KS Maui Kahu Kalani Wong, and other campus Christian educators join hands with haumāna to pray for God’s presence and power during their tri-campus Deputation Team retreat on Hawai‘i island. One of the objectives of the retreat was to take student spiritual leaders on an historic tour of the birthplace and resting place of Henry ʻŌpūkahaʻia – one of the first Native Hawaiians to become a Christian.
During evening worship, kumu and chaperones share their manaʻo with the group to strengthen their faith and relationship with Jesus during, and more importantly after the retreat. Nā kahu closed the worship with inspirational scripture references which focused on this year’s spiritual theme: ‘Ike Piha la a Aloha Piha la – Fully Known and Fully Loved.
After the group offers an oli komo, KS Hawai‘i junior Ioane Boshard welcomes them to Hōkūloa Church – also known as Henry ʻŌpūkahaʻia Church – located in Punaluʻu, Kaʻū. This place overlooks Nīnole, the birthplace of Henry ʻŌpūkahaʻia. Boshard’s great, great grandmother Adeline Nihokula Akiu was once the kahu of the historic church.
The tri-campus teams place he lei palapalai around the gravesite of Henry ʻŌpūkahaʻia located at Hale Pule o Kahikolu. This historic church is located above Kealakekua Bay, Kona. The group had lunch there then visited the church for a time of worship and to honor the kūpuna who sponsored their time at Kahikolu.
The worship at Hale Pule o Kahikolu began with KS Kapālama Deputation Team students Chelsey Sagon, Amy Sotoa, Bryce Linsangan, Aina Abergas and Zachary Lorenzo sharing their acapella rendition of “Ka Hīmeni o Na Iehova.” The group then honored kūpuna who generously shared stories of their spiritual journey.
Deputation students place he lei palapalai on a burial mound at Lekeleke, the result of the Battle of Kuamo‘o in Keauhou, Kona. They learned about the Battle of Kuamoʻo from KS Hawaiʻi Deputation Team members who were also part of the campus’ performing arts group. The students had just returned from their trip to Scotland where they performed the Hawaiian Opera “The Battle of Kuamoʻo” a tragic tale of a historical event that dramatically changed the religious governance of the Hawaiian Kingdom in 1819.
The retreat culminated with a worship service at KSH’s Lunalilo Hale. The celebration included the singing of “Holy Fiyah!!!” a song written by KS Kapālama Christian Education Kumu Kaulananapua Tongamoa. The gospel mele calls upon God’s children to seek the presence of the Holy Spirit. The signature line “Reign Down” was repeated numerous times building unity among the group.
KS Maui Kahu Kalani Wong, KS Hawai‘i Kahu Kaunaloa Boshard and KS Kapālama Hope Kahu Barret Awai stand together for the benediction, humbled in prayer honoring the Lord and Savior Iesū Kristo.
