LIHUE — The Rev. Nathan Grosse says the Kauai Baptist Church’s board of trustees is gearing up to form emergency protocols in light of a nationwide trend of churches amping up security.
In light of multiple fatal shootings at churches, some across the nation are securing their sanctuaries, arming pastors and training congregation members on active shooter scenario protocols.
On Kauai, though, the concept is barely in the talking stages, if it’s happening at all.
“We should have those conversations,” Grosse said. “The world is changing.”
But that doesn’t mean Grosse or his congregation is particularly worried about an active shooter scenario. He pointed out Kauai is an island of peaceful communities and there historically has been no need for security. That’s a sentiment echoed by congregations across the island.
Representatives from St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church said the only discussions they’ve had about security is regarding the homeless population in Lihue.
However, other than locking the doors, the church hasn’t made security a priority and hasn’t taken any further measures.
The Rev. Rick Bundschuh of Kauai Christian Fellowship in Koloa said his congregation doesn’t feel its in any danger, either.
“It’s a breath of fresh air, really, the lack of having to look over your shoulder here on Kauai,” Bundschuh said. “We’re blessed not to have to worry about security in our churches; it’s part of what makes Kauai wonderful.”
Residents live “face-to-face and know who our neighbors are” on the island, he said, adding that Kauai Christian Fellowship doesn’t have plans to beef up security any time soon.
On the North Shore, Nicole Johnson with Waioli Huiia Church in Hanalei said the church has had a few nervous visitors voice concerns in the days following the shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh.
Eleven were killed on Oct. 27 when a gunman with an assault rifle opened fire, just another in a trend of mass shootings that have rocked the United States.
While several people asked about increased security, Johnson said the congregation at the historic church feels safe.
“The climate and tone we experience here at the congregation feels unthreatening,” Johnson said.
She continued: “We experience a lovely time here at the Waioli Huiia Church, especially with locals in our town that don’t attend but know of its existence and historical value.”
The response to the devastating North Shore floods in April, for instance, brought out dozens of community members volunteering to help clean the church. A flood of donations and support from people around the nation inundated the picturesque church.
“We didn’t miss a Sunday service,” Johnson said. “We were able to hold services and received support statewide, people checking in and flying over from other islands and the mainland.”
Throughout the island, representatives from different denominations and faiths, different communities on different sides of Kauai, congregations said they feel safe.
But the conversation had come up among leadership.
“Maybe we’re more naïve on Kauai, figuring we live in a more peaceful community,” Grosse said. “But, we used to sleep in our own community with our doors locked until something happened a few years ago and now we lock our doors at our house. We’ve got to be prepared.”
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Jessica Else, staff writer, can be reached at 245-0452 or at jelse@thegardenisland.com.
