The members and friends of Wai‘oli Hui‘ia Church in Hanalei welcome with great joy and anticipation the arrival of the Rev. Alpha D. Goto, who was unanimously elected to be the new pastor recently. His wife, Pam Goto, was raised
The members and friends of Wai‘oli Hui‘ia Church in Hanalei welcome with great joy and anticipation the arrival of the Rev.
Alpha D. Goto, who was unanimously elected to be the new pastor recently.
His wife, Pam Goto, was raised on O‘ahu and attended Makiki Christian Church. The couple have a daughter, Lani, who attends the University of Southern California.
The Gotos are from Santa Cruz, Calif., where Alpha was pastor of the United Methodist Church and previously served as pastor of several churches in the San Francisco Bay Area.
In 1979, both Alpha and Pam graduated from the Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, Calif., with master’s degrees in divinity.
They shared a pastoral position at Christian Layman Church, a non-denominational Japanese congregation in Berkeley. After a year, Alpha became the sole pastor and Pam took the position of Christian education resource director.
Church leaders said in November 2003 the congregation formed a “search committee” to look over profiles of available pastors. In April they chose the Gotos to come.
The church has been in search of a new pastor for the past three years.
“The Gotos bring a wealth of experience and enthusiasm with youth groups as well as traditional ministry to the community,” church leaders said.
Some of the congregation’s goals are to address the drug problem in Hanalei with other churches similar to efforts being made n West Kaua‘i; develop youth groups and activities for families and young people; and possibly add more Bible study sessions during the week and weekends.
Goto’s first service will be at 10 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 29. Sunday school for children begins at 10:30 and Bible study is held from 9 to 9:45 a.m. A welcoming potluck will follow the service.
“Please join us in welcoming Reverend Alpha D. Goto and his wife Pam to their new ministry … All are welcome!” church leaders said.
Wai‘oli Hui‘ia Church, a United Church of Christ, is located in Hanalei Town along Kuhio Highway.
There are 84 active members.
For more information, please call 826-6253.
