hawai‘i.

View the coverage from Hawai‘i News Now:

Flames reduce historic Kona church to rubble in early morning fire

Associate Conference Minister Jonathan Roach, deployed on Hawai‘i Island, and Helani Church moderator Rollin Rabara shared remarks.

Photos of the church building before the fire:

The church held worship on October 5, the first Sunday following the fire, which also happened to be World Communion Sunday.

Donations can be sent directly to Helani Congregational Church:

P.O. Box 2509

Kealakekua, HI 96750

Donations may also be given online through the Hawai‘i Disaster Relief Fund. Please add a note designating the donation to Helani Congregational Church.

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Reflection from our Associate Conference Minister

published in the Coconut Wireless, October 8, 2025

My Prayers for Helani Congregational Church

By Jonathan Roach

Very early on Thursday morning, I was deeply saddened to learn that the building of Helani Congregational Church was destroyed by fire. I have fond memories of attending Helani's ho'ike, preaching there, and being quizzed with hard questions by Uncle Harry Aiu. I must admit that 2025 has been a very painful year, especially for our congregations on the leeward side of Hawai'i Island. Major lay leaders are struggling with significant health problems, congregations are struggling to pay the bills and keep the doors open, we are mourning the passing of our beloved Kahu Charles Mahina Kaupiko and the above-mentioned Uncle Harry, and now we have lost the building of Helani Congregational Church.

I must admit that if ke Akua would fast forward us to 2026, I would be happy because I am ready to be done with 2025. It has been a painful year. Helani has had four buildings since they began their ministry in 1853 on what is now Ali'i Drive in Kailua Kona. And now their bell which survived the fire will be going into a new building because their mission as a church of Jesus Christ has not ended. I'm proud of this small, yet powerful, congregation who is already looking to rebuild. A mere three days after the fire, the resilient congregation gathered outside to celebrate World Communion Sunday. Our small churches, both rural and urban, do so much to advance the good news and be the hands of Christ in this world.

I invite you to keep Kahu Paul Childers, the members of Helani, and their community in your prayers and please don't forget that as we raise up our prayers for them, we must also raise our prayers and support for all those who are hurting, for the recovery in Maui that has a long way to go yet, for those in Gaza and Ukraine, for those struggling with climate change and all kinds of natural and human-caused disasters. Gifts of support for Helani can be mailed directly to the church at P.O.Box 2509, Kealakekua, HI, 96750, or given online through the Conference. Please click on "Hawai'i Disaster Relief Fund" and be sure to note that your donation is for Helani Congregational Church.

May Helani's bell call the faithful to the work of being church for decades and centuries after we have joined the celebration of the saints.