Although the state of Hawaii is today multicultural and multiethnic, the influence of the early Christian missionaries is still quite evident. Last week I described the Anglican/Episcopal presence on the island of Kauai; today’s focus is on three historic Christian churches.
The British explorer Captain James Cook discovered the Hawaiian Islands in 1778. By 1819, “Puritan missionaries” came from Boston, an event fictionalized in James Michener’s epic novel “Hawaii.”
In the 1830s, commercial sugar production began in Kauai, and laborers arrived from all over the world to work on plantations. Faith communities developed to meet the needs of immigrants and proselytize the population.
In the north shore community of Hanalei is Wai’oli Hui’ia Church, founded in 1834 by New England Congregationalist missionaries. A wood and thatch meeting house was constructed by Native Hawaiians in anticipation of the arrival of the missionaries.Â
Two early churches were destroyed by wind and fire, and in 1912 the present church, now affiliated with the United Church of Christ, was built through donations of descendants of missionaries who taught at the mission school from 1844-1866.
This shingled church, built in American Gothic style, has a belfry housing a bell dating from 1843. Visitors to Hanalei are struck by the building’s green walls and stained glass windows set against the lush green landscape.
For decades the royal family of Hawaii did not allow Roman Catholic Mass to be celebrated in Hawaii, but in 1839 the commander of a French warship threatened attack if Catholics were not allowed religious liberty.
Taking advantage of the new policy, Father Arsene Walsh came to Kauai in December, 1841, and established St. Raphael’s Church, celebrating the first Mass on Christmas Day.
The first church building was completed in 1854, built of native volcanic rock, with mortar formed from sand and crushed coral. It was enlarged several times, and in 1933 an adobe tower was added.
The site of the church, near the sugar production town of Koloa on the island’s south shore, contains many other attractions (besides the old chapel which seats 120): a cemetery, remains of a rectory which was destroyed in 1992 by Hurricane Iniki, a grotto to Our Lady of Lourdes, and a large new church (actually termed a “meeting hall” so its rebuilding could be financed by FEMA funds) featuring clear, etched-glass windows.
On a hill overlooking Lihue, Kauai’s commercial center, is The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Lihue. In 1881, German immigrants arranged for a theological student to lead their worship; in 1883, they incorporated as a congregation.
The architecture of the church they erected in 1885 symbolizes their six-month journey on a sailing ship around Cape Horn from their homeland: The floor slants like the deck of a ship, the balcony is the captain’s bridge, the ceiling is like the hull of a ship, the lights are like ships’ lanterns, the pulpit is the forecastle.
Unfortunately, this beautiful church was destroyed by Hurricane Iwa in 1982. With the assistance of gifts and memorials from friends around the world, the present church was erected as a faithful replica of its predecessor.
