Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 4, Number 11, 1 November 1987 — OHA Adopts Kalua ʻaha Resolution [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

OHA Adopts Kalua ʻaha Resolution

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees at its Sept. 19 meeting on Moloka'i gave its unanimous support and recognition on the renovation of Kalua'aha Congregational Church. A resolution to this effect was adopted by the full board and forwarded to the Kalua'aha congregation and various individuals and organizations.

The resolution noted that the church has been placed on the Hawaii Historical Site Register and has been nominated to the National Register as ahistorical site. It further points out that the church is in astate of serious and rapid decay and that although efforts have been made to renovate and restore this edifice in the past, "the restoration program could not be completed due to a laek of funds." The congregation at Kalua'aha was recently reactivated and has made a strong commitment to oversee and maintain the renovatioti of this historic church whieh was established on July 19, 1833, by the Hawaiian Association with the Rev. Harvey Rexford Hitchcock as pastor.

He was followed by native Hawaiian ministers with such names as Heulu, E. Kekoa, H. Manase, K. Kaai, I. D. Iaea, Joseph Weleh, Edward Paaluhi and Licentiate Edward K. Kaupu Sr., fatherofthe Rev. DavidKaupuof Kamehameha Schools and Henrietta Kaupu Mokiao, one of the many prime movers of the restoration project.

The resolution further notes that Kalua'aha is the Mother Church of Moloka'i and "will forever remain a living memorial and heaeon to the descendants today of those who went before, and for those who will follow them as the years move forward unobstructively."

This is inside ot church where beams still support decayed roof. Some pews ean be seen at left partially under plastic covering.

This is the entrance to Kalua'aha Congregational Church. Tail grass has since been cleared away. Top front of church onee housed a bell.