KAPA‘A – It was an exciting day for Seventh-day Adventist churchmembers who gathered at the Kapa‘a sanctuary for a day-long service and celebration that inaugurated the dedication of the Kapa‘a Seventh-day Adventist Church’s new church building. Seventh-day Adventists from around
KAPA‘A – It was an exciting day for Seventh-day Adventist churchmembers who gathered at the Kapa‘a sanctuary for a day-long service and celebration that inaugurated the dedication of the Kapa‘a Seventh-day Adventist Church’s new church building.
Seventh-day Adventists from around the island as well as from off-island churches congregated at the Kapa‘a church, which is located across the street from the Kapa‘a Shopping Center for the special celebration.
Curtis Law, general contractor, was acknowledged for his efforts at picking up the pieces and putting forth the extra effort to complete the church complex that was dedicated with the symbolic cutting of the ribbon by Seventh-day Adventist officials and dignitaries.
Construction of the building had been delayed for several years. The original white Kapa‘a Seventh-day Adventist church building once stood in the northside, mauka corner of the property.
Leading the ceremonies was pastor VicLouis Arreola III, who noted that the special stained glass has already drawn the interest of visitors who have stopped by wanting to get photographs of the unique piece that depicts three angels winging over a rainbow-ed Hanalei Valley.
The concept of the stained glass located at the front of the church was developed through the inspiration of the building committee, and created by artist Clinton Conley.
The children of Katherine Lui and Helen Zane commissioned the piece in honor of the two ladies who were leaders in the mission of the church as it worked to fulfill the commission of spreading the message of God’s love to the people of Kaua‘i.
Lui and Zane also nourished the church family in spiritual growth and promoted positive social and recreational activities.
Church members were quick to acknowledge and express their appreciation to neighboring churches in the Kapa‘a community that offered up their buildings so the SDA parishioners could have a place to worship while their church was being constructed.
Kahu Eli Same presided as the Master of Ceremonies with Brad White, Kapa‘a First Elder, delivering the invocation.
Congratulatory remarks were presented by Elder Ron Lindsey, Hawai‘i Conference Secretary/Treasurer, Pastor Vernon Putz, former Kaua‘i pastor, and Kaua‘i Mayor Bryan Baptiste.
Rachel Same offered the church’s history, and Dean Sacramed and Stella Hew conveyed the church’s building committee’s appreciation to all who made the Saturday celebration become reality.
Elder Arnold Tujillo, Hawai‘i Conference President, presented “A Challenge for the Kapa‘a Church,” and Elder Robert Nomi, Kapa‘a Associate Pastor, closed the inauguration services with the Benediction.
Hew noted that following the ribbon cutting, a flock of pigeons belonging to one of the parishioners was let go to fly over the newly-dedicated church, the owner of the birds passing on before the church was completed.
Arreola said that it was the wish of this member that the birds fly over the building when it was dedicated.
The pastoral staff at the Kapa‘a Seventh Day Adventist Church is led by Kaua‘i Senior Pastor VicLouis Arreola III, Associate Pastor Nomi, and First Elder/Lay Pastor Eli Same.
For more information, call 821-2258, or visit the church’s Web site at www.KapaaAdventist.com.
Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) and dfujimoto@pulitzer.net
