Huialoha Church

Gathering with Aloha Since 1857

Contributed By: Carl "Soot" Bredhoff

At Kaupō the brethren have been preparing stone for a new church: Though no money has yet been expended.” Rev. W. O. Baldwin, 1857

For 165 years Huialoha Congregational Church has stood on the windswept promontory known as Mokulau at Kaupō, Maui.

The Hawaiian people of Kaupō undertook the tremendous task of building Huialoha Church by hand. They harvested coral from the ocean floor to be made into a mortar, hauled rocks to the site, and put the two together to erect the walls. Lumber was transported in for the ceiling and floor. The church was completed in 1859.

Huialoha Church

Kauwila Hanchett

Records show that as of 1846 there was already a Congregational congregation in Kaupō, with the Rev. Eliphet W. Whittlesey serving Hana and Kaupō. By 1849 there were 231 worshipers.

Some of the Congregational ministers in the 1800’s and early 1900’s were Kealoha, Puhi, Inaina, and Murray. In more recent years, names such as Poepoe, Lake, Kalili, Plunkett, Crisp, Kaina, and Merseberg show up. The Rev. Bill Kaina served Huialoha and was present at both re-dedication services in 1978 and 2015 following the two restoration projects.

The Rev. Herbert Brewster served Huialoha in 1942 when the church’s mauka door was replaced by a window. During the 1950’s restoration, a bottle was found above the window with notes in it from some of the families who were working there; Keike, Apo, Brewster.

When Wananalua Congregational Church no longer had full time ministers, interim ministers served the area, accompanied by a few of the Wananalua Church lay ministers.

The Rev. Peter Konohia preached occasionally. His wife, Elizabeth, accompanied him and played the ukulele, which was the only music available unless the little foot pumped organ was brought down, in which case one of the interim ministers’ wives would play it.

Services were held once a month beginning at three in the afternoon. Alice Apo would bring flowers from her yard. Daisy Kekoanui would get up and sing a song for Huialoha. Judith Bredhoff brought cookies and juice.

A photo in one of Nick Soon’s picture albums shows a large wooden hall near where the chain gate is. There was also a small house for the ministers to stay in, located near where the restrooms are. Due to the house’s very poor condition, it was razed during the 1950’s restoration.

Over the past 165 years many people and organizations have volunteered to maintain the church and its grounds. There is much Aloha for Huialoha.

Presently there is a Huialoha Preservation ‘Ahahui whose mission is to preserve the church building and its grounds, which are owned by the Hawai’i Conference Foundation, United Church of Christ.

For more information please visit www.huialohachurchkaupo.org.